A HAPPO Day for PR Pros

Throughout all of my conversations with interviewers and employers, industry professionals and college professors, every person has agreed on one sure-fire skill for job seekers- NETWORKING.  For those pursuing a career in public relations, an exciting networking event is approaching that can’t be missed.

On Friday, February 19, between 11 am and 3 pm (Eastern), public relation professionals and industry headhunters will work together to introduce eager job seekers and employers- those approaching graduation, that means you, too- through an event appropriately called “Help a PR Pro Out.”

This is where yesterday’s post may come in handy.  To participate in HAPPO, unemployed tweeps are encouraged to share a blog post, podcast, PowerPoint, etc. that will show employers their stuff.  Be sure to post your creation along with the #HAPPO hashtag during the event, as certain industry professionals, or “market champions,” will be retweeting and working to connect potential employees with companies in specific markets.

Check out the official event blog for further information and updates at www.helpaprproout.com.  Be sure to take note of all of the “market champions” and supporters listed! Some, like Sarah Evans, are offering additional ways to connect.

There’s no need to limit yourself to one networking event, though!  There are handfuls of other creative ways to network.  One in particular? A monthly Twitter chat, “designed to bring together PR students, professionals, and educators for a dynamic conversation about the Public Relations Industry and to provide opportunities for learning, networking and mentoring relationships,” PRStudChat is a fantastic way for undergrads to gain insight into the industry (not to mention make a great first impression).

The chats are moderated by Deirdre Breakenridge (@dbreakenridge) and hosted by the co-creator of HAPPO, Valerie Simon (@valeriesimon).  Check out the group on LinkedIn or make an introduction to either of the lovely ladies mentioned and get involved today!

Not a public relations major? No sweat.  Search for Twitter chats in your field or start one of your own with the help of a professor or student organization.  Social media isn’t limited to the communication industry alone, and who better to make the initial connection than you?

Tips From My Time Away

After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back to the blogosphere.  Don’t worry, during my time away I’ve been taking notes on some new applications and have a plethora of new posts heading your way.

So shake off that Superbowl hangover, because we’re about to dive right in!

It was about this time one year ago that I began my job search.  I may have walked across the stage without an offer, but I had months of job search experience, weeks worth of industry contacts, and had discovered a little thing called Twitter that was about to blow up in a big way.

So whether you’re just beginning your job search or are looking for some fresh ideas, take note of these following tips.

• Start a love affair with social media (if you haven’t already)- Some people tease me about my Twitter obsession, but I have a feeling they’ll eat their words.  Why am I so confident?  Well, the fact that Pepsi skipped the Superbowl in favor of social media spending may have something to do with it.  Companies are hopping on the social media bandwagon and are devoting more and more of their budget to developing new applications and campaigns.  That means tech-savvy seniors with a head start have the potential to score a piece of the pie- a VERY large piece.  Learn the ropes and apply Twitter, Facebook and Ning to your job search.  Create a list of tweeps tailored to your industry, join a Twibe and network, or start interacting with companies through Facebook pages.
• You can be frugal and fill up that resume at the same time- In such a competitive market, job seekers can be short on experience.  As a college senior or recent graduate, you’re most likely short on money, as well.  The solution? Webinars.  Job seekers can register for a variety of webinars (hint- many are free) and gain valuable insight from reputable associations and individuals.  Better yet?  Some platforms feature a chat so you can network with other attendees.  Many also allow users access to the presentation afterward, so don’t sweat if you miss it.  Here’s one to get you started:

Using Social Media in Your Job Search

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:00 pm
Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York)

Click here to register

Be sure to check out the free workshops at your local Apple stores, as well.  You can learn the basics of the Mac, iPod, or iPhone, create slideshows in iPhoto, or use the podcast templates in iWeb to publish podcasts on the web.  Take that knowledge and apply it to compnies you’re interviewing with, and you’ll be sure to wow employers!

Advice From the Other Side

For those of you who weren’t aware, after months of interviewing and sending out countless resumes, I received a job offer I am now a full-time, public relations professional at a firm in New York City.  Besides finally acquiring that ever elusive paycheck (can I say I’m a bit more excited about the business cards?), I’ve gotten a great behind-the-scenes look at the hiring and interviewing process.  So for my first post as a working adult, I’m going to share some insights that will hopefully bring you the same luck I’ve enjoyed.

• Employ an extra set of eyes- Everyone makes mistakes, even the most senior managers and executives, but when applying for a position, it’s doubly important to review documents.  A senior vice president at my company told me that an overwhelming number of applicants submit cover letters and resumes that highlight their vast experience in pubic relations and ability to asses market trends.  If you didn’t catch those last two mistakes, maybe it’s time for you or a friend to give your resume the once over.

• Never dismiss someone- Walking into an office for an interview can be a bit of a frazzled experience.  Most often, applicants are winded from the commute and are desperately trying to remember company and client details all the while maintaining a smile and sturdy handshake.  Still, the waiting room is no place to review flash cards.  Take the opportunity to greet the receptionist and make an impression.  Ask about the office space or how long he or she has worked there.  Trust me, companies ask for their input after a candidate has left.

• Social media can be a blessing and a curse- My co-workers told me my fluency with social media applications was one of the main reasons they hired me.  If you haven’t jumped on the band-wagon yet, the time is definitely now.  Still, social media can be a double-edged sword.  No matter how much you may want to brush off warnings from your professors and parents, companies look at your social network profiles, including Twitter.  This doesn’t equate to a complete loss of personality, but try to refrain from tweeting about that embarrassing walk-of-shame or drunken upheaval.

• Remember the interview is a conversation- So many applicants get so wrapped up in a rehearsed speech demonstrating their skills and accomplishments that they forget to take a breath, let alone ask questions in return.  Sometimes, the answers to those questions can spark a shared experience or acquaintance that can ultimately make a big difference.  After the particulars were out of the way, I discovered that the woman interviewing me shared a common friend and another person at the company also competed in public speaking in high school.  Who would have thought that networking and public speaking skills are a handy thing to have in this industry?

NYC Career Fair

Register here to attend the free career fair on December 9th! Be sure to check out their advice for job seekers as well, including an article about managing job search stress.  Not in NYC? No worries!  Follow them on Twitter to get the most up-to-date alerts about other job fairs nationwide.

Calling all HR managers and interviewers!

I recently stumbled upon a LinkedIn poll that asked employers to identify the factor considered most important when hiring a public relations employee.  According to the results, writing abilitity is the top priority, followed by previous agency experience.  Some other interesting facts to consider:

• 100% of females polled (56% of the total) choose writing ability as the most important, while 75% of males (44% of the total number polled) agreed.  The other 25% of males chose previous agency experience as the single greatest factor.
• When considering age, 100% of individuals 18-24 that responded to the poll found previous agency experience more important.  Instead, 100% of those 35-54 chose writing ability.
• In regard to company size, 100% of those polled in large (13%) and small (63%) firms chose writing ability.  Employees at medium-sized firms (25%) were split, with 50% choosing writing ability and 50% choosing agency experience.
• Education only accounted for 3% of the overall results.

I found this very interesting considering how many job advertisements call for 1-2 years of prior agency experience and current media contacts.  I quickly realized though that the poll was not limited to entry level candidates.  Would the results differ?

Below is a poll I created based off of the LinkedIn poll by Doreen Clark.  I invite all human resource employees, internship coordinators, and agency interviewers to vote.  Disagree with the choices? Please include an answer of your own in the ‘Other’ category.

 

 

The results may provide some really helpful insight for current college students and recent graduates (including yours truly).  Comments are encouraged!

Pleased to Make Your Temporary Acquintance

With most of my friends currently working 9-5  (including former partner in unemployment, Megan) it’s hard to keep my chin up and my nose on the grind.  Yes, while I wish all my friends and classmates the best of luck in their endeavors, this recessionista can’t help but feel like a singular statistic.

How? Well, there is certainly strength in numbers.  In regards to unemployment, the strength manifested is often mental, and as the number of familiar faces in the unemployment line dwindle, it becomes harder to stay optimistic in your own search.

Rather than become bitter and jeopardize my personal plight for a position, however, I decided to become resourceful.  I spoke with a few friends about what methods they used and found that two words kept repeating- temp agency.

According to the American Staffing Association, it turns out about 90% of firms have used temporary employment services. Even better? Almost 72% of temporary employees go on to permanent positions.

In the past, temp agencies were largely associated with clerical and administration positions and I’ll admit, at first I disregarded them entirely.  I recently registered with one, however, and I’ve found that already a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  No longer alone in my job search, I have a veritable army of people behind me working (free of charge) toward the same goal.  The historical perceptions of the past also proved to be misleading as temp agencies today work with a variety of companies and place candidates from a wide array of fields.

Registration may differ between companies, but usually candidates are asked to schedule an appointment and complete several writing and computer tests to evaluate proficiency.  An updated resume, along with a number of professional references, may also be requested.  The following two agencies came recommended by friends:

• Core
• Vanguard

Both are located in the NYC area.  Be sure to research temp agencies near you, including those that support different fields.  Happy hunting!

NYC Job Fair

New York Career Fair

Date: Monday, November 16

Location: Radisson Martinique On Broadway Hotel
49 WEST 32ND STREET
New York, NY 10001

Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

For a list of attending companies, click the link and fill out the brief registration form.  Not in NYC? Just simply change the location and search for job fairs in your area.

Jimmy Fallon Slow Jam: Unemployment

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Earn While You $earch

Unlike others I witnessed, I can confidently say that this graduate survived alumni weekend with my dignity (and liver) intact.  My wallet, however, is another story.  After months of unemployment, my trusty faux leather, Forever 21 friend is looking a little tattered- not to mention thin.

In an effort to curb my ferocious spending habit and aid my career quest, my friend mentor life coach Laura suggested Swagbucks, “an online portal dedicated to helping you earn digital dollars called ‘Swag Bucks’, which can be redeemed for exclusive Swagbucks.com merchandise.”

Simply browse the web using the site (results are aggregated from Google and Ask.com) and Swagbucks will award you some of their one-of-a-kind currency.  Invite friends or promote with a banner or widget to earn even more mullah.

It’s been said that applying for jobs can feel like a full-time one itself, and before Swagbucks there have been few perks besides a casual dress code and flexible hours.  Hopefully the fruits of your labor will yield a real paycheck in the future, but for now, this is certainly good motivation.

Michael Strahan- “2009 is All About Swagger”

Flashback to this past May.  As I anxiously prepare to cross the stage at graduation, three thoughts repeatedly cross my mind:

1- DO NOT TRIP AND FALL!

2- Someone get me out of these torture tents sweat suits robes!

3- How many days until alumni weekend?

Despite my worst fears, my brief moment on stage was both elegant and graceful and I’m quite positive the black graduation robes- which we were warned may bleed through- actually helped me lose three pounds by ceremony’s end.  Sans three pounds (not to mention a dry-cleaning bill) and with my dignity intact, I looked forward to my triumphant return to Marist in the fall.

Flash forward 5 months later.

I’ve packed those 3 lbs right back on (and then some) and my ‘triumphant’ return to my alma mater is now overshadowed by perpetual unemployment.

Rather than dwell on my status as an economic causality, I’ve decided to use alumni weekend as an opportunity- and not just necessarily to party.  After all, “2009 is all about swagger,” and no one wants to hire a depressed (not to mention drunk) post graduate.  So turn on the confidence and try to reflect on these suggestions between beers at Mahoney’s:

- Alumni weekend poses as the perfect opportunity to network as colleges and universities create opportunities through department reunions, alumni picnics, and reunion celebrations.

- Besides sharing an established commonality, potential employers are most likely familiar with the school programs and progress.  Why not enlighten them as to how you helped contribute to them during your time there?

- Use your time wisely and make sure to re-connect with professors and classmates who may have valuable contacts or information about new positions.

- Most importantly, remember that just as you will one day represent your future company’s brand, you’re going to be representing yourself as a personal brand during the weekend.  Have fun but try to refrain from drunkenly confessing your respect and desire to work with [Insert Potential Employer Here] at Darby’s- not the best move.

Hopefully you’ll come back with more than just a hangover- a job offer!

*Be sure to check out Fox & Friends tomorrow morning at 6:30 to see yours truly on a panel with other unemployed college grads!