Archive for February, 2011
Totally viral
Posted by: | CommentsWe’ve definitely discussed the importance of having a stellar resume in order to land that coveted PR position. And to reiterate, yes, you need to make sure your resume is in tip top shape.
But what about having a resume going viral on the internet? While even the biggest digital experts cannot predict what internet specials will make Web surfers go crazy, some people just luck out with the information they post.
Check out how Chris Spurlock’s resume made such a splash on the Web in The Huffington Post.
Let us know what you think the benefits (or perhaps downfalls) may be for one’s resume hitting the big time and going viral.
HAPPO NYC Happy Hour
Posted by: | CommentsThis week, I celebrated my one-year anniversary at Peppercom. Not too long ago, I was a struggling PR graduate desperate to break into the industry and land my first full-time position. If only HAPPO existed then!
HAPPO, or Help a PR Pro Out, is the brainchild of several well-known PR bloggers. Once an online networking event, the movement will now include simultaneous in-person events throughout the country. Of course, Peppercom is going to be attending the NYC event later today- and yes, we are hiring 
We receive dazzling resumes all the time, but sometimes attaching a face to the name can really make a difference. So drop us a line if you’ll be there or reach out to Laura (@LauraBedrossian) and I (@Kristin_LD) on Twitter. Get happy, it’s HAPPO!
All the news that’s fit to . . . Tweet
Posted by: | CommentsAny PR pro has to keep up with the latest trends and current news. Since it’s physically impossible to read every single publication from cover to cover on a daily basis (and actually get some work done), you should use every trick to stay up-to-date.
One may try to scan the mainstream publications daily, but at the very least, check those top tier pubs. It wasn’t until I started using Twitter more for work that I realized how great of a tool it was for keeping up on the latest trends and stories. We’ve seen the global impact that social media has had in countries such as Egypt, but why aren’t more people utilizing such great tools?
Most of my non-PR friends and non-journalist friends do not have Twitter accounts and deem it either unnecessary or annoying, for reasons I cannot really wrap my head around. But Twitter (and really all social media) is such an interesting tool to get information out quickly. For example, The Huffington Post reported in a story on Feb. 20th that journalist Harold Geronimo of Manila, Philippines, was the first to report that Mount Bulusan erupted via Twitter—sending a tweet from his phone just minutes after the eruption. Within seconds news has the potential to reach the masses, and in less than 140 characters.
What’s your vector, Victor?
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve heard some recent debate on whether it is appropriate to place an “objective” on one’s resume.
If you’re sending a resume and a cover letter, is it truly necessary to include an objective on the resume? Some people believe it’s a clear and concise way to inform future employers of your goals and plans. Others find it to be redundant when you clearly state your intentions in a cover letter.
Kaitlin Madden in her Feb. 13th article “Keep your resume free of clutter, common pitfalls,” takes the latter point-of-view. As a person with a human resources background, Kaitlin has a lot of insight regarding resumes and take it from someone who looks at as many resumes as she does, you may want to try out some of her advice.
Any thoughts on this debate? Who keeps the “objective” alive?
PRSA Code of Ethics & Paid Internships
Posted by: | CommentsToday it was announced that the PRSA released updated guidelines on the ethical use of PR and communications interns. The PRSA questioned whether the industry as a whole is doing the right thing by hiring interns without pay, suggesting that unpaid internships raise issues of ethics. Basically, if you’re billing a client for work the intern completes, is it fair to deny the intern compensation?
We here at Peppercom offer a paid internship program, and believe me, you earn that money. The internship is very hands-on and every intern is responsible for conducting research for existing clients and new business development, media relations, news monitoring, account administration and general office support.
We know the economy is tough and any experience you gain before graduation is invaluable, but if you can manage to find a paid internship with a great agency go for it! If you think Peppercom just might be the agency for you, we’re currently accepting applications for our summer internship program.
If you are interested in applying, please send your resume with a cover letter to Doug Feingold at interncommittee(at)peppercom(dot)com before March 15th.
Tell them Kristin and Laura sent you 
What are your thoughts on unpaid internships? Would you accept one without pay? Why or why not?
The Recipe for a Perfect PR Team – with a dash of laughs
Posted by: | CommentsRecently, PRmoment.com outlined the seven key characteristics of the perfect PR team, including diligence, knowledge, and passion. These may all seem like no-brainers, but to be a successful PR professional, you need to take these skills seriously and more importantly, begin to learn and develop special skills of your own.
The team here at Peppercom likes to think we have one particular skill down pat- humor. Just check out this MSNBC clip on our workshop- Humor in the Workplace.
What other characteristics do you think entry-level PR professionals should excel in?
We built this office on Rock n’ Roll
Posted by: | Comments
Who wouldn't have a great work day listening to Meatloaf?
Let’s face it; music can be great for productivity. Unfortunately, working in an office setting is probably not the best place to start blasting your boom box/Pandora radio station. I’ve noticed that many of my fellow PR professionals will plug into his or her iPod to try and drown out the soft chatter of an office setting. Not that quiet chitchat is bad, but sometimes it can be a bit distracting.
Sometimes an office can, believe it or not, be TOO quiet, and one may need some tunes just to be able to concentrate. For others, they just need the music to be able to write and others just like to jam out during the day.
Throughout the day I run through an eclectic variety of music including—though certainly not limited to—Dexter Gordon, The Vitamin String Quartet, Meatloaf and rounding it all off with a little Hall & Oates. Weird? Maybe. But what counts is that it gets me happily through the day.
So, is my office alone in the music-listening trend? Dare I ask if there are any others who like to listen to 80s/jazz/cover songs done by a string quartet?
