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Public Relations Officer Onboarding Checklist
Contents
Public Relations Officer Onboarding Process
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Public Relations Officer starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Communications onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Public Relations Officer, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Public Relations Officer onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
Public Relations Officer Onboarding Checklist
1. Introduction to company culture and values: The task involves providing a comprehensive overview of the company’s culture, values, and mission. This helps the Public Relations Officer (PRO) understand the organization’s ethos and align their work accordingly. Typically, the Human Resources department or a designated company representative performs this task.
2. Familiarization with company structure and departments: The PRO needs to understand the company’s organizational structure and the various departments they will interact with. This task involves introducing the PRO to key personnel in each department, explaining their roles, and facilitating initial meetings. The Human Resources department or a designated mentor within the company usually handles this task.
3. Review of company policies and procedures: The PRO should be familiarized with the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to communication, media relations, crisis management, and social media usage. This task ensures that the PRO adheres to the company’s guidelines and understands the boundaries within which they can operate. The Human Resources department or the PRO’s direct supervisor typically performs this task.
4. Introduction to key stakeholders: The PRO needs to be introduced to the company’s key stakeholders, such as clients, media contacts, industry influencers, and internal decision-makers. This task involves providing a list of contacts, their roles, and any relevant background information. The PRO’s direct supervisor or a designated team member usually handles this task.
5. Training on media relations and communication strategies: As a PRO, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of media relations and effective communication strategies. This task involves providing training sessions or workshops on media engagement, press release writing, crisis communication, and other relevant skills. The company’s Public Relations or Communications department typically performs this task.
6. Familiarization with company branding and messaging: The PRO needs to understand the company’s branding guidelines, messaging, and positioning in the market. This task involves providing access to brand guidelines, previous campaigns, and any relevant marketing materials. The Marketing or Branding department usually handles this task.
7. Introduction to relevant software and tools: The PRO should be familiarized with the software and tools used for media monitoring, social media management, content creation, and analytics. This task involves providing access to necessary software, conducting training sessions, and assigning a point of contact for any technical support. The IT department or a designated team member typically performs this task.
8. Review of previous PR campaigns and initiatives: The PRO should be briefed on the company’s previous PR campaigns, initiatives, and media coverage. This task helps the PRO understand the company’s PR history, identify successful strategies, and avoid repeating past mistakes. The Public Relations or Communications department usually handles this task.
9. Introduction to internal communication channels: The PRO needs to be familiarized with the company’s internal communication channels, such as email, intranet, project management tools, and team collaboration platforms. This task involves providing access to these channels and explaining their purpose and usage. The IT department or a designated team member typically performs this task.
10. Shadowing and mentoring opportunities: To gain practical experience and learn from experienced professionals, the PRO should be provided with shadowing and mentoring opportunities. This task involves pairing the PRO with a senior PR professional who can guide them, answer questions, and provide feedback. The Public Relations or Communications department typically handles this task.
11. Introduction to industry-specific regulations and ethics: The PRO needs to be familiarized with any industry-specific regulations, codes of conduct, or ethical guidelines that govern their work. This task ensures that the PRO operates within legal and ethical boundaries while representing the company. The Public Relations or Legal department typically performs this task.
12. Goal setting and performance expectations: The PRO should have clear goals and performance expectations set for them. This task involves discussing key performance indicators, targets, and timelines with the PRO’s direct supervisor. The supervisor or the Public Relations department typically handles this task.
13. Introduction to crisis management protocols: The PRO needs to be familiarized with the company’s crisis management protocols and procedures. This task involves providing access to crisis management plans, conducting training sessions, and assigning a point of contact for any crisis-related inquiries. The Public Relations or Communications department typically performs this task.
14. Review of industry trends and competitors: The PRO should be updated on the latest industry trends, competitor activities, and market dynamics. This task involves providing access to industry reports, competitor analysis, and relevant news sources. The Public Relations or Marketing department typically handles this task.
15. Introduction to company events and initiatives: The PRO needs to be aware of upcoming company events, initiatives, and campaigns. This task involves providing a calendar of events, explaining their purpose, and assigning responsibilities if necessary. The Public Relations or Communications department typically performs this task.
16. Performance evaluation and feedback mechanisms: The PRO should be informed about the company’s performance evaluation and feedback mechanisms. This task involves explaining the evaluation process, timelines, and any relevant forms or templates. The Human Resources department or the PRO’s direct supervisor typically handles this task.
17. Introduction to company social responsibility initiatives: The PRO needs to be familiarized with the company’s social responsibility initiatives and any ongoing partnerships or community engagement programs. This task involves providing information on the company’s CSR activities and explaining how the PRO can contribute. The Public Relations or Corporate Social Responsibility department typically performs this task.
18. Introduction to company media monitoring and reporting practices: The PRO should be familiarized with the company’s media monitoring and reporting practices. This task involves explaining how media coverage is tracked, analyzed, and reported. The Public Relations or Communications department typically handles this task.
19. Introduction to company budgeting and resource allocation: The PRO needs to understand how the company’s PR budget is allocated and managed. This task involves providing an overview of the budgeting process, explaining any reporting requirements, and assigning a point of contact for budget-related inquiries. The Finance or Public Relations department typically performs this task.
20. Introduction to company-specific tools and resources: The PRO should be introduced to any company-specific tools, resources, or databases that are essential for their work. This task involves providing access to these tools, explaining their purpose, and assigning a point of contact for any inquiries. The Public Relations or Communications department typically handles this task
Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process
From reading through the items in the example Public Relations Officer checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Public Relations Officer up to speed and working well in your Communications team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.
