Career Advice

Be a Rockstar PR Pro in 2016

Stephanie Vermillion Leave a comment

Everyone wants to be great at what they do and the new year is a great time to reevaluate everything we’ve been doing and how we can make ourselves the best PR pros we can be, new or otherwise.

Rockstar PR ProNow’s the time of year when everyone comes up with resolutions for things they’d like to change or be better at. For 2016, why not make it a resolution to focus on professional development and becoming an extraordinary PR professional. Here are 10 things all New Pros can focus on to stand out from the crowd.

Be flexible.

PR isn’t one of those jobs where you can count on a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Not everything will fit into eight hours in the office and, more often than not, you’ll have early mornings, late nights and work that needs to come home with you. We can’t change these facts, so the best thing we can do is be flexible. Living by your to-do list will only add even more stress to your life. Instead, look at the list as a set of guidelines and accept that things will change, more pressing things will come up and, sometime, things are completely out of your hands.

Know how to prioritize.

So maybe your to-do list has some non-negotiable, must-be-done things that can’t be postponed. It’s important to know how to prioritize your tasks and your time. As new professionals, we sometimes struggle with doing what we need to when it means saying no to others or admitting that we just can’t take on anything else. There’s nothing wrong with declining an additional project if you know that you won’t be able to commit to it or provide a quality product, blocking off time on your calendar to work on pressing things on your list or taking your work to a quiet space – be it an empty conference room or a nearby coffee shop – to get things done.

Make a commitment to continued learning & growth.

Continuing to learn after you’ve earned your degree is a huge component of professional development. Knowing the latest trends and best practices, as well as having a few extra skills in your back pocket, can really give you an edge over your peers. Committing to reading one new professional or career related book or mastering one new skill a month will put you on a path to success and instill good habits through the length of your career and beyond.

Be a sponge.

A great way to commit to learning is to soak up everything you can. Whether it’s an insight or tip your boss shares, a book your colleagues are raving about or an article or piece of news a college friend posts, take it all in and file it away because you never know when those tidbits will come in handy. As a new professional, you can learn so much just by soaking in what the seasoned pros you know, work with or meet have to share.

Always be prepared.

Being prepared should be kind of a “no duh,” but not everyone is always on the ball. Making sure you’re prepared for meetings, projects and, really, every day of work will really go a long way. Take the time to properly prepare for everything that needs your attention, whether that means making notes, keeping a running list of questions or important items, or just doing your research, and you’ll stand out to your supervisors when you have all the answers at the ready.

Think big picture.

It’s easy to be caught up in the day-to-day in your career, but the important thing is to think big picture – both for your career long-term and for your current position. Think about where you ultimately want your career to go, what you need to do to get there and begin making your plan. Thinking about your job tasks on a bigger scale than just what you have to do each day or week will help you to create overall strategies and plans that will make your day-to-day work easier and turn out better results.

Dive into the news.

As PR professionals, keeping up with the news is something we should all do, but sometimes just get a little lackadaisical about. Sure, there’s a lot of news to be aware of and some of it isn’t really that interesting, but it is important for us as professionals to keep up on what’s going on in the world around us, beyond our own interests. Knowing the basics of current events, including pop culture, world events, business news, etc., can help you as a PR pro to make sense of how things fit together and be aware of opportunities you might have missed out on otherwise.

Sharpen your networking skills.

Networking is a huge part of having a successful career. You may be great at what you do, but if no one knows about it or has a reason to sing your praises, they won’t. Make an effort to connect with new people and grow your network this year by doing something you wouldn’t normally do. Join a Twitter chat, ask someone you admire to coffee or lunch, attend that after-work happy hour or stop by that event your PRSA chapter is hosting. You can learn so much just by talking with new people and listening to what they have to say.

Be relationship oriented.

One of the big misconceptions of networking is that it’s all about how many people you can meet. Too often people look at it as a way to grow a large network of people you know pretty much just in passing, but those connections aren’t worthwhile and won’t do anything to further your career or help you grow. Instead, we should focus on creating relationships through networking, not just gathering as many business cards as we can. If we look at networking as an opportunity to grow through lasting, meaningful relationships we’ll all get more out of it than just a large contact list.

Develop a thick skin.

Unfortunately, no matter how fantastic a PR pro you are or how great your work is, not everyone is going to like you. Sometimes your work will be picked apart, you’ll be criticized or told that what you’re doing is just not good enough. It’s going to happen, but it doesn’t have to leave a negative impression. Those people who have developed a thick skin are able to take constructive input out of the criticism and make themselves better. Focus on not taking negative comments personally and instead find the areas that maybe you could improve upon a bit by looking at your work objectively and reevaluating any critiques you received. No one grows by staying the same.  

—

Robyn Rudish-Laning (1)Robyn Rudish-Laning is a member of PRSA SC and communications coordinator for the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. She is a graduate of Duquesne University and is currently located in Columbia, SC. Find her on LinkedIn or Twitter or read her PR-focused blog.

The Little Things Matter: How to Act in the Workplace

Ashleigh Mavros Leave a comment

It’s your first day at your new job and you are feeling a lot of pressure. What do you wear? How do you act? Do you go around talking to everyone or do you stay behind your computer screen and starting knocking out all of the press releases that were assigned?

We’ve all been there. Being in the workplace as a new graduate is thrilling, yet overwhelming. You no longer get to rely on excuses, but rather are required to give your best each and every day, all while being a team player. WHEW!

Little Things That Make a Difference in the WorkplaceHow do you accomplish fitting in and knowing how to act?  Follow these four tips that will surely make you a part of the team and not just the “new” person.

  1. If the coffee pot is low, fill it up

If you know anything about public relations, you know that professionals need their coffee. Between juggling demanding clients and extinguishing the flame in a recent crisis, their veins are filled with caffeine. If you notice that the coffee is getting low, replenish it. Be a team player – even if you don’t drink it. Most likely though, three cups a day will eventually be the norm for you.

  1. Always say “Good Morning”

I know that not everyone is born a natural extrovert, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a hermit. Even though it may be awkward at first, say good morning when passing by desks. I promise you that your colleagues will not bite you. The best way to fit in is to engage in conversations and possess a positive attitude. I, by all means, am not trying to stereotype communications professionals, but you should be able to communicate and engage with others easily.

  1.  Participate

Whether it be a brainstorm session or drinks after work, get involved. To be a team player means you need to be a part of a team. You were hired for a reason, so join in on the fun. A lot of agencies will have monthly meetings or webinars that you can benefit from. You should always go to those. Continuing to learn is the continuation of success. It also doesn’t hurt that you have the opportunity to make new friends who have similar interests.

  1. Treat the company like it is your own

I don’t advise acting like you own the company, but rather be a great representation about what your company stands for. Whether that is your presence on social media, greeting clients as they are in the waiting room, or even picking up trash around the office – act as if the company is your own. It also doesn’t hurt to have the mindset that you are working like the CEO. A CEO is usually putting in extra hours, so it may be nice every once in a while to switch up your morning routine and pop into the office early to start cranking out work.

Even though a few of these tips may seem silly, they are practical and will get you more comfortable in your new setting. There aren’t etiquette books for new employees, but it’s always said that the little things matter. The two biggest things that everything contributes back to are your attitude and effort. Once those are in line – your work and friendships will start to bloom.

—

CS Katie Headshot copyAside from stalking the latest fashion trends and blogging about the best shoes to buy, Katie Wenclewicz enjoys everything and anything media relations. Katie graduated from Anderson University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and marketing. Currently residing in Indianapolis, Indiana, Katie is a publicist at Bohlsen Group.  From heading national campaigns to staying active in the Hoosier PRSA chapter, she is a valuable PR tool for young professionals. Connect with Katie on Twitter or LinkedIn.

How to Get Your First Promotion

Stephanie Vermillion Leave a comment

You’ve made it through your first full-time position, congratulations! Getting the first position is the hardest part, but you’ve managed to break into the industry. You’ve got the experience and some new skills, but how do you take it to the next level?

Getting a promotionBelow are five ways to get to the next level in your career.

Act like you are already in the next position.

Once you’ve mastered the requirements of your current position, start learning about what’s required at the next level.

Let’s say you are the assistant account executive for your team. You are charged with maintaining media lists, keeping the department clip report updated and assisting the team as needed. What does an account executive do? They might take your efforts further and build relationships with contacts on the media lists, they might create custom media lists, they use the clips in the report to share results with clients, etc. Start emulating those actions.

Take inventory of your job responsibilities and see how you can take them a step further.

Become a resource for your department

Is your boss having trouble getting a client invoice approved through accounting? Having trouble getting timely numbers and results from your research department?

It pays to network, even inside of your organization. Get to know the different parts of your organization and make yourself a resource for getting important but tedious tasks done quickly.

Continue your education

Become involved in your local PRSA chapter. Attend monthly luncheon or happy hours. Join a committee or participate in a Twitter chat or webinar. There are so many ways to get involved with PRSA and it shows that you are invested in becoming a better PR professional.

A positive attitude goes a long way

We’ve all had days when you are just not feeling up to it, whatever it maybe. Or things may be stressful in your personal life. But remember, work is not the place to take out your frustrations.

Maintaining a positive attitude may seem insignificant, but your coworkers and most importantly your boss will notice if you have a negative attitude. Shooting down others’ ideas, not participating in team activities, showing disgust for tasks that you believe are beneath you will not get you promoted, but they can get you fired.

Learn to take constructive criticism

No one likes to be criticized. However, constructive criticism is crucial to advancing your career. Learn how to effectively take criticism and apply it to future situations and assignments. Incorporating feedback shows that you are a good listener and are mature enough to learn for criticism.

Most importantly, advancing and excelling in your career is a process. Learn from mistakes, apply criticism and feedback accordingly and cultivate your skills. You never know when the next opportunity will appear.

Victoria Lightfoot (1)Victoria Lightfoot graduated from Georgia State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, concentrating in public relations. She is currently the PR coordinator at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and volunteers on PRSA Georgia’s College Relations Committee and co-chairs the Travel & Tourism Special Interest Group. Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn and Twitter (@Victoria_Lenese)

How to control your future career {PRSA Colorado event recap}

Stephanie Vermillion Leave a comment

Editor’s note: The following recaps Laura Cardon’s experience at PRSA Colorado’s recent workshop. Find your upcoming local PRSA events here.

After getting carded immediately upon entering the Mile High Moguls job search workshop, I suddenly realized I might be the only person in attendance that had graduated from college.

This turned out to be true, but I considered the night a success despite feeling a bit out of place. Andrew Hudson’s job interview workshop was incredibly helpful, AND I discovered that I still look young enough to get carded!

How to control your future careerMany of Andrew’s points drew close parallels to what we are already well-versed in as PR professionals:

  • Tell a story,
  • Prepare thoroughly,
  • Be honest, and
  • Create a personal brand that people want to be loyal to.

Sounds familiar right?

It’s easy to forget that you have this skill set when you’re searching for a job. Multiple rejections, or even simply no response at all, start to wear on even the most upbeat person.

But don’t get stuck in the quicksand – you have more control over your future than you may think.

Andrew was quick to point out that you actually enjoy total control over several aspects of your job search, and that doesn’t just mean interview prep.

You have control over your personal brand, woven together by:

  • Your personal social media presence,
  • A well-prepared elevator pitch and cold call script, and
  • A polished resume.

You control all of these things, and if you do your homework and enlist the help of others for advice, your chances of getting an interview increase exponentially.

Once you’ve made it into that interview, Andrew emphasized that you want to be a sigh of relief for your interviewers, that “ahh” feeling when they realized they have found exactly who they need.

You are the solution to their problem.

How do you present yourself as that sigh of relief?

Make it clear why you are the best candidate, backed up with specific examples of relevant work and how you will add value to the company or organization.

For example, don’t say you’re hard-working. Everyone is hard-working.

Show your interviewers how you are hard-working based on a story you can tell about a time you’ve gone above and beyond.

In the end, the most successful job seekers truly make it their full time job. (Click to tweet!)

If you’re not currently employed, it’s easy to get a bit lazy, but you’re much more likely to be successful if you treat your job hunt like you are going to work each morning.

Andrew suggested making a routine – spending x amount of time on cold calls, actively searching for jobs, interview prep, etc.

Don’t forget that looking for a job is a skill that can be developed. And under no circumstances forget to send a written thank you note to your interviewer!

—

Andrew Hudson’s Job List is an excellent resource for job seekers in the Denver metro area (it’s actually where I found my job). Just to be clear, none of the above advice is my own – it is all based on Andrew’s workshop and his fantastic advice. Linhart PR was kind enough to host us for the Mile High Moguls event, which benefitted PRSSA at Colorado State University. For more information about PRSA Colorado, visit www.prsacolorado.org.

Other resources from Andrew:

Laura CardonLaura Cardon is a public relations professional living in Denver, CO. Originally from Maryland, Laura enjoys riding horses, hiking, and volunteering at the Denver Animal Shelter. In her spare time, Laura also shares her passion for the great outdoors with fellow beginner outdoors enthusiasts on her blog, Outdoors Beginner. Find her on Twitter @LauraCardon23.

#ThrowbackThursday with Dorie Clark

Stephanie Vermillion Leave a comment

Editor’s note: This is part of our monthly #ThrowbackThursday series, which features a prominent, successful PR pro taking a look back and sharing tips from his/her days as a new pro. 

As the author of Stand Out, Dorie Clark knows a thing or two about – wait for it – standing out on the job.

Today, as part of our #ThrowbackThursday, Dorie shares how young PR pros can break through the clutter and excel in their future careers, with some tips and insights from her past.

Dorie ClarkSo, without further ado, meet Dorie Clark, and soak in her helpful career tips! 

Question 1: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a new professional and how did you overcome them?

Honestly, one of the hardest things for me was getting up in the morning in order to get to work on time! That sounds ridiculous, but adjusting from the free-floating schedule of grad school to the early mornings and “face time” requirements of the work world was rather difficult and dispiriting for me.

Once I became an entrepreneur, I realized it suited my temperament much better, because you can set your own hours, avoid office politics, and you have the interesting and life-affirming challenge of being responsible for surviving through your own wits and mettle (i.e., your business development skills).

I also had a lot of career setbacks early on, including being laid off as a journalist and working as a spokesperson on two prominent political campaigns – only to have them both lose.

I had to keep reinventing and rebranding myself, a process I chronicled in my first book, Reinventing You. Eventually, nine years ago, I started my own marketing strategy consultancy, and have been writing, speaking, consulting, and teaching business school since then.

Question 2: What advice would you give to new college graduates looking for their first jobs?

Start creating content. You may have had some internships, and it’s a great idea to do so, but in general your resume isn’t going to look that much different from other recent grads – and prospective employers won’t necessarily be convinced you know applicable workplace skills, even if you got an A in your marketing or PR class.

Instead, differentiate yourself by sharing your ideas, whether it’s through blogging, creating videos or a podcast, or curating a knowledgeable social media feed.

That signals to employers that you’re truly interested in the profession, are familiar with the issues being talked about, and have something meaningful to say.

Question 3: As a young professional, how did you find ways to stand out in front of prospective employers and bosses?

One of the most important things I did was build my network. I wasn’t terribly strategic at the time; mostly it meant that I periodically invited people for coffee or lunch whom I liked and knew I should be keeping in touch with because I could learn from them and they were plugged into the worlds I wanted to enter (at the time, journalism and politics).

As I describe in my forthcoming e-book Stand Out Networking, after I’d been laid off from my newspaper reporting job, I was able to land a great gig thanks to Michael Goldman, who began as a source I’d call frequently for comment as a reporter, and with whom I developed a warm and friendly relationship. He was a political consultant and went to work for a gubernatorial candidate who needed a spokesperson ASAP, and since he knew I’d been laid off, he called me.

Similarly, I got to know Steve Grossman, at the time a local business owner in the Boston area, when I wrote an article about him. He was very involved in politics and several years later, he helped me secure a job as the spokesperson for a presidential campaign.

Investing in relationships is one of the most important things you can do, especially early on in your career. (Click to Tweet!)

Question 4: How can new college graduates uncover (then market) their unique values?

One of the best ways to discover your unique strengths and the value you bring is to think about how you’re different than most others in the field you’re aspiring to enter.

We tend to emphasize our commonalities – if you’re looking for a marketing job, then you highlight the fact that you were a marketing major.

That’s great, but remember: employers are looking at 100 or 1000 resumes, and they want to see something unique. Don’t be afraid to mention your minor in philosophy, or the fact that you grew up in Russia, or the chess championship you won. Smart employers know they need innovative perspectives and a different way of looking at the world.

I also created a free 42-page workbook that’s adapted from my new book Stand Out. It’s 139 questions that walk you through the process of discovering your unique ideas and then becoming recognized for them. It’s available to download for free on my website.

Question 5: If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself during your first year on the job, what would you say?

When I was working as a presidential campaign spokesperson, I managed a 13-person staff. I had an employee named Kumar who was right out of college, and once he worked for me, I realized what a great employee looked like – so if I had the chance to go back in time, I’d learn from Kumar and ask my boss the incredible question that he did: “What can I do to make your job easier?”

It was so simple, but as a boss, I was inordinately grateful: here was someone wanting to erase problems and stressors for me (of which there were many). And Kumar realized the highest and best use he had was to free up my time to focus on what mattered for the organization.

He earned my undying gratitude, and it made me want to keep giving him more and better responsibilities, because with that question and that attitude, he demonstrated his team spirit and desire to do whatever it took to help the organization. I wish I’d been that savvy early on!

About Dorie Clark

Dorie Clark is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and the author of Reinventing You (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013) and Stand Out (Portfolio/Penguin, 2015). A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, she is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, TIME, and Entrepreneur. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press, Inc., and Fortune, Clark is a marketing strategy consultant and speaker for clients including Google, Microsoft, Yale University, Fidelity, and the World Bank. You can follow her on Twitter @dorieclark and download her free 42-page Stand Out Self-Assessment Workbook.