Blog Archives
The Post-Internship Rules
Summer vacation is over, but it never really started if you had a PR/marketing/social media internship. Even before you packed up your dorm/apartment, you were already working at that internship.
Well, now it’s time to head back to campus and say goodbye your supervisor and co-workers from that agency, firm, or business where you (hopefully) had great learning experience. Wait, did I tell you to say goodbye? Don’t!
Now is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME of your internship. Why? Because you need to effectively use these last days in helping you move forward for your career. Here are five things that should be part of a Post-Internship Checklist:
- Check with your internship supervisor regarding work you can use in your portfolio. You may have felt you did a bulk of the work, but review the projects you worked on with your superior(s). See if it is okay to use clients’ names, projects in a portfolio to show potential future employers or internships.
- Provide tangible results. You may have nailed a number of media placements or garnered new Facebook followers. Use statistics to show the before and after as well as the planning behind it. Potential employers love to see your planning and implementation skills.
Miranda certainly remembered Andy, right?
- Ask for a letter of recommendation and to use as a reference NOW. Don’t wait until later when a supervisor MAY not remember who you are. You are on their minds now. Ask if you can call down the road and use them as a reference. Also important: Make sure that you let that reference know you are going to use them. Nothing is more embarrassing than a potential employer calling a reference and they are caught off guard.
- Update your LinkedIn profile (if you haven’t already). Much like adjusting your resume is number one, taking the time to update LinkedIn should be 1A. It also would be a good idea to take my third point and ask for a LinkedIn recommendation.
- Make ‘em Smile- I know… students don’t always have a ton of money. Dropping off muffins and coffee is something that isn’t going to break the bank. It also shows you appreciated the time you spent there. Yes, a simple “Thank You” note is also fine. Handwritten, of course.
Think your boss may remember you in a few months? Maybe. But, take the time to make sure they WILL NOT forget. Make certain your most-recent (or first) internship helps lead you to success after you get your degree.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Recruiter or still the Recruited?
My wife sent me a story this week from USAToday.com, titled “More College Grads Use Social Media to Find Jobs.” It says that nearly 28% of college students plan to seek employment using LinkedIn, up from 5% last year. Slightly more than 7% plan to use Facebook, up from 5%. This is all according to a survey from employee recognition provider “I Love Rewards “and career-services network Experience.
While I’m a staunch advocate of using social media for your job hunt (I ultimately found my current job using social media), let me throw a little water on this study. Just because you may use social media doesn’t guarantee anything. Sure, it’s a great tool to assist you in the search. But it’s not the ONLY one you use be using. This quote by “I Love Rewards” CEO and founder Razor Suleman is a little troubling to me:
“The recruited have now become the recruiters… They are now going out and finding the companies they want to apply for.”
First off, students are ALWAYS going out and finding what they are looking for in a job. Second, you the student, are still the recruited. Mr. Suleman’s statement is a too brash. The tables are not turned in search, the employer is still going to do their due diligence on your, just as you will on them.
Here’s a few job search tips for you as you look for that first job or the next rung on your career ladder.
-Check your sources: This is where LinkedIn can be very effective for you. See what others say about the company. It also doesn’t hurt to reach out to your Twitter community for insight.
-Expect the unexpected: During your hunt, you’ll go through ups and downs. Keep in mind that you may NOT get that job you really want. Don’t be discouraged, but be realistic.
-Don’t waste your time: Are you emailing 15 resumes a month? Probably not the best move. You don’t need to saturate the job market. You DO need to be strategic in your search.
Go with confidence and intelligence in your search!
The way you look online
Impressions in-person and online are more important nowadays than ever before. With a vast majority of folks using social media, we are front and center with people who could help shape our lives. Tonight, #u30pro will be discussing how to professionally present yourself online. The chat begins at 8 p.m. EST if you plan to take part.
The tie makes Buster look more "professional."
As I entered the professional world back in the 90s (man, that sounds so old to say), I needed to rely on my resume and a demo tape. In some senses, the tape was the “early” form of social media because that was my “on-air” persona.
In the last five years, we have seen Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the blogosphere serve as an online portfolio. The importance in this, to me, is that you can be constantly judged by colleagues, employers, and potential employers. How can you prevent someone from getting the wrong impression of you? Here are three ways.
1. Be smart- The old adage “think before you say something” can be re-imagined as “think before you tweet/post on Facebook.” Simply put… If you don’t want to see it retweeted, don’t type it.
2. Be honest- No one- friends or employers- like a fake. It’s pretty easy to spot a fraud in social circles. If you want to be taken seriously, show what you are about. Drop some knowledge!
3. Be engaging- Something I stress in speeches and talks with clients is the importance of engagement. You can have a Twitter account, but what are you doing with it? Show your networking and communications skills. Get out there and participate (hint: check out #u30pro).
Are you always thinking about your online presence? If so, what advice would you give? Have at it in the comments section.
What did you do with your summer internship?
Now that we have blown past the Labor Day holiday, summer is unofficially over. From the look of the tweets of those I follow on Twitter, posts on Facebook and those I talk with in person, folks gained a ton of knowledge and experience from their summer internships.
Whether you travelled hundreds of miles or worked ungodly hours, you (hopefully) learned a few things. But what did you REALLY learn? Will you apply the skills you picked up this summer or just forget all about it?
Here are a five suggestions to make sure you don’t lose all that valuable experience.
1. Keep in touch with your internship leaders. Drop a line and ask about getting together for lunch or just touch base to keep your name fresh in their heads. I’m not talking about bugging them about possible openings every other week, though. Do ask for advice about your resume, cover letter, etc. Keep the lines of communications open.
2. Compile your work and add it to the portfolio. If you were asked to work on a specific part of a project, then put it to your portfolio. Make certain you include the finished product to show your contributions on a wider scale. When it comes time for that first official job interview, you want to show a prospective employer that you’ve got what it takes!
3. Practice what was preached. You certainly learned more of what to do and not to do in public relations and marketing. Don’t just sit on it, apply it. If you don’t blog, start one. Not involved in your school’s PRSSA chapter? Join. The only way you’ll continue to hone your skills is if you stay active and grow as a practitioner.
4. Be active in Twitter chats. This may be a given for many, but if you are an aspiring PR/marketing pro, you need to join in on these valuable chats. There’s #U30Pro, #PRStudChat, and #journchat to name a few. There are many current pros who take part and they are more than happy to offer advice and guidance.
5. Finish strong! PR and marketing pros never get anywhere by just giving 50%. Whether you are a junior or senior (freshmen and sophomores, too), your grades are of the utmost importance. I’m always impressed when I see a new grad’s resume with wonderful experience AND good grades. It shows the prospective employer that you have both book and job smarts. Keep that in mind.
Don’t just take what you did this summer and pass it off as “just credits.” That internship could just lead to your first gig. It did for me.
What advice would you offer? Let me know in the comments section.
Crisis PR: How “Bizarre.”
[Jason's note: I'm thrilled that Jessica Lawlor is providing this guest blog. She is a senior public relations major at Temple University, graduating in May. She is the president of Temple’s PRSSA chapter. Jessica is currently searching for public relations positions in Philadelphia and New York City. Connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn or check out her Web site.]
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful and informative public relations event in Philadelphia. Drexel University’s PRSSA chapter was selected by PRSSA National to host a regional activity called Bizarre PR.
credit: Philly.com
Crisis PR is something that Jerri Williams deals with on a regular basis. In November 2009, three crises struck in the same week.
November 2, 2009: At 3:00 a.m. SEPTA’s union went on strike leaving several commuters frustrated that day when they left for work. The strike lasted six days.
November 4, 2009: A major fire broke out on SEPTA’s regional rail, the only form of transportation not disrupted by the strike.
November 5, 2009: A SEPTA employee was killed by a train.
Wow! What a bad week for SEPTA…Jerri Williams outlined her tips for dealing with crises.
- Never underestimate a crisis
- The media will show up before you…be ready for them
- The media will cover the story with or without your input
- Not responding does not mean the media will go away
- The media always needs a good guy and a bad guy. Know who these “people’ are before speaking with the media.
- Be patient with reporters.
Williams also introduced us to the art of putting together a press statement. She suggested using a press statement when your company does not want to elaborate or entertain questions. She described it as a tool to use, “when you really can’t say anything.” Williams said that it’s important to display empathy, be sure to say that you’re determined to make things right and share the concern of the public and the media.
In addition to sharing her crisis PR tips, Williams told us about four fatal fiascos when communicating during a crisis.
1. Saying “no comment.”
2. Lying
3. Losing your temper
4. Losing eye contact
Have you ever dealt with a PR crisis? How did you handle it? What are your crisis PR tips?
What inspires me? You!
Lauren Novo is a senior at Florida State University with a double major in Media/Communication Studies and Creative Writing. Additionally, she serves as the staff writer for Trusteria Services, a regional company in Tallahassee, and as a public relations staff assistant for RB Oppenheim Associates, a local PR agency. Connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn and read her blog, Gen-Y PRogress: Lauren Novo’s PR Journey.
Last week, Jason asked what inspired me. He invited me to write a guest post, highlighting why it is I’m always giving back to others, through my blog in particular.
I was flattered. But also taken by surprise. Jason is the one who continuously shares my posts; who leaves encouraging comments on my blog; who asks how my week is going and offers to help in any way he can; who recently contributed to my “Art of” series; and who dropped everything he was doing to write me a glowing letter of endorsement for an award entry.
And he thinks I give back? He wants to know what inspires me?
What inspires me… is all of you. All you professionals who take the time out of your chaotic lives to pay it forward to the next generation of PR pros.
Seriously, think about it. Deirdre Breakenridge is recognized as one of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. She’s written highly acclaimed books and owns her own company. Valerie Simon is a vice president at BurrellesLuce and freelance writer for The Examiner.
Do you think either of these two women needed to start #PRStudChat – a monthly Twitter chat between PR students and professionals—to build up their resumes and portfolios? I doubt it. They have already “made it.” What they are doing is above and beyond. They are selflessly giving back as devoted mentors.
There’s also Arik Hanson, an APR-certified professional who has participated in various local and national online initiatives. Most recently, he teamed up with Valerie to start the “Help a PR Pro Out” (HAPPO) campaign. He has a job. In fact, he owns his own business. He doesn’t need to concern himself with helping PR job seekers connect with employers. It’s a choice. An admirable choice.
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
So yes, I do my best to give back too. I use my blog to help my peers when opportunities arise. As an extension of the HAPPO initiative, I’ve started a “PR Job Seeker of the Week” series every Friday. But so what?
I’m only 21 years old. I’m a senior at Florida State University for another month, but a student always. I’ve got a long way to go. There is much more I can and will do, and I have my many mentors—both near and far—to thank for that.
That’s what inspires me.
What inspires you?
Success in Social Media starts with YOU!
Do you remember back in high school, college or even your professional life, the one person who seemed like they wanted to be Mr. or Mrs. Participation, only to disappear when it was time to do the work? That what a new study from RJMetrics reminded me of when I read it last week. The study says that Twitter has hit 75 million users, which is great. The problem, to me, are these figures:
- About 25 percent of Twitter users have no followers.
- About 40 percent have never sent a single Tweet.
- 80% percent of Twitter users have sent fewer than 10 tweets since signing up.
I realize that people have gravitated to social media thinking that they HAD to do it. But remember the old saying,” If he jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?” Jump in (to social media, not off a bridge, please!) because you want to, not because you have to do it. Why sign up for Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn if you aren’t going to use it to your advantage? I’m on the social media bandwagon and have been for some time. It’s provided a new avenue to network for my career and foster new friendships. I took the plunge because I wanted to be part of the conversation.
Whether you are a social media veteran or first-time Tweeter, here are five ways which you can enhance your social media presence.
- Go for a swim- There is nothing like testing the waters to see what is being discussed. On Facebook, don’t be afraid to comment on a friend’s posting. On Twitter, you could join a chat like #Journchat, #PRStudChat, or #SportsPRChat. This will get your juices flowing and your mind thinking.
- Play favorites- Start following people in your field. This is a great way to not only gain knowledge, but hopefully get others following you. And that leads to…
- Think before you post- Don’t just post something random, like “I didn’t want to get out of the shower today.” Read blogs, news sites, and e-mails. Then retweet something that you think others would find interesting. It’s about quality, not quantity.
- Get Smart- Don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals, especially if they can help you become more savvy. It’s also a great way to break down any fears you may have about asking for help.
- Don’t Give Up- After a month at being on Twitter and Facebook, you see your friend count at 20, while a friend’s is at 200. Take one step at a time, build your empire of social media followers. The more active you are, the more apt people are follow you on Twitter. On Facebook, start searching for old friends and current ones.
Start today. Dive into your Facebook page and add a profile photo, put some information in and follow some groups. Are you one of the 40 percent that haven’t sent a single Tweet? Change that today.
What are your success stories in social media?
What I’ve learned from the “next generation.”
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”- Jackie Robinson
Throughout my life, I’ve always tried to keep on my toes whether it be in television and radio, sports, or public relations. Last year, I felt I was becoming obsolete. So, I began reading more about social media and how it could benefit my work. I stumbled upon Brazen Careerist and it really changed how I looked at social media and my career. The folks that launched it are all in their 20′s and created a community for learning, collaborating and searching for work.
It was a watershed moment because it help re-light the fire inside me. From that point forward, I reinvented who I was and how my career would play out .
Thanks to the “next generation,” I am a better PR practitioner and person because of the quality out there. My question to you is: Are you listening to that college intern or freelancer? What about the many 20-somethings that offer up valuable knowledge on their blogs? Take a moment and get inspired! Here are five things I have learned in the last year from the “next generation.”
1. Enthusiasm- If you don’t have a lot of this in what you do, why are you doing it?
2. You are in control of your career- It doesn’t matter whether you work for a PR firm or are self-employed, it’s up to you to make the most of what you do!
3. Take risks- Be scared, it’s good. Matt Cheuvront’s must-read blog, Life Without Pants, addresses this perfectly. ”Don’t walk… RUN out of your comfort zone.” (Thanks as always, Matt!)
4. Engage- Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Wave…. talk to the people. A lot. It’s called social media for a reason.
5. Bright ideas- There are so many fresh thinkers, it’s hard not to be inspired. Take a lesson from what you read and make a change.
What have you learned? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
