Random Thoughts of a Recent Grad...

Day 6

2010-12-07T00:18:00.000-05:00

Day 6: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

PB&J.

Bread, peanut butter and jelly. And a Ziploc baggy to store it. I'd like to make a better meal, but I'm just too lazy to go out of my way to the grocery store. My apartment is within convenient distance to EVERYTHING except for the grocery store. Boo.

Day 5

2010-12-06T00:04:00.000-05:00

Day 5: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

Well, well, well... what a question.

The answer? Lots. The ability to watch Hoda & Kathie Lee and all my other favorite daytime shows. Florida. Certain people. Life as I know it.

Why? Because I had to. I had to grow up, move on and accept the things I have no control over.

Day 4

2010-12-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

Sorry, Jeffrey, not a fan of your question.

Day 3

2010-12-03T20:11:00.002-05:00

Today's prompt: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail.

My view after returning to the city from a weekend away in Boston.

It's Friday evening. You're not going to get vivid detail, but what I will share is that one of my favorite {reoccurring} moments in the past year is when I'm walking home alone at night (insert gasps from everyone who thinks NYC is sketchy and unsafe) while listening to my iPod (again). The buildings are lit up. The sidewalks are far less crowded. It's almost peaceful, and it's always then that I find myself feeling incredibly lucky to be exactly where I am.

Day 2!

2010-12-02T22:17:00.002-05:00

Hello again.

Today's prompt: What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

Excuse me while I laugh. What do I do each day that doesn't contribute to my writing? Hmm... work, eat, sleep, listen to music, caffeinate, LIVE, etc. Of course, I also do a lot of things in my day that involve writing (Gchat, e-mail, reports, Twitter, etc.), but I don't do them for the sake of writing. Writing has just become a part of everyday life and certain activities happen to necessitate it.

On a side note, it's funny that this should be today's question because Alison Davis, the author of Your Attention, Please, came in to speak to us at work this evening about communicating with distracted audiences, and our company is about to embark on an intensive writing program.

As for the second part of the question - can I eliminate these things that don't contribute to my writing? Sure, maybe I could try, but I won't. I like those parts of my life. After hitting publish, I will, however, be crawling into bed to read a book and thus inadvertently contributing to my ability to write.

Ah, full circle.

#Reverb10 - Day 1

2010-12-02T00:33:00.002-05:00

Nope, I'm not making a comeback in the world of PR blogging; I've just decided to participate in #Reverb10. I suppose I should insert some excuse here as to why I abandoned my blog early in 2010, shortly after making a resolution to blog more. I first became too busy to devote time to blogging (hello, new city and new job) and then, instead of settling down, life got crazier. And now, to be honest, I think it's a bit overrated. Yes, there's interesting stuff out there, but how long can a single industry continue to recycle each other's posts and call them new?

Anywayyy... I decided to participate (for now, no guarantees I'm making it through the month!) because 2010 has been the year of change for me. I feel like that's such a cliche thing to say, but it's 100% true. I look back on my year and am so happy I did what I did, but if I had to go through it again, I don't know if I could.

I can't count the number of times I've had discussions with friends or received a completely random message from a Facebook "friend" who can't believe that I picked up my entire life in less than two weeks, said goodbye to everything I knew and moved to a city I had never been to, knowing no one and with nothing but my luggage and a hotel room for four nights. Yup, I fully expected I would somehow find a place to live in that amount of time. Pretty optimistic thinking for someone who is a complete realist. But, hey, I did it. And that wasn't even the hardest part of my year.

So, today's prompt: Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

New? Change? Hard? Fun? Busy? Lonely? Exciting? Exhausting? SO fun? How to pick just one word...

Let's go with life-changing. (Yep, my word is a compound adjective, and thus not two separate words. Just call me a grammar geek.)

I've had so many 'firsts' this year that I wouldn't even be able to count them if I TRIED. Surprisingly, moving to a whole new city where I knew no one wasn't one of those firsts. I had done that before (miss you, FL). Everything I knew was flipped upside down. My professional life (miss you, too, college). My personal life. All of it.

I could spend hours detailing my life's changes this past year, but I won't because a.) nobody wants to read that, b.) I refuse to turn into one of those crazy bloggers whom I can often times identify with and c.) I'm sleepy. So we'll leave my year at life-changing.

My word for next year? Hmm... let's go with {even more} exciting. :)

Blog neglect

2010-02-28T09:30:00.003-05:00

I know my whole thing about being a more consistent blogger went out the window during my move to NYC. I have been doing a little bit of blogging in the past month; it just hasn't been here. If you're interested, you can check out a few of those posts below. And no worries – I hope to be back here updating soon. :)

Social Media Buzzkill on PepperDigital
Growing up Online on The Next Great Generation
Using Social Media to Find a Job on PRiscope

When it rains...

2010-01-28T12:39:00.006-05:00

You know the saying.

I'd first like to apologize for my return to inconsistent blogging. For the new year, I decided I wanted to start posting more regularly and was doing pretty well throughout the beginning of January. I was publishing posts weekly rather than monthly. And then last week happened.

It started out with a couple of meetings with local nonprofits. I decided it was time to get some more PR experience locally since my job search wasn't panning out. Both "interviews" went well and seemed like great opportunities, and I was offered both positions. I also met with a local professional who was interested in having me work on a social media project for him. Again, another great opportunity. It was a good week.

Then came Tuesday afternoon. I was checking my e-mail and there was a new message from someone I interviewed with in 2009 for an awesome agency internship in NYC (but didn't get). The message said they had another opening, and I was top of mind from the last round of interviews. They wanted to know if I was interested in interviewing again with the person in charge of hiring. The simple answer to that was YES!

Long story short, I was offered the position and accepted it, which -- if you haven't already heard through Twitter -- means I'M GOING TO NEW YORK CITY! I accepted last Thursday, and I'm leaving this Saturday. That's not a ton of time to prepare for such a big move, so I've been busy researching flights and hotels, sifting through Craigslist for sublets, deciding what to bring (decidedly more difficult than the actual packing), packing, etc. I'm beyond excited that I'll soon be interning with a great company, living in NYC and hopefully meeting some awesome, new people!

Anyone who has been reading my blog from the begining knows my search for a job has been long, so it was amazing to have so many opportunities opened up to me in the same week. Turning down the other offers wasn't easy, but I know I made the right decision. This is the chance I've been working towards and searching for, and I can't wait! :)

On a related note, my goals on Brazen Careerist read:

Find a PR position (preferably that I love)
Move to & explore a new city
Get more consistent w/ my blogging
Continue learning about social media
Clean out my closet

I'm soon to be 5/5 since the start of 2010. That's a good feeling.

*Image via http://hewholaughs.com

Communication pros vs. everyone else

2010-01-16T07:45:00.010-05:00

This post has been half-written for some time now, but after Thursday night's #u30pro chat and Friday's post by David Spinks, I decided now would be the perfect time to finish it.

I've always been more in-tune with the digital space than my friends. With almost every network I've joined since I got my first computer, I've done so without being able to connect off the bat with people I actually know. That's because I was the only one there.

The same goes for Twitter. Ever since joining, I've been teased and had eyes rolled at me by friends. (Don't even get me started on Foursquare.) I've explained to them numerous times how beneficial it is for someone in my industry to be on Twitter and that it can be used for professional networking. Then I'm asked, "Isn't that what LinkedIn is for?" Yes and no. Yes, LinkedIn is for professional networking, but it is completely different. I usually spare the questioner the details of the advantages and disadvantages of each network because my friends don't share my interest in social media.

Through this week's #u30pro chat, I found that the majority of other social media "geeks" feel the same way as me. They get social media and are made fun of by those who don't. I've noticed, however, that most of my fellow geeks are also in the communication or public relations industry (or are majoring in it in college), which makes me wonder...

Is social media really such a big deal? Of course it is for us (and for every company or brand trying to jump on the wagon), but have we gravitated towards being social media savvy because our industry requires it? Or is social media actually changing the way the world works, even for those not in our field?

If you Googled the average non-PR pro and nothing came up, they'd probably consider that a good thing. If you Googled one of us and nothing came up? Bad news.

As a young professional, I'm constantly reminded how important it is to have an online presence. We have to understand the value of connecting, whether online or offline, because it's a big part of our careers. But social media isn't changing the way everyone operates. We may think the non-Tweeters are missing out, but truth be told -- their worlds haven't stopped turning.

Do you think social media will eventually become a must for others outside the communication industry? Or will we continue to be the digital geeks?

*Image via stuffthathappens.com/blog

2010: The year to be more interactive online

2010-01-13T16:15:00.006-05:00

Interaction is vital in social media. You hear it all the time, and it's true. Many people who step into the world of social media feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start, though. Since the new year began, I've seen tons of blog posts and tweets about resolutions. It seems many people want to up their level of online interaction, which is great. Once you find your bearings in this space, it becomes second nature to interact. And honestly, it improves your experience.

If you're not already, here are a few ways to jump-start your online interactions:

If you have a blog, an easy first step is to reply to those who comment on your posts. They took the time to read and comment, so why not take a minute to comment back? Plus, it's likely they raised a question or point that you'd like to respond to anyway. Some blogs have so many comments that it may be too time consuming to respond to everyone, but I have a feeling those people are already very interactive.

Another easy way to interact online is to comment on other people's blogs. When I first started following blogs, I mainly just read them without commenting. I guess I was the "lurker." As time went on, however, I found myself adding my two cents to the mix. Many times a blog post is meant to start a discussion and the most interesting content is brought up in the comment section. If you find a post that especially interests you, don't be afraid to jump in.

Twitter makes interaction so simple. Sharing interesting content and retweeting blog posts is great (it's one of the best ways to find new blogs to read), but interaction is the other part of Twitter. Send an @ reply and start a conversation with someone who raises an interesting question or to a follower who's looking for advice about buying a new power drill (if that's your specialty). You can also join a Twitter chat, like #journchat or #u30pro. You'll get to interact with a bunch of interesting people and gain some awesome insight.

In a realm where communication methods are endless, these are just a few ways to interact. You may be doing things completely differently, and that's okay. There's no right or wrong way to interact online.

That said, one thing to remember is that the online world is very similar to the offline world. Manners are still important. If someone does something nice for you, say thank you. If they went out of their way to help you, recognize this and be appreciative. Don't think that just because you're thousands of miles away from each other behind computer screens means that it's okay to act like a jerk. (This also goes for those of you who receive an e-mail that necessitates a reply and you ignore it. People notice.)

What are some of your favorite ways to interact online? Has your level of interaction improved your experience with Twitter, blogging, etc.?

*Image via wiredinstructor2.blogspot.com

How important is customer satisfaction?

2010-01-07T15:21:00.002-05:00

Last month, a package I ordered from one of my favorite stores, Sephora, was lost. It was no fault of Sephora's; it was the office staff at my sister's apartment complex who signed for and then lost the package. Unfortunately the package contained a Christmas gift that I needed to get wrapped for my family's early celebration that week. Not an ideal situation.

Anyway, I decided to call Sephora to see if the package had accidentally been sent back. I wasn't calling to get them to replace my order, but with no questions asked, that is exactly what they did. It was that easy.

Now, I don't know if the fact that I frequently order stuff from Sephora has anything to do with it. If so, it's a great way to treat your loyal customers. Had I been irate with Sephora, replacing a $50 order could have saved them from losing hundreds of dollars in business in the future.

I didn't have any negative feelings towards Sephora about the lost order, but they took a bad situation and turned it around with a positive customer experience. I came out feeling more valued as a customer and more likely to recommend and promote their brand. (Just to be clear, I'm not an all-out advocate of the way they're running things. Their online customer service leaves much to be desired.)

Now, let's take a look at the recent hype over the Nexus One. Yesterday I saw an Engadget article shared by Kasey Skala on Twitter. It was about how Google is only offering the subsidized pricing for the phone to new T-Mobile subscribers. Current customers are left to pay $529 if they want the phone, even if they're eligible for an upgrade.

I don't necessarily want this phone, but as a T-Mobile customer I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth about the situation. I've been a loyal subscriber since 2002 and I can't get a deal on a phone? Really? This might have more to do with Google than T-Mobile, but that doesn't stop me from being less satisfied with my relationship with T-Mobile. It makes it seem like they're more concerned with bringing in new business than satisfying current customers.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of driving in new business. But I also understand things from a customer's perspective, and T-Mobile has left me feeling dissatisfied with our relationship. I don't feel valued, which may be the cause of lost business for them in the future.

What are your thoughts? How can businesses do more to strike a balance between attracting new customers and keeping their current ones happy?

*Image via scienceblogs.com

New year, new decade, new blog?

2010-01-04T08:27:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday and enjoyed ringing in 2010.

I've been blogging for much of 2009, and I plan to take this blog into 2010 and beyond. I originally started Random Thoughts of a Recent Grad as a way to share my experiences job hunting. Anyone who has been reading since the beginning knows this blog quickly morphed into a discussion about public relations, social media and branding, tied in with current events and other relevant happenings. Yes, there are still job hunting tips and updates scattered among the posts, but it's no longer the primary focus.

I've been making other minor adjustments throughout the latter part of 2009 as well. I bought my own domain name, added Disqus, a TweetMeme button, etc. I know the design is very minimalist, and I'd love to take this blog over to Wordpress.org, but I don't have the skills for that yet. Honestly, I usually read most blogs through Google Reader anyway.

To complement the small tweaks and change in content, I think it's time for a new blog title. While I'm still trying to navigate myself into the "real world," I'm no longer a recent grad, as the title implies. There have been two more graduating classes since my commencement in December of 2008. I'm looking for a more sustainable blog name.

This is a recent thought development, so I don't really have any solid ideas on where to go with the title right now. Much of the reason I'm writing this post is to get suggestions from you guys. Nothing sparks ideas better than brainstorming with others, so I'd really love to hear what you think.

Comment away. Please and thank you. :)

*Image via www.filofax.co.uk

AT&T #fail

2009-12-29T11:35:00.002-05:00

First came the advertising battle against Verizon. Next came the location-based iPhone app that lets users report how bad AT&T service really is in certain locations. Then came news of AT&T hatching a plan to financially penalize their 3 percent of smart phone users who use the largest amount of data. Now AT&T has halted online sales of the iPhone to the New York City area. With all of this, you have to ask yourself what's going on?

Is this all a part of AT&T's new and "improved" business plan? If so, they definitely need to take a step back and remember what really drives their business -- customers. So where are the customer-centric strategies? The only move above that has probably pleased customers is the iPhone app that lets users complain about AT&T's service.

Yes, AT&T, you heard that right, the only thing you've done recently that your people like is to allow them to complain about you. (Although I still have no idea how a phone with no service will be able to send any sort of message?)

AT&T has been in the game long enough to know that preventing one of the largest markets in the United States from buying their top selling phone isn't a good move. That said, it appears they are just trying to stir up some AT&T chatter.

News flash, AT&T: Not all publicity is good publicity. Yes, people are talking about your brand, but they're not doing so in a favorable manner. All the stories on the news and #fail mentions on social media are tarnishing your reputation. When you lose exclusive rights to the iPhone, there's a good chance you may be in over your head and unable to recover. Customers are going to jump ship.

Kudos for recognizing that people aren't happy with your services, but it's time to put the focus back on making customers happy. Instead of coming up with plans on how to prevent smart phone users from hogging up all your bandwidth or bashing your top competitor, start improving your services. Give them a reason to stick with you. That will make customers happy.

What are your thoughts on AT&T's recent strategy? Are they just trying to get people talking or do they really think they're making the right moves?

*Image courtesy of http://staynalive.com

Is Tiger really losing endorsements?

2009-12-08T18:35:00.006-05:00

Ever since Tiger Woods' strange car accident, people have been speculating. When will he talk to the police? Did his wife abuse him? Did he cheat? Most of these questions have been answered, for the most part, but today brought new drama. First the blonde (later reported to be his mother-in-law) being taken to the hospital from his home, and now the news of PepsiCo pulling Tiger's Gatorade product. PepsiCo says this move has been in the works for months. Most don't believe this, but Beverage Digest actually reported the Gatorade news on Nov. 25 -- days before the accident.

Still, the timing is making this story into big "news." With so many media and blog sources in a frenzy to turn this into a story, there's been a lot of confusion. Some are saying only the drink is being discontinued, while others are saying he's been dropped as a spokesperson.

Regardless of which is true, this could definitely cause a ripple effect with Tiger's other sponsors. Everyone remembers what happened with Kobe Bryant, Michael Vick and Michael Phelps.

So, what will happen to Tiger's endorsements? Will his sponsors, many of which are sports-related, feel the heat and drop him? Unlike Kobe and Vick, Tiger isn't facing any legal trouble (as of yet), so maybe Nike won't halt or end his contract. And unlike Michael Phelps, who was dropped by Kellogg's, Tiger's endorsement deals aren't with brands that are widely known to promote and sponsor role models for kids (although that point could be argued).

There's no question about it, despite what is happening in his personal life, Tiger is one of the greatest golfers and most recognized celebrities in the world. The question that remains, however, is whether his "transgressions" will allow him to continue as the best public image for major brands.

What are your thoughts? Should brands stick with Tiger or is his infidelity a deal breaker?

*Image: Golf.com, Robert Beck/SI

How often do you use social media?

2009-11-17T12:05:00.002-05:00

This is a question I was recently asked.

"How often do you use social media?"

In my head, I was thinking "Umm, really?" But I answered that it's something I use daily. It's not a task on a to-do list (e.g. Check Twitter today), but it's part of my daily life.

Yes, social media is something I use every day, in numerous ways. Twitter has become the way I often learn of breaking news. I'm on it at various times throughout the day, interacting, seeing what's going on and finding great content to read. Google Reader is a daily must as well. Like everyone else, I get very behind with my reader, but it's where I try to keep up with trends in PR and social media (if I didn't catch the story being shared on Twitter first).

The way these different social networking sites are used can be seen in a previous post, but the point is, these are daily activities. Yes, there's the issue of making sure social media doesn't consume all of your time. But for those who are concerned with social media seeping into our lives, affecting the way things are done -- get used it because it has already happened, and it's not going anywhere.

I think this is something that businesses who are looking to venture into social media need to keep in mind. You can't create a Twitter account and plan to check it twice a week. Or worse yet, you can't plan to check it twice a week for the next three months. Social media is something that needs daily attention and interaction, and you have to be in it for the long haul.

You're not going to see the benefits otherwise, and it will be written off as a "pointless waste of time" like so many of the other Twitter quitters seem think.

So, how has social media become a part of your daily life?

Photo courtesy of al lavoro

My love-hate relationship with AP style

2009-10-16T15:00:00.004-04:00

For PR pros, the AP Stylebook is the go-to resource for all things style-related. I first became acquainted with it when I found that it was listed as required on the syllabus for my Public Relations Writing course in college. I have since grown to love it and find myself referring to it in all sorts of situations, even in my personal life. (Another great guide is When Words Collide. I studied this thing for hours on end during my final semester before graduating to pass a grammar and style exam in a course that I picked up for fun.)

Despite its greatness, the AP Stylebook has a few entries that irk me. One such example is "Web site." Why is it still listed like this? Many professionals ignore the style rule on this word (or words, I suppose), and I don't blame them. I agree that "website" looks better, and, honestly, it makes more sense. Web site sticks out like a sore thumb. Even "web site" would be an improvement.

In press releases and other professional materials I've drafted, I stick to the old fashioned version. For personal use, I usually go with the compound and lowercase version. I admit there have been times where I've actually avoided using the word because of my conflicting view. I don't want anyone in the PR world thinking I don't know AP style (I am looking for a job, after all), but it looks ridiculous and feels so unnatural to write an e-mail or send a tweet that says, "Hey, check out this cool Web site I came across."

Another word that falls into the same category is "Internet." I think we've come to a point where internet no longer needs to be treated as a proper noun, as it's such a widely used and general term.

A third word that I see everyone rebel against AP style with is "e-mail." The AP Stylebook entry hyphenates the word, as do I, but 90% of the time I see the word, the hyphen is left out. I think it makes sense to hyphenate it, when you think of the origin of the word and the fact that most other e- prefixes take on the same format, but I can see why many decide to skip it.

The bottom line is that word usage and meanings evolve, and so should the rules.

So, AP Stylebook, please take note:

Web site is outdated and unnecessary; website would be much better.
The same goes for Internet. It's about time it's no longer considered proper.
Hyphenating e-mail makes sense. Good call. Email is acceptable, though.

Now that I've devoted an entire blog post to outdated entries in the AP Stylebook, what words do you feel need updating?

Five tips for finding a job through Twitter

2009-09-29T15:34:00.008-04:00

Having been tweeting for the majority of 2009, I've gotten the hang of how to use Twitter in my job search. In fact, I've gotten multiple leads through Twitter and even a couple of interviews. So, as someone who's using Twitter as part of my job search, here are five tips I have.

1. Let people know you're looking
If no one knows you're looking for a job, nobody will be able to come to you with potential opportunities. In my Twitter bio, I let everyone know that I'm a young PR pro looking for an agency position. That way, everyone who checks out my Twitter stream knows I'm looking without my having to send out annoying tweets saying "I want a job."

Also, I use the URL on my Twitter page to link people to my blog, which as you know, talks plenty about my hunt for a job. Another good idea is to use your URL to connect to your LinkedIn profile or some other professional site such as VisualCV.

2. Follow recruiters and those who work at places you're interested in
In my time on Twitter, I've both searched out and randomly come across multiple HR recruiters for companies I'd like to work with. They tweet about available jobs and internships as well as application information and deadlines. It's nice to be able to connect with an actual person when applying for a position rather than sending your resume off to jobs@xyzcompany.com.

I've also started following people who work at places I'd like to work. Please don't mistake this tip for encouragement to become a stalker. I don't just follow any and everyone employed by these places; I follow those who I have things in common with or who have interesting tweets. Sometimes I ask them how they like working at company XYZ or for a contact person's name (I did this just yesterday, so I was happy to have been following an interesting tweeter at the company whom I could reach out to), but most of the time I just enjoy following for the interesting, everyday content they share. I'd also like to think I share interesting stuff with them.

Another tidbit about people to follow: there are also Twitter people who aren't affiliated with a specific company who share job-hunting advice and job postings. Two of my favorite follows for recent grads searching for entry-level positions or internships are @heatherhuhman and @sweetcareers.

3. Connect with local professionals and other job hunters
People who live in your area may know someone who could help you with your search, possibly even someone who's looking to hire. Other job hunters may hear about an opportunity in your area and think to tweet you about it. I know I try to pass along relevant job postings to people I follow if I know they're looking (relating back to tip #1).

4. Search hashtags
In my world of PR job hunting, these are some of the hashtags I check out: #JobAdvice, #PRintern, #PRJobs and #EntryPR. Try finding some good ones for your industry.

Some companies also use their own hashtags when tweeting jobs, such as #XYZjobs, which is something you'll notice when employing tip #2. Even using the Twitter search tool to search for a company's name can help you find job postings.

5. Use common sense
If you're using Twitter as part of your job search, you have to remember that everything you post is public (unless your tweets are protected). Also remember that your postings aren't "off the record" just because you don't use it in your job search. Try Googling yourself; Twitter stuff seems to rank highly.

On that note, I don't think there's anything wrong with posting "Watching True Blood and having a glass of wine," which most likely has been my exact tweet at some point. You just have to know where to draw the line when it comes to appropriate personal tweets.

Location, location, location

2009-08-31T14:44:00.004-04:00

A lot of times in life, opportunities arise from being in the right place at the right time. Relating this to my job search, I feel like I'm in the wrong place, geographically.

When I originally started looking for a position, I was focused on finding something in Southwest Florida (where I attended college and am currently still living). I wasn't ready for a huge change. I'm comfortable here -- I'm familiar with the area, have a place to live and know people.

After a couple of months I expanded my search to other metro areas in the state: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, etc. I basically extended my search to places that would be an easy move. I'm still open to positions in these locations, but I now have a different mindset. If an opportunity should present itself elsewhere, I am ready to leave and excited about the idea of living in a new, different city. I picked up and moved to Southwest Florida from Minnesota, knowing no one, for college, so this wouldn't be my first big move.

Unfortunately I feel that my current geographical location is holding me back. My resume clearly displays my city and state. I have been asked on more than one occasion, after applying for a position, whether I have plans to move to where the given position is available. No, I don't have plans to move there at this moment, but I am willing to relocate. No, I cannot move to that city at this time in hopes of landing an interview and, consequently, a job, but I would be willing to move should you give me the opportunity to interview regardless of my current location and offer me a position.

I get the feeling that my address immediately takes me out of contention for many positions in other parts of the country. Why bother with the hassle of a candidate 1,500 or more miles away when you have hundreds of applicants already living in the area? It's not like I'm contending for a top-level position; I'm looking for entry-level, like so many other recent graduates.

I understand that companies have to take into consideration the cost of flying candidates out for interviews and relocation expenses when dealing with those who aren't local. As someone who is considering a paid internship just as much as an AAE position, I'm aware that companies aren't always willing to pay these expenses when it comes to an intern. I interviewed with an out-of-state office of a large PR agency last month and paid my own expenses to do so. Unfortunately I didn't get the position, but I don't look back at the experience as a waste of time or money. Instead I view it as a successful learning experience. It was my first time interviewing with a corporate office, my first time flying across the country for an interview, and my first time renting a car. I'm confident that each of these experiences will benefit me in some way in the future.

There is a painting by Leanne Laine at the wine bar where my boyfriend works. It's of a young woman gazing out the window of her high-rise apartment that overlooks the city's skyline. Every time I see it I think of how I'd like that to be me, looking out the window of my new apartment in a new city. Along with that, of course, would come the PR job I've been searching for, which is the part I'm most hopeful and excited about.

The evolution of the big four

2009-08-25T19:30:00.003-04:00

The big four social networking sites, that is.

As a 20-something-year-old, I got my first computer when I was in middle school and became an Internet addict shortly after. Back then, it was all about Yahoo chat rooms (before the days of To Catch a Predator), ICQ and Angelfire Web pages. Yes, I learned basic HTML around the age of 13 thanks to Angelfire.

Social networking and instant communication are things I've grown up with. However, the world of social networking has come a long way since I was first introduced to it. The big four in this category now include MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Sure, there are others, but these are the most used and well-known. (Not a scientific fact. Well, it may be if you research it.) In my eyes, these sites aren't really competing with one another (with the exception, possibly, of MySpace and Facebook). Instead, they each have different uses and serve different markets. For some users, it may be beneficial to be active on all four, and for others it may only make sense to use one.

MySpace
First up is MySpace. Of the four, this was the first I was introduced to. I remember it well. I was a freshman in college with no knowledge of "The Facebook," as the first college I attended wasn't eligible for membership. I originally joined MySpace to keep in contact with a friend I met on vacation. Not a single other person I knew had it. After a few months, a select few began to catch onto the MySpace fad, and eventually I talked my friends into joining, too. A year later, everyone had it.

MySpace was, in my opinion, the first of its kind. It allowed you to build a single page of information about yourself, complete with pictures (albeit you could only have eight at the time), lists of your interests and a comment section, that others on the site could search out and view. You could add whoever you wanted as your "friend," and friend-collecting was a popular pastime.

As time went on, MySpace became more customizable (backgrounds, music, etc.). It also became more annoying because some users would fill their pages up with blinking text and graphics. (Although I must admit I loved that HTML was supported because it allowed me to use my basic HTML knowledge and do things others were still trying to catch on to, like use the "♥".) As the majority began to join, the early adapters (including myself) were losing interest.

Pros: MySpace is largely used by musicians, as the site is really the only of the four that is conducive to listening to music (although Facebook is now making moves). It's a place you can go to find emerging bands and new songs. MySpace is also big with small or local businesses (especially bars and clubs) that want to attempt to build their fan base by friending (probably not a real word) people and promoting upcoming events.

Cons: Overall, MySpace has become a site filled with spam and phishing scams. When I log in, which is rarely, I am either forced to change my password or am bombarded with spam messages and comments. Also, the amount of HTML and customization that is allowed can slow down or freeze your browser. Not to mention, it's usually not appealing to look at.

Niche markets: Tweens (this seems to be the demographic MySpace was created for), musicians, celebrities, small businesses, laggards

Facebook
During my second year of college, I was researching schools to transfer to. Luckily for me, students at each of the colleges I was considering had access to Facebook. As soon as I got assigned a school e-mail account (which wasn't even from the school I ended up choosing), I registered. I quickly realized that my love for Facebook's more streamlined design far exceeded my like for MySpace. I continued to use both of them, although the amount of time I devoted to MySpace dwindled.

In the nearly four years that I've been on Facebook, it has gone through massive amounts of change. High school students were granted access, followed by everyone else on Earth, their mothers and their grandmothers. Many who joined in the college-only days are still adjusting to the fact that parents, other relatives and employers now have access to and regularly use the site. As such, the concern for privacy settings has gone through the roof.

With its changes, Facebook has become a great tool for companies, brands and causes, as fan pages have been added, where the creator can grow a following and interact with them on a larger-scale. For example, I am a fan of The Today Show, and Hoda and Kathie Lee often use give-aways as a way to get their viewers involved on Facebook.

Pros: It's great for staying connected with former college classmates as well as other friends and family. It's also an easy tool for photo sharing. Even if you don't keep in close contact with a Facebook friend, you can stay up-to-date with what's happening with the person. At this point in my life, that mainly consists of finding out who is engaged, who got married and who had a baby.

Cons: Because of the ability to keep tabs on people, Facebook has turned Gen-Y (and now other generations) into Facebook stalkers. People you don't want checking up on you have access to large amounts of information from reading your wall and looking at your photos. This goes for potential employers, too, which has become a problem for many job seekers. Luckily Facebook has adapted to user's needs and changed its privacy settings. Now anyone who has half a brain has set their profile to private, created limited profile lists, etc.

Niche markets: College students and alumni, high school students, both large and small businesses, everyone else

LinkedIn
I joined LinkedIn in early 2008 and didn't really do much with it. I input what I was looking for (a career in PR) and information from my resume, but I didn't have any connections up until this year when I started using it a little more. Now I find it useful for researching people (such as HR) or browsing job listings through @heatherhuhman's intern and entry-level PR group, #PRintern | #EntryPR.

Pros: The biggest benefit to LinkedIn is the ability to connect with others in your industry or those at a company you'd like to work with through shared colleagues or acquaintances. As mentioned, it's also a good tool for researching companies and finding human resources information. In addition, there are many groups designed for those in different industries or with certain interests.

Cons: Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is more formal than with other social networking sites, as can be expected since it's a professional network. Because of this, however, the site isn't as conducive to casual communication as the other sites. Reaching out to those you don't have a real-life relationship with or aren't connected to through someone you know isn't really supported.

Niche markets: Professionals, job seekers

Twitter
Twitter is the baby of the group. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 2006, but I've only been tweeting since early 2009. Twitter is still a mystery to many. Some have never even used the microblogging service, and others that have tried it still don't get it. In fact, according to @Mashable (a top tweeter), 60% of Twitter users stop using it within the first month. Why? Maybe they can't see past the surface. "What are you doing?" is the question you are asked when making updates or tweets. If you look deeper, you'll find that it would be more appropriate if this said "What do you find interesting and want to share?" (or something along those lines).

Twitter users are often sharing links to interesting articles or blogs with their followers. There's a lot of great conversation that goes on that has nothing to do with what you're physically doing. Those who only give it a chance for a short period don't get the full effect. How can they when they don't allow time to build a network?

I admit I didn't get Twitter at first, and I wrote about it in a previous blog post. I didn't know anyone who had it. My friends either thought it was useless or had no idea what it was. It was a couple of months before I even found anyone I knew in real life on it. (Since, I have only talked one friend into joining and, although she uses it differently than I do, she likes it.)

I use Twitter for a few different purposes. First is in my job hunt. I follow numerous recruiters and HR people who regularly post job openings. Tweeting is an easy way to get a single message out to a lot of people because retweets are big in the land of Twitter.

I also use Twitter as a news source. With trending topics that can alert you to breaking news (look out for spam) and those you follow sharing links to blogs, Twitter is abound with information. The best part is you get to pick who you follow, so in turn, you're choosing the type of information that is shared with you on your feed.

This leads to another way I use Twitter. I follow lots of people in the PR industry. This helps with the previous two uses, as these people sometimes tweet about available jobs and often share interesting PR blog posts and news articles. It's also nice to be able to keep up with what's going on in the industry and communicate with others who have a shared interest in the field.

Pros: Twitter is a great tool for communicating to the masses. But you only have 140 characters, so you don't have to see others' long rants. You can also reach out to people you don't know without seeming weird. You can use Twitter to easily get or spread news. You can also direct people to your blog or Web site by sending out a simple tweet (which may be retweeted). In addition, Twitter is useful for getting quick, real-time feedback. There are also hashtags, which organize information and allow you to follow what's being said about a certain subject or event, including entire chats (like #journchat). For those in the PR field, you can use Twitter to reach out to journalists and bloggers.

Cons: You only have 140 characters, which isn't always enough. Not everyone gets it. It can take some time to build your Twitter following to the point of being useful. Once you've built your following, it can be hard to keep up with all the DMs and @ replies. There's also many spam accounts (mainly porn and get-rich quick spammers) that Twitter needs to find a way to deal with. In addition, many, many Twitterers like to collect followers. They don't understand that Twitter is about quality and not quantity, in terms of both followers and tweets.

Niche markets: Professionals, especially those in PR, marketing and communication-related fields; news junkies; journalists; bloggers; anyone who likes to communicate in a laid-back manner

What are your thoughts about the evolution of social networking sites?

Interviewing

2009-08-11T19:00:00.004-04:00

In my search for my prior internships and, more recently, for a full-time position, I've gained my fair share of interview experience. I've interviewed with small PR agencies, a mixed marketing/communication agency, nonprofit organizations, and even the corporate office of a large, global PR agency.

I've found that interviewing often takes a similar process, no matter the type of company the interview is with. Most of the time there's a screening process, either in the form of questions you must answer via e-mail or through a phone interview. Obviously a company doesn't want to waste its time (or your time, for that matter) bringing you in for an interview if you're unable to communicate well. A resume and cover letter can only convey your qualifications to a certain extent. It's likely those are documents you've spent a lot of time drafting and revising. They don't demonstrate your ability to think on your feet or articulate your thoughts and ideas as well as an actual conversation.

The most important thing I suggest is to keep up the job search, even if you land an interview. An interview is not a promise for a job. Don't hang your hopes on a single opportunity. If things don't go well, you'll feel like you're starting all over again once you get notice that it's a no-go.

That is, if you even get notice. These days, many people and places don't have the common courtesy to let a job candidate know that he/she is no longer in the running for a position. It's understandable to not be able to contact every person who sends in a resume, but contacting each person who took the time to come in for an interview should be standard practice.

Here are CNN's tips on how to avoid lying about things that may pose a problem in an interview (lying is never a good move), and here are a few tips on how to cope when you don't get the job.

Update: Here's another related article I read today (8/25) from Culpwrit.com about what to do when a prospective employer doesn't get back to you.

I apologize...

2009-07-10T17:37:00.001-04:00

...for neglecting my blog. Since coming to Minnesota in mid-June, I've been busy planning baby & bridal showers, helping with wedding details, spending time with family (my baby niece is extremely cute!) and friends, and enjoying the great weather.

Although I've been busy, I haven't forgotten about my quest for a job. I recently had a phone interview with one of the many offices of a large PR agency. The interview went well, and I'm set to fly 1,000 miles south for an in-person interview and a writing test. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I've set my sights on landing a fall internship, and that's exactly what this interview is for. It's a great opportunity, and I'm very excited.

The agency is one that I've been interested in for a while. I've recently had the opportunity to "tweet" with a few different people and ask them how they like working with said agency. The answer I always receive is "I love it." It's so refreshing to find people who love where they're working and what they're doing. I hope to soon join them.

Is PR becoming irrelevant?

2009-05-28T13:27:00.017-04:00

Over the past year, I've held two different PR intern positions. I've also interviewed with a few other places for intern or job positions. In doing so, I've often been asked what it is I like about public relations.

My answer is that I like how PR encompasses so many different aspects: writing, crisis communications, event planning, strategic planning, relationship building, media relations and the list goes on. Social media is one of the latest things to be added to the diverse list of PR tools. Social media campaigns are being buzzed about constantly, whether it's Twitter, Facebook, blogs or social media releases and search engine optimization (SEO).

New tools also mean a whole new way of calculating ROI. You can't simply count the number of media outlets that picked up your release or story (not that that was ever an efficient way to evaluate a PR campaign on its own). As PR evolves, so must the evaluation methods. Google analytics is used to monitor site traffic and other details. Comments on blogs are read. The number of followers, friends and fans is counted.

These evaluation methods are only the tip, though.

A lot of what has to be done with social media is to monitor the conversations that are being had about your brand. In addition, you have to be involved in what's going on -- not just by promoting your brand or company but by adding something meaningful to the conversation and engaging with consumers.

You may be asking yourself what the title of this post -- Is PR becoming irrelevant? -- has to do with what I've discussed thus far.

I've read numerous blog posts and articles about how PR tactics and the field in general are becoming outdated. If the PR field is continuing to evolve and develop new methods of communication and evaluation, how is it becoming irrelevant? PR is not at a stand still. With new methods of communication emerging, PR people have the ability to be even more creative with their strategies. Yes, some aspects of PR may be outdated (irrelevant pitches mass-sent to journalists and the days of one-way communication), but new methods are taking their places (viral marketing and company Twitter accounts). As long as PR continues to adapt, it will not become irrelevant.

Decisions, decisions

2009-05-18T23:21:00.015-04:00

Anyone who has read my blog before knows that I've been searching for a job for months. While I'm still on the hunt, I've had to make a decision, and I will soon be searching from afar.

Let me explain. I have multiple friends from high school getting married this summer as well as one of my sisters. In addition, I will soon become an aunt for the first time, thanks to my other sister. That means there are lots of showers, parties, dinners, weddings and other big events that will be taking place in my hometown, located in Minnesota, over the summer.

When I first found out about all of these exciting happenings, my plan was to find a job in Southwest Florida after graduation and fly back to Minnesota on a few key weekends to attend the most important events. Well, fast forward five-plus months and I still don't have a job, so earlier this month I had to revisit my initial plan. Should I stay in Florida, continue trying to find a job and make it back for only the weddings? If I stay, I may not even find a job by the end of the summer, which means I will have missed out on all the smaller things for nothing. (I'm a member of two of the wedding parties, so it's kind of a big deal to attend the other events leading up to the big days.) Or should I fly back for a majority of the summer, continue my search from there and be able to help plan and attend everything?

I decided it's important to be there for my friends and family. These are moments that are only going to happen once, and I might as well take advantage of my ability to take an extended "vacation." I don't want to regret missing out, so I'm going to enjoy what will hopefully (you know what I mean) be my last free summer.

I'm very excited that I'll be there for my sister's due date. I haven't been there to help her through her pregnancy, but I'll be around to help her after my niece is born. (Her husband is away, stationed in Iraq.) I'll also be able to attend my other sister's bridal and bachelorette parties, as a maid of honor should. Plus, Minnesota is beautiful in the summer (as you can see from the picture below, which I took the summer before I moved).I'll continue my search for a PR job; I'll just be doing it from a little farther north. I'm going to apply for fall internships with various branches of some of the bigger PR firms. Many of them are paid, and I've read they often fill their entry-level positions with successful interns. I know landing one of these positions won't be any easier than landing a job, but it'd be a great learning experience and an opportunity to test out a new city. (My boyfriend and I have been discussing the possibility of moving after his graduation and considering different locations.)

If I do find a great opportunity in Florida while I'm gone, I can always come back and resort to my original plan of flying back on various weekends. At this point, I'm open to all possibilities.

Happy Earth Day

2009-04-22T17:10:00.013-04:00

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Hopefully you're learning the importance of greening your lifestyle and taking steps, no matter how small, to live that way. In the past couple of years, I've become a lot more eco-conscious. I recycle everything I can, including bringing my plastic shopping bags back to the store (unless I reuse them as garbage bags). In honor of Earth Day, however, I think it's time to get my very own reusable shopping bag. After checking out some of these websites, I'm excited. There are so many colors and choices. Being green doesn't mean you can't be stylish.

Here are some sites where you can get your own eco-friendly gear:

Baggu - Resusable nylon bags that come in every color you can imagine! They've also come up with a solution to having to use the in-store plastic produce bags (which I always hate using but usually do because I'm somewhat of a germaphobe).
snackTaxi - A great alternative to plastic ziplock bags.
SIGG USA - A wide variety of eco-friendly products in lots of colors.
Reusablebags.com - Many green products with a live counter at the top of the website that estimates the number of plastic bags used so far this year; it currently reads almost 153 billion!
ChicoBag - They've got a bag made from seven recycled plastic bottles.

For a limited time, you can get 20% off at SIGG USA, from Oprah.

If you're not into shopping online, pick up a reusable shopping bag at your local grocery store. Many chains are carrying them, such as this one from Publix for only .99 cents.

If you're looking to do even more, here's a list of 15 green tips for the lazy and 11 more tips from Oprah. (Yes, I'm an Oprah fan.)

Here are some of my favorite easy tips (from the above lists) towards living a greener lifestyle:

Choose filtered water, such as Brita, over bottled water (Take the FilterForGood Pledge.)
Bring your own cup to the coffee shop and use a reusable water bottle
Use a cone instead of a bowl and spoon when eating ice cream
Clean without chemicals (Green Works anyone?)
Bag it (As mentioned above.)
Stop junk mail (You can do that here.)
De-lint the dryer
Choose sleep mode over a screen saver when not using your computer (or shut it down)
Use a power strip for things like chargers (They still use energy when plugged in, even when not being used.)
Get a faucet aerator for under $2 or a low-flow shower head

There are lots of other things you can do to be more eco-friendly. Remember, even the smallest things count.

Still on the hunt

2009-04-13T16:16:00.012-04:00

So, it's been almost four months since I graduated (and a little less time than that since my last internship ended), and I'm still looking for my first real job.

The last time I posted about my job search, I was about to have my first interview with a communications agency that had recently opened its doors in the area. The interview went well; the interviewers were very friendly and seem like they'd be enjoyable people to work for/with. The agency is very small, but that's common in this area. They let me know it'd be about three weeks before they'd be conducting second interviews, as they were still in the process of looking for and interviewing potential candidates.

The position they're looking to fill isn't vacant yet. The employee currently holding the position was actually one of the interviewers. She's looking to relocate and take another position sometime in the next five months, but her departure isn't set in stone.

It's now been almost four weeks, and I have yet to hear back (excluding the initial follow-up after the interview). I haven't given up complete hope, but I'm also continuing on with my job search as I was before. There was a brief hiatus in the search, as I was out of town for a few days and then had a friend from home (Minnesota) fly down to stay with me for a long weekend, but now I'm back at it. It's been nice to be able to take spontaneous little trips and entertain visitors without worrying about work responsibilities, but it'd be nicer to finally find a job!

Last week I found a job listing for an AE at a local advertising, marketing and public relations agency. The listing didn't give much detail, so I'm not sure if they're looking for someone more geared towards advertising, but I sent my resume. They're going to be conducting interviews in a couple of weeks, so I've got my fingers crossed. I'm really hoping it's a PR position.

Just today I found a posting for a communications position. I'm relatively qualified for the position, except it seems they're seeking someone with more advanced knowledge of graphic design and Adobe than I have. (This is one of the things I wish I would have learned more about while in school.) The position isn't with an agency, but I think it would be a great opportunity since it's both local and PR-related.

I also got an unsolicited call today to come in and learn more about a financial representative position. They found my resume on my college's career job site. I was excited to get the call (at least someone is finding my resume), but it really isn't what I'm looking for. I think I'd be better off taking another unpaid internship in PR than I would be with taking a paid position in an unrelated field.

I want to find a job that I want, not find a job for the sake of finding a job.

Maybe that's too much to ask for in this economy? If you're not in the same job-searching boat as I am, you probably haven't found this post very interesting. If you are in a similar situation, I'd love to hear about your experiences, tips, etc.

The move towards simplicity

2009-03-19T18:17:00.022-04:00

Recently I've began to notice how many brands seem to be taking a simpler approach with their branding initiatives. Personally, I'm a fan. The first brand I noticed doing this, many months ago, was Rembrandt toothpaste. I'm usually very brand loyal, but Rembrandt's simple, clean packaging appeals to me so much that I've considered giving the brand a try numerous times based solely on its packaging. In fact, next time I need toothpaste, I just might.

More recently I've noticed Tropicana rebranding itself. As you can see, the new package has cleaner lines and more subdued colors. It no longer features a picture of an orange with a straw; it instead uses more white space and a large glass of orange juice. The Tropicana logo runs vertically now. The cap is also a cute touch -- mimicking an orange. In my opinion, the new look is very fresh and modern. It almost seems healthier just based on the package. Others seem to have had a difficult time adjusting to the new look. A common argument is that the the updated packaging resembles a generic store brand.

In a world where store's shelves are packed with cluttered advertising, simple branding is very refreshing. I'm sure if you take a look around, you'll notice this new trend. In April's issue of Glamour, ads by both Walmart and Marc by Marc Jacobs used lots of white space. I also picked up a copy of the magazine Real Simple while at the dentist's office last week. I'd never heard of the publication before, but the uncluttered cover intrigued me. I wish I would have had more time to flip through it.

PepsiCo is also on board with simplicity. Gatorade has moved towards using "G" and Mountain Dew is using "Mtn Dew". If you check out any Pepsi product, you'll see that the cans and bottles feature a plain but stylish font, and little design besides the logo. The lack of clutter makes Pepsi products stand out, and, like I mentioned earlier, the products almost seem better for you now. Weird, I know.

One exception to my liking of the new look is the Sierra Mist can. When I first saw it, I felt like it was some sort of co-branding for the movie The Mist.

A blog from someone who disagrees with Tropicana's rebranding.

Resume cloud.... What?

2009-03-18T13:56:00.009-04:00

Although some of you may be familiar with the term, others are probably wondering what a resume cloud is. That was the case for me before coming across a retweet from @heatherhuhman this afternoon.

A resume cloud is a tool that scans a document and creates a blurb of words that appear within, also known as a "word cloud." Words that appear more frequently in the document appear in larger font in the cloud, creating a short, easy-to-scan way to get a feel for the document, or in this case, resume. (Word clouds aren't just for resumes; you can create one for any word document or even a website.)

Curious, I decided to create a word cloud for my resume at this website. Here it is:

Animal Arts Assistant Assisted Bachelor Built CAMPUS COMMUNITY Center Cision Coast Compiled Concentration Constant Crafted Created December Degree Developed EDUCATION Effective Environmental Excellent FGCU FL Familiar Florida Fort GPA Government Graduate Guadalupe Gulf Helped Hope Housekeeper INTERNSHIPS INVOLVEMENT Immokalee Inn Interdisciplinary Intern Internship January MN Mac Management Marketing Microsoft Minors Myers NOISE North Northern November October Office PSAs Position Proficient QUALIFICATIONS RELATED Refuge Relevant SUMMARY Sanibel Seeking Spicer Strategy Student Studies Stylebook Suites Summer University Updated Valuable WORK Wings Worked Writing Wrote array attention awareness campaign campaigns clipping communication completed contact cooperatively coursework coverage creating cum cumulative detail distributed documents edited editing educational employees experience .fort myers. graduated guests hires hotel improve increase interacted laude list lists .lists •. maintained materials media .media contact. months new operating organizational organization’s outreach participated press .press releases •. programs project proofreading public .public relations. radio recognition regularly relations releases reports research retention secure skills .skills •. strong summa systems training types variety verbal volunteer voter written – • .• wrote.

Interesting concept, but I don't feel my cloud gives an accurate description of my skills and experience, although I have obviously used the words "skills" and "experience" numerous times throughout. Despite having been complimented on the design and layout of my resume before, my cloud is not very impressive.

In my job search over the past couple of months, I've read about how many HR departments don't even look at most resumes. Because they often get hundreds of responses to job openings, they upload resumes into a searchable database. They're then able to pull out resumes based on keywords. Knowing this is one reason I found the resume cloud to be of interest. Clearly my resume wouldn't be that impressive if recruiters used this method.

One tip that I've read is that you should be sure to include the exact words from a job posting on your resume. For example, if a job posting states "must be a self starter (who hasn't seen that one?) with experience pitching to the media," use those exact keywords and phrases in your resume. It's likely that if a recruiter is using a searchable database, they'll be searching for the skills they feel are most important -- the ones listed in the original job listing. Unfortuantely, from what I've read, this means that if your resume lists your media pitching skills in a different way, such as saying you have numerous successful media pitches, your resume won't be found if HR is searching for "experience pitching to the media." The concept is much like using search engine optimization (SEO) for websites, blogs and press releases.

A number of the places I've applied to are smaller companies, which I doubt are using this system. With some of the larger PR firms I've applied to via the company's online career portal, this may be a good tip, though. If using keyword optimization in your resume can help you get the chance to actually have your resume looked at, I'd say it's worth a shot.

Check out the blog that I originally read about resume clouds on:
The Resume Cloud: A Simple Tool With Benefits for Candidates and Recruiters

Is grad school worth it?

2009-03-14T17:25:00.008-04:00

It seems that now I've graduated college, the number one question others have for me is whether or not I'm going to go back -- to grad school. I've always considered graduate school a possibility, and even now I'm not completely decisive about whether I'll go back one day. In my last two years of undergrad, I really learned the value of actual experience, though. I was required to have an internship relating to my major to graduate, and I'm extremely glad I was forced to do so. It taught me the basics of working in PR and gave me a little experience for my resume. I thought it was so valuable that I sought a second internship on my own, that I didn't receive credit for.

Since beginning the search for an entry-level career, I've become even more aware of how important experience is. In my hunt, I've only come across a handful of PR jobs that require potential employers to have a master's degree. On the other hand, I've only seen a handful of postings that don't require a year or more of experience, most of them leaning towards the "more" side.

Reasons I've heard as to why I should continue with my education include:

The economy is bad, and it's hard to find a job right now, so you might as well get your master's degree.
If you don't go to graduate school now, you'll never go.
You won't get paid as much if you only have your bachelor's degree.

But I say why delay the inevitable? Why should I continue going to school just to avoid the hassle of trying to find a job in a less-than-perfect economy. Personally, I don't feel that a master's degree will be of much help in a few years when I graduate and am, again, trying to begin my career. In some fields I think grad school would give a person an advantage but not PR. I'd be better off gaining a couple years' worth of experience, even if it were additional internships or a job that isn't exactly what I want. The bottom line is that experience is more sought after than a master's degree.

As for the people who say you'll never go if you don't go now... so what? Would you rather spend thousands of dollars on grad school, in a program that you likely chose on a whim, and then find in a few years that you don't even like the career path you've decided upon? Or worse yet, find that your advanced degree taught you little to nothing about the work you're doing? I'd rather put it off, get some experience and make sure PR is something I truly love doing. At that time, I'll also have a better perspective about whether grad school would benefit my career. It seems silly to make such an expensive decision with so little knowledge about its effects.

For those thinking about going to grad school just because it's the socially acceptable thing to do or to impress others, think again. You'll be paying off the debt for years, and it may not even be beneficial. You can only learn so much in a classroom, and I think employers are aware of that.

*Here's an interesting article and a blog post that cover some of the same things I addressed and more:
The Case Against Graduate School
Don't try to dodge the recession with grad school

Tweeting on Twitter

2009-03-11T23:25:00.003-04:00

I recently subscribed to Twitter after hearing about it in the media. I was curious as to what it was all about. Before signing up, I basically equated it to Facebook but only with the status update feature. I've found that hardly anyone I know uses Twitter (that I'm aware of). The strangers that I've checked out use it to tell you what they're doing with their day, share their points of view, post links to articles, keep in touch and even find jobs.

Since signing up, I've read more articles and blogs about Twitter, especially as it relates to networking and finding a job. Most discuss how useful Twitter is for these tasks, but I have yet to be convinced. I don't understand how posting 140 characters or less on a social networking site could help more than, say, something along the lines of LinkedIn or even Facebook, where you can do so much more. It seems like a very casual means of contact, a way to share quick updates and thoughts. I'd love to hear a story about someone who has gotten a job using Twitter. Is it that people you know are giving tips about places that are hiring? If so, why not just do that via e-mail, IM or any other social networking site. Or is it that other random Twitterers are finding you and responding to your Tweets? Forgive me if I've used these Twitter terms in the wrong context; I have not fully caught on yet. Hopefully as I become more experienced with it I'll learn the language and the value it has for job hunting.

I suppose I now know what it feels like to be my mom a couple of Christmases ago when I tried to teach her all about using e-mail. It took her weeks to understand the concept of forwarding a message, and she still doesn't know exactly where something "goes" when you copy it to be pasted elsewhere when using copy/paste.

Trying to find my first real job...

2009-03-11T18:07:00.005-04:00

I graduated from college this past December. Since then -- and even before then -- I've been on the hunt for my first job. It definitely hasn't been easy, especially at a time when companies are laying off employees. I'm in the market for a position as a PR assistant account executive, preferably with an agency, opposed to a corporate position. I've had two different public relations internships, one with a nonprofit organization and the other with a branding communications firm. The latter of the two ended shortly after graduation; unfortunately there wasn't room for hiring in the PR department at the small agency.

Now I spend my days searching online job boards and the career sections on company websites for new openings. Craigslist, mediabistro, my university's online job site -- I visit each of these sites multiple times per day, and I check my e-mail even more frequently, hoping to hear something. It seems impossible to find what I'm looking for: an entry-level PR position in my area. I've sent my resume to a handful of local advertising/marketing/pr agencies just in case they're hiring or will be in the near future. I've even expanded my search to the larger metro areas in the state, such as Tampa, Miami and Orlando, since these cities have branches of the larger PR firms. Every time I send out another e-mail to a potential employer, I feel a tiny bit of hope. Unfortunately I've gotten little response and it's discouraging. Am I not experienced enough? Did they not like my resume or cover letter? Did they even read them? How long will this go on?

I recently heard about an agency that opened its doors locally last month. I sent them my resume in hopes that they may need more people, and a few days later I got a message in return. They're possibly looking to hire in the near future, and they want me to come in next week and sit down with them. It'd be great to find a position in this area because, frankly, I'm not quite ready to move to a new, bigger city. We'll see what happens next week. I honestly don't even know what to expect.

Wish me luck...