Life Post Graduation Part 2: Finding a Job in an Economic Crisis

I recently wrote about my internship and how positive that experience was in my transition from college life to corporate America. Now, I have completed my first week as a salaried employee in the real world. What’s even better? I’m pretty sure I’ve landed my dream job at New Media Strategies.

So how did I do it? Easy – I built up a personal and a digital network, discovered what I was passionate about, and did a lot of research to find a position that would challenge me and fit my criteria for workplace values.

Okay, so it wasn’t that easy. With our economy in its current state, it’s a difficult process to find a great entry-level job. No matter how many times I rewrote my cover letter and reviewed my résumé, getting interviews at companies was practically impossible without help from my friends and network.

For example, I read about New Media Strategies when I first got to D.C. Since I’m slightly obsessed with this new digital era I wanted to connect with others who shared this passion. I checked out the company’s site NOT to look for a job, but to find people. I discovered the blogs of Leslie Bradshaw and Andre Blackman, so I started following them and a few other NMSers on twitter. I reached out to Leslie telling her how I’d just moved here and was always looking for social media events to go to, and we ended up meeting in person at an event a couple of days later.

As my internship reached an end, I noticed that NMS was hiring. I sent a DM to Leslie saying that she had inspired me with some of her recent work and that I was thinking about applying. She quickly responded and told me to e-mail the head of HR, which I did, and here I am!

Yesterday, I was talking to a close friend of mine who is finishing up her CPA and trying to land a job at a big time accounting firm. She’s very smart, organized, experienced, and has a near perfect GPA. And, it doesn’t hurt that both of her parents are respected accountants. Then, she told me she wanted to get a job without using her parents’ networks. While I understand her desire to get a job on her own without any help, I told her that this was no time to be humble and that she should make use of the people she knows, especially with our the entry-level job market as fragile as it is right now.

What do you think? Did I give her the right advice? How did you get your first job after college?

By the way, be sure to check out my new blogroll with a list of my very talented co-workers’ blogs.

Life Post Graduation Part 1: Summer Internships

This time last year I was dreaming about life post-college and wondering what I’d be doing those first few months when I was no longer a student – for the first time in 12 years.

I thought about backpacking around Europe with friends, moving home and taking a mental health vacation before jumping into the real world, landing my dream job at a top-tier PR agency, or maybe even gearing up for a fall semester at grad school somewhere. There were lots of potential plans.

I never thought I’d be interning. By the time I graduated, I figured I’d have had enough internships to be ready to take on an entry-level position. Plus, I looked down on being an intern with a college degree. I thought it would be like wearing a neon sign around my neck: Meg Roberts – intern with a B.A., inadequately prepared for life in the real world.

I was very wrong.

My first summer as someone with a Bachelor’s degree just ended, and I spent my time interning with an excellent company in Washington, D.C – VOX Global Mandate. Now that my internship is nearing an end, I’m glad I got over being an intern snob. Interning after graduation was the perfect transition to full-fledged employee, and it was also incredibly rewarding.

Making the jump from my college town (and home state) to a different location was something I wanted to do, but that didn’t make it any less intimidating. Interning in a new city before landing a full-time position gave me a 3-6 month cushion to see if I even liked D.C. It allowed me to monitor my cost of living (which helped in that infamous salary negotiation conversation), and if I could handle the separation from family and friends. If I had hated D.C., it would have been okay for me to head home without feeling like I was quitting a job after only three months.

After graduation, I knew I wanted to leave Florida and try something new. Interning was a great first step in marketing my personal brand in a new town. While social media can help build a long-distance network, nothing beats genuine, face-to-face interaction. As an intern, my company allowed me to participate in numerous events where I was able to meet congressional members, other PR practitioners, journalists, and fellow social media fanatics. I’m not saying that this can’t happen in an entry-level position, but this helped me extend my job search once I was in D.C.

Holding a full-time internship is very different than popping into an office 2-4 days a week for a couple hours at a time. Because I was working every day for 8 hours (or sometimes 10), I got to see a lot of the behind-the-scenes grunt work that goes into public relations (or any industry!). I learned more about company culture and morale – two things any potential employee should consider before accepting a job offer. Since I was there all day, I got pulled into more meetings, worked on more projects, and got to know my colleagues better.

All of these things helped me realize that I chose the right career. But imagine if I found out I hated public relations – I’m the type of person that would feel very guilty about jumping ship, and would probably stay in the industry far longer than I wanted.

Coming into an internship with past experience helped, too. My executive team at VOX let me work on a variety of client projects once they saw that I was capable of pulling from my past internships and integrating them with the my new team’s knowledge. Now that I’ve been interning for a couple of months, I know that my previous work helped me get even more out of this current position.

This summer taught me that being an intern after graduation does not, in any way, reflect poorly on preparedness. So while interning wasn’t on my list of things-to-do-after-college, I’m very happy that it ended up being my plan and I hope others will see the benefits of graduate internships.

Just Relax: Questions That Make Interviews More Conversational

I think I’m one of the few people who enjoys interviews. This doesn’t mean I’m immune to the anxiety that comes along with them, but I look at interviews as conversations with people who are doing what I hope to be doing down the road. Shifting the framework about interviews not only helps ease the tension, but it will also helped me to learn more about the company and the industry.

From my experience (and I’ve had a lot of it in the past year), the key to changing attitudes about interviews is to be prepared. We’ve all heard it before: research the company and prepare questions. The latter has been invaluable – no matter what type of interview I had.

Having questions prepared is critical – and not to make you look better in the eyes of the interviewer, but to help you understand the company and the position better. Think of things you need to know about the company before agreeing to work there, and don’t be shy about asking the person interviewing you.

I have a list of questions I always pull from that match what is most important to me in a work environment:

• How is the company organized? How often do entry level employees interact with executive leadership?
• What’s the company’s vision for the future?
• How can my position help the company achieve its goals?
• Does your company have a mentorship program? Is it formal or informal?
• How does your company’s evaluation process work?
• Do you have professional development programs? What types?
• What is the typical career path for an entry level employee?
• How did you get to where you are now?
• How would you describe the culture here?
• How do you think your competition views you?
• What’s the ratio for teamwork versus individual work?

Most interviewers will cover key topics, but if they don’t, you should never leave an interview without asking the following:

• How many employees does the company have?
• What are the responsibilities of the position?
• Who does a person in this position report to?
• What are the next steps in this process?
• May I have your business card?

Not only do these help me understand the company and position more, but it also allows me to get to know the interviewer – who is most likely in a position that I’d like to be in one day. It always comes back to networking, people!

Whether an interview is for an internship, a job, a scholarship, or a promotion, the important thing to remember is that it should be a conversation that provides both parties with more information and a better understanding of who they might be hiring or where they could be working. Just think of it as another way to meet more people, and you should be able to breathe a little bit easier before your next interview.

Building “Brand You”: 10 Easy (and Free!) Ways to Market Yourself

To be successful in any industry, you have to differentiate yourself from the competition. With new technology, building a personal brand has never been easier, and “Brand You” is what will make you stand out from your peers. “Brand You” is a concept that I learned from my mentor, Professor Bob Batchelor, at the University of South Florida.

You can build a spotless personal reputation with hardly any financial investment, but it’s setting aside the time that might prevent some students from developing their own brands. Here are 10 easy ways that you can start building your brand, even as a busy student or young professional:

1. Spring Clean your Social Networks: You’ve heard it before, but let me reiterate how important it is to maintain a professional appearance on Facebook and MySpace. It doesn’t matter if your profile is set to private, you should still take pride in who you are and the image you are portraying. Remove those keg stand pictures and tasteless bumper stickers now, please!

2. Use Google Reader: This is a valuable tool when it comes to starting a personal brand. Subscribe to news sites that are industry-related or about current events. I suggest PR Newswire, PR Week, the New York Times, and BBC, especially for an international perspective. To be a proficient communicator, you must know what’s going on in the world and in public relations. The only way to do this is to educate yourself. Google readers makes it simple—it’s free and easy to navigate, plus almost every site has an icon that allows you to subscribe to their updates.

3. Add to your Reader: After you subscribe to news feeds, search for blogs on topics that interest you, such as marketing or public relations. Read a few posts and see whether the material interests you enough that you’d want to read it on a regular basis. If so, subscribe! Some blogs that I suggest you read are: PR Squared, More with Les, Teaching PR, copyblogger, and the Bad Pitch Blog. Each of these sites link to other great blogs that will keep you entertained and informed.

4. Comment on Blogs: Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion! Bloggers love receiving comments, and most will respond back to you. Always comment using your full name so you can start building your personal brand. The more you comment, the more people will start to recognize your online presence. Make sure you bring value to the conversation—don’t just say “great post!” Tell the blogger why you agree or disagree, or point out something he or she may have overlooked or did a great job explaining.

5. Create a Digital Portfolio: It’s a lot easier than it sounds, especially if you use www.freewebs.com. The site has tons of templates that you can choose from, and is self-explanatory. It’s easy to upload your résumé and writing samples, which allows potential employers to view all your work online. Since your Facebook and MySpace profiles should be professional, link to them so that employers can see your other interests and get a glimpse into your personality. Potential employers are people, too! Most enjoy people with intriguing personalities, and you never know when you might share a common interest with the person interviewing you. Any possible connection could be to your advantage!

6. Make Business Cards: Personal business cards are a great way to pass on information about yourself when you first meet someone. Include your basic contact information, but also links to any sites you have created for yourself, such as a blog, digital portfolio, or LinkedIn profile.

7. Join LinkedIn: This social networking site is more professional than Facebook, and is a great way to interact with those already in your desired career. Check it out at www.linkedin.com, and then make a profile. I actually landed a couple of interviews through this network, including ones at Ogilvy PR and Fleishman-Hillard.

8. Experiment with Social Media Tools: There are a lot of interesting tools at there that can help you make your presence known. Twitter is simple, and helps initiate conversations with people you might never get the opportunity to speak to otherwise. It can be found at www.twitter.com. Another tool you should familiarize yourself with is www.ning.com.

This site is a group-based community that allows you to search for those with similar interests. For example, I am a part of the 20 Something Bloggers ning, which has helped drive traffic to my blog and allowed me to communicate with other young bloggers around the world. Another great forum is the new PR Open Mic, started by Professor Robert French at Auburn. The site has only been up for a couple of weeks, but it’s already a remarkable resource for students, professors, and professionals. I highly recommend joining!

9. Just do it! Start a Blog: Maintaining a blog is easier than you might think. Most of my posts are less than 500 words and take me no more than an hour each week to write. This minimal commitment has been one of the most beneficial and fun things I’ve done as an undergraduate student. The benefits are innumerable: I’ve received job offers and freelance requests, I’ve been able to communicate with top-tier professionals and professors, I’ve enhanced my knowledge about the industry, and I’ve been able to practice my writing skills.

10. Ask for Help: Building a personal brand can seem overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Both professors and older students are excellent resources to guide you through this process. It is never too early to start building “Brand You,” and I hope that all of you will start soon so that you can impress potential employers with your outstanding reputation.

(This article was originally published in the University of South Florida’s chapter of PRSSA’s newsletter, imPRessions, which can be viewed at our Web site: http://www.prssausf.com. It has been edited for the Internet and updated since the original publication date.)

Want a job in PR? These recent grads give advice that can help you!

Finding a job in the PR industry is doable. Recent University of South Florida School of Mass Communication graduates Meggan Mabry and Katy Parsons can attest to this.Both Meggan and Katy are assistant account executives at Roberts Communications, one of the top integrated communications agencies in the Tampa Bay area.

“Going from recent grad to young professional is a huge transition,” Meggan said. “I am still learning new things every day, and I am happy to help other students and young professionals in any way that I can!”

Here is our interview:

How would you explain Roberts Communications to those unfamiliar with the agency?
Meggan: Roberts Communications is a full-service agency that specializes in Integrated Marketing Communications. We do branding, marketing, public relations and advertising – all equally well. We utilize media-buying, print, radio and TV advertising. Our clients range from B2B, health-care, non-profit and B2C. Our agency mantra is “Create Change” – we are advocates for positive change to ensure our clients succeed.

What are your responsibilities at Roberts?
Meggan: I am involved with daily client relations and act as the liaison between the client and creative department. I assist in all client needs including writing the creative brief, copywriting, production and managing accounts and consulting.

What is your favorite part about your job?
Meggan: My favorite part of the job is the variety. Working with different clients and accounts allows me to experience a little bit of everything. No two days are the same! I love interacting with the client and delivering positive change.

Katy: My favorite part of my job is the variety of work I get to do. I never have the same day twice- it’s always something new. I really enjoy seeing how our projects create change for our clients. It’s very exciting to see a strategy come full circle and generate positive change for a client’s brand.

What do employers expect recent graduates to know for an entry-level position?
Meggan: You must be adaptable and willing to work hard. Anyone can have a sparkling resume, but you must have a strong work ethic to back up your skills. Employers expect to see a portfolio and evidence that you can multi-task (jobs, internships, school, etc.).

Katy: I think employers expect recent graduates to have a strong grasp on the basics- writing (AP Style), tactics, strategy and research. Recent graduates must also be knowledgeable of the industries they hope to work within (healthcare, finance, non-profit, etc.).

What are some industry trends that students should be aware of as they enter the workforce?
Meggan: Technology is providing easy access to almost anything. You can order food, movies, cars and homes all online. As technology grows, communication grows and people expect things FAST! You have to be able to keep up.

Katy: Keep your eye on the ever-changing world of media- Always understand how and where people are getting their information from.

What advice do you have for students who are currently looking for employment in PR?
Meggan: Get as involved in as many things as you can. Join your local PR organizations, get internships, get published (write for blogs, your college newspaper, newsletters) and be sure to take journalism classes (this will help you understand journalists and how to approach them). Look for jobs before you graduate. Apply to as many jobs and go on as many interviews as you can to gain experience. It will all pay off. Even if you don’t land the first job you will MEET people.

 

Katy: It’s a competitive world out there. Understand that and be able to communicate to potential employers what your strengths are and exactly how those strengths will be an asset to an organization.

What are some tough questions you were asked during your interview, and how did you handle them?
Meggan: Be sure to know facts about the company. Don’t go to an interview just talking about YOU – talk about the COMPANY that is interviewing you. Be prepared; if you are prepared there are no scary questions.

Katy: If you are honest and prepared, you can answer all interview questions with ease.

How big of a role does a portfolio play in the hiring process at a PR agency?
Meggan: You must have a portfolio. Besides your resume and cover letter, your portfolio is your only differentiator. This is your chance to shine and show you’ve already invested in your future career. Employers, especially creative ones, want to see how you stand out among the thousands of other candidates.

Katy: It’s huge! Some firms won’t give you an interview without one. You absolutely must have a strong portfolio with plenty of writing samples.

What is one skill you didn’t learn in the classroom that you wish you had learned prior to entering the workforce?
Meggan: One thing that I think is very important to learn is how to talk and deal with different personalities. This is not something that is learned in the classroom. You learn how to talk to professors and peers, but unless you work in customer service you don’t truly understand. I was fortunate enough to work in hospitality for six years, so I had some experience with this. However, many of my friends had not and talking directly to clients seems daunting to them.

During your undergraduate education, what class or activity most prepared you for your position today? Meggan: My writing classes definitely prepared me more so than any other class. Having a strong background in writing is the single most important tool you can have in the PR field.

Katy: Advanced PR [USF's campaigns class] really puts all the concepts learned throughout the sequence to practical use. This course offers students an opportunity to see a project through from beginning to end, while using research to develop a strategic plan. Not only is this class a great portfolio builder, but also it’s an exceptional learning experience.

As a PR practitioner, what campaign or project stands out in your mind as being the most exciting and/or educational?
Meggan: I think the most exciting campaigns are the ones that help people in need. One of our clients, Verizon Wireless is very involved in domestic violence philanthropy. I helped at one of their signature “Clothesline” events where victims of domestic violence, shelters, and law makers speak about their experiences with the subject and give hope for escaping the violence. I witnessed women crying and thanking us for spreading the word. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing you helped someone change their life. It was a powerful experience where I felt my work truly made a difference.

Do you have a mentor? How did you develop or initiate that relationship? How has your mentor helped you as a young professional?
Meggan: My boss, Christine O’Connor, is my mentor. She has worked at Roberts for 10 years. She started here when she was my age and is now a principal in the agency. Christine has taught me so many things in such a short amount of time. She always gives me guidance and support. I look to her for advice and wisdom. The great thing about Roberts is that there are so many brilliant people to have as mentors. I continue to learn from all of my co-workers. Each one has valuable insight and experience.

Katy: I am very fortunate to have an entire office full of phenomenal mentors. I work with an incredible group of talented individuals who have openly shared their own career experiences with me. Having a mentor has definitely helped me as a young professional. It would have taken me a lifetime to learn some of the valuable advice my mentors give on a daily basis.

Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers? Advise? Words of wisdom? Warnings?
Meggan: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Everything happens for a reason and the possibilities are endless if you are willing to go after it.

Katy: Love what you do! You will always be more successful doing something you love as opposed to doing something you hate. Raise your hand, be tenacious and never stop setting goals for yourself and your career.

A Brief Recap about D.C. – Yes, I Survived!

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last posted. Time is moving quickly, and the days seem to be slipping from my grasp.

Last week was USF’s spring break, and I spent 11 days in the Nation’s Capital sightseeing, meeting up with old friends, and job hunting. Although most of my friends thought I was crazy for packing coats and scarves while they were packing swim suits and sunscreen, I still had an amazing trip and met a lot of fascinating people in the industry.

I interviewed with 8 different companies, and met countless professionals with a wealth of knowledge. Even if I don’t get an internship position with a particular agency, it was great to network with so many brilliant minds who have interesting experiences working in communications in D.C. It was very insightful to see how the city’s political landscape shaped many of the agencies’ cultures.

Well, sad to say, but spring break caused the inevitable– I’m behind in my school work, which leaves little time for the in-depth post I wanted to write today. I hope you all will stay tuned, because I have two great ideas for posts swimming around in my head.

A little teaser: one will be about the interviewing process itself and the other will be an actual interview with a recent college grad working at a premier agency here in Tampa.

The Key to Landing Your First Job Post-Graduation

Before I delve into the crux of this post, let me lead with this little disclaimer: No, I don’t have a job lined up for after graduation, and I’m fully aware that I might be breaking the cardinal rule of counting my eggs before they’ve hatched, but I am writing this to explore my feelings on the job search process. I also want to offer some advice that I’ve stumbled upon along the way, commiserate with others going through this stressful ordeal, and solicit help from those who have been in this position before (hmm… that broadens my audience a bit, doesn’t it?)

Thanks to Facebook’s stellar countdown application, I am agonizingly reminded that graduation is looming a mere 1 month, 28 days away. I know there are professionals and professors reading this, rolling their eyes with knowing smiles spreading across their faces, but for us students, this job search business is nerve-racking. It may seem like we have plenty of time to line up that first job, but every day that passes only adds to our increasing stress levels. We dread the prospect of being unemployed!

I admit that I probably worry about finding a job more than most, but I promise I don’t need to be prescribed blood pressure meds yet. I’m learning that it’s a normal process—college seniors WILL ALWAYS want that sense of security that comes with job offers, and because we aren’t sure how to handle ourselves, we worry.

We get stressed. We spend hours reviewing our résumés. We meticulously edit every line in our cover letters. We hound our professors. We whine to our junior and sophomore friends who are lucky to have a couple more years. We e-mail and call potential employers until we feel like stalkers.

It gets a little daunting, not to mention time consuming.

Personally, I’ve been feeling the pressure for the past two weeks. For USF’s spring break, I decided to head to Washington, D.C., which is where I want to move after graduation. I planned on visiting old friends from Elon University and sightseeing, but I figured I’d set up some interviews while I was there. I thought this would be a relatively easy process—contacting agencies, expressing my interest in the firm and industry itself, and networking along the way, while agencies raved about their opportunities for recent grads.

Um, right…

At first, the results were discouraging. Few e-mails were returned, and the ones that were felt like letters of rejection. Résumés and cover letters went unanswered. My confidence was waning, but I was determined to schedule at least one interview while I was in the area.

The turning point came when I enlisted the help of several outstanding
professors and reached out to what I thought was a limited network of friends newly relocated to the D.C. area. These two separate entities selflessly sent out e-mails and made phone calls on my behalf, which eventually led to interviews at some very renowned PR and consulting firms. Working off this confidence, I took it upon myself to directly contact some agencies’ HR departments. After speaking with them and sending my résumé, I added a couple more interviews to my itinerary. So, no, I don’t have a job lined up, but making that first step has suppressed my anxiety (a little bit, at least).

So, here’s the secret:

The new rule for landing that first job isn’t really new. It’s merely a reminder to maintain confidence in yourself and your abilities. Yes, you will feel discouraged, but find comfort in knowing that there are people out there who want to help you succeed. Even when you think you’re fighting a futile battle, you aren’t. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice, and use the network you have to meet new people and find out about the field, not just job opportunities.

If anyone has any words of wisdom for the class of 2008, feel free to share. I’m very interested on how my peers are handling their own job searches, and what professors and professionals recommend we do from now until graduation!

Agency Tour Provides PRSSA Students with Motivation, Insight

This might be hard to believe, but before yesterday, I had never been inside a PR agency. Now that I have, I don’t know why I waited so long. The experience informed, enlightened, and motivated me, and I encourage every student to participate in an agency tour either individually or as part of a group.

As an executive board member for USF’s PRSSA chapter, I collaborated with the rest of the e-board as we planned our first agency tour in over two years. Our Vice President, Carissa Caricato, suggested touring Roberts Communications, a leading integrated communications firm located in the historic Ybor district in Tampa. Roberts is renowned for reaching out to PR students at USF, and immediately agreed to host our members for a tour of its offices.

When I arrived at Roberts with our president Theresa Sharkey, I didn’t know what to expect. As soon as I stepped into the office, I relaxed. The physical layout of Roberts is conducive to creativity and productivity—large open spaces, calming yet colorful walls, and trendy art décor. I’m beginning to appreciate the various cultures of different agencies, and this is why touring an agency is important in the job search process. Experiencing the professional environment can help you formulate an opinion about the type of work the company produces, and will give you a better idea about your level of compatibility with the firm.

After the tour, we participated in a dynamic question-and-answer session with four Roberts employees: President and CEO Colleen Chappell, Principal Christine O’Connor, and recent USF graduates Katy Parsons and Meggan Mabry.

Each person offered their own perspectives based on their statuses in the company, and they provided some outstanding advice for young PR professionals:

• Constantly Raise Your Hand – President Colleen Chappell encouraged us all to take every opportunity we could to advance ourselves professionally and to learn about the industry. She said she got where she was today because of her curiosity and tenacity, and that’s what she looks for in future new hires. She said she never cowered from a job because she didn’t meet the qualifications—instead she proved her determination and commitment to educating herself, which helped her land prominent roles throughout her career. So don’t be afraid to raise your hand to ask questions and accept new challenges.
• Send Thank You Notes and Build a Portfolio – Principal Christine O’Connor echoed Colleen’s advice about being courageous, driven, and committed. She also said that Roberts will not interview anyone without a portfolio, nor will she hire anyone who does not send a handwritten thank-you note after an interview. This is practical advice means students need to start collecting work for portfolios ASAP. Christine said that the work could come from internships, extracurricular activities, and even classes. And whatever you do, go stock up on stationery for those thank-you notes!
• Go for your Dreams – Both Colleen and Christine told students to go for their dreams, especially while they are still young. Colleen explained how when she graduated she only wanted to work in Miami or New York, and there was no stopping her. She said the experience she gained while working in another market helped her immensely, but she also got the “Miami bug” out of her system and was able to happily relocate back to Tampa. This motivated me to keep looking for jobs in the D.C. market, which is where I want to live after graduation in May, and I hope it does the same for other students looking to work in markets outside of where they go to school.
• Reach out to Professors and Professionals for Assistance – Meggan and Katy stressed developing mentor relationships with professors and area professionals. They said this can help when creating your résumé and portfolio, finding jobs, networking, or preparing for interviews.
• Set up Informational Interviews - Christine said that students should set up several informational interviews with various firms or companies, and should not actively seek employment, but use these opportunities to learn more about the organization and the industry. Even though that particular company might not have an opening, if you impress the interviewer, he or she might pass your information along to a friend who does have availabilities.

After the discussion, we all went to lunch at the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Several other Roberts employees joined us, and while it was a great networking opportunity, it was fun to have casual conversation with people who are doing exactly what I want to be doing in the future.

PRSSA is planning another agency tour at Spark Brand sometime in April. We’ll keep you all updated. For those readers not in the Tampa area, I hope you will suggest this to your own PRSSA/IABC/FPRA chapters or plan one for yourself!