Hi! I'm Moumita. Hello, would you suggest if I should go for a 'Public Relations Executive' profile, would it come under the HR profession at a private organization? Because I want to pursue a career in HR for my successful life. Will working as a Public Relations Executive count as experience in HR if I choose that path?
From India, Kolkata
From India, Kolkata
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From India, Kolkata
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Public Relations
"Public relations is a communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their public (i.e., creating a relationship between the organization and its customers, shareholders, stakeholders, and everyone directly or indirectly related to the organization) to create and maintain a favorable image for their employer in the marketplace. PR work is all about relationships and the image of the employer.
If you want to start a career in PR, you should first earn a degree in communications, journalism, or marketing. Public relations is sometimes known as corporate communications, public affairs, or media relations.
Example - Job Description of a Public Relations Officer
- Planning PR campaigns and strategy
- Monitoring public and media perception of the client or employer
- Writing and editing leaflets, brochures, press releases, speeches, newsletters, and websites
- Arranging events like press launches, news conferences, exhibitions, open days, and sponsorships
- Developing good working relationships with the media
- Arranging for advertising or promotional films to be produced
- Public speaking at presentations, conferences, or radio and TV interviews
- Representing the company or client at events
Human Resource Management
An HR staff is the link between employees and the company. They handle questions and problems, brief employees on benefits, help set and enforce organizational policies, and handle both hiring and job terminations. The department is integral to employee satisfaction; it enforces policies equally, mediates disputes, and circumvents potential problems.
Example - Job Description of a Human Resource Officer
- Recruiting staff – advertising and interviewing
- Working with other managers to plan future personnel needs
- Keeping employee records
- Providing staff training and development
- Making sure that staff have the right pay and benefits
- Arranging services such as staff welfare and counseling
- Dealing with grievances and disciplinary procedures
- Promoting equality and health and safety
- Advising on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy, and employment law
- Developing HR policies and procedures, and writing staff handbooks
Difference Between HR & PR
- HR is not involved in media relations such as pitching reporters to persuade them to cover the company or its products.
- The HR staff would not invite media to a press conference, coordinate a press tour, or write press releases and media alerts.
- An HR staff member would not be a company’s primary spokesperson or main press contact person.
- A PR staff member would be a company’s primary spokesperson or main press contact person.
- A PR staff member does not select employee benefits, enforce personnel policies, or hold responsibility for other personnel procedures like HR staff members do.
Similarities Between HR & PR
- The level of interpersonal communication skills necessary is similar between HR and PR staff, as each must be adept at handling people.
- They must be persuasive, likable, and engaging. How well HR does its job in recruiting and hiring can affect the public perception of a company; similarly, if the company maintains a positive public image, HR is likely to have greater success in recruiting top talent.
- Internally, both departments have a vested interest in employee relations and communications.
Based on the above explanations, I can say that both are the same in terms of communication (both are working to create an image of the employer). However, based on the job description, they are different. It would be better if you have a degree in HR & PR, then you can work in both departments. But if you do not have the same, then it depends on the employer.
I hope this will be helpful for you to understand your job scenario and career path.
Thanking you!
Regards,
Amit
From India, Surat
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144"Public relations is a communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their public (i.e., creating a relationship between the organization and its customers, shareholders, stakeholders, and everyone directly or indirectly related to the organization) to create and maintain a favorable image for their employer in the marketplace. PR work is all about relationships and the image of the employer.
If you want to start a career in PR, you should first earn a degree in communications, journalism, or marketing. Public relations is sometimes known as corporate communications, public affairs, or media relations.
Example - Job Description of a Public Relations Officer
- Planning PR campaigns and strategy
- Monitoring public and media perception of the client or employer
- Writing and editing leaflets, brochures, press releases, speeches, newsletters, and websites
- Arranging events like press launches, news conferences, exhibitions, open days, and sponsorships
- Developing good working relationships with the media
- Arranging for advertising or promotional films to be produced
- Public speaking at presentations, conferences, or radio and TV interviews
- Representing the company or client at events
Human Resource Management
An HR staff is the link between employees and the company. They handle questions and problems, brief employees on benefits, help set and enforce organizational policies, and handle both hiring and job terminations. The department is integral to employee satisfaction; it enforces policies equally, mediates disputes, and circumvents potential problems.
Example - Job Description of a Human Resource Officer
- Recruiting staff – advertising and interviewing
- Working with other managers to plan future personnel needs
- Keeping employee records
- Providing staff training and development
- Making sure that staff have the right pay and benefits
- Arranging services such as staff welfare and counseling
- Dealing with grievances and disciplinary procedures
- Promoting equality and health and safety
- Advising on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy, and employment law
- Developing HR policies and procedures, and writing staff handbooks
Difference Between HR & PR
- HR is not involved in media relations such as pitching reporters to persuade them to cover the company or its products.
- The HR staff would not invite media to a press conference, coordinate a press tour, or write press releases and media alerts.
- An HR staff member would not be a company’s primary spokesperson or main press contact person.
- A PR staff member would be a company’s primary spokesperson or main press contact person.
- A PR staff member does not select employee benefits, enforce personnel policies, or hold responsibility for other personnel procedures like HR staff members do.
Similarities Between HR & PR
- The level of interpersonal communication skills necessary is similar between HR and PR staff, as each must be adept at handling people.
- They must be persuasive, likable, and engaging. How well HR does its job in recruiting and hiring can affect the public perception of a company; similarly, if the company maintains a positive public image, HR is likely to have greater success in recruiting top talent.
- Internally, both departments have a vested interest in employee relations and communications.
Based on the above explanations, I can say that both are the same in terms of communication (both are working to create an image of the employer). However, based on the job description, they are different. It would be better if you have a degree in HR & PR, then you can work in both departments. But if you do not have the same, then it depends on the employer.
I hope this will be helpful for you to understand your job scenario and career path.
Thanking you!
Regards,
Amit
From India, Surat
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Yes, last year I completed my MBA with a specialization in 'HR,' but I am still looking for a better opportunity, which means I am a fresher. So, I want to pursue a career in 'HR' for my successful life. However, my profile was recently selected for a "public relations executive" role. I want to know if this role can be considered as HR or not. It will provide me with experience in the HR field.
From India, Kolkata
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From India, Kolkata
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