A Job Seekers’ Advice

Guest post by Kristin Davie

Kristin Davie is a recent graduate of Marist College (also my alma mater) and is currently on the job hunt.  She writes a blog about this very topic and here shares a bit of advice for her fellow entry-level PR job seekers.

As a recent college graduate, I count myself among what Peter Coy of BusinessWeek calls, “The Lost Generation.”  Less than half of young adults ages 16-24 are employed and securing that coveted entry-level position is increasingly hard to manage.  While others in my commencement cohort resort to online job boards and career fairs, I’ve referred back to the basic lessons I learned as a PR student and intern:

• Be creative- Professors always challenged my class to create new projects and campaigns and the same is true in the boardroom (so I hear).  One day you’ll be a part of company brainstorm sessions.  In the meantime, job seekers should brainstorm new ways to differentiate themselves such as starting a blog or volunteering at an industry event.
• Be concise- This is probably the first thing reviewed in most PR classes and the first thing expected of strong PR writers.  Luckily, there’s no better place to practice concise writing than on a resume or cover letter where superfluous language may potentially frustrate or aggravate employers (I bet THAT was annoying to read).  Need some help toning it down? Turn to the industry’s new favorite tool- Twitter- and learn to write in 140 characters or less.
• Do your research- Whether for a college paper or client presentation, research is a fundamental part of PR.  As a job seeker, start by researching the company and its clients, awards and culture.  Homework and reading assignments don’t end at a degree.
• Explore new avenues- Students are encouraged to pursue new ideas in the classroom and agencies are turning toward new methods of marketing clients.  Why not do the same in the job search?  Join a Ning network tailored toward the unemployed or reach out to alumni in your field.
• Promote your brand- First as students and eventually as employees, candidates must also represent themselves as a personal brand during the job search.  Just as companies are turning toward social media to promote clients, so should job seekers.   Advertise assets and build a brand employers will find beneficial to the company.
• Network- While it might be mentioned in the classroom, networking may be a lifelong skill better learned through experience- and PR professionals have a lot of it.  Unemployment serves as great practice (trust me).  Connect with old classmates and professors, engage in Twitter conversations with CEOs, and don’t brush off opportunity.

As an aspiring PR professional, I’ve found that no other asset in my job search arsenal is as valuable as my major.  Why? Well, the rudimentary functions of public relations serve as great job search skills. Better yet?  If used correctly, they cement candidates’ understanding of the industry and show potential employers that the wheels aren’t that rusty- and that Mom and Dad didn’t take out a second mortgage on the house in vain.