How to Stand Out in the Sea of PR Pros

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

PRSA THE EDGE OCTOBERThere’s great news! The economy is looking up for today’s job seekers, but that doesn’t mean companies are just hiring anybody. In today’s job market, tenacity and creativity go a long way.

Employer’s want to know you were productive between the time you graduated and the time you applied to your dream job with their company. They love to see that you are committed to your career and gaining valuable experience independently. After tailoring your resume, updating your LinkedIn profile, going on informational interviews, and actually applying with a compelling cover letter, we often complain that the job hunt is a job within itself. The hustle is real but is well worth it once you land a job you love.

Prepare yourself for job-hunting success by creating a job hunt strategy. This goes beyond updating your online presence and applying to jobs but actually making strategic moves to land the job you want. Think organization. Create a list of companies you want to work at vs. companies you would love to work at. Use this list to prioritize time spent on cover letters and networking. Create a google doc and track the applications you send and the responses you receive. Keep in mind the date you applied and the date you followed up. Did you land an interview or was their no response at all? Log it!

Public Relations is a career that requires constant learning. While you are searching for full time positions, strategically introducing yourself by reaching out to companies you the companies on your “love” list. Share the relevant skills and accomplishments that would add value to their company and why you are interested in working with them. Show your passion by volunteering to assist in a project part time or on a paid contract basis. This is the perfect time to prove that you are an asset to the team.

Set yourself apart from other job seekers by taking on alternative positions that are related to the industry. A great way to gain experience is to serve as a Brand Ambassador at local events. Some of the top brands are represented at local festivals and doing a great job marketing their product is attractive to employers. Have you ever thought about asking your local coffee shop if they need some help with their social media? I mean you’re always there anyway applying to jobs, right? The least they can offer in return is a free cup of joe. Create a Social Media Strategy Proposal for them and if they like it, ask them to pay for you to implement it. If not, you have a social media strategy to add to your portfolio.

What are you doing to stand out from the crowded job market?

i-zthGPGn-XLJasmine L. Kent, a member of PRSA-NCC, focuses on building community through dynamic events and engaging online marketing as a freelance integrated communications professional in Washington, DC. Keep up with her on Twitter at @LoveJasPR or visit LoveJasPR.com. 

Transition to the Real World: A New Professionals Guide on the Transition from Student to Young Professional

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

A recap from the New Professionals session at the 2015 PRSSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

How did you find your first job out of college? How did you use your PRSSA membership in interviewing?

“I was working part-time as a cashier at my current company. As I was gearing up to graduate in December, I requested an informational interview with my now boss. I presented some ideas to improve/add-on to their current communications plan. He was intrigued and invited me to complete a three-month trial internship. A lot of my experience came from PRSSA activities and internships, so I was able to leverage my membership.”

What has been the biggest challenge transitioning from a student to full-time employee?

“Time management, by far, the hardest part about moving into full-time work is understanding when you should stay late or come in early. As PR professionals, we’re always plugged in and on the go. Don’t get burned out trying to impress the boss that already thinks you’re doing a great job. It’s also important to learn how to balance your extracurriculars. You did this in college and now you are learning to do it with a full-time job. Don’t hesitate to take 6 months to a year off to enjoy some free time. You’re allowed to dictate how much you want to put into your professional organizations.” —JR Rochester

“The initial transition from college to the real world can take some adjusting, but finding the right mentors to guide you can make all the difference.” —Jess Noonan

How did you leverage your PRSSA network for your career and transition?

“When I began my job hunt my final year of college, I made it a point to reach out to PRSSA members that I had met at National Conference, Regional Conferences and at my Chapter. We shared advice and tips we’d learned from our own experiences as well as what we’d heard from speakers and mentors. That kind of help and support was tremendous. Once I was hired, I leaned on PRSSA friends who had graduated one to two years earlier to talk about preparing for the transition. I also leveraged the professionals I had met through PRSSA, too. I told my mentors what type of position I was looking for and they helped me hone how to speak my experiences that highlighted relevant skills. During my interview at Edelman, two senior leaders on my current team knew people in my network, which I found out through LinkedIn mutual connections.” —Brian Price

What has been your biggest challenge as a PR professional?

“Showcasing all of my potential skills. Employers believed that executing social media on a daily basis was what I was solely interested in doing. I had to show them that I was interested in traditional PR, media buying and media direct relationship building, as well. It’s important to lay out all of your skill sets on the table when you enter the job and also communicate what you’re interested in learning more about. Staying organized and not being afraid to ask for help are two things that can help you better transition from student to a PR professional.” —JR Rochester

How did you build relationships at your first job?

“Ask questions. Take time to connect with people who aren’t in your department. If you’re short on work at the beginning, ask your boss if you can help with other tasks or suggest potential projects you’d like to research. Showing initiative goes a long way with a lot of people.” —Hilary Jurinak

Why did you stay involved with PRSA? How did you find a way to be an active PRSA member?

“I joined PRSA Chicago after months of attending events and seminars. I waited to join the Chicago New Pros board until I had a better understanding of the Chapter. I am now the Chicago Chapter’s PRSSA liaison, which is a role that is very comfortable for me.” —Brian Price

What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?

“Challenge yourself to keep up with as many peers and professionals in your network as you can. Stay formal as much as you can, but also remember to relax. Visit Hilary and me in Chicago and we’ll connect you with peers that work in your similar interested fields.”

“Looking for a job can be a lot of fun. Find what you’re most passionate about and turn that into a career.” —Hilary Jurinak

“Be yourself. Employers love creativity and seeing what you’re fully capable of. Stay confident and your character will shine.” —JR Rochester

“Don’t get too caught up in the day-to-day and always try to look at the larger picture. Particularly, keep in mind where you want to go with your career and how what you’re doing today impacts your tomorrow.” — Jess Noonan

Connect with Brian, Hilary, Jess, and J.R. online!

Join New Pros at the PRSA International Conference!

Stephanie Vermillion Leave a comment

Are you attending the PRSA International Conference this November? Lucky you! Not only will you have the chance to learn from some of the leading industry professionals, but you’ll have a chance to get one-on-one time with the PRSA New Pros group, too!

We’ll be hosting some exciting sessions at the conference this year, and we’d love for you to be part of them. If you’re unable to attend the conference in person, join the New Pros conversation online with the hashtag #NPPRSA.

Lucky enough to attend? Here’s how to join us for our exciting PRSA ICON New Pros event!

  • WHAT: PRSA New Professionals Meet and Greet – Join us for some networking, an update on the section and advice from senior PR professionals.
  • WHERE: Marriott Marquis, Room L 402
  • WHEN: Sunday, November 8, 11:00am – 12:00pm
  • QUESTIONS?: Reach out to Jessica.noonan@bm.com

Here are two other events that will be happening in the Atlanta area that week, too:

See you soon, New Pros!

From Superleader to Fly-on-the-Wall: Finding Time for Post-Grad ‘Extracurriculars’

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

Many ambitious new professionals graduate from college holding past leadership positions through on- and off-campus organizations. They’ve strived to be involved for personal and professional development. Gaining that experience is what sets them apart when finding a job.

But once you’re hired, how and what you stay involved with is a problem many new professionals struggle with. Staying involved and joining professional organizations doesn’t need to be difficult though, and can enhance your career for years to come.

Time is a huge issue holding people back from getting involved with the equivalent of “extracurriculars” after college.

Networking for New ProsNew pros regularly face long hours while trying to balance a social and healthy lifestyle (even more difficult if moving to a new city was involved). The truth is that membership will be what you make of it. Check out the organization you want to join – does it meet bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly — and in person or virtually?

In addition, evaluate how often you’ll want to volunteer: small commitments from a one-time blog post or working check-in at an event are a great way to ease your way into joining a new organization, without the potential stress of undertaking a large event.

Money is another issue that holds people back from staying involved. Many organizations require dues to cover the cost of membership and events, but there are ways to make it affordable. Depending on the organization, there are likely discounts offered for new professionals. In addition, many companies will pay for a portion of professional organization dues, knowing that it will contribute to shaping better employees.

Either way, if organization membership is important to excelling in your career (I’m looking at you, PR pros), it’s worth thinking about setting aside some money for dues as you save for other expenses.

The simple trait of timidness is also enough to slow new professionals from getting involved in groups out of school. From once knowing everyone through four-year involvement in organizations such as PRSSA, it can be daunting to even outgoing individuals to attend a new meeting or networking event.

A text from your roommate to meet for drinks or having just landed a new gig may seem like easy excuses to blow off a first meeting at the organization you looked into, but after going once you could meet a mentor, future colleague or new friend. Getting involved in a professional organization is also a great way to meet industry peers that you can bounce ideas off of and hangout with at conferences. Join a new organization with the goal of listening, before jumping to be the leader.

Wondering what organizations are best to join early in your career? I’d be amiss to not mention joining the New Professionals Section of PRSA. Staying connected to your alma mater by leading an alumni club is also a great way to network and joining a casual-level social sports league can combat work burnout. What do you do to grow your career, develop leadership skills and meet new professionals? I’d love to hear from you.

Hanna-PorterfieldHanna Porterfield is the Newsletter Co-Chair of PRSA’s New Professionals section and an Assistant Account Executive at Development Counsellors International. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 and is actively involved in the alumni club’s New York chapter. Connect with Hanna on LinkedIn and Twitter (@citygirlhanna).

President-Worthy PR Advice

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

When it comes to marketing your brand and yourself, maintaining strong public relations is the key to finding success. Those that are able to nail their PR strategies and handle mishaps with grace are typically able to overcome challenges and move forward in their careers. Today’s consumers are quick to react to negative PR; therefore, doing PR right the first time is essential.  


Perhaps the best examples of professional public relations strategies leading to success come from this season’s presidential candidates. With the amount of media attention given to those running for political office, it is easy to examine and understand the broad impact of PR successes and failures. Here are just a few tips on personal branding to be taken from the individuals running for the oval office.

Shock and Awe

In an age of internet and short attention spans, it doesn’t bode well to forget that your target audience doesn’t want to see the same branding ploys over and over again. They want to be surprised and entertained. Furthermore, they want to learn something new and share the information with friends. Using a shock and awe approach to branding is a great way to break into a new market and achieve notice.

Donald Trump is the obvious voice of success for the shock and awe method whether or not you agree with his politics. Trump entered the Republican race with little political experience and even fewer political allies, yet he has skyrocketed to the top of the polls and has remained there ever since. His personal marketing strategy has worked out well in garnering attention; people cannot wait to hear and share his next bombastic comment and the media can’t get enough of him.  

Use the Internet Wisely

The internet can be a fickle place where potentially great PR strategies turn into living nightmares. It can also be a massive boon to your personal brand if a post goes viral. Either way, a strong understanding of trends and a close eye on changes is imperative to internet branding success. Before posting anything, be sure to think of all the possible implications of sharing it with the world.

A number of presidential candidates have struggled with internet related PR nightmares. For instance, numerous Tweets and website based mishaps have prompted multiple inquiries as to whether or not many candidates even understand the internet or if they are too disconnected. Backlash for many of these mishaps can be swift and harsh, as well as spell the end to running for an election.   

Try Something New

A number of presidential candidates are finding new avenues for connecting with a younger audience. One of the primary targets has been appearances on late night television with hosts that are just as likely to poke fun at the establishment as ask about any policies. One notable example is Jeb Bush’s appearance on the Late Show, which is now hosted by traditionally mock-conservative politico, Stephen Colbert.

Creating a successful personal brand involves a lot of innovation and the ability to put yourself out there and attract new audiences. Much like presidential candidates appearing on comedy tv to build relations among both the young and those that don’t regularly follow politics, it involves entering a realm of relative discomfort and making the most of it. Triumphing in this arena opens numerous doors and provides countless opportunities for your brand.  

Be Responsive

Another aspect to a successful PR strategy during a presidential campaign is responsiveness. For candidates especially, something negative will eventually happen and how he or she responds in the aftermath can make or break a political career. Often times voters demand a public apology or acknowledgement of the situation, they want to remain informed and see that something is being done to rectify it. Take Hillary Clinton’s email fiasco as an example.

Whether your PR campaign goes really well or poorly, perhaps the most important aspect in retaining appreciation in your audience is to follow through. Be as responsive and transparent as possible to both good and bad comments. Your audience appreciates a response and feeling as though their voices are heard.

The 2016 presidential candidates provide an excellent ground for observing and learning about the costs and benefits of specific public relation strategies. Because of their high level of media attention it is easy to discover the flaws in plans and the quick adjustments that can be made to boost personal branding. Taking the time to learn from the candidates and adapt your personal branding strategy can be a significant benefit.

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HeadshotBrittni Brown is a current Masters candidate at The University of Idaho. In her free time she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and camping.