This article investigates the competencies needed for oral communication in English among Thai undergraduate public relations students for handling public relations job interviews and performing entry-level public relations work. To identify these competencies, the study identified and involved all of the stakeholders in the data reliability assessment process. The DACUM process, a research-based methodology of developing a curriculum, was modified through interviews with experts in the field to compile and validate the list of the competencies needed. As a result, the validated list consists of four competencies needed for public relations job interviews and eight competencies needed for entry-level public relations work. For triangulation purposes, a questionnaire survey on 222 public relations students and semi-structured interviews with a focus group were conducted to explore the students' perspectives. The article discusses a huge gap between expectations and the real-world situation and provides suggestions to help bridge this gap. (Contains 4 tables.)