Helpful job hunt tips from a fellow hunter

I have, it seems, been on a blogging hiatus that lasted way too long. When I say too long I really mean it. I started this blog in October for a college class and have now been a college grad for about five weeks with no posts in the meantime. My return to the blogosphere is long overdue, but I am back in full force.

I, like many of my friends have yet to land a post-grad job and have started to get somewhat discouraged in my job search. As a PR student networking was highlighted as an important tool not only within a job but also to land a job. So I met people, kept in contact with old friends and employers and professional I had met along the way. Even though I did all of this I was still left looking for open positions in the paper and online.

I’m sure many of peers have had the same problem and I am here to help. Even though none of your contacts could help you land a job there is still hope. My advice to you is to make new contacts, while of course maintaining the old ones. Join your local PRSA chapter and other professional groups. Attend social or networking events. Talk to friends who work at places you’re interested in and ask for the name of someone you can contact. Set up informational interviews and keep in contact with your interviewer afterwards. These are all things that will allow you to make new contacts and bring you closer to the job you want. I know that it sounds difficult and can be intimidating but I assure you it will help. Also, look at tips on sites like Monster and Career Builder. They always have helpful articles about job search, improving your cover letter and resume and honing those interview skills. For more tips check out this article.

Bad PR

I recently read this post on Second City Style and thought it was quite interesting. Lately it seems there has been a lot of bad PR being practiced. Maybe I’m just noticing it more or maybe due to the Internet and blogging it is becoming more publicized, but it seems that everywhere I look PR professionals are doing something wrong.

Granted, we do have to pitch stories, news and products. We have to call magazines and newspapers and send samples, but people do this every day and it’s no big deal. Obviously it’s not an easy job. I know this. I have had to call the newspapers, T.V. stations and magazines. I have had to field phone calls and deal with unhappy people; I know that this world can be brutal. People make mistakes in their jobs every day. Doctors make mistakes in life and death situations. I think it’s understandable if a PR person makes a mistake every now and again. We’re all human.

The problem with the PR pros I’m seeing is that they are making errors that are 100 percent avoidable. It does not take a degree to realize that when someone says they don’t want what you are sending or it is not going to work at that time, you should say okay and leave them alone. You shouldn’t harass them in hopes of changing their mind. It’s never good when a PR pro has their e-mail address blocked or when one person’s mistakes lose a client for a firm.

The thing is, is that while most PR pros are out there working hard and doing a great job, some are out there undoing all the work that others have done. There are people like this everywhere giving their field a bad reputation. But, when it is your job to be a communicator, a representative or a person who builds up reputations and trust, you can’t be a person who people can’t trust.