What it’s really like to work for an international PR agency

Here at Curzon PR, we work remotely — we always have, even pre-pandemic. This is because we have team members and clients all over the globe. To many PR professionals, working from home while conversing with people across the world may sound idyllic. However, it’s not for everyone. This article tells the truth about what it’s really like to work remotely for an international PR agency, to help you decide if it actually is everything you imagined and more.

Social media is awash with images depicting people enjoying seemingly perfect nomad-worker lives; they’re on beaches, on balconies overlooking famous cities, sipping cappuccinos while wearing fabulous shoes and tip-tapping on laptops, or working serenely from their home office while cherubic children play in the background. Ah, bliss. 

Anyone who works remotely knows that sometimes it can be like that. But, more often, sand in your keyboard is a bad thing, no one can realistically afford to live in an apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower and having kids playing in your home office means you’ll be refereeing squabbling siblings all day.

We asked our team, who are spanned across continents, what they like and dislike about being a PR professional working for a remote team. And we made them promise to be honest!

 

Great! The freedom to roam

One of the most obvious benefits of working remotely is the freedom to not be physically bound to one location. With a working internet connection and a laptop, remote workers can work from anywhere they choose. This allows us to visit family we wouldn’t otherwise often see and change up our scenery if cabin fever is setting in.

 

Not so great. Video meeting fatigue

Being in PR means making and maintaining connections with colleagues, clients and stakeholders. If you’re not in the same room – or even in the same country – this means that a video meeting is almost always the solution. Some days there are a lot of them, and they’re unavoidable, so if you dislike video conferencing and prefer real-life face-to-face meetings, you may want to rethink your career plans!

 

Great! The world is my oyster

Not just the physical world, but the world of work. Ten years ago, if you wanted to work for a particular company, chances are, you would have to relocate. Not now – our approach is to hire the best talent, wherever they are in the world. We have colleagues in UK, India, Nigeria, France, Spain and North America. Location is no longer a barrier when it comes to getting hired by a reputable and professional PR agency.

 

Not so great. Added challenges in communication

We don’t mean being able to contact someone – with modern technology, that’s easy. What we mean are those all-important non-verbal cues that we take for granted when in-person. When you’re on a video meeting, for instance, you can only see the head and shoulders of the person you’re talking to. This eliminates a great deal of body language. Body language helps you pick up on how the other person is feeling and without it communication can be tougher. Learning how to work around this isn’t easy, and can lead to awkward situations.

 

Great! The opportunity to meet with people all over the world

We work with people EVERYWHERE! That means we have to be super culturally aware. This is a challenge in itself, but a welcome one for anyone interested in working for an international PR agency. Our team members have developed broad horizons, huge amounts of empathy and world-friendly attitudes. Working with a global team of PR experts from all over the world gives our clients – and us – the unique advantage of getting a balanced world view on PR issues. It also helps when we meet to ideate and plan client PR campaigns, as each PR expert boasts a unique skill set and has experience from working in different markets and industries.

 

Not so great. Lack of in-person contact

There’s no getting away from it – social gatherings very rarely happen when you work in a remote team. Drinks and meals out after the office, lunch gatherings and having parties to celebrate birthdays, weddings and retirements do not happen. Some people can happily live without these things, but others miss them. Many PR professionals are sociable beings, and working remotely generally does not offer opportunities to socialise. This is something that’s definitely worth thinking about when considering your next career move.

 

Great! Work life balance

Working remotely for an international PR company means no lengthy commutes, which means more time to enjoy your life outside of work. Be it exercising, cooking, spending time with family or friends, or just chilling on your balcony that overlooks the Eiffel Tower (ahem!), the benefits to work life balance is one aspect of remote work that is enjoyed across the board.

Not so great. Self discipline

Many people find it difficult to get motivated when working from home. This doesn’t mean they’re lazy or work shy, it just means that remote working doesn’t suit them. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something to be aware of. If you’re easily distracted by domestic duties, such as painting the garden fence, or would be too tempted to nip out to do the weekly shop, then an office or hybrid work model would lead to you achieving greater success than remote working. Be honest with yourself and think about what kind of work pattern you would genuinely get the best out of.

Working remotely, for an international PR agency or indeed any organisation has its benefits, but isn’t always the utopia it’s made out to be on Instagram and Pinterest. Forget what everyone else thinks they want out of work, and ask yourself what YOU want, and what would best suit your personality working style. Only when you truly know yourself can you decide whether this kind of life and work is right for you.

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Curzon PR is a London-based PR firm working with clients globally. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Business Development Team bd@curzonpr.com