UAB Accreditation Tips and Tools — March 2016
APR Over Coffee
A part of our job is to continually scan our environment and identify those who we believe are ready for the next step in their careers. Invite that colleague for coffee and talk about the APR. It’s easy to get a peer involved in the APR process at your nearest coffeehouse. Make an informal approach with three good reasons for taking the APR: personal achievement, career advancement and becoming part of a unique professional network.
Five questions that you can ask of a potential candidate:
- Have you created a full public relations plan from scratch?
- Did the plan include measureable objectives that complement the organization’s objectives?
- Were you involved in creating the communications strategy or in developing products?
- Did the plan include a method to measure results?
- Would you like to learn how to develop, lead and implement strategic communications efforts?
April is APR Month: Plan for it!
April is APR Month and we should prepare ourselves so we can make it a great month. Some ideas to generate interest include:
- APR social gathering – The coolest watering hole in town could be a perfect pitch for interested APR candidates.
- APR breakfast – It’s the most important meal of the day, and it also could be eye opening for candidates.
- APR table at a local event – Select a continuing education or seminar event within your local PR community and set up a table with information about APR. You’ll be amazed how this informal “exhibition” could generate the necessary interest.
- Facebook – Of course Facebook works (www.facebook.com/AccreditationinPR), as does LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/groups/58342) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/PRaccred). You’ll find posts and ideas as well as activities that are being developed for APR Month and all year!
Updated Study Guide and Coach’s Guide now available
The computer-based Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations was recently refreshed to align with changes in our professional practice. The updated KSAs that are measured are online, as are the revised APR Study Guide (3rd Edition) and APR Coach’s Guide. Share the APR Study Guide with others considering the APR to get them motivated!
Use the Readiness Review Questionnaire as a starting point
Since APR candidates have one year from application acceptance to complete the entire process, it’s important they are ready when they start. One way for candidates to assess their readiness is by reviewing the Readiness Review Questionnaire. If they feel they are close to being able to complete that well, they are ready to apply and begin the study process.