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Posts Tagged ‘happodc’

#HAPPO Pitches – Part 3

19 Feb

1) Elissa Davis
Elissa Davis – @elissadavis, www.linkedin/in/elissadavis, elissadavis.com

I am Elissa Davis, a Senior Journalism and Mass Communication student at George Washington University who is currently desiring full-time employment opportunities beginning in mid-May.

I’m an innovator, who understands this converging world and the need to balance the traditional and the new to achieve success. My medium to do this is public relations and communications. I’m passionate about bringing information to people, businesses and communities in imaginative and expressive ways. I possess the experience, knowledge and work ethic to implement strategic and effective campaigns. Plain and simple, PR is where I thrive.

I’ve been fortunate to have a diverse set of internships and professional opportunities that have permitted me to practice and utilize communication techniques from numerous diverse perspectives. I’ve developed a comprehensive knowledge base of government, corporate, non-profit, social media and entertainment communications. Through my experiences I’ve learned to persevere through trying situations, never take no for an answer, work under extreme conditions, apply crisis communications, work within a large corporation, effectively utilize new media, and much more.

I flourish in a fast moving, high profile environment, where possibilities are unlimited. I’m very passionate about the world of public relations and I have the drive to work in this industries multi-faceted environment and achieve heretofore unbelievable results.

2) Lisa Atufunwa

I graduated in May 2009 from Michigan State University. I gained
experience in non-profit public relations and the human resources and
lifestyle industry. I am able to grasp information and tasks quickly.
I am able to adapt to any environment. Passionate, hard worker and
driven to help your organization achieve daily goals. I am motivated
to grow as a PR professional and continue building relationships
between clients, their target audience, journalists, and other PR
professionals.

I am a tech savvy and have a lot of experience with computers and
social media. I have a knack for finding information and resources,
whether if it is through the Internet or from my mental library. I
will go the extra mile in accomplishing tasks, even if it is working
at 11 p.m. I am eager to begin working in the public relations
industry and having the opportunity to showcase my talents.

For a detail listing of my background, please e-mail me at
lisa.atufunwa@gmail.com for a copy of my resume and connect with me on
Twitter (@lisaatufunwa) and/or LinkedIn
(www.linkedin.com/in/lisaatu09).

3) Jamie Favreau

Since Help a PR Pro Out day is today I thought I would write a brief description of what makes me a great hire.

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2008 in Communications Technology and have been working hard learning the field of Public Relations and communications since then.

My desire has always been to work in the communications industry. I have found social media to be my niche. I have worked for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where I managed to form a partnership with Yelp. The time I spent there was constructive and I also had photos donated by General Motors and Wayne State University for invitations to the Leukemia Ball.

Since then I have built a community for FWIX, wrote proposals for projects which I bid on in my freelance work. I have been an avid participant and volunteer in Detroit. I have worked Module 09, Brand Camp U 09, invited to Ted x Detroit and am going to be working Ignite Detroit and Future Midwest 10. I was also the Champion for Detroit in the live event for #journchat this past August.

Why should you hire me?

1. Relationships are key and I have excellent interpersonal skills.

2. Able to cultivate new ideas and fresh outlook on life.

3. I am social media savvy and realize an integrated communications strategy will help solve some of the current problems.

4. Loves hockey, Detroit Red Wings, Team USA and everything involved with it.

5. Believes in Detroit but am willing to relocate to New York, Chicago, D.C. or San Fransisco.

6. Loves research and bookmarking so I could save you money by having some research done already!

7. I am looking for more of an entry level marketing position but I believe PR and marketing go hand in hand.

8. Have worked with a start up and a non profit organization. So I am capable of working in any kind of environment.

9. Freelancing has taught me about deadlines, creating good content, selling your ideas and various other things which can transfer to a great public relations job.

10. Sports and Entertainment have been in my blood for the past years but technology is my passion. I am driven to work for a growing company which is technology or hockey based and can feed my passion for growth.

Thank you.

@jfavreau :Twitter ID
Jamie_Favreau@yahoo.com

Popularity: unranked [?]

 
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#HAPPO Pitches – Part 2

18 Feb

Happy HAPPO Day!  Here are some more terrific pitches that have come my way!

1) Elizabeth Glomb

Twitter: @eglomb
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/eglomb

You should hire me because I am a creative, hardworking, dedicated, and willing to take risks.  I always try to go the extra step in order to get the job done.  I am passionate about being good at my job, and hope that someone can be passionate and willing to take a risk on hiring me.  Enjoy the video… it was extremely fun to make, and hopefully you will see exactly how creative I can be.

2) Andrew Elwell

Andrew Elwell (@elwell620/http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeelwell)
I am about to graduate magna cum laude from The George Washington
University with a degree in political communication.  Currently, I am
the Features Editor of the GW Cherry Tree, as well as an intern at a
global public affairs firm in Washington, DC.  I have a variety of
communications experience at non-profits, as well as media experience
in local media and at GW.   I’m a dedicated worker looking for an
opportunity to demonstrate my strengths.

3) Eli Baratz

About me:  Interest in entry-level and intern positions with PR firm in public affairs; 2007 Graduate of Indiana University, BA in Telecommunications and BA in International Relations; Contact: 317-626-7674 and elibaratz.eli@gmail.com

HAPPO Pitch: Applying John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success to Public Affairs Campaigns

Successful public affairs campaigns are a comprehensive endeavor involving grassroots mobilization, traditional and new media and high-level partnerships revolving around a central message intended to “win hearts and minds” of a target group which results in a desired behavior and action.  A winning public affairs campaign is run like a political campaign, strategy is developed at the top and tactics are carried out by every member of the team from the top to the bottom.  Thus, the ultimate success or failure of the campaign rests in how each individual performs their tasks in the context of the team.  Reflecting on experiences as a Field Organizer for a successful Presidential campaign[i] I believe the two most important individual traits required for people running an effective public affairs campaign are industriousness and enthusiasm.

Working as a Field Organizer in Indianapolis during the 2008 Presidential campaign I was struck by the similarities between the team dynamics of the campaign and team dynamics of successful sports teams.[ii] In fact, when I began to think about what I learned from the experience I immediately thought of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.  John Wooden, the most successful basketball coach ever[iii], developed his Pyramid of Success consisting of fifteen philosophical building blocks for success in basketball and at life.  The blocks are labeled with traits like poise and confidence with each block containing a short blurb related to that specific trait forming a pyramid that Mr. Wooden deems necessary for success in a team setting.[iv] The two cornerstones, the foundation, are industriousness and enthusiasm and Mr. Wooden writes, “To be strong, you have to have a strong foundation.[v]”  Since the strength of the foundation determines how strong the rest of an organization is, industriousness and enthusiasm must be high for an enterprise to be successful.

Industriousness is defined by Mr. Wooden as hard work.  “There is no substitute for hard work.   Worthwhile things come from hard work and careful planning.”  As an FO, hard work and careful planning were necessities.  Working seven days a week and anywhere between 12 and 24 hours a day, ensuring fifty volunteers showed up to canvass neighborhoods, signing up hundreds of new voters each week, planning an hour by hour schedule for election day; hard was required to complete every task.  Sweat equity was in abundance and without it the campaign would not have been successful at the grassroots level motivating new and undecided voters to take action.  The industriousness of each individual made the overall team effort a success.

Enthusiasm is the second building block in the foundation of Mr. Wooden’s pyramid.  He writes, “Your heart must be in your work.  Stimulate others.”  I believe this trait’s importance is often overlooked, but it is vital to success in a public affairs campaign.  I was working in a state, Indiana, which had not voted for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.  It was vital to believe that we could accomplish something rare and exude that confidence so that our volunteers and constituents believed they could make a difference if they got involved.  It worked.  A record number of people volunteered and more importantly, a record number of people got out of their homes and cast a vote.

So what does this mean for prospective employers interested in hiring me?  It means you will find a candidate who values hard work and a sense of mission that is vital in public affairs campaigns.  Along with strategic communications skills and a background in international relations, you will find a candidate that has experience with campaigns, constituent outreach and an ability to execute in a fast-paced team environment.  I would be a valuable addition to any PR firm’s public affairs team that is assisting organizations build enhanced reputations in Washington and achieve various public policy and business goals.

[i] I worked as a Field Organizer (FO) for Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign helping to win Indiana’s electoral votes in 2008.  Although I worked for a Democratic candidate, I do not want personal politics to exclude me from future opportunities.

[ii] I am mostly referring to my own experiences playing high school tennis and baseball.  As examples of teams that operated at a high level (on-field ability and team chemistry) I look in the direction of my tennis teams.  One can scoff at the notion of learning valuable lessons from high school sports, but I do believe that they contain a certain level of intrinsic value that’s applicable to one’s future life.  Also, not to brag, but my high school has won 18 state tennis championships (most in the state) including one when I was a sophomore.  I also played #1 singles and was captain my final two years on the team.

[iii] John Wooden coached UCLA’s basketball team to 10 National Championships in a 12 year span.  He’s also a born and bred Hoosier, like me, so that has to count for something.

[iv] The Pyramid is a little corny and cliché, but I think someone who wins 88 straight games deserves to be taken seriously on some level.

[v] This applies to public affairs campaigns as well.  The foundation of a public affairs campaign can be interpreted as the intended message.  Without the right message, grassroots support and media outreach will ultimately lead to a failing campaign.

4) Larry Jones

They call me the “PR man.”

It’s a moniker, I believe, that can mostly be attributed to my vanity license plate bearing the same title, and to a lesser degree, the general public’s narrow understanding of the profession I claim. He’s in PR or he’s the PR man.

I prefer to call myself a PR Operative – a seasoned professional, not unlike actor Harvey Keitel’s Winston “The Wolf” Wolfe character from the movie “Pulp Fiction.” I’m the guy that those in leadership call in to get things done or make problems go away.

Outside of a brief five year stint successfully running a service industry operation, public relations has been the only profession I’ve known or cared to know. It’s what I’m good at. And for more than a decade I’ve been stockpiling my PR cache with a wealth of comprehensive and diverse experiences that I draw from daily.

When it comes to my public relations background, it can be described as being hybrid in nature: both in-house communications and PR agency. The combination has proved beneficial, as I’ve acquired a skill set that includes, but is not limited to: media relations, special events/trade show coordination, communication planning and strategizing, employee relations, crisis communications, social/new media outreach and public affairs. There is no situation that I can’t be thrown into and not come out on the other side without some semblance of accomplishment.

Whether it’s answering the call of the media when a major transit provider crashed into a major airport facility not once but twice (I did that); overseeing a major product launch on the industry’s biggest stage (did that too); launching/promoting a statewide non-profit initiative (currently doing that); or coordinating/drafting six speeches for a high profile higher education funding campaign celebration (crossed that off the list) – I’ve been called upon for my talents.

Through the years I’ve acquired a successful track record at media relations in general, with particular emphasis on building relationships with the media, monitoring news trends or current events and identifying news holes or developing media pitches. I come up with the ways to get media coverage when no way exists. When the media tells me buy an ad, I say, “let me tell you a story.” How else could I have gotten a prominent pest eradication service on a highly visible morning TV cooking segment (they cooked bug treats); coerced several media outlets to ride along with a national telecommunications company looking to surprise/celebrate its two millionth customer (ala publisher’s clearing house); or convince a TV anchor to ride one of the most challenging bus routes just to highlight operator training and manufacture support for a tough profession when the media was typically unmerciful.

As far as where I am today, an innate intellectual curiosity and constant desire to grow professionally has provided the fuel for my drive as well as served as a catalyst for my climb through the PR ranks. While I’ve worked in several top tier markets, I remain flexible in terms of my next career location. I’m currently seeking manager and director level opportunities, but I’m open to a senior specialist position if it is the right fit.

It has always been my opinion that some practitioners are reluctantly nudged into working in PR, while others pick up the craft following stints in other careers. But only a select few are born into the profession. I was born to do public relations. Why else would my personalized email address be Born.2.Do.PR@gmail.com?

Larry Jones

PR Operative / Organizational Storyteller / Relationship Builder

Learn more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/theprman

5) Robin Carr

Robin Carr (http://www.linkedin.com/in/robincarr; robincarr811@gmail.com; 415-971-3991)

The best is yet to come.  I am a PR pro with legacies at mega-brands Gap, Inc., Nike, EA Sports, Ubisoft, the San Francisco Giants and Kaiser Permanente. I have extensive communications experience in branding, consumer marketing, events, sports and entertainment, video game industry, fashion, global, corporate and cause-marketing public relations.   I have managed large and small departments/teams and love to collaborate with passionate people who absolutely believe in what we are all working towards.

BTW, I’m a foodie who loves travel, good wine, sports, Broadway shows, comedy, fun and interesting people.  I’m also a total media junkie who knows that news is 24/7 — and I find that both exhilarating and challenging.  I am primarily looking for a consumer PR/brand strategy/communications position in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Honolulu or Europe.

At least contact me so I can tell you my stories about launching PRODUCT(RED) and the time I went to Africa with Bono.

Popularity: unranked [?]

 
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#HAPPO Pitches – Part 1

18 Feb

With HAPPO just hours away, I have compiled some “pitches” from some VERY qualified pros!  Some are rising college seniors, some are pros that got crunched in the recession and others are looking for their next career move.  I didn’t give them any parameters for this, so some are longer/shorter than others.  Don’t confuse that with lack of passion – all are phenomenal.  Here are 8 HAPPO pitches (Why 8?  Cal Ripken.) – I’ve got another post of pitches coming later!  And now, in no particular order:

1) Matt Hannaford (mhannaford@comcast.net)

I earned my B.S. in Business Administration in the fall of 2006 and immediately completed my masters degree, both from California University of Pennsylvania. I earned my M.S. in Sport Management Studies in the spring of 2008. During my time as an undergraduate and graduate student I was able to gain varying degrees of experience in the PR field. As an undergraduate I was the director of marketing and promotions for two under-21 night clubs in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area. With these positions it was my responsibility to communicate with a radio station representative about upcoming events. I was also the key contact person during events.  After completing my undergraduate degree I became involved in the sports information department at California University of Pa., as a graduate assistant. I was responsible for taking care of media packs that included game notes and other pre-game information as well as updating media throughout contests to any changes in those notes or if an achievement / milestone was reached.

I’m currently working as a sports information director at The Catholic University of America in NE Washington, D.C., and it is my responsibility to act as the PR department, marketing department, statistician, publications department, and various other duties as they arise. My position is responsible for all press releases from the athletic department. This includes post-game stories, player of the week, all-american, and various other feature stories as well as being the contact person for all media. I am also responsible for marketing efforts, including halftime contests and pre-game giveaways. I also use Twitter and various other “traditional” marketing tools to encourage students to attend games. Additionally, I record all stats during games as the official record. In my office we also produce game programs, media guides, recruiting brochures, as well as various other marketing publications.

I am driven to pursue a career in public relations because I enjoy the variety of work. While there are likely many times that things just remain status quo it is those “crisis” moments that I enjoy the most. When under pressure to perform I feel that I shine. As the interim sports information director at California University of Pennsylvania I was charged with running all media relations duties as well as statistics from the NCAA Div. II East Regional Men’s Basketball Tournament while also maintaining my media responsibilities for our women’s basketball team competing about an hour away. After that tournament concluded, both of the Vulcans teams earned a bid to the Elite Eight. With the women’s team traveling to Kearney, Neb., while the men’s team traveled to Springfield, Mass., I was put to the test, not only in my organizational skills, but also my ability to work under intense pressure. In the week leading up to the Elite Eight tournaments there were conference calls as well as other responsibilities to maintain. This was also the week leading into spring break, when all of the spring sports teams travel south to take on opponents in warmer climates.

While my experience may look odd, working as a sports information director has prepared me for whatever I do. I have experience in many facets of the business world and I am ready to take the PR world by storm. I will bring new and innovative ideas not only as a PR pro, but also with a marketing mind. A successful PR campaign will integrate marketing, publications, and press releases. With my experience in all three I can be a strong asset with any company.

In 140 or less… Hire me bc with 4+ years of sports info. exp, I can do PR, MR, Marketing, Publications and more. Im a 5-tool player in PR!

2) Byron Johnson

Why hire me?  Because for 13 years I’ve excelled in the areas of media relations, public affairs, event planning, marketing communications, strategic planning, crisis and issues management and political advocacy. I’ve launched nation-wide health care initiatives and grassroots organizational structures for companies from the ground up.  I’ve had the pleasure of working with chief executives to address crisis issues and turn potentially damaging incidents into educational moments on a national stage.  With experience working in healthcare, transportation and the environmental sectors, I work extremely well under pressure, and am a pro at handling multiple projects with competing deadlines.

For more information about my background, please click here or to connect with me, visit me on Twitter @byron_johnson.

I once successfully partnered with pizza restaurants during SuperBowl week to promote awareness of available diabetes education and resource materials.  I would love to share the details of that campaign with you during an interview.

3) Erica Lawton

Erica Lawton (@ericalawton / www.linkedin.com/in/ericalawton): “I am smart, driven, and passionate about communication and people. I am just starting my career, and I am eager to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity to prove myself as an up-and-coming professional. With my academic background and internship experience, I am confident that I am an excellent candidate!”

4) Paige Jorgensen

Hi there, my name is Paige Jorgensen and I am PR student at Marquette University graduating in May. Born and raised in the Midwest, I am ready to the below freezing weather behind for DC. I have Hill experience as a press intern for Senator Max Baucus, but I am looking to break into the nonprofit or private sector doing entry-level PR, communications or fundraising. My strengths lie in writing and ability to think on my feet, and I have great interest and  experience in writing fundraising proposals for my school. To find out more information about me or my experiences, please visit my website paigemjorgensen.weebly.com, blog Relocation Remedies paigemichele.wordpress.com or email me at jorgensen.paige@gmail.com. I am completely devoted to any job, even if it means clean up after the Senator’s Bischon Frise!

5) Ally Mann

Allyson Mann (@allymann / www.linkedin.com/in/allysonmann):

Honors senior graduating in May from Indiana University
Implementing a social media promotional campaign that I personally created to various departments throughout my university
Real life internship experience with PR writing, pitching, obtaining print and online hits in varying markets and I am proficient using industry software like Cision and Vocus
Eager to leave the Midwest and fulfill my dream of beginning a career in Washington, DC

Most valuable traits include my attention to detail, outgoing personality, extremely diligent work ethic, fresh point of view and excitement for the PR industry
Entry-level hire with diverse experience in corporate public relations, sales, promotions and social media outreach

When do I start?!

6) Stephanie Majercik

Name: Stephanie Majercik
Twitter: @stephmajercik
CV Link: http://www.visualcv.com/gtlsqv4
I am a well-rounded individual with a broad range of public relations experience including event planning, media relations, and social media. I’m not afraid to try new things, I work hard and work well with others, I LOVE to have fun, I can speak, read, and write German, and I have experience with European politics.

7) Laura Peck

The wonderful idea of Help A PR Professional Out (or #HAPPO) has really made me think about how I define myself. I can give you the basic first introduction pitch: A senior public relations student at Penn State graduating with minors in English, sociology and international studies. I could tell you that I picked my minors because at the end of the day I love to read, write, figure out why people do what they do and travel.

I could tell you that I have a lot of experience. I interned at Mullen Pittsburgh and was the day-to-day contact for a pro bono client. I helped co-found Penn State’s first student-run PR firm, Happy Valley Communications. That I am the Director of Chapter Developments for Penn State’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the Director of Technology for Count Centre County, Penn State’s National Bateman Case Study Competition campaign.

But at the end of the day this hasn’t told you anything about me. It hasn’t told you that I love creative brainstorming above almost anything else. That I love watching Jeopardy but would never have to the guts to go on it. That I’ve caught the twitter and blogging bug. That I love homemade bake goods and old movies. That I’m excited to graduate, because I know what I want to do for the rest of my life. Or that I sprained my ankle when I was four by jumping off my bed wearing a wonder woman cape because I thought I could fly.

What I can tell you is that at the end of the day, if you take the chance on me, you won’t be disappointed.

8 ) Emilie O’Toole

If I were an office supply, I would be a Post-It note.

And that is exactly why you should hire me.

Now hear me out here! Why, you might ask, should you care at all that I would be a Post-It note? Well, I share several important qualities with my favorite stationary tool. Like a Post-It note, I always stick to the task at hand, I am a team player and I am a skilled and artful communicator.

Sticking to it. Post-It notes always stick to critical surfaces and so do I. Well, not surfaces, per say. My stick to it attitude comes in the form of dedication and hard work. I am committed to every project, dream, activity and idea that I pursue. I take pride in what I do and I am always willing to put in the extra hours to see that a project is done  and done well.

Internships with Senator Amy Klobuchar’s press office, APCO Worldwide, Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications and the Al Franken for Senate campaign have all taught me the importance of commitment to success. Focusing on the work in front of you is essential, even if it isn’t always the most glamorous. In each internship, every job was vital to the flow of the office, even if I was simply delivering a message to the Senate floor, clipping articles for a client or knocking on doors to get out the vote. I did it all to the best of my ability and with a smile. And to tell you truth, I really enjoyed the work and took pride in it.

Team work. A stack of Post-its is the dream team of office supplies and I am the ultimate team player. I love being a part of something bigger than myself. Throughout college, my involvement with Boston University’s PRSSA chapter has taught me the importance of teamwork. As a member of the executive board and director of our student-run firm, working to be both an active leader and team member has been essential to the success of the chapter. I have truly honed my skills as a leader and team member. The agency has seen its share of problems this year and I have faced each one head on with my team. From clients quitting to agency staffers falling short on their obligations, we have worked together to find solutions and I come out on the other side of each roadblock with a better understanding of what it means to be a leader. I am proud of the work the staff and I have done this year to improve the agency.

Team members come in all different varieties, much like the multi-colored stacks of Post-It notes that fill my desk drawers. I have learned the importance of the ability to work with different types of personalities and people. My easy going and light hearted personality has certainly helped me do this. Everyone brings something to the table, no matter what their position.

The Great Communicator. The purpose of a Post-It note is to communicate a message, whatever it may be. A grocery list. A reminder. A simple note to show someone you care. I know that this may seem like an absurd comparison, but I think I have succeeded in getting my message across to you. I am a highly motivated and creative communicator looking to sink my teeth into a career in public relations. I am an idealist, looking for an opportunity to make the world around me a better place through creative thinking, strategic planning and most importantly, action. I am an organized self starter who always gets the job done, cares passionately about my work and is loyal through and through. I am exactly the eager and insightful PR professional you need.

And I’m certainly the most useful Post-It you’ll ever meet!

_______________________________________________________

I am a senior public relations major and business administration minor at Boston University, searching at the intersection of government, public affairs and communications for my first job. My experiences with agency life have been phenomenal and I would love to pursue a career there. I am also interested in government communications work, on the Hill or in a government agency.

Keep the conversation going! Feel free to check out my resume, follow me on Twitter, connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.

Popularity: unranked [?]

 
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#HAPPO – Meet Emily Heend

17 Feb

NOTE FROM MIKE: As we continue to march towards HAPPO on Feb. 19, I will feature job-hunters on this site.  I am very happy to introduce Emily Heend to you.  Emily was an all-star intern with my company a few years back and, like many others in her position, is working her way into the PR industry.  She’s someone I would want on my team for any project!  Contact her at emily.heend@gmail.com and read more of her work at www.arlingtonunwired.com.

Guest HAPPO Pitch by Emily Heend

I have drive.  For example, the day I got my driver’s license, I knew I would not be content until I had a car that I could call my own. I also knew that when I arrived home, a silver Audi tied in red ribbon would not be awaiting me, as it always had been in my dreams.  According to my parents, the only way that I would ever get my own car would be if I contributed a sizeable portion of the payment and put in the hours researching and learning the ins and outs of every potential car that might be a reasonable fit for me.  The desire to have my own car took on a life of it’s own, and I spent countless hours on the Internet researching and perusing used car listings. In no time at all, it is safe to say, I knew everything about Toyota and Honda, from model to miles per gallon to standard pricing per year – you name it, I knew it. After what felt like an eternity (approximately 3 months), I was the proud owner of a lightly used, silver Honda Civic LX.  The day I drove my car off the lot was the first night that visions of cars did not consume my dreams. It would only be a matter of time, however, until I found a new goal to chase.

This relentless drive and determination extends beyond my personal life and defines my professional character as well. I had always been a little weary about Twitter (never particularly interested in making my personal life public), but I realized that social media is the wave of the future and so I decided to push my reservations aside and allow myself to catch the Twitter bug. I took it upon myself to immerse myself in social media literature and become an active member of the Web2.0 world.  Between Groundswell, my weekly Dan Zarrella e-mail updates, and Seth Godin’s blog, to name just a few resources, there are simply just not enough hours in the day to get my hands on all of the literature I want to absorb.   In addition, I made a proactive move and took my company’s latent Twitter account for their Arlington events website and created an active twitter presence to benefit the company and improve my own social media prowess.  To date, social media is my Everest, and if the past is any indicator of the present, I will not be content until I am Web2.0 guru.

Some might say that my obsessive drive can sometimes be a curse. For example, I have been known to scour every mall within a 30 mile radius for days looking for the perfect dress, but hey, what girl wouldn’t?!  In a professional environment, however, I believe that unyielding drive can only be a blessing.  Not only do I finish projects, but I also aim to exceed expectations.  I will put in the hours and I will not be content until the finished product measures up to my own high standards. Drive, motivation, perseverance.  Three qualities that only begin to describe the contributions that I would bring to a PR company.

Popularity: unranked [?]

 
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Posted in PR, Social Media, happo

 

Ultimate HAPPO Interview Tips

16 Feb

Note from Mike – With HAPPO just days away, I reached out to my good friend Jolie Downs at Paradigm Staffing for  her top tips for interviewing.  What she sent is above and beyond any expectations!  Job-seekers, please use this as a resource.  Employers, don’t accept less than the best!

Guest post by Jolie Downs

Reading through interview tips before every interview is the smartest and easiest thing you can do. General interview tips may seem like everyday knowledge but it’s amazing the simple mistakes that everyone, from the lowest level to the highest level, make in the interview process. I’ve included general interview tips and questions that may help anyone through the process. Paradigm Staffing requires all candidates we work with to either listen to our prep or read through our prep email before an interview. Statistically, all candidates who either listen or read through these tips do exponentially better than those you don’t.

Arrive early: Arrive five to ten minutes early, but not more than ten. Hiring managers are taking special note of when you arrive and getting there early sends a message of strong interest and professionalism.

Chemistry is everything: You wouldn’t be interviewing if you weren’t qualified. It’s not the most qualified person that gets the job, it’s the person who is the best interviewer and shows the most excitement about the opportunity. This is even more important during this downturn. Hiring managers have experienced an endless string of candidates who want a job, any job. A company wants to find someone who is excited about their opportunity and their company. You must be able to articulate why it is you find their position interesting.

First impression: Within the two first minutes you walk in the door, the hiring manager will make a quick decision on whether or not they are going to hire you and the rest of the interview will be spent justifying that decision.

There are simple things you can do to create the best first impression. You may think these should all go without saying but candidates make these simple mistakes every day.

  • Dress to impress. Always wear a suit or other appropriate/impressive outfit to an interview. It shows your interest and professionalism. Studies have shown that 84 out of 100 executives admit that their companies have rejected applicants based solely on how they were dressed.
  • Avoid strong cologne or perfume
  • Turn off your cell phone!
  • Stand up and greet with a smile and a firm handshake.
  • Make direct eye contact while talking, smile often during your meeting and keep your head up.
  • Avoid nervous gestures – clicking a pen, fidgeting with your hair or in your chair, etc. You want to convey confidence, self-assurance and professionalism.
  • Many hiring managers are very friendly and easy to speak with so be careful that you don’t become overly familiar with the employer and share information or stories that are not appropriate for the interview process or do not justify your cause.

Accomplishments: Have at least five accomplishments that you can discuss in the interview process. Remember that the hiring manager is scared of making a hiring mistake. Your job is to reduce his/her risk. Give information that provides assurance that you can do the job, that you are interested in the job and will fit into the company culture. Do this by giving your “accomplishment” stories telling about situations where you applied your skills required for this job.

Format your accomplishments in three parts.

1.   This is the problem I was trying to solve or the goal I was trying to reach.

2.   This is specifically what I did to solve that problem or reach that goal. Remember they aren’t interviewing the “we” on your project.

3.   This is how it directly benefited my client, company, or team (i.e. major hits, increase in sales/exposure, under budget, ahead of schedule, award winning).

Research: Do as much research on the company as possible. Do they have a company blog? Has anyone on the executive team published a book?  Find articles written about the company or by company employees. Learn as much about the clients you may handle. There is nothing worse than not knowing about the company. Hiring managers are turned off by questions from candidates that could have been found easily on their website.

Be prepared for standard questions:

  • Tell me about yourself. Remember, they want to know about your professional history, not where you were born or where you went to high school. (Yes, many people have started their answer from birth).
  • When asked about your long term/short term goals or what you are looking for in your next opportunity be very specific about what you want and make sure it is in line with the opportunity you are interviewing for. You want the company to be able to see you working in their organization five years down the line. Too many people have interviewed with a PR agency and told the hiring manager that they saw themselves going corporate within five years. Immediate reaction by hiring manager – Next!

Always ask good questions: Asking smart questions shows your interest and your intellect. Hiring managers are turned off if a candidate asks zero questions. Make sure to ask the questions that are important to you so you know whether or not the position is right for you.

Ask questions about the company: Everyone has different things that are important to them, so ask what you need to know. You could question them about their business model, previous growth, future growth, strategic initiatives, advantages over their competitors, challenges in growing their business, philosophy on training and much more.

Ask questions about the position: I think these are the most important as the answers the hiring manager gives you are exactly what they are looking for. Make correlations between their answers and your own experience. Be sure to ask questions so you can find out what problem they are trying to solve by making this hire. Ask them about their current projects, future projects, what they expect you to accomplish in the first six months, and most difficult aspects of the position. Most likely you have had experience with what they are trying to do and you can highlight specific accomplishments that will be of most interest to the hiring team.

Ask questions about the hiring manager’s background: Find out how long they have been with the company, why they chose to work there and why they stay. This will give you an idea of why they like their job and the culture within the company.

Avoid the “what can you do for me” type of questions: Be careful not to interrogate with your questions. Keep a nice flow of conversation.

Conversation: Make sure you have a 50/50 conversation. Don’t be the one who does all the talking. On the other hand, do not talk so little that the hiring manager feels like they are pulling information out of you.

  • Be sure to make answers clear, concise and to the point. I have had people not hired because they are asked a question, then they talk for ten minutes and never answer the question. Be sure to listen to the question and that you understand what is asked before answering.
  • Don’t interrupt
  • Negative comments leave a negative impression. Don’t make disparaging remarks about your previous employer, manager or co-worker.

Compensating Asset: When a hiring manager asks about a specific experience that you may not possess, you should always be honest. However, follow it up with an example of a time when you had no experience with something but went on to master it. Use this as another opportunity to share an accomplishment. This will leave the hiring manager with a positive thought rather than a negative one.

Strong close! It’s important that you let the people you are interviewing with know that you are interested. The number one reason people are passed on in interviews is this reason: There was no interest, no enthusiasm, no fire in the belly, they were flat, etc… At the end of the interview with each person reiterate your interest and tell them why you think you are a good fit. Ask them what the next steps are. Where do we go from here?

Thank you note: Send a thank you note immediately to each person you speak with. This can be sent via email. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. Again, reiterate your interest and let them know you are looking forward to hearing from them. Be sure to make each thank you email different when sending to multiple people in one company.

These tips will help you navigate through the interview process and put your best foot forward. I’m wishing everyone the best of luck in finding their ideal next opportunity!

Paradigm Staffing is a recruiting firm specializing in the public relations, marketing, communications and social media industry. We are working on a number of positions across the United States. Send your resume to jolie@paradigmstaffing.com and we will call you about appropriate opportunities. You can find more information at www.paradigmstaffing.com.

Connect with Jolie on LinkedIn Facebook and Twitter!  She is a tremendous resource for job-seekers…and a great person for employed folks to know!

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