Photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dm-set/ (Creative Commons Licensce)

Congratulations, Class of 2011!

You’ve graduated!  Hooray!  Huzzah!  Whoomp, there it is!

Now you’ve got to find a job, move out of your parents’ house and start your life for real.

Well, my dear PR and Social Media folk, there is a secret to help you speed up those processes.  (Even though we like mom and dad’s home cooking as much as anyone, you need your own space.  Trust us.)

The secret is so simple that it’s shocking that it’s not embedded into all college textbooks.

But it isn’t.  So you didn’t hear this from me:

Industry professionals want to help you, but you need to help yourself first.

I can’t speak for EVERYONE, but I have yet to meet a PR or Social Media professional that wouldn’t at least let an aspiring professional pick their brain for a few minutes.

Why would we help you?

Easy: We need smart people.  For our companies, for our clients.  We all want to work with the “best and the brightest.”  For the most part, at least.

So, we are here waiting to help you.  But like I said, you need to help yourself first.  Here are five ways to help you connect with PR and Social Media pros:

1) Read – Like a lot.  Like…more than Mashable.  Sign up for blog e-mailing lists, so content can be delivered to you.  One can’t-miss is Spin Sucks, by the good folks at Arment Dietrich.  And if you aren’t getting Sarah Evans’ #Commentz newsletter, you are behind the times, friend.

2) Join the Community – So much of our collective industry is happening online right now.  Be there.  One great community you should be a part of is Help A PR Pro Out (HAPPO).  It launched in February 2010 as the brainchild of Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon to help match job-seekers with potential employers.  Between Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, this community is EVERYWHERE and is made of a network of pros from around North America.

3) Reach Out – Yes, we are busy.  Busier than ever, in fact.  But we will take some time to answer questions, maybe grab a cup of coffee or a quick lunch to talk about our profession.  Pros that want to be reached out to don’t make it hard to find their contact information.  Try looking at blog contact pages or LinkedIn profiles.  (And speaking of LinkedIn, keep that profile updated!  Paradigm Staffing, a top PR recruiting firm, uses LinkedIn profiles like resumes!)

4) Come Armed With Questions – If we do take time out of our day to meet with you, come prepared with smart questions.  The basics like “when did you know you wanted to Tweet for a living?” are fun and all (in all seriousness, that would be the best question EVER!) , and we can definitely talk about ourselves non-stop.  But, help us help you.  Ask us about your potential career path.  Last week, I met with a young woman looking to get into online analysis.  Her questions allowed me to give her to answers she was looking for.

5) Stay In Touch – Once you’ve met/chatted/e-mailed with us, stay in touch.  While there is no fun Bat-Cave we all retreat to after our days at the office and compare notes and job openings, us communications pros are a chatty bunch and often listen to recommendations when making new hires.  And in the crazy world we live in, opportunities sometimes do pop up overnight.  You never know!

I probably shouldn’t have made the secret and tips so public.  So, before a PR/Social Media cops make me remove this post and administer the lashings (“Thank you sir, may I have another?”), go do these things, make connections and launch your career!

Have you always wanted to work in the PR, marketing or social media industry?

Are you job-hunting?

Do you want to mentor aspiring professionals?

Are you looking for your next team-member?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then you need to attend the Washington, DC #HAPPO Hour on Thursday, February 24th!  It’s all part of the Help A PR Pro Out movement that has been helping  foster a network of PR pros and job-hunters of all experience levels for over a year now.

(Click here to read other HAPPO entries on this site.)

There will be live events in cities across the USA, and it’s up to DC to show why we are the most powerful city in the world!

We’re meeting at Ping Pong Dim Sum in Chinatown (1.5 blocks from Gallery Place Metro) from 6-8pm (or later…their kumquat mojito is amazing!) for an evening of networking, advice-sharing, and maybe even some resume critiquing, if you bring a few copies!

Spread the word, be there, bring friends – it will be the social event of the season!  (Mega-bonus points for getting the reference!)

For the Twitterfolk, use hashtags #HAPPO and #HAPPODC to discuss and show what DC’s all about!

The details:

DC #HAPPO Hour

Thursday, February 24th

6pm until 8pm

Ping Pong Dim Sum

900 7th Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20001-3886
(202) 506-3740

I love the fact that the next “Help A PR Pro Out” (HAPPO) online event comes during the holiday season.  (Save the Date: Wednesday, December 8 – stay tuned for more info!)

No matter what holiday or holidays you celebrate this season, whether it’s 12 days, 8 crazy nights or something else entirely, there is a common thread of light and hope.

Call me cheesy and sappy, but to me, HAPPO is all about hope.

As a champion for the past year, I’ve seen a lot of people struggling to find a job.  But what I’ve also seen is the best of people.  Job-seekers putting their best foot/feet forward.  Volunteers looking to help people make connections – not for personal gain, but because it’s the right thing to do.

We’ve seen people go from nervous college student to living the dream; and people who had been sitting on the sidelines are now back in the game.

HAPPO didn’t make all of this happen by ourselves.  We did not (and will never) get someone a job.  They do that all by themselves.

However, if we can help energize the job-seekers and put them in front of those who are hiring, then we have done our job.

And the next jolt of energy comes this Wednesday.

I implore anyone who has knowledge of job openings or is looking for a job or has been through the process and has advice to give both sides, PLEASE participate in Wednesday’s chat!

Follow the #HAPPO hashtag (and, local plug: #HAPPODC), and join this community of people trying to grow our PR/marketing/social media industry.  You will never regret it.

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Here’s a fantastic opportunity to work in the fashion PR world for a top-notch agency! Great internship opportunity for a fashion forward individual looking to gain experience in working in fashion, brand development and PR

Job Description	Forty Weeks (www.fortyweeks.com), the leading strategy firm in the expectant and new parent space is looking for a fashion forward intern who has a firm grasp on the retail/wholesale market place to work on a launch of an international line here in the States. The selected candidate will undertake market research on brands, trends and trade shows as they relate to the client. Key projects will include involvement in market place and brand research, trend analysis, PR traffic and metrics, assisting with celebrity outreach via our LA office, influencer outreach via our New York team and overall brand development in close proximity to Forty Weeks founder, Julia Beck. We handle a carefully currated list of top-tier clients including foundations, media and manufacturers within our highly vertical space. This internship is through April 2011  – and will fill fast  as this type of project is not common to Washington, DC area agencies. Metro-accessible office in downtown Bethesda!
Qualifications	Fashion forward Knowledge and understanding of retail market place, brands Uber computer savvy Aware of Trends – interested in being part of the “next hot thing” Outstanding written and verbal communication skills Highly organized, creative and energetic Self-starter Great attitude Excellent problem solver Reliable LOVES getting involved with cool projects For more information e-mail Jules Galpin Jules@fortyweeks.com

Good News: iostudio is looking to hire three key staff members in the DC office!

GREAT News: They get to work with me every single day!!!

Take a look at the following job descriptions, and if you are interested, we’d love to talk to you!  Directions below!

1 – Advertising Account Executive

Company: From interactive Web sites to targeted, contemporary print publications, iostudio is a nationally recognized marketing company providing innovative advertising, Web, email, print and video solutions for local, regional and national clients. Over the last 10 years, we have grown into an award-winning, multi-million dollar company built on the passion and ingenuity of a remarkable team of professionals who want more from a job than just bringing home a paycheck.

Our Washington, D.C. office seeks an experienced account executive to join our fast-growing team who will work with national and regional clients and assist with new business development efforts.

Position responsibilities

• Guide the day-to-day coordination, development and execution of all client projects.
• Keep agency staff informed of client requests and changes.
• Write creative briefs, develop project estimates and work closely with production staff keeping projects on time and on budget.
• Be responsible for research, competitive analysis and reporting of findings.
• Review creative work prior to submitting to the client for approval.
• Prepare collateral materials, presentations and logistics for client meetings.
• Review and approve project billing prior to mailing.
• Learn the business of the client account, i.e., products, research, markets, competitive advertising
• Build and strengthen client relationships, proactively responding to their needs and following up on all requests.  Provide superior customer service on all levels.
• Participate in New Business activities as assigned.
• Travel up to 25%.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Requirements:

• 2-4 years account management experience, preferably in an advertising or marketing agency.
• Prior experience managing client accounts.
• Knowledge of website development, online advertising, email marketing and social media.
• Effective and professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with graphic design, video or reporting software a plus.

Candidates can email resumes for consideration to careers@iostudio.com.

Only emailed submissions will be considered.

iostudio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).  Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

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2 – Social Media Account Executive

Job Location: Washington, D.C.

Company: From interactive Web sites to targeted, contemporary print publications, iostudio is a nationally recognized marketing company providing innovative advertising, Web, email, print and video solutions for local, regional and national clients. Over the last 10 years, we have grown into an award-winning, multi-million dollar company built on the passion and ingenuity of a remarkable team of professionals who want more from a job than just bringing home a paycheck.

Our Washington, D.C. office seeks a social marketing professional to join our fast-growing online team who will work with a large government client and its regional level marketing staff to develop effective social media programs.

Position responsibilities

• Provide outstanding client service and support.
• Develop social media marketing strategies for current and future clients in accordance with the client’s objectives and budgets.
• Write information papers and white papers monthly.
• Provide formal training on the use of social media products to clients.
• Generate social media reports to demonstrate ROI and identify insights that can guide content programming, media or creative work.
• Coordinate content sharing among distributed client network of regional social media sites.
• Train and educate clients on new trends, innovations and practices in social media and online marketing.
• Contribute to the agency’s professional blog on social media and digital innovations.
• Work in the Washington, DC office while working closely with the agency team in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Travel as needed, up to 30%.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S. or B.A in Advertising, Journalism, Marketing or related field required.

• 2-4 years experience in marketing and advertising, acting within an agency or internal corporation department.
• Demonstrated professional success in the social media space.  Active professional engagement with social media.
• Familiarity with analytics tools preferred (Omniture, Radian 6, Raven Tools, Google Analytics).
• Familiarity with Social Network Engagement analytic tools (i.e. Facebook Insights).
  • Strong project management skills; excellent communication skills; ability to work with multiple partner-agencies at various levels.
  • Effective and professional verbal and written communication skills.  Ability to communicate ideas to clients, vendors, team members and others in a clear and concise manner.
  • Strong proficiency with MS Office.

Candidates can email resumes for consideration to careers@iostudio.com.

Only emailed submissions will be considered.

iostudio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).  Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

—————————————————————

3 – Interactive Designer

Company: From interactive Web sites to targeted, contemporary print publications, iostudio is a nationally recognized marketing company providing innovative advertising, Web, email, print and video solutions for local, regional and national clients. Over the last 10 years, we have grown into an award-winning, multi-million dollar company built on the passion and ingenuity of a remarkable team of professionals who want more from a job than just bringing home a paycheck.

Our Washington, D.C. office seeks a creative professional to lead the office’s interactive campaigns for our clients.  You will concept, design and integrate new interface designs and applications.

Position responsibilities

• Developing the “big idea” from creative briefs and market research.
• Designing contemporary, intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
• Developing and designing concepts for popular social media sites.
• Translating creative direction into media-appropriate design meeting business objectives.
• Collaborating with remote creative and account teams.
• Understand technical web design and social and mobile marketing requirements .
• Ability to work with site architecture and wireframes.
• Integrate with third party API’s like Facebook, Google and JS-Kit.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities required of personnel so classified.

Technical Skills

• 3+ years of web development experience
• Proficient with the following front end technologies
• HTML 5, CSS, D/X/HTML
• Experience addressing cross browser issues and scripting vulnerabilities
• Familiarity developing in a web CMS like (Drupal, Interwoven, Day, Joomla)
• Familiarity with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques
• Familiarity with API based platforms
• Experience with iPhone, iPad, Flash, FLEX and related technologies is a plus

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S., B.A. or B.F.A. in Web Design or equivalent agency interactive design experience.
• 4+ years of Web design experience REQUIRED, preferably in an agency environment.
• Strong sense of typography, color, and layout.
• Highly proficient with the latest Adobe Creative Suite and other applicable software.
• Experience with or knowledge of CSS, HTML and jQuery (WordPress and PHP a plus).
• Up-to-date with the latest in social media and API’s.

Email a resume and a work sample to careers@iostudio.com.   Only emailed submissions will be considered.

iostudio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).  Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

It’s been a dark few weeks.  A volcanic eruption halted global commerce.  LOST showed a repeat this week.  Crazy Siobhan was sent packing on American Idol.  Kate Gosselin somehow was on “Dancing With The Stars.”

Dark times, indeed.

Out of the darkness shines a beacon of hope.  No, it’s not the new Iron Man movie – it’s the return of Help A PR Pro Out on Friday, April 30!

Yes, PR pros are back again to play “point guard,” exposing rising industry talents and highlighting job opportunities.  The main event is on Friday, but here’s a sample of things to come.

Let’s start with some fantastic job-seekers: