How to Decipher Job Ads

If you are looking online for your next job, I posted some tips on how to evaluate online job ads to make applying easier and help you provide the right information to the employers. See it here: How to Decipher Job Ads

Tips on Landing an Entry-Level PR Job

When you go to school and earn a degree in public relations, communications, or English, landing a job can prove to be a bit more difficult than in a more specific field like pharmacy technician schools. You can improve your changes by focusing on some of your extra-curricular work, volunteer opportunities, and internships.

Four years of hard work and the investment in a college education makes many students feel entitled to immediate job offers right out of school. Unfortunately, that’s not the case and it’s even harder these days. With senior level employees losing their positions and taking lower paid jobs just to stay in the industry, there is more competition than ever for work.

Work Samples

When you are attending classes at a university, you’ll have to do a certain amount of practical work – activities you’ll do daily in a full-time job like writing press releases, creating marketing collateral, and shooting video news releases, etc. Make sure to save all of these clips to build out your portfolio. Better yet, make sure you have them digitally to post to your own blog/website/online portfolio. Go the extra mile and reserve your own domain name with your work samples which you can add to your resume when applying for jobs.

If you major in a non-specific area such as communications or English, you are going to have to get crafty when applying for jobs. Taking a minor in something more specific could give you the extra edge you need. After finishing your school assignments, start learning how to write proper press releases, how to design promotional materials, and follow how companies are communicating online through social media. Employers are looking for candidates who take initiative and learn skills that might be outside their curriculum.

Internships

When you look at job descriptions for entry-level jobs at companies, it usually says that they are looking for people with 1-2 years worth of experience. It obviously a catch-22 because you can’t get a job without experience and you can’t get experience without a job. Many PR and advertising agencies offer unpaid internships for students for college credit. If you’re lucky, you might even find a paid internship. You are going to have to take a couple of internships in order to build up your experience level.

Growing Industries

While it may be your dream to work at a cutting edge PR firm or ad agency, there is very little chance of landing a position with little experience. In order to break into an entry-level field, it is important to perform research on the companies who are looking for fresh talent.

A Huffington Post article demonstrates the highest growing fields: gamification and social gaming are generating major marketing dollars, online publishing and e-commerce will continue to grow, and biotechnology and environmental services are gaining more government grants. Applying to these organizations or agencies who have clients like this on their roster can be an excellent way to launch your career.

Major Corporations

Landing a job at a major corporation or Fortune 500 company looks good on any resume. Whether you find an entry-level role in the marketing department or work as an administrative assistant, these positions can enhance your business knowledge and give your a great network of colleagues and references. It could be a great place to start and move into the PR department as your next step.

Possible Scams for Entry-Level Workers

When searching for jobs online, be aware of possible scam artists and sales cults. If you see a job posting that wants you to create elaborate sample work or write relevant press releases, be very skeptical because they may just be looking for free work. If a job posting promises entry-level management opportunities, or the job description sounds vague, you might be headed into a sales cult. Horror stories of these organizations can be found on The Consumerist website.

Starting your journey into the the PR field may seem overwhelming at first. Look daily as entry-level positions get filled as quickly as they come. Make sure you communicate and network with as many people as possible – you want to stay top of mind – and potentially be contacted before the company posts the position. If you find yourself in a rut or dead end job to make ends meet before you land the perfect entry-level PR opportunity, make sure to keep educating yourself in order to remain a relevant job candidate.

What Type of Resume Works Best for You?

When it comes to resume writing, the content is the most important piece. Formatting plays an important piece in how you present yourself as well. Depending on the job and your personal circumstances, you may be able to increase your chances of being asked in for an interview if you choose the correct format for the situation.

Types of Resumes to Consider

We’re going to look at three types of resumes. While there are variations of these, the three listed here are the ones most commonly used in the job market, and each has its own pros and cons. Consider which is most useful to you for each job application.

Chronological
The chronological resume is probably the one you learned to write in high school and the most widely used and accepted. It’s a simple reverse order list of your work experiences, with the most recent positions listed first.

This type of resume is best used if you have consistent experience in your field, where you can demonstrate upward mobility and new skills acquired in each of your positions. It’s a great choice to showcase your range of experience in the industry and demonstrate your loyalty to the companies you have worked for.

Functional
Of all the resume types, the functional resume is probably the least appreciated. It highlights your skills and education rather than the positions you have held. People use functional resume to focus on the skills a job description requires.

When you haven’t yet worked in the field you are applying for a position in or if you have a gap in your work experience due to extended leave, illness or another reason, you may prefer to point out your skills rather than the fact that you haven’t worked recently. This is also true for those new to the workforce and for anyone who is in the process of switching careers. Keep in mind that this may be a hard sell and it can be more difficult to land an interview with a functional resume.

Targeted
A targeted resume is similar to a chronological resume, but it is specifically tailored to the position being applied for. In most cases, this means eliminating any experience not related to the position you are interested in, instead focusing on the jobs you have had that relate to this one. The one downside is that it will need to be tailored to each job you apply for, which may be more time consuming.

Writing a Better Resume
Without a well-written resume, your chances of landing the job you want are much lower. Unless you’ve been recommended for the job, this is the hiring manager’s first impression of you. Check, check, and check again the document. Have a friend or two look it over and make sure it is error-free.

You could try combining two types of resumes for a more unique result. For example, you might mix the functional with the chronological format to ensure that the employer has what he is looking for in terms of work history, but rather than lead with your work history, you focus the beginning on the skills you possess that make you a good match for the position.

Don’t be afraid to inject your own personality into the resume, rather than writing it in a mechanical tone. Let the hiring manager know a bit about you through your style of writing before he meets you.

Finally, take a minute to check out some sample resumes to get ideas and to be sure you are on the right path. You’ll find plenty of samples available online (Indeed.com’s resume search and Docstoc.com).

Photo credit: CharlotWest

Asking for a Raise

Are you wondering how to ask for your employer for a salary increase? Over on US News & World Report, I have a few tips and factors for you to consider: How to Ask for a Raise

Job Openings Slowing in Certain Industries, Even Affecting Applicants with Degrees in Higher Education

We know the unemployment rate has been in turmoil for a while, and numbers from Bullhorn prove it so. Recently, the staffing and recruiting software company studied 16 million candidate profiles and more than 5 million job orders from 45,000 recruiters nationwide. Their findings? While things aren’t looking good overall, the decline in new jobs is worse for certain industries.

The industries biggest hit are:

• Wholesale (down 40%)
• IT (down  31%)
• Entertainment (down 28%)

Art Papas, the CEO of Bullhorn, thinks this slowdown stems from a drop in business confidence caused by three things:

• European Crisis
• S & P downgrade shocking the nation’s confidence
• Gridlock in Washington

Industries like Education, Health Care and Construction have seen little to no drop in openings, probably because they’re more stable (and necessary) fields. And for us in the PR industry, it seems like every agency is hiring these days and business is on the rise.

What This Means for Job Seekers

The slowing of job openings affects everyone, on every level, looking for a job. Even PhD educators and those who’ve earned master’s degrees are finding the job market cutthroat these days. Fewer job openings means it’s harder for the 9.1% of the population that’s unemployed to find work. Job hunts are taking longer, and people on unemployment benefits are clinging to the pittance they receive while desperately seeking a job.

The major issue in unemployment is the long-term unemployment which accounts for 43 percent of the unemployed. These are people who have been out of work for at least six months and are still job seeking. Long-term unemployment means they are losing skills to keep them current with the market demands – creating a gap between the candidates qualifications and those the employer seeks.

Employers are seeing a flood of resumes for any given posting, many of whom are not qualified for the job they’re applying for. This is taking more time and energy than hiring has in the past.

It’s a lose/lose situation for both job hunters and employers, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better any time soon.

Looking for the Lining

While there’s not much we can do about any of these contributors to job order slowdown, you can do your best under the circumstances to increase your chances of finding a job and staying positive about the whole process.

Look beyond the industry you’ve worked in for your next employment. You may find the type of role you’re looking for in other industries that aren’t suffering as badly as, say, entertainment. Or you might find something else you’re qualified to do in other fields.  In this economy, job seekers can’t afford to be too picky. While you might be hired for a job that’s far from your ideal, you can work with it for now and make your move later if you’re unhappy.

Consider other types of employment, like contracting, freelancing or part time work. Employers are looking for less commitment when it comes to hiring, so if you’re willing to forgo the health benefits or 40-hour workweeks, you might open up new job possibilities.

Don’t give up! While it’s frustrating to constantly skim job ads, all it takes is one job to end your frustrations. Take a break when at the computer for long periods, sending off cover letters and resumes. Take a walk and a deep breath, and come back to tackle the job with renewed energy.

Photo courtesy: freefotouk

Be Careful When Dealing with Counter Offers

You’ve been interviewing with another company and just got an offer. Now it’s time to resign and your employer blindsides you with a counter offer. Promises for more money, a better title, new projects can be tempting, but may have unexpected consequences. On US News & World Report, I talk about what you should consider when you’re presented with a counter offer. Read it here: Think Carefully Before Accepting a Counter Offer

Benefits of Working with a Recruiter in Any Economy

Times are still tough, but the good news is hiring has picked up tremendously in the PR field in the past year. More employers are finding it difficult to source the right candidates for the job and are turning to recruiters to support their open positions. And as probably many agency PR professionals could attest, recruiter inquiries about making a job change are increasing at an alarming rate – especially for Sr. Account Executives, Account Supervisors, and Account Director levels.

If you are thinking about making a change, any edge you can use to get ahead in the job hunt is one well worth taking. And sometimes, even though hiring activity is increasing in the PR field, finding the perfect job isn’t so easy on your own. More job hunters are turning to recruiters now, because they have their finger on the pulse of the industry, and they often know about jobs you won’t find anywhere else.

Why do employers give recruiters secret access to jobs? Usually they want to fill a position quickly and keep the flood of applications from hitting the desk of the hiring manager who just doesn’t have the time to review every application. It could also be a case of a confidential replacement. The employer wants to be presented with the top few candidates who can fill the need, preselected and interested. This is a benefit to the candidate because you know the candidate pool is smaller and you are one of a few candidates being presented.

How to Find a Recruiter
Finding the right recruiter for your job hunt may take a little time up front, but it will be well worth it. Recruiters are either generalists or specialists, and they may focus on different geographical regions, so take that into consideration when searching.

Ask others in your industry (discreetly, if you’re not making it public that you’re looking to change jobs), and check Twitter to see other PR professionals’ recommendations or which agencies are posting interesting opportunities. LinkedIn is a good place to look up potential resources, too. Look for other people who have worked with a particular recruiter, and always ask their opinion. It’s a good idea to develop a relationship in advance – before you start looking for a job.

Building a Relationship
Consider the relationship with a recruiter part of your networking circle. Even if you’re not currently looking for a job, stay in touch, and make sure to update your information (contact info, job skills, etc) so that you stay on her radar when you’re ready to change jobs.

The key to getting help from recruiters is to be a good job candidate. Treat them the way you would a potential employer, and be open, up-front, responsive, and stick to your word. If your recruiter gives you advice, such as tweaking your resume or advice before an interview, listen. She knows what her client is looking for better than you do – it’s invaluable insight into the process.

Recruiters can give you a leg up during your job search, but they can’t help you if you’re not qualified for the position or cooperate during the process. Accept the responsibility of making sure you are an attractive job candidate, and the rest will be a breeze.

How to Beef Up Your Knowledge Before the Interview

The public relations industry is constantly changing. It seems like every day there are new tools to master. How can you make sure you’re up to speed when it comes to your next job interview?

Get Smarter

Blogs
Industry learning opportunities are endless. One way to stay current about happenings in the public relations field is by reading blogs, both about public relations as well as the industry you want to work in.

How do you find the right blogs to read? Start with this list of the top 100 PR blogs and then choose the ones you like the best. Check out the links and blogrolls for each blog to find find other related sites and blogs to read.

Press releases
Searching for releases in your industry or areas of interest will give you topic ideas and domain knowledge to potentially share in an interview. By reading press releases, you can get ideas you can incorporate in the releases you write for your clients, too. While we’re on the subject, you should be reading all the recent releases from any agency or company you interview with before the interview.

Twitter
Follow both industry journalists and other PR folks on Twitter. Once you find someone to follow, check their Twitter Lists to see if they’ve categorized other industry people you should follow as well. Sites like Listorious and WeFollow allow you to search a category to follow new people. It’s a great place to start in following thought leaders.

What Hiring Managers Want You to Know

When you’re in your next job interview, what will the hiring manager want you to know?

They expect you to be up to speed on changes in both public relations and the industry you want to work in. That means if Obama passed an economic stimulus package that affects physicians moving to electronic medical records and you’re applying for a job at a healthcare company, you better know all about it!

They expect you to know about the them. If they have a tagline, memorize it. If they have posted their mission statement, read it thoroughly. If you have the job description, you should understand it and have your questions prepared. Read through all their press releases – you should know about the company’s latest news and management hires. If asked, you should be able to name their top five clients. You should also have a general knowledge of the hiring manager’s background by checking out LinkedIn or doing a bit of internet research prior to the interview.

Hiring managers also like you to have diverse interests that will help in coming up with creative ideas and story angles. And every hiring manager in the public relations industry will expect better than average writing skills. Before the interview, prepare a few samples of your work and make sure they are relevant for the position.

Photo credit: Ian Muttoo

Overqualifed for the Job and Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager

Here’s a quick round up of what I’ve been posting on US News & World Report’s On Careers blog.

You’ve found a job online that seems like it would be a great fit and exactly what you’d like to be doing at this point in your career. One problem – the company is asking for five years experience and you are pushing 20 years in your field. While you won’t always be successful getting your foot in the door, I’ve given some tips on how you can get past some of the initial judgements and have more success landing those interview. Read it here: How to Apply for a Job When You’re Overqualified.

The week I wrote about how as an interviewer you should be asking the right questions to find out if the position aligns with your goals. Read the 5 Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager for a few ideas to make a fully-informed decision about your next job.

Hooray for long weekends! Happy Labor Day!

The Long Tail of Finding a Job Through Social Media

Social media sites can be very useful if you’re looking for a job, but it isn’t a magic lamp that you can just pick up and rub and expect a job to appear. It takes some effort and planning to ensure that your efforts return rewards.

What Not to Do

Networking on social media needs to start long before you actually need work. Just suddenly appearing and asking for a job is a sure way to turn hiring managers and recruiters off, even if you’ve done your research and know who’s hiring. You should have an established profile and some relationships built before you begin to job hunt. I like it when people approach me on Twitter, Facebook and my blog to ask about positions, the difference lies in how the person approaches me.

Jumping into social media for the express purpose of contacting hiring managers will make you look desperate and is more likely to lose you potential jobs than give you a chance. Instead of starting when you’re desperate, get a head start on making use of social media by establishing visibility and relationships earlier. People are more willing to help and listen when they already know you.

Get Into Social Networking Early

Even if you don’t currently need work, make a point of being active on social networks anyway. This is the perfect time to build relationships and get to know people without needing something from them. Interaction is key when it comes to establishing a solid relationship, so make a point of talking with others instead of just at them. There are a few ways to create successful connections with other social media users, whether they are hiring managers or not.

Follow people who work for the company you are interested in working with. Don’t just watch them, however, take the time to actually talk to them. On Twitter, you can retweet their more interesting or useful posts, answer their questions or even ask them questions and discuss your mutual interests.

Other ways to start interacting with companies and their employees is to comment on the company blog and tweet or share the link on your favorite social media networks, or contact them via email. Once you get to know someone well enough on social media, moving to email or meeting up in-person if local is an easy step and could give you a leg up on the competition later when you need a job.

When You Need a Job

Ideally, you will have a well established social network by the time you are ready to start job hunting. If you are able, it may even be worth it to hold off on looking for a job for a little while in order to build up your network.

Once you’re ready, you can let your network know that you are in the market for a position. When reaching out, be specific and make it easy for people to help you. Let your network know about what kind of opportunity interests you, or even the specific companies. If you know that a particular hiring manager has an opening or if you are particularly interested in working for them, reach out directly to that person.

Some companies have very strong referral programs where existing employees can recommend you for an open position. If you know someone within the company, ask them about the opening. Asking for the recommendation is a big favor, though, so make sure you ask someone who has really connected with you and has some experience with your work.

Keep in mind that anyone you ask about work should already have a relationship with you. Unless you are reaching out to an industry recruiter or the HR department, people generally don’t respond positively being asked for favors by strangers, so make sure you know the person you are asking and that they know who you are.

It takes time to build relationships and these should ideally be relationships that will last even if they can’t help you find work. People tend to know when they’re being used, so keep it real and be genuine in your friendship. Even online, this matters and sincerity could make all the difference in whether you get a job or not.

Photo credit: David King