It’s that time of the week again: #GirlBossMonday!
Jane Woodhead is the UK Consumer PR Director of Influential PR and Marketing here in Liverpool, where I spent a week’s work experience in November of last year. It was a brilliant and insightful experience to see Jane and her team at work and to get a firm grasp on what it is PR people do day to day in and out of the office.
Jane also talks of how vital work experience is. Along with all of the #GirlBosses I have interviewed, she states that a university degree is important, but it is being in the working environment where you do the most important learning.
The reason I conduct these interviews is to inspire you, my readers, and fellow PR students to be successful in your careers and business leaders of the future. I have asked the important questions to gain an insight of how these #GirlBosses made it to where they are today, and how we can emulate their successes.
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
OC: Hi Jane! An easy question to start us off (I hope) – What is your full job title?
JW: UK Consumer PR Director
Can you give me a background of your career and education? How did this lead you to be in your PR position today?
I started my career as a journalist, with 15 years on the Liverpool Echo newspaper. I held various positions, including Education Correspondent, Political Correspondent and Feature Writer.
I moved into PR eight years ago!
What do you find most rewarding about your role in PR?
Everyday is different. Never are two days the same. It is exciting, challenging and very rewarding.
I get to meet lots of different people from all walks of life and help to make a real difference to these people and their lives. I have some amazing clients and genuinely feel very passionate about all of the organisations I represent.
If you were to hire someone for a PR role, what skills and qualities would your ideal candidate have?
Attitude is everything. I always say there are many things you can train but you cannot train attitude.
A bubbly, friendly personality is also a really good quality to have, together with being able to talk to people and make them feel cared about.
Strong writing skills and an interest in the subject/area where you are applying for the position is also essential.
What advice would you give to a student like myself that wants to emulate your success and make it in the PR industry?
Try to get as much experience as possible in a working environment. University is obviously very important but it is time in the workplace which really counts and where you will do most of your learning.
There is nothing like being thrown in at the deep end, don’t be afraid to ask questions, no question is a silly question and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes – what is important is to learn from these and ensure they don’t happen again.
Thank you Jane ♥
You can visit Influential’s website at www.thisisinfluential.com
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