THE MOST STRESSFUL JOB :: PR @ NO. 5
A website published the list of 10 Most Stressful Jobs in 2013 recently. It is depressing. PR came in at No. 5!! Being a PR executive is more stressful than being a Senior Corporate Exec who is paid way far more, and only “less stressful” than Enlisted Military Personnel, Military General, Firefighter and Commercial Airline Pilot.
This should be warning enough for those considering a career in the ‘glamourous’ world of PR.
As a PR practitioner, or as I prefer to call myself, a Communicator – we communicate the message of the company and brand. Being in an agency, we do that on behalf of our clients, every day.
Regardless whether we call ourselves a PR practitioner or a Communicator, many will agree that our role can be best described as a super multi-tasker. PR is expected to deliver on the expectations of the boss, generate interesting content, produce great write-ups, get media and intended audience to show up… plus look into the colour of napkin and ensure that certain foods are served at the events, AND look great with welcoming smile. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
The room for error is minuscule if any (think The Devil Wears Prada and you are close). All the fabulous job done for an entire year will be forgotten the instant you make a mistake – you will be asked if you can handle the job.
Being sandwiched between the receiving stakeholders and the brand is also no fun. The job is all about deadlines and perfection.
However, not all is evil. There are also the absolutely nice clients or bosses who buy you lunch to thank you for the job well done. And the understanding managers who will discuss solutions and explain deviations from plans to their bosses. As well as the clients who will run with your campaign concept and idea despite not understanding the concept rationale. And as though the universe conspires to reward kindness, these are also the very clients who have seen some very outstanding results for their communication efforts. We would like to think it is good vibes attracting good results.
At the end of the day, is PR a stressful job? You bet your last bottom dollar, it is!!
But the stress can miraculously disappear and be forgotten, with a simple thank you from the client or media! PR practitioners are just humans when all’s said and done.