PR Job Seeker of the Week: Andrea Teggart

Meet Andrea Teggart, a soon-to-be PR grad who would like to tell you what she can bring to your organization…

“Good writing is clear thinking made visible.”

This was the first thing my news writing teacher said to our class my sophomore year and his words have resonated with me ever since. I’ve grown to love the phrase and develop the thought beyond just writing. Good anything comes from a clear and focused mind. Good _____ is clear thinking made visible. Thinking with a clear mind is essential to making good decisions whether personally or professionally. As a PR student and soon-to-be graduate, I know now more than ever how important clear thinking is to strong and “good” communication.

My name is Andrea Teggart, or as most people call me, Andi. I’m currently a senior studying PR journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. I’ve had a blast in college, but am excited and ready for the “real world” and have begun my job search for a public relations position. Fashion is a passion, hobby and part of my daily lifestyle, so working in an environment like this would be a dream come true for me. Ideally, I’d like to work for a retail company, fashion house or magazine doing brand management and promotion, but I want to get my feet wet in the agency world first.  Combining my love for influencing behavior and ideas through PR and fashion & culture would be a perfect fit. Through an agency internship with SBC Advertising, I learned to fully embrace the quick-paced, always-on-your-toes aspect of PR. Executive roles in student organizations at OU has reinforced to me the importance of responsibility, teamwork, accountability and creativity.

Being responsible for promoting and publicizing the largest programming board at Ohio University, University Program Council, has been a challenge and an opportunity. It’s been real-world experience and correlates completely with what I’ve learned through various summer and winter break internships. Being on the PR team of Student Senate is a new venture for me this year and has taught me the importance of dedication and full understanding the company (or group) you are representing and promoting. I think the proudest and most defining moment of my “College PR Career” has been being involved with Thread Magazine. I helped start this student-produced fashion publication at OU being the PR Chief. This was a major opportunity and challenge as well, because there were no set plans (or rules!) before me with this organization. I was the one writing the PR campaign for Thread, and it was my responsibility to raise awareness among OU students and “beyond” about the magazine before the first issue was even released! Being involved as a PR executive for each of these student organizations sometimes makes me feel like I am working at a PR agency and each organization is a client! I am an overly-involved college student and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am passionate about each of the three organizations I am a part of and want to continue all public relations efforts for the organization until graduation!

Unlike most high schoolers, I knew exactly what I wanted to study my freshman year of high school.  I had decided at the beginning of senior year that PR was the fit for me after being involved in a student activities board publicity team. I really had no education on what “publicity” was and what PR encompassed, but I knew it had my name on it. I’ve actually stuck with the same major all four years of college (unlike many college students, according to MyMajors.com) and I still feel the same about the field of public relations as I did almost four years ago when I decided to study PR journalism at OU. Like my professor explained (with my added twist), good decisions come from clear thinking made visible. Fully learning and embracing the field of PR is through classes, on-campus experience and various internships has reiterated to me that I made the right choice. I wouldn’t have had the same clear and concise thoughts about the field of public relations without these opportunities.

I don’t want to be defined by an 8 1/2 X 11′ sheet of paper resume, although my resume fully encompasses what I’ve accomplished through internships and extra-curriculars. I feel like I can bring so much more to the table than what is listed in bullet-point format. A positive attitude is something I bring to  every environment because I choose to think optimistically and enjoy being around others, even if I don’t know them. Another aspect of me that isn’t defined on a resume is dedication and motivation. I’ve learned through a virtual internship that I as an individual need to be 100% dedicated to the project I am working on, even when your supervisor isn’t watching over your shoulder. I value teamwork and understand when it’s time to be a leader, but equally when it’s time to be a listener. Lastly, I like to chase opportunities. I’ve learned I need to DO SOMETHING if I want something to happen. Another one of my favorite quotes is “a willingness to fail is a prerequisite for success” and I want to go full-force after what I want in a career. I want my job search to be exciting and adventurous for me and I want to keep my mind open, while maintaining a clear mind.

I would love to live in NYC or Chicago, but also would be excited to travel to a new location for a job. I’m open to any new opportunities and I’m getting so excited to transition from being a PR student to a PR professional. You can find me on Twitter at @luckyandi, read my musings on my blog at www.polishmycrown.wordpress.com and view my Linkedin profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/andreateggart. I know I have a few months before graduating, but I’d love to connect and network with more PR professionals to learn about your experiences soon! Shoot me an e-mail at andreateggart@gmail.com

 

Can Uncensored Blogs Exist?

There are a few different ways to “express yourself” during times of frustration.

You can pull a Steven Slater (Jet Blue flight attendant) and pretty much bare all in the moment; you can wait until you’re behind closed doors and vent to your closest friends and family; or, you can take some time to reflect before crafting the perfect blog post…for all the world to see.

The latter happens to be my favorite — in theory. The problem, however, is in the execution of the post.

We bloggers have little voices inside our heads telling us to be careful about every word we publish…there will be consequences. If we get too personal, we could sever relationships; if we give too much insight into our work, we could breach confidentiality agreements; if we give advice on dealing with career and/or boss challenges, it may appear we’re venting about our own situations; if we delve too far into our political/religious views, we could alienate certain audiences.

But isn’t blogging supposed to be about complete transparency? Unfiltered conversation? How can we produce genuine content when we’re worried about the consequences?

Are we all self-inflicting victims of censorship?

I recently came across a blog called The Spotted Fish that made me look at censorship in a whole new way. This blogger compared her current boss to a Dementor. If you know anything about Harry Potter, you know that these soul-sucking creatures are anything but pleasant… “Younger than me, and with little experience, she is the definition of a micromanager…She does not seem capable of kindness, empathy or warmth.”

I read a few posts back and learned that this blogger has a strong desire to quit her job (can you blame her??).

So who is this brave (and highly entertaining) blogger? A 30-something named someone from somewhere. That’s right, folks. She’s an anonymous blogger.

My PR colleagues and I have discussed how fun it would be to contribute posts to an anonymous blog. Still, our writing could never be completely uncensored. We’d have to leave out (or change) names of agencies, clients, reporters, coworkers, etc. We’d have to be careful not to promote our own writing, for fear of the posts being linked back to us.

I would imagine this blogger faces the same challenges.

So what do you think? Can uncensored blogs ever really exist? How uncensored are anonymous blogs? And although there is definitely a liberating aspect to them, are they worth the risk of “getting caught”?

Photo Credit.

 

PR Job Seeker of the Week: Lisa DeCanio

I’m pleased to introduce you to PR Job Seeker of the Week, Lisa DeCanio, who is hoping to secure an entry level PR position in Chicago or Boston. She has a unique (and well-written) story to tell so definitely read this all the way through!

About five months ago, the most I knew about PR was that it stood for Public Relations.  From there, my best guess was that PR professionals were experts at relating to the public – duh.  Oh, and that all of them (us) were clones of Samantha Jones from “Sex and the City.”

While I’d still like to think that I can be as fabulous as Samantha some day, I’ve now been educated on the subject of PR.  All because a great agency in Detroit, Michigan took a chance on me (pardon the bad ABBA lyrics).

But first, a bit of history.

At the University of Michigan, I was a dual major in Anthropology and American Culture with a minor in Environmental Studies.  Sure, those may seem like radically different subjects.  Combined, though, these curricula taught me how to ask and answer questions about relationships.  How do people in other cultures relate to each other?  How do we relate to people in other cultures?  How do we relate to people within our own culture?  And finally, how do people all over relate to the planet that we live on?

The way I answered these questions? Essays, of course.  Like most other liberal arts students, I spent countless hours in the library typing away.  Sounds miserable, but I loved every minute of it.

I loved it so much, in fact, that I looked for opportunities to write outside of the library’s walls.  I started with my sorority, writing for our national magazine, and actually getting our chapter’s stories featured, which is something that rarely happened in the past.  Next, I took my writing skills to Greek Life at large, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of the University of Michigan’s Greek Life newspaper and bringing the paper back to its former glory when it was nearly dead.  All along, I used my academic background to answer the question: how can I relate to the people I am writing about and for?

Senior year rolled around, and it was time to figure out what I was going to do in the “real world.”  Overwhelmed, I was at least confident that I liked figuring out how to relate to people, and I liked writing.  So I talked to school advisers, professors, alums, friends, family, my hairdresser, my dogs, my friends’ dogs, and got a lot of the same responses: Lisa, you should explore PR (OK, the dogs didn’t actually speak.  But if they could, that’s what they would have said).

All of which brought me to Mullen shortly after graduation.  I told them all of the above, and they hired me as their PR intern for the summer of 2010, regardless of the fact that I didn’t know how to create a media list or set up my Google Alerts.

The lovely people at Mullen recognized that I was a quick learner, and within a few weeks, I was deep into the world of automotive, technology and environmental PR. Our client, General Motors, was split into several accounts, each radically different from the next, and I became an expert in determining the best strategies to use for each client.

Sure, at times it was a bit stressful (when isn’t PR stressful?), but I truly enjoyed the constant thrill of learning something new, from key influencers to follow on Twitter to the clients’ formatting preferences.  You know when you take your dog to a new park, and he runs around like crazy, ecstatic at all of the new sounds, sights, and smells?  Well, that’s how I felt every day at work.  Minus the weird bottom-sniffing thing dogs do.

Moreover, my internship experience this summer allowed me to put my four years of undergrad to good use, as I continued to determine the best ways to not only relate to people, but to forge relationships that last.

What I’m looking for now?  That same, dog-in-the-park feeling of the new, the uncharted.  I love PR because there’s always an opportunity to grow.  I’m searching for an entry-level PR position in Chicago (where I’m from) or Boston (where I’m dying to go).  Please feel free to connect with me via email, Twitter, or LinkedIn, and check out my opinions of Gen Y on The Next Great Generation blog.  Even if you don’t know of a job for me, I like creating relationships (remember?), so just drop a line and say hello!

 

When Reporters Say: “It’s Not You — It’s Me.”

This is (one of many examples of) a typical day for me.

I monitor the news for specific topics. I find the article I need. I email the reporter with a concise, tailored and hopefully compelling pitch and cross my fingers. At this point, one of three things happen.

• I nail it. The reporter emails me back with some variation of, “Thanks Lauren — I’d like to speak with ‘so and so’ about ‘so and so.’” Seriously. It’s usually that short and sweet. But it’s enough to make me do a little happy dance at my desk EVERY TIME. Sometimes it takes following up with a call before I can get the reporter’s initial attention, but hey — I’ll take it!
• Nothing. Nada. Zilch. There’s a specific reason why I wrote this pitch for that reporter, so I don’t give up. I follow-up with a phone call. Still nothing. I resist the temptation to continue calling, insisting that they need my news. For whatever reason, they’re just not interested. I take note of the result and move on. At least for now.
• I get the It’s not you — it’s me response. Ok, no reporter has actually said this to me word for word. But in my opinion, I’d love to write about that but we just don’t have the space right now or Great pitch but I’ve got too many assignments and not enough manpower is pretty close!!

The third scenario is frustrating. Let’s face it — most clients don’t care if the reporter really really likes the story; and not now maybe later isn’t all that comforting either. News is only news for so long.

So as PR pros, what can we do when we find ourselves in this situation? What should we do?

Get the full 411. Before throwing in the towel, I like to get some additional feedback from the reporter. If he/she takes the time to respond once, I can usually get a follow-up question answered as well. I’ll ask what would need to change for the pitch to become a top priority. Maybe there is a missing element that I can work on filling.

Do the work for them. Did they express interest in an event you’re hosting but miss it because of another commitment? Send them pictures/video footage/quotes ASAP and offer phone interviews with key sources at their earliest convenience. Sometimes if you do the leg work, they can apply the finishing touches and make the story happen.

Move on to other fish in the sea. There are plenty of reporters. Plenty of media outlets. If the first didn’t work out, try someone new. But don’t be random about your selection. Choose wisely.

Make your own news. Sometimes we just have to tell our own stories. So conduct the interviews; write the content; and integrate some pictures and/or video — yourself! Then spread it across all your social media.

Develop a relationship for next time. Don’t burn a bridge just because the reporter can’t work with you this time around. Always thank reporters for taking the time to give you feedback and let them know you’re available to provide insight on areas X, Y and Z if they’re in the market for that later. Remember what they cover and shoot them periodic emails with tips and tidbits that are right up their alley.

What do YOU do to make a story happen when these speed bumps arise?

Big thanks to @Journchat for sharing my question during last week’s discussion — and  thanks also to the participants who provided insight and helped shape this post!

Photo Credit.

 

Are Employers the Real Spin Doctors?

There is a common argument that Gen-Y are a fickle bunch; that we run from job to job at the first sight of higher salaries and better benefits. We make great impressions in interviews with our energy, passion and drive, but don’t know anything about loyalty.

I have multiple 20-something friends who have admitted they are actively seeking new jobs. So sure — it’s easy to believe the Gen-Y stigma is accurate. It’s easy to accuse: in an economy as difficult as this, how dare young professionals take their jobs for granted?

I think the stigma is crap. And not just because I am one of many Gen-Yers who are more than happy with their jobs and absolutely NOT interested in any other positions. No, there’s more to it than that.

I’ve watched 30-, 40- and even 50-something friends, colleagues and family members accept new positions with the utmost excitement and then confess unhappiness in a matter of weeks.

So either EVERYONE is fickle and ungrateful — or something else is happening behind closed doors.

We could blame the job candidates for including too much spin in resumes. If only they had been 100 percent honest, they wouldn’t get stuck in positions that were never right for them in the first place.

But maybe, just maybe, applicants aren’t the only “spin doctors.”

Who has been promised “the world,” only to be overworked and underpaid? Who has been told they would be in charge of managing clients X, Y, Z, but then were micromanaged instead? Who has been told their thoughts would be valued but then had their voices stifled in meetings?

I’m not actually accusing employers of being spin doctors. But they, just like job candidates, are only human. If they see something (or someone) they really want, I don’t doubt for a second that a few fibs or exaggerations may emerge.

My point is that it is unfair to pinpoint Gen-Y as “the problem.” It’s hard to see what is really going on unless you are in the situation yourself. And quite frankly, it’s not anyone’s place to judge.

Professionals — Gen-Y and older — have you ever tossed a white lie or two in your resume or interview to land the job? If so, was it worth it or did you end up in a position that wasn’t good for you? And employers, have you ever strayed from the truth — well-intentioned or not — to get that employee you HAD to have? Did he/she stay?

 

The first week of school…

First week of school, huh? Well, not for me…but still, this week has a special significance.

It’s my first week with a new intern.

I’ve discussed characteristics of a successful intern in the past, but I think week 1 is crucial — and worthy of its own post. Frankly, most managers decide within the first few days how much they can trust their interns with assignments.

So, here are five ways to “bring it” right off the bat:

• Attitude: Have positive energy. Smile. Show excitement toward any and all assignments you are given. If you are asked, “Have you done this before?” and you haven’t, say: “No, but I will figure it out.” Getting an A+ for attitude makes a huge difference.
• Emphasize your goals: This shows maturity and responsibility. It also helps ensure you will get the experience you want.
• Get to know the clients: Ultimately, you can’t write a compelling pitch, brainstorm strategies or talk to a reporter when you don’t understand the clients you represent. Check out their websites and read through the client folders on shared computer drives. Do whatever it takes to “get” the companies and organizations you serve.
• Show off your stuff: What do you do best? Find (make) an opportunity to do it. This can be as simple as writing up a document of social media strategies for a client.
• Ask questions: It’s expected that you will have tons of questions in the beginning. Every agency/corporation operates differently, so you’ll have to learn the new quirks and practices. Ask how (and how often) your managers interact with clients and the media. Ask how they attract new clients. Soak up all the info you can. This stems back to your attitude — show that you care and are excited about the internship.

P.S. My new intern is awesome and I decided that before the end of day 1

 

They’re Just Not That Into You…

A PR job seeker recently reached out to me with this question:

I am a recent grad. I have been looking for a job for a few months and have been turned down by a number of them. I worked very hard in college by joining PRSSA, serving as editor in chief of my college newspaper and assistant director of our student run PR firm, working in the office of public relations at my school and completing a double internship with an agency. I still cannot find a job. What advice would you give people like me? People that have worked hard and love what they do.

Well, I’m impressed!

She clearly doesn’t lack motivation or experience — so what’s the problem? Frankly, it could be a number of things. Maybe these skills do not translate well on her resume. Perhaps her cover letter is too much about “her” and not enough about how her particular skills could benefit the company. It’s also possible her competitors just seemed to “fit” better during the interviews. And there’s always the economy to blame…

Regardless of the reason, something needs to change. But what?

Resume

The best way to format a resume is up for serious debate. However, I tend to swear by a model my PR professor once shared with me.

Start with a bullet list of highlights — three or four short statements about what makes you different than every other applicant. Why? You need to catch the interviewer’s attention immediately! Don’t just explain work experience that you’ll touch on later down the page. Really think about what makes you unique (and what makes you perfect for the position for which you’re applying). Example: my highlights include winning a PR scholarship for creating a communication plan and authoring an award-winning blog.

Next, list your recent work history with key skills/responsibilities for each position. Remember that resumes tend to all blur after awhile, so be as specific as possible. Did you create and run social media accounts for clients? Great! But what platforms did you use and how many accounts did you run simultaneously? Did your efforts lead to any specific results? Interviewers like to see numbers. After all, almost every applicant has written a media release, called a reporter and run a Twitter account — so what makes you different?

Now is the time to mention your education. Many advocate listing your education above the work history. However, I’ve found that practical experience means much more to an employer than the degree attained.

End your resume on another memorable note. For instance, mine has two short quotes from relevant references about my work ethic and capabilities. And then I note that contact information is available for the sources. We all know that third-party endorsements are more convincing than anything we say about ourselves.

Again, everyone has their own taste in resumes — which is great — but the key is to find a way that separates you from the bunch.

Cover Letter

Matt Cheuvront wrote a fabulous post awhile back on how to write a bad-ass cover letter. I agree with his advice completely and so I hope you take a look. Basically, just remember that it’s not about you. It’s about how you can serve and will fit in with the prospective company/organization. Be yourself, but don’t be overly involved in yourself. And once again, grab the interviewer’s attention immediately (which means don’t start with: I just graduated from X college with a degree in X and am interested in your X position). Boring!

The Interview

Congrats! You made it. But now it’s time to seal the deal. Here is some advice I shared through a guest post a few months ago:

Why not do something totally off the wall…like come in with a presentation? Not a presentation on yourself. A presentation outlining your strategy for one of the company’s clients. This means two things: 1) You have to do research before you get to the interview. 2) You have to have solid ideas that you can explain well.

Now, I’m not advocating an intensive slideshow. There’s probably not enough time for that and the equipment might not be readily available. A one or two page outline that you can run through IF the employer would like to hear your thoughts (meaning ask first) should suffice.

It’s important to show that you really do want the job and you know what this job would entail. And by taking this initiative, you’re also able to highlight your skill sets.

Follow-Up

A hand-written note has become the norm, so it doesn’t always set you apart from other applicants. But it’s still a nice gesture and shows that you are interested in the position. Write your letter with intention. Did something come up in the interview that you want to reiterate? Did you forget to say something that the interviewer might like to know? Essentially, don’t just say thanks! Remind them why they need you!

So my friends, if the interviewers just aren’t that into you, don’t fret — you’ll find “the one” soon enough…

[Photo Credit]

 

The Ideal PR Job Seeker…

I have featured 29 public relations job seekers on my blog since March. The PR hopefuls have ranged from new grads to seasoned professionals and have come from various backgrounds. Some have landed jobs by now — others are still looking, waiting for their breaks.

So why am I not featuring PR job seeker #30 today?

Because the individual bailed…without so much as an email’s notice. I could have recruited someone else last minute. But then, I wouldn’t be able to write this post.

I started “PR Job Seeker of the Week” because I wanted to help people. I wanted to give pros and pros-to-be who might not have their own platforms a chance to tell their stories to prospective employers. I’ve given my blog up every Friday for months. I’ve dedicated a full day of tweeting to them each week. And I’ve spent time seeking job seekers to feature.

This experience has been wonderful and I’ve met some great people and job candidates. But I’ve also come across some people who have failed to submit their posts on time or who have sent mistake-ridden pieces. I’ve had to wake up extra early a few Friday mornings to make time for last minute edits and blog formatting.

It really hasn’t bothered me. But I can’t help but wonder: don’t they want to be hired? If you had a platform all to yourself for a day, wouldn’t you try to make the most of it? I loved featuring Amanda Pinto last week — I mean, she made her own video!! And I’ve shared many other creative, genuine and even funny posts.

Do I still want to continue “PR Job Seeker of the Week”? Absolutely! But I hope  interested participants really take advantage of their time in the spotlight.

If you want to be featured, just email me at lauren.novo@gmail.com. I’d be more than happy to offer examples of awesome posts, a couple of which directly led to job interviews!!

 

PR Pros’ Speaking Woes

Fact:  PR pros must be good writers, listeners and speakers to be effective communicators.

Well, I love to write (clearly). And I’m a great listener. But public speaking kind of scares me.

So when Deirdre Breakenridge gave me a couple inside tips at this week’s FPRA annual conference, I more than welcomed them.

• Sing Mary Had a Little Lamb. You don’t literally have to sing this. But her point was that if you sing to yourself before the speech, you can check your nerves. Pay attention to your volume and speed and see what needs adjusting.
• Ease in. It’s important to make yourself comfortable on stage before you jump all in. Maybe tell an anecdote or interact a little with your audience. You’ll loosen up soon enough.

At the end of the day, quality public speaking begins with quality speaking.

Conference presenter Jim Lukaszewski, APR, explained how becoming a trusted strategic advisor is partly dependent on that individual’s speaking ability. Next time you brief your boss or client on a critical issue or plan of action, try Lukaszewski’s three minute drill.

In essence, you have three minutes (approximately 450 words) to get your point across. If you’re not concise, strategic and well-spoken, you could mess up the opportunity. (Read more about this on the FPRA blog).

So you want to be a PR pro? You must be an effective communicator. Want to be an effective communicator? You must be a good great writer, listener AND speaker.

Whether delivering key messages at a press conference or trying to advise upper management on something, PR pros are going to be speaking. A lot.

I guess we all better practice!

This post is part of my new HAPPO series, where I address topics of relevance/concern to PR pros of all levels.

 

The End of the RFP?

No, I don’t think so — but still, I can’t help but wonder if PR agencies should be looking for better ways to connect with prospective clients (and vice versa).

Let me back up a second.

Last week, I wrote about what happens when a client is afraid of the PR plan. Although I used an example where the feelings of apprehension were overcome, there are many cases when the PR pro and client just don’t make a great fit. For whatever reason, things aren’t progressing smoothly.

Inevitably, this made me think about the opposite situation — when the client/agency relationship is incredible, almost too good to be true. So how do you get that?

If you work for a PR agency, do you simply respond to every RFP that comes your way…as long as it is somewhat related to the work you’ve done in the past? And even if the RFP calls for your exact expertise, does that guarantee a quality working relationship? Probably not — because there are still people, with various opinions and personalities, in the mix.

And if you are the organization or company in need of PR services, do you feel confident that the RFP point system will land you the best agency for the job? Even if you meet with the best two contenders for live presentations, what makes you so sure that you are getting a great dynamic? Do you ever wonder if a lower-scoring respondent might have been a better fit when it came to the culture of the relationship?

These thoughts wouldn’t have crossed my mind several months ago. I’ve witnessed many positive relationships that stemmed from RFPs. So when I started working for my current PR company, I was surprised to learn we connect with new clients by attending industry-related conferences and getting to know more about their business models and goals for the future. Sometimes, we are the perfect firm to help them achieve those initiatives and thus, a new relationship is formed. That’s just a brief explanation but hey, I can’t give away all our secrets

My point is that if we are in the age of connecting with our target markets directly through social media, why can’t we also connect directly with our target clients? Why must we depend on the long, tiresome and often-times “cold” RFP process?

What are your thoughts? How did you connect with your favorite clients and/or PR agencies?