u/Fair_Tip2915

Hi all,

Is anyone else getting this bug?

When I search for a specific job and location (e.g., "communications" in "Germany"), it works fine on default relevancy. But when I hit Sort by: Date, it wipes out my query and shows me every job on the site sorted by newest (Quality Management, IT, etc.).

Basically, I can't sort my search results by date without the search resetting.

Is it just me?

Many thanks!

Since business/financial ability is one of the most important things for a solid PR person...where does one even begin to learn?

Is it reading Investopedia? Is it Finance for Non-Finance managers on Coursera? How did you learn? Is it reading financial statements with Claude's help?

What would you add? (below is taken from PRSA) Especially on the tech side of things? Like, I dunno, Google Analytics profciency is a must?

• Data Analysis Proficiency: PR is now about proving value with metrics like share of voice and sentiment analysis, not just media impressions.
• Emotional Intelligence: Building trust and managing relationships are key in a world where misinformation is rampant.
• AI Integration Mastery: Generative AI is central to PR workflows, from drafting content to media monitoring. Knowing how to use it ethically is critical.
• Advanced Storytelling Techniques: Craft narratives that resonate emotionally and are optimized for AI-driven platforms.
• Crisis Management Expertise: Prevention is the new focus, using AI tools to flag risks before they escalate.
• SEO and Digital Optimization: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) ensures brands are accurately represented in AI-generated search results.
• Social Media and Influencer Strategies: Micro-influencers and real-time social listening are reshaping audience engagement.
• Strategic Thinking: Align PR efforts with business goals and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Ethical Communication Practices: Transparency in AI usage and combating misinformation are top priorities.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Stay ahead by mastering AI, data analytics, and other emerging skills.

I’m reaching out to this community because I’m really stuck in my head right now and could use some practical perspective from people who’ve lived through career shifts, workplace restructuring, or long job searches..

For context, I’ve been in corporate communications at a tech company for eight years at a global tech company, in Germany. I lead our communications function: managing global PR, executive profiling, media relations. For years, the work felt expansive and meaningful, and I worked directly alongside executive leadership.

About 1.5 years ago, a new marketing leadership structure came in and sidelined my function. A person I originally hired to help me was shifted into a primary role (and not me, either because I wasn't all that great or they just liked other people better, also it doesn't help that I am not the loudest or the most confident person in the room), and I’ve spent the last 1.5 years watching myself disappear from a job I once felt chosen for. 

I recently had an honest conversation with our executive director (the one who 'chose' me many years ago). He confirmed there are no internal transfer paths, gave implicit permission to look externally while staying on the payroll, and promised a supportive exit when the time comes. But like...thanks, amazing, but it's not like I can pull this off for another year. So I have started applying for new jobs.

While that conversation brought some initial relief, I’m struggling with a few things...

--First, the psychological part. I realized my professional confidence was so anchored in executive belief in me rather than me believing in myself. Now that the role has dissolved, I keep spiraling into imposter syndrome, telling myself I was never actually good at tech PR, while simultaneously feeling unqualified to work anywhere else. I really feel like a fraud and a fool and like I have wasted 8 years. Now seeing certain colleagues' names pop up on Teams gives me physical nausea, yet I have to keep showing up and not get fired.

--Second, the citizenship question. I applied for German citizenship earlier this year after hitting the five-year residency mark. The processing timeline in Berlin takes about a year, and I know I cannot afford an extended gap on unemployment benefits while my file is active (if I am fired). I started applying for new jobs: comms roles in different industries. So far I've applied to 30 companies and got 10 rejections and 20 no responses yet. Evryone says one should rely on their network but tbh I don't think I have one.

If you’ve ever been restructured out of a role you started, how did you detach emotionally? Or how did you keep going while being so miserable at current job and looking for a new one at the same time?

I’d be so grateful for any direct thoughts, reality checks, or personal experiences. Thanks for taking the time to read.

I’m reaching out to this community because I’m really stuck in my head right now and could use some practical perspective from people who’ve lived through career shifts, workplace restructuring, or long job searches..

For context, I’ve been in corporate communications at a tech company for eight years at a global tech company, in Germany. I lead our communications function: managing global PR, executive profiling, media relations. For years, the work felt expansive and meaningful, and I worked directly alongside executive leadership.

About 1.5 years ago, a new marketing leadership structure came in and sidelined my function. A person I originally hired to help me was shifted into a primary role (and not me, either because I wasn't all that great or they just liked other people better, also it doesn't help that I am not the loudest or the most confident person in the room), and I’ve spent the last 1.5 years watching myself disappear from a job I once felt chosen for. 

I recently had an honest conversation with our executive director (the one who 'chose' me many years ago). He confirmed there are no internal transfer paths, gave implicit permission to look externally while staying on the payroll, and promised a supportive exit when the time comes. But like...thanks, amazing, but it's not like I can pull this off for another year. So I have started applying for new jobs.

While that conversation brought some initial relief, I’m struggling with a few things...

--First, the psychological part. I realized my professional confidence was so anchored in executive belief in me rather than me believing in myself. Now that the role has dissolved, I keep spiraling into imposter syndrome, telling myself I was never actually good at tech PR, while simultaneously feeling unqualified to work anywhere else. I really feel like a fraud and a fool and like I have wasted 8 years. Now seeing certain colleagues' names pop up on Teams gives me physical nausea, yet I have to keep showing up and not get fired.

--Second, the citizenship question. I applied for German citizenship earlier this year after hitting the five-year residency mark. The processing timeline in Berlin takes about a year, and I know I cannot afford an extended gap on unemployment benefits while my file is active (if I am fired). I started applying for new jobs: comms roles in different industries. So far I've applied to 30 companies and got 10 rejections and 20 no responses yet.

If you’ve ever been restructured out of a role you started, how did you detach emotionally? Or how did you keep going while being so miserable at current job and looking for a new one at the same time?

I’d be so grateful for any direct thoughts, reality checks, or personal experiences. Thanks for taking the time to read.

I’m reaching out to this community because I’m really stuck in my head right now and could use some practical perspective from people who’ve lived through career shifts, workplace restructuring, or long job searches..

For context, I’ve been in corporate communications for eight years at a global tech company, in Germany. I built our communications function from scratch, managing global PR, executive profiling, media relations. For years, the work felt expansive and meaningful, and I worked directly alongside executive leadership.

About two years ago, a new marketing leadership structure came in and sidelined my function. A person I originally hired to help me was shifted into a primary role (and not me, either because I wasn't all that great or they just liked other people better, also it doesn't help that I am not the loudest or the most confident person in the room), and I’ve spent the last 1.5 years watching myself disappear from a job I once felt chosen for. I recently had an honest conversation with our executive director (the one who 'chose' me many years ago). He confirmed there are no internal transfer paths, gave implicit permission to look externally while staying on the payroll, and promised a supportive exit when the time comes. But like...thanks, amazing, but it's not like I can pull this off for another year. So I have started applying for new jobs.

While that conversation brought some initial relief, I’m struggling with a few things...

--First, the psychological part. I realized my professional confidence was so anchored in executive belief in me rather than me believing in myself. Now that the role has dissolved, I keep spiraling into imposter syndrome, telling myself I was never actually good at tech PR, while simultaneously feeling unqualified to work anywhere else. I really feel like a fraud and a fool and like I have wasted 8 years. Now seeing certain colleagues' names pop up on Teams gives me physical nausea, yet I have to keep showing up and not get fired.

--Second, the citizenship question. I applied for German citizenship earlier this year after hitting the five-year residency mark. The processing timeline in Berlin takes about a year, and I know I cannot afford an extended gap on unemployment benefits while my file is active (if I am fired). I started applying for new jobs: comms roles in different industries. So far I've applied to 30 companies and got 10 rejections and 20 no responses yet.

If you’ve ever been restructured out of a role you started, how did you detach emotionally? Or how did you keep going while being so miserable at current job and looking for a new one at the same time?

I’d be so grateful for any direct thoughts, reality checks, or personal experiences. Thanks for taking the time to read.

To me it sounds quite useless? If there is a watermark, Claude touched it at some point... And if there isn’t one, Claude still might have touched it at some point.

What does it really change? Is it just to make the EU feel better?

It's on Muck Rack, 'media relations fundamentals'... I liked it, never hurts to brush up on the fundamentals. Just wanted to discuss. Did you like it? Do you know of anything similar?

Is there a course you liked and thought was actually helpful but the one that wasn't on PR? For example, I see some peers saying a Data & Analytics course is way more helpful than some media relations and AI in PR course....etc..

Would love to hear from you!

I can do the execution part fine...I can write the content, pitch the media, and do the legwork.

But the moment it shifts to strategic advisory, my brain just goes: lol, who am I to tell anyone anything? What do I actually know? Who am I to guide anyone?

So I wanted to ask more confident professionals: where does that confidence come from? Is it a skill you can actually learn through practice and frameworks, or is it just a personality trait? If it is the latter, then I am doomed.

But I'd love to read from you: how do you do it? How do you cross that bridge from being a reliable doer to a bold strategic advisor without feeling like a total fraud, especially when you are speaking with all these fancy people with way more experience than you?

Please recommend some -- just where I could learn from PR Pros, Comms pros etc: on current state of comms/PR/AI/media etc.

Please help!

I want/need to learn GEO, specifically how AI search tools pull information and mention brands.

• Do you know any good short courses on this?
• What websites, newsletters, or experts do you follow to learn how GEO affects PR?

Many thanks for any tips!

Hi all,

...is it impossible to find an in-house Comms/PR Manager role in any industry these days? Looking for a new job after 8 years in the same company... would love a tip or trick or two... I keep seeing all these job ads looking for EXCEPTIONAL and amazing candidates, and I am just...normal/average/diligent candidate...where do I go?

Five years in-house comms (for a software-engineering company), currently job hunting, trying to figure out where to point myself next. Very open to a lot of industries but could use some real talk from people who've actually done this in a few different ones.

You know, I just interviewed for a comms role at a VC firm, and in the very first interview they told me (more than once) that comms isn't a priority for them at all, and whoever takes that job is bracing for a career of hearing "no" and fighting for scraps of budget/attention. This interview left me with such unpleasant aftertaste.

So...I wonder which industry makes comms feel valued, not just tolerated? And any industries you'd steer someone away from for the opposite reason?

Many thanks!

Does anyone do in-house PR for a venture capital firm? Is it the most stressful thing ever? Is it interesting? Please share experiences if you can.

Has anyone gone through Berlin Einbürgerung recently and not been asked to resubmit proof of employment/payslips when LEA got back to you? Or do they always request updated documents when they finally reply?

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some realistic career transition advice.

My dream is to move into the circular fashion / recommerce, specifically into a Brand, Communications, or Partnerships Manager role at a branded resale platform (companies like Trove, Archive, European version of ThredUp…) or directly in-house handling circular strategy for  brands…

My background: I come from tech communications. I don't write code, but I know how the B2B tech side works and I'm deeply passionate about fashion circularity. But…being passionate is not enough. 

I understand the major retail tech players, consumer behaviors on secondhand apps, and can instantly name the brands that are good to approach for official resale infrastructure… 

The problem: I feel at a complete loss on where to start. Coming from outside the traditional fashion world, I know my biggest hurdles are understanding the actual business mechanics of resale. I need to learn how to talk to a brand's CFO about the math behind profit margins and trade-in incentives, how the physical warehouse and shipping logistics work once clothes leave a customer's closet, and how upcoming European sustainability regulations impact a brand's tech strategy.

My question to the community: Is this industry something I can realistically self-teach through deep-dive research, reading white papers (like Ellen MacArthur Foundation or Fashion For Good reports), and studying marketplace data (like the thredUP reports)?

Or should I be looking into structured, formal education? If yes, are there specific short courses, executive certificates, or credentials that actually mean something when recruiters scan a resume for a Partnerships/Comms role in this niche?

If anyone has successfully transitioned into a business/comms role in recommerce from an outside industry, I would love to know how you built your bridge…

Many thanks in advance!

Would love to hear if anyone in Berlin submitted all the docs and heard back very soon for some magic reason? Like, anyone who got their citizenship 3-5 months after submitting?