Getting Creative with Your Job Search

As we inch towards May, the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” can be heard. It’s a time of great joy and excitement. College is over and the real world is waiting for you. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean a job is waiting for you. Statistics show that very recent grads may be at a higher risk of unemployment. Look at the Class of 2011. By October of their graduation year, about 5 months post-commencement, 14 percent were jobless, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

Not exactly reassuring, right? Well, here is where I and a group of other great PR pros hope to help you out. On Thursday, May 2 from 9-10 p.m. EST, I am moderating the HAPPO Twitter chat on “Creative Job Search Strategies.” What is HAPPO? It was started by Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon to connect job seekers in the PR field to those that could help in some way. We hope that some of the ideas that are tweeted can help you in your search. Before next week’s chat, here are a few ideas on getting creative with your search.

• Keep Your Eyes Open- You never know when a great opportunity may come upon you. Never just dismiss it; think about the pros and cons. I always do a personal SWOT analysis at every opportunity.
  
• Spread Your Wings- As much as you may not want to, considering a job in another city or state could be the perfect move. It offers the challenge of learning a new area and making a name for yourself. Plus, meeting new people always helps to challenge us. This may not sound “creative,” but some grads just think about staying near home.
• Be Strategic- Some say to “pepper” firms/agencies with you resume. This isn’t the best move. By focusing your search and your resume, you give yourself a better shot at impressing a recruiter. Don’t use the generic cover letter. Show passion in your writing and your approach.
• Don’t Doubt Yourself- This sounds easy, but it isn’t always the case. You are the one that knows your skills best; believe in yourself and know that even though you may not know it all, you can still be a success.

If you have more creative ideas for the job search, leave them in the comments and join us on May 2 on Twitter! You can find me @JasMollica.

An “AH HA” moment

During last night’s #HAPPO Twitter event, I was looking at all the advice given out to and for public relations pros (Thanks go out to Valerie Simon and Arik Hanson for their leadership on paying it forward in our field). I’m proud to be a HAPPO champion in the Buffalo, N.Y.-area.  But, I learned a valuable lesson as the tweets came flying by a like speeding bullet that Superman is faster than…

I DON’T KNOW SQUAT. You can unfollow me on Twitter if you feel it necessary.

For a few minutes after the chat, I was a little embarrassed.  Here I was giving information and trying to help fellow pros and I’m doubting my skills.  You know what though? It’s alright.  It was one of those “Ah Ha” moments that mark our lives.  Sure, I never thought I knew it all. I always want to keep learning.

The minute we stop learning is the time when we begin to think we are better than we really are.

And that’s the one thing I never want to stop doing.  The more I learn, the better I get.  Every day, I pick up something new.  It may come from a client email, a tweet, or even a phone call.  Great ideas and teachable moments can come in any size package.

You may not always agree with what you learned… that’s good.  You can learn something from disagreement. I’ve been in positions were I didn’t always see eye-to-eye with people.  Sure, it caused some pretty stressful times.  But, in the long run it taught me to stick to what I believed.  In my current job, we are always tossing around ideas.  It’s a collaborative atmosphere.  High-octane learning, I like to call it.

Do me a favor… take a moment today, whether it be at lunch, on the train, or at home, and learn something new.  Have your own “Ah Ha” moment!

What has your “Ah Ha” moment been this year? Let me know in the comments.

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?