Let’s have some fun today, shall we? Yesterday, CNBC released its ‘2011 Most Stressful Jobs‘ list. Public Relations surprisingly came in second.
Admit it. Our jobs aren’t as stressful as surgeons or firefighters, and many joke that “PR isn’t ER.” We have all been in those situations where the adrenaline is pumping and that hard deadline is rapidly approaching. But, is it really a job that puts us in dangerous situations? Sorry, the thought that the client might hate a concept just doesn’t rank with rescuing people.
Public relations professionals are a rare breed. Many are similar in being an OCD, Type-A personality. Others prefer the Type B approach. There are definitely signs that connect us as an industry.
- Your day starts and ends with a cup of coffee.
- You can power walk in 5 inch heels with your laptop bag and checking your BlackBerry.
- Inside jokes with your colleagues will get you through the day – and the insanely stressful ones.
- You constantly battle that “PR is dead” and “the press release doesn’t have a place in business” arguments.
- You are so used to putting the client first that you forget to eat lunch on a regular basis.
- It’s detrimental to your health and workday when you forget your headphones.
- You can toggle between a PowerPoint presentation, a press release, Twitter strategy and PSA outlines – all in an hour.
- You recite billing codes in your sleep.
- You preface Happy Hour with, “Sorry, I need to keep my phone on the table. I have to be connected to email and phone just in case.”
- You know more about AP Style than Microsoft Office. Because of this, you’re a regular in the IT office.
- You proudly put “PR pro” in your Twitter bio, knowing its the one place you don’t have to explain your job.
This is a starter list. What are some other signs of our industry?
Leave your favorites in the comments section.
