What do you do if your digital media skills aren't impressing in a PR interview?

Be honest to yourself and acknowledge areas that require improvement. In a PR interview, it's important to be genuine and authentic, so claiming knowledge on a subject matter, in this case digital media skills, should be a honest claim. There's no faking it, so it's better to use the interview as a learning opportunity and prepare a learning plan to establish/upgrade your skills. Seeking feedback from seniors or mentors also helps assess where you stand in terms of the application of these skills. For digital media skills, the more you use it in projects, taking a more hands on practical approach, the more you're able to hone it.

Learning and gaining new skills are something you should not hesitate to adapt into your daily growth plan. When your digital skills fall short during the interview, then you should consider it as an eye opener and a boon to sharpen your skills even better. My personal advice to you is to never step back from your goal and pace down based on the comments you receive about your skills. Also, in today's digitally growing world, when there is a plethora of digital tools available around you, do not push yourself too hard trying to gain skills you "just want to for a temporary purpose". Do what you are passionate about and excel in learning those skills in your field of interest. I am sure you will excel in all you do with a passionate mind!

As a content, design and marketing professional, I can say that honesty is the best way to go when your skills are questioned and exposed. This is how you will be able to demonstrate your interest in improving your skills, highlighting your desire to cover these gaps in a motivated way and with a willingness to delve into the topic and update your knowledge. Reading books on the topic and online courses should be considered. On the other hand, if you didn't excel in digital media during an interview, try to highlight other skills and experiences that are relevant to the public relations role. This may include communication skills, writing skills, press relations experience.

?? Assessing the Skills Gap: Understanding Where Improvement Is Needed ?? Seeking Additional Training and Education: Bridging Knowledge Gaps ?? Leveraging Transferable Skills: Highlighting Relevant Experiences ?? Embracing a Growth Mindset: Committing to Continuous Improvement ?? Seeking Mentorship and Guidance: Learning from Industry Experts ?? Showcasing Soft Skills: Emphasizing Communication and Adaptability ?? Tailoring Your Approach: Customizing Your Strategy for Success

Over the years, I've hired many PR professionals, some without digital media experience. That’s okay. Diversity in skills and perspectives is vital. It’s crucial to be candid with yourself and quickly assess where you can improve. Staying updated with digital trends is now easier, and those who combine their extensive experience with an ability to adopt new technologies stand out. Embracing both traditional expertise and modern trends not only enhances your skill set but also gives you a competitive edge in the evolving PR landscape.

Provide specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully adapted to new technologies, tools, or work environments. Emphasize situations where you quickly learned and utilized digital media skills or adapted to changing circumstances. This demonstrates your ability to be flexible and adapt to new challenges.

PR is a constantly evolving field, and in today's world where digital media plays a crucial role, having the right skill set is very important. When preparing for a job interview or pitching a new project, it's important to highlight the campaigns you've worked on in the past and how you adapted your skills to fit those campaigns. Share specific examples of your previous work and explain the role you played in each campaign. Be sure to also discuss any challenges you faced during the process and how you overcame them. This will help showcase your expertise and problem-solving abilities.

If your digital media skills aren't impressive in a PR interview, be honest, express your eagerness to learn, highlight your strengths in communication and creativity, share any relevant experiences, and mention steps you're taking to improve, like online courses. This shows your commitment to growth, a valuable trait in PR.

As you're thinking about the skills you possess that are transferrable to a PR role, you'll also want to prepare specific projects and examples where you used those skills and how specifically that example can be applied to PR. With the increasing popularity of behavioral interviewing questions, specificity and case studies from your background are becoming more essential. Plus, they're a great way for you to highlight your accomplishments that may not immediately translate on paper.

Acknowledge that there may be areas where you have room for improvement. This demonstrates self-awareness and honesty and outline a clear plan for how you intend to bridge the gap in your digital media skills. Explain how you will proactively address this by dedicating time and effort to learning and practicing relevant tools and techniques. This shows your determination and initiative.

Volunteer or opt for internship opportunities in organizations or agencies that focus on digital media within the PR or marketing realm. This hands-on experience can help you gain practical skills, build your portfolio, and demonstrate your commitment to improving your digital media expertise.