Happy New Year

Happy New Year, 2013, from the Communication Careers Corner!  Thanks for visiting during the Nov-A-Decem-Blog-A-Thon over the past two months!  Again, here's to a Happy 2013!

Top PR, Communications Stories of 2012

2012 is over!  But we're not leaving it behind without taking a brief look back at some of the biggest stories in public relations and communications from the past 12 months.  So, well...let's take a look back, OK?

2012 Public Relations Disasters (Denver Public Relations Blog)

Favorite PR Stories of 2012 (Media Bistro PR Newser)

Top 10 Posts (Communications Conversations)

PR disasters from Australia (Public Relations Sydney Blog)

Top blog posts from 2012 (PR Newswire)

PR turnarounds (The PR Verdict)

 

 

 

 

How to stand out in a digital media world

Post courtesy of newsgeneration.com/blog/.  Click here.

Are you ready for the New Year (2013)?

So are we, we hope?  If 2012 hasn't gone well for you, then start looking at what you can do to move forward in 2013?  In other words, look forward, not look back.

Click here for a few job market predictions for the New Year, courtesy of commpro.biz.

What's the one interview question that gets you the job?

Click here for the answer, courtesy of 48days.com.

Why podcasting is becoming popular

As 2012 is nearing its end, one trend in media continues to grow: podcasting.  Click here to find out why it's becoming more popular, courtesy of smallbiztrends.com.

Some PR and Social Media Predictions for 2013

LinkedIn could become the new Facebook.  That's just one of the many predictions for public relations and social media in 2013.  Click here to find out the other guesses for the upcoming New Year, courtesy of commpro.biz.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...from the Communication Careers Corner!

http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer/.

Dream Job Checklist

Have you been for looking for that dream job you've been looking for years, but haven't got it yet?  Then this post is for you.

Article courtesy of commpro.biz.  Click here.

5 Social Media Predictions for 2013

With 2012 winding down, and 2013 just around the corner, what's the outlook for social media going into the New Year?  Click here to find out what the five predictions are, courtesy of socialmediatoday.com.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...from the Communication Careers Corner!

http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer/.

 

5 Ways Social Media will change work habits in 2013

Article courtesy of forbes.com.  Click here.

 

PR among the best jobs of 2013

Click here for the report from prnewswire.com.

Click here for the post from usnews.com.

The top four career trends for 2013

Post courtesy of venturebeat.com.  Click here.

Is it time to make a change?

Click here, courtesy of 48days.com.

Tell us about yourself

Tell us about yourself.

In a job interview, it sounds like yet another one of those easy questions to answer, right?  Wrong!

When the interviewer asks you to "Tell us (or me) about yourself", you're not to tell the whole story about yourself, or even your hobbies, for that matter.  Instead, in 60 seconds or less, tell the interviewer why you are the right person for that job.  

Additionally, include your accomplishments over, say, the past one or two years.  Again, allow for a one-minute time limit to answer that question.  Remember to focus on the job and responsibilities when answering such a question.

Can Business Ethics Be Taught?

Article courtesy of commpro.biz.  Click here.

Why a CEO's reputation doesn't always help a company

Click here to find out the answer, courtesy of commpro.biz.

Job searching tips

Article courtesy of commpro.biz.  Click here.

Holiday Job Networking Tips

Article courtesy of commpro.biz.  Click here.

Five tips for writing e-mail cover letters

Article courtesy of commpro.biz. Click here.

College student (or soon-to-be graduate)? Read this

If you're a college student, graduate, soon-to-be student, or even soon-to-be college graduate that wants to study communications, you might want to read this post here.

 

YouTube evolves from video to channel site

Read about the evolution here, courtesy of mediapost.com.

Looking for a job is a full-time job*

*--Editor's Note: Reposted from Sunday, October 28, 2012.


Like the old saying goes: Looking for a job is a full-time job.

That's especially the case whether you're fresh out of college, you've been out of work for a while, have held the same job for an extended period of time, or even changing careers.  

What's meant by looking for a job is a full-time job?  It simply means that you get up early in the morning, start making the rounds by say, 9 a.m. in the morning, searching either the Internet or the classified section on newspapers (How ironic is that, with all of the new technology available these days?), and networking until 5 p.m. in the afternoon.  In other words, you're treating the job hunt just like a regular job.

So, just how hard is it a find any job, let alone a full-time job with a decent salary?  A study released by Rutgers University in May 2012 showed that more than half of recent college graduates were unable to find a full-time job.   That same study shows that more than 10 percent or recent college grads are either out of work or not looking for a job, period.

If that wasn't enough, a similar study from the Economic Policy Institute reports that the wages of recent college graduates will stay depressed for the next 10-15 years?  Very scary thought, huh?

The bottom line? If you're going to treat looking for a job as a full-time job, why not treat like running your own company.  Again, that means not only sending out resumes and applying for jobs, but also networking, volunteering, making the rounds, and attending job fairs whenever possible.  In fact, you might not want to rule starting your own business, either.
  
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Five Interviewing Styles to Recognize

It might be the holiday season, but companies are still conducting interviews, looking for more than a few good people.  Click here to read more about five different interview styles, courtesy of commpro.biz.

 

How to start your own podcast

Article courtesy of socialmediaexaminer.com.  Click here.

Brand journalism is trending up

Brand journalism is trending upward, and Intel is leading the way with its Free Press website.  Click here to find out what other major company has launched its own page, courtesy of newsroomink.com.

 

Tell us about yourself

That's another one of those questions/phrases you'll be asked during a job interview.  When you're asked a question like that, you're not to give out your whole life story.  Instead, tell the interviewer (s) your achievements/accomplishments in 60 seconds, as well as how such accomplishments are relevant to the job opening you're interviewing for.  That's something to keep in mind when looking for that dream job.

The fiscal cliff PR war

Article courtesy of politico.com. Click here.

What does Starbucks have to do with PR?

Over the last 40-plus years, Starbucks has become perhaps the world's leading coffee shop brand.   But what does its power have to do with public relations.  Click here for the answer, courtesy of brianadamspr.wordpress.com.

Can a crisis build up your personal brand?

One blogger says it can.  Click here to find out why, courtesy of iduniversity.wordpress.com.

The Impact of Twitter on Journalism

What impact has Twitter had on journalism as a whole? This video, courtesy of PBSoffbook, tells you why by clicking here.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

 

Research, research, and (more) research

When looking for a job, and/or preparing for an interview, you must do your homework.  In other words, you must do some research, research, and (more) research on the companies you're interested in working for.

The best way to do research on a company is to visit its website. Say you want a job at Coca-Cola, handling their communications and public relations efforts?  When you visit Coca-Cola's website, you want to do more than just simply browse around it.  You would want to read up on the history of the company, the founder (s), how much money they make in terms of sales, and yes, even if the company has a decent communications, marketing, or PR department.

The (more) research you do, the better your chances of not only finding the right job fits you and your career, but also acing that interview, and eventually getting the position.

 

What you need to do to become a successful freelancer

Click here for those tips, courtesy of gaylordllc.com.

 

Representing your company with the right clothing

Whether you're looking for an entry-level job, or looking to move up within your current company, wearing the right clothing, as well as presenting a proper professional image, is important.

Why? Because when you work in, or at least hope to work, in the public relations or communications industry, the bottom line is, you're representing the company with the clothing you wear.  It's not enough to just wear a suit with a jacket to a job interview, wearing the right colors of clothing, such as black or navy blue, could also be critical to whether you even get an entry-level job right out of college, much less move up to a higher position within the company.  

So, when you go out there to search for that dream job, if you get a chance, pay a visit to the company, and find out about its dress code, even if means asking for a company handbook.

Want more information on how to represent a company well? Read this article from ehow.com by clicking here. 

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

How to launch a blog: 21 tips

Post courtesy of avivadirectory.com.  Click here.

 

Job skills job seekers must have in 2013

There are four skills that job seekers must have in 2013, according to wsj.com.  Click here to find out what they are.

Common Job Networking Myths De-Bunked

Think it takes a lot a work to build a network?  Think again.  Click here to reveal three common job networking myths, courtesy of newlifegrad.blogspot.com.

What's the most viewed YouTube video of all-time?

You'll never guess.  Oh, yeah, and it has more than 800 million views Click here to read the article, courtesy of billboard.com.  

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

From Black Friday to Small Business Saturday

You've heard of Black Friday.  Now, in less than 24 hours, the attention will turn to Small Business Saturday.  Click here for more on why it's important for shoppers to support Small Business Saturday, courtesy of entrepreneur.com.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Black Friday is just around the corner--What to watch for

Black Friday is just around the corner in the United States.  PR News has more on what to watch for from some of the nation's biggest retailers by clicking here.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Marketing video for novices

Are you a communications or public relations professional that wants promote their product via video?  This podcast will tell you how. Click here to listen.

Want to unleash the Power of Podcasting?

Click here to find out how, courtesy of chicagonow.com.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Tips on using the holiday season to look for a job

Courtesy of jobsearch.about.com.  Click here.

Another reason to keep up your job search during the holiday season

Click here, courtesy of jobsearch.about.com.

Should you wait until New Years Day to find a new job?

OK, the holidays are fast approaching, and you're wondering, "Should I start my job search during November and December, or wait until or after New Year's Day (January 1) to get it going in earnest?  

Well, the answer just might surprise you.  Many companies set their end of the year budgets during the last quarter of a calendar year, which is October, November, and December.  Also, many companies are looking to layoff employees during this period.  Which might be bad for those people who will soon be out of work, but good for you, the job seeker.

While many people are enjoying the cheer and festivities that the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) bring, you enjoy reduced competition for the positions that are still open just simply by continuing--or re-starting--your job search during the last two months of the year.

Which brings up another point.  Why not use some of those Christmas you'll most likely plan to attend to do some networking.

Here's a good article on holiday job searching from about.com.  Just read it by clicking here.

Writing to be famous? Please watch this video.

Courtesy of freelancewriting.com.  Click here.

Petraeus scandal won't change course involving Afghanistan

Despite the scandal surrounding the recent resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus, don't expect it to change America's course on Afghanistan.  Click here to find out why, courtesy of The Huffington Post.

2012 Election Aftermath: PR's Impact

Who is the biggest loser (not a TV show) of the 2012 U.S. election campaign?  You might be surprised.  Find out who it is by clicking here, courtesy of prwatch.org.

Six tips for preparing for a job interview

Courtesy of prdaily.com.  Click here.

Thinking about switching from journalism to PR? Read this.

If you're considering a career change from journalism to public relations, you might want to article, courtesy of freelancewriting.com, by clicking here.

IMPACT awards handed out

Click here for more, courtesy of Inside Tucson Business.

Online Resume Writing Tips

Courtesy of the brianadamspr.wordpress.com blog.  Click here.

What is Public Relations?

Click here for the current definition, courtesy of commpro.biz.

Four words that will get your e-mail opened

Courtesy of freeshrugz.wordpress.com.  Click here for the post.

13 Personal Branding Tips

Article courtesy of naoisnow.com.

 

Nov-A-Decem-Blog-A-Thon: A-M-Y-Always Marketing Yourself

What is A-M-Y?

No, it's not a female name.

A-M-Y is simply an acronym for Always Marketing Yourself.

Why A-M-Y, or more specifically, why always market yourself?  Because when it comes to an ever competitive job market, where  the traditional 9-to-5 job has all but become a thing of the past, it's very important to always market yourself and your services.  That's especially the case whether you still have your current job, in between jobs after a lay off, or even fresh out of college looking for that first job, marketing yourself to potential employers is a must.

So, how do you do that?  You do it in a variety of ways, from traditional methods such as sending a resume to cover letter, to using social media networks like LinkedIn and Facebook, to networking at functions such as business expos, job fair, and even mixers.  Just simply use your imagination, and creativity.  You never know where it might lead you.

 Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Not even the mayor can promise you a job

On the eve of one of the most contentious presidential elections in the history of the United States, a soon-to-be college graduate asked the first question of the second debate on October 16th.

According to the 48days.com blog, Jeremy, the 21-year-old college student in question, asked both President Barack Obama, and Republican nominee Mitt Romney what could either could do to help support him after he graduates.

Obviously, the answer wasn't to Jeremy's liking, as Obama promised he would increase the number of manufacturing jobs, while Romney promised he would continue the student loan policies.

So, what do those answers possibly have to do with you even graduating from college, let alone getting a job after you graduate from college?  Just because you have a bachelor's degree from say, a prestigious institution like Harvard, doesn't even guarantee you an entry-level job, let alone a job with a higher salary.

And as far as a politician's ability to help create jobs, no one, whether it be the POTUS, the governor of a particular state (or province, in the case of Canada), or even the mayor of a certain city or town, can promise you a job.  It's up to you to convince the hiring manager of a company that your unique skills or talents can help it succeed.
  
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer
 

How to market yourself for PR jobs

Click here for the article, courtesy of aboutpublicrelations.net.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Nov-A-Decem-Blog-A-Thon: Should you stay in the same job for a long, long time?

Probably not, especially in an day and age of constantly changing technology.  A recent article posted on Monster.com, in fact, suggests that even changing careers, let alone jobs, can be very beneficial for your career.  That's especially the case if you've held a particular job for one company for an extended period of time, and see little to no chance for advancement in it.

Like it or not, the days when most people stayed with the same company or organization for at least 10-20 years or longer are long gone.  In fact, the average length of a job in the United States, according to wiki.answers.com, is anywhere from three to five years, and that's just for people between 18 and 38 years old.

Also, according to a survey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July 2012, the number of jobs held, labor market activity, not to mention earnings growth was the highest among the youngest of baby boomers.

While staying in the same job for too long might hurt your career, it's also smart not to constantly jump from one job to another.  After all, you might be seen as someone who might only be at their company for a brief period: one to two years, only to leave when a better opportunity comes along. That's especially true for recent college graduates who are just starting out.

So, what does this mean for you? When considering companies to work for, you must learn to strike the right work/life balance.  In other words, you must find the right fit for you when it comes to growing your career.

 
 

9 Words to Remove from your resume

Article courtesy of communicationsjobs.net.  Click here.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Welcome to the Nov-a-Decem-Blogathon

Welcome to the Nov-A-Decem-Blogathon.  From now until the end of 2012, we hope to post as often as possible on public relations and other communications-related topics.

The word "Nov-A-Decem-Blogathon is derived from the "Nov" in the month of November, as well as the "Dec" in December.  Yes, even during the holiday hustle and bustle, we'll try to post about the burgeoning world of communications, as well as the constantly changing media landscape.  Also, we'll try to include some of the best and worst moments in the communications/PR industry for 2012.

So, sit back and enjoy.  As always, we welcome your comments, simply by posting online at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com.  You can also follow the 3C's on Twitter @commcareer.  

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

 

Looking for a job is a full-time job

Like the old saying goes: Looking for a job is a full-time job.

That's especially the case whether you're fresh out of college, you've been out of work for a while, have held the same job for an extended period of time, or even changing careers.  

What's meant by looking for a job is a full-time job?  It simply means that you get up early in the morning, start making the rounds by say, 9 a.m. in the morning, searching either the Internet or the classified section on newspapers (How ironic is that, with all of the new technology available these days?), and networking until 5 p.m. in the afternoon.  In other words, you're treating the job hunt just like a regular job.

So, just how hard is it a find any job, let alone a full-time job with a decent salary?  A study released by Rutgers University in May 2012 showed that more than half of recent college graduates were unable to find a full-time job.   That same study shows that more than 10 percent or recent college grads are either out of work or not looking for a job, period.

If that wasn't enough, a similar study from the Economic Policy Institute reports that the wages of recent college graduates will stay depressed for the next 10-15 years?  Very scary thought, huh?

The bottom line? If you're going to treat looking for a job as a full-time job, why not treat like running your own company.  Again, that means not only sending out resumes and applying for jobs, but also networking, volunteering, making the rounds, and attending job fairs whenever possible.  In fact, you might not want to rule starting your own business, either.
  
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

I used to be a print journalist but...

now, I have to be a multimedia journalist.  At least that's the way things way things are headed in terms of journalism these days.

Being a multimedia journalist involves more than just say, going to a city council, county commission, or some other local government meeting, and writing at least a brief article for the daily newspaper.  It can also involve shooting and editing video, recording and editing audio, producing photo galleries, and even soundslide documentaries.

But what exactly defines multimedia journalism?  Perhaps the following articles might shed some light on what it is, and what it might be going forward.

Defining Multimedia Journalism (University of Texas-Austin)--(2004)

Click here

What is Multimedia Journalism (Rowan University)--(2009)

Click here 

What is a Multimedia Story? (Knight Digital Media Center via the University of California-Berkeley)--(2011)

Click here

Remember, this isn't a complete list, just a few tools to get started on moving forward, on learning more about multimedia journalism.  Good luck.
 
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer


 

Preparing for natural disasters

As this post was being typed, Hurricane Isaac was in the process of making landfall near New Orleans, just one day shy of the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

If you've watched the news reports on U.S. television regarding Hurricane Isaac, you may have seen, and heard, representatives from organizations such as the American Red Cross go on camera to urge residents along the Gulf Coast to evacuate.  This is something that usually happens when hurricanes and other natural disaster related occur.

So, as a communications/public relations professional, what do you do to keep people informed?  Make sure you have accurate information, make sure that helps them be prepared to evacuate, should it happen.  The same thing applies to tornadoes and winter storms as well.

On a political note, the Republican National Convention, which is being held in Tampa this week, was delayed by a day due to the threat of Isaac, with the reminders of the PR blunders that followed by the aftermath of Katrina ever fresh in their minds.  Hopefully, nothing similar will define Isaac.


Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer
 

A brief message to college students/graduates

It's a little bit past the middle of August, and many students who graduated high school are already starting college, with many of them undecided on a major.

For college graduates--especially those who have a degree in a communication-related field--most probably know by now that finding a job in this economy is not easy.  

Here then, is a brief message to both incoming college students, soon-to-be college graduates (hopefully), recent college graduates, and even not-so-recent graduates: if you really want that dream job, do whatever it takes (legally, of course) to get there.  Whether it's volunteering, getting involved in as many clubs or organizations as possible, or even making the rounds to network, it's important to be persistent, and not give up.
 
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer
 

It's not easy out there

A recently published post on the Houston-based Bayou City PR blog provides just another reminder on how tough it is find work in the communications and public relations industries.

In this competitive job market, remember that no one owes you anything.  You can complain, groan, grope, mope, and moan all you want, but that's not going to make employers pick up the phone any quicker. 

You send resumes left and right, do all the networking in the world, with anyone wanting to listen, yet the job interviews are slow to come, never mind the job offers.  

The bottom line.  It's not easy out there.  But, with hard work and persistence, even the dream job that seems to be out to reach will eventually, suddenly, be within your reach.


Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer
 

Penn State scandal could scar campus for years to come

For those of you that haven't heard the news by now, the statue of disgraced late former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was removed Sunday.  

That was just one of the many results of a sad, sorry episode that began when campus officials began covering up the multiple misdeeds of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky, of course, was convicted on June 22 of multiple counts of child sexual abuse.  He'll likely spend the rest of his life in prison when he faces sentencing sometime in September.

So, what does this mean for Penn State's PR image?  The reason the cover-up occurred to begin with was the fact that the football program needed to be protected from "bad publicity?"  Guess what, that "bad publicity" is now rearing its ugly head.  It just happened to take a while, that's all.

Oh, and there's one more thing.  By the time this post is put on this blog, the NCAA could impose the most severe sanctions levied since Southern Methodist University (SMU) received the death penalty back in the late 1980s.  To make a long story short, this is a scandal that scar the Penn State campus for many years to come.  Not only that, it might take years to repair that damage.

Want to comment?

Do it here at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

 

Why do you want to work for us?

That's probably the first question you'll hear from an employer, if and/or when you go to a job interview?  Sounds like a simple question to answer, right?  Wrong!

When answering the question, "Why do you want to work for us?," or a similar question, "Why do you want to work here?",  the one answer you surely don't want to give out is, "I need the money", or "I need this job", or "I'm married with two kids, with another on the way."  That's an easy way to put yourself out of the running for that job.

Now, consider some potential "positive" answers for "Why do you want to work for us?"

"I've always wanted to work for (insert company/industry name) ever since attending college."

Or:

"In doing my research on the company, I've come to admire your commitment to providing excellent customer service, quality products at affordable prices, etc."

Or even this:

"I enjoy the challenge of telling the story of your company, and/or promoting your products and/or services."

Here's one more:

"This company has been known for your innovative marketing/PR campaigns, and it's something I want to be a part of." 

Coming up with a solid answer to the question: "Why do want to work for us?" or "Why do you want to work here?", is something that requires a great deal of creativity, as well as a lot of thought.  In answering a question like this, you need to show a sincere interest in the company you're interviewing for, whether you plan to be there for a long time or not.


The bottom line: If you only want to work for a company just for the sake of having for a job, or simply collecting a paycheck, it'll be not only a waste of your time or money, but also that of the company.  You want to show the interviewer what can you do for the company, not the other way around.  After all, what's the use in wanting to even sell a company, much less work for it, if you can't show a sincere interest in it.  The purpose of many businesses is to make money.  Therefore, most employers will hire people who will make that money for them.  Yes, that includes companies that hire communications and public relations professionals.


Want more tips on answering the "Why do you want to work for us?" question? Click here for more, courtesy of about.com.
 
Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

Building Your Personal Brand

As the first half of 2012 draws to a close, here's a brief word on building your personal brand.

As the term implies, personal branding involves a person treating his or her career as a brand name, give or take.  It's sort of like you're going to, or promoting, WalMart, only you're doing it as an individual, not a company.

The most important thing about personal branding is that you're always promoting a product: you.  Basically, that means you're selling your product to one customer: the company or employer you want promote someday.  But it'll be impossible for you to do so if you can't promote yourself or your brand.

The bottom line?  Just simply sending a resume, cover letter, and portfolio isn't enough.  It takes selling and promoting yourself to get potential employers aware of your personal brand.

Want more on building your personal brand.  MediaBistro's PR Newser has some tips here.

Feel free to comment on any and all posts at http://communication-careers-corner.blogspot.com/.

Send e-mail to communicationcareers@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/commcareer

What the Times-Picayune downsizing means for PR pros

By now, most of you reading this blog know that the New Orleans Times-Picayune is cutting back the publication of its print product from seven days a week, to just three days a week, starting this fall.


Many articles published on the Internet, such as one recently published by John McQuaid in the Atlantic, suggest websites alone won't entirely replace daily newspapers.  That especially will be the case in New Orleans, which will soon become the first major metropolitan area in the United States without a daily newspaper.  Another post, written by Josh Stearns at savethenews.org, has more on what the upcoming downsizing will have on the future of journalism as a whole.


So, what will this move mean for public relations and other communications professionals?  For one thing, a reduced printing schedule means fewer opportunities, or days, if you will, to have key events publicized in the paper, but might create more chances to plug them online, as well as on mobile devices.  For those that have them, that is.

For instance, suppose a major employer were to come to--or at least expand to--a city like New Orleans? The announcement might come on Monday, however, people who rely solely on newspapers to get their news, and don't have a radio or television, or a computer to log on to, for that matter, likely would have to wait until Wednesday to find out that a new company is coming to town.

While the downsizing of the Times-Picayune might mean fewer print journalists at press conferences, it could open the door for PR pros to pitch their story ideas to online and broadcast journalists.  Plus, the seemingly constant growth of the Internet, social media, and other related digital media content will give PR people more chances to promote their product via their websites, blogs, and other channels.  

The bottom line?  It's time to think outside the box when it comes to pitching journalists who need to get the story out to the general public.

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How to stand out in a tough job market

As this post is being written, it's almost the middle of June, and summer is just around the corner.  Most colleges and universities have already held their graduation, or commencement, ceremonies, with multiple graduates are looking for work.

Those of you who are reading this post are no doubt know by now just how tough it is to find a job in an increasingly competitive market, especially in public relations, journalism, and other related fields.  If you want to stand out in this tough job market, you must do more than simply send out resumes.  You must be willing to embrace social media, as well as the other related new or digital media technologies available.

Additionally, other ways to stand out in a crowded field might include internships, doing volunteer work, or even joining a political campaign or organization.  Also, starting a blog like this one, as well as visiting social networking such as LinkedIn can be a tremendous help in standing out.  Also, don't dismiss communications related jobs that aren't in public relations, such as doing freelance writing for a local weekly newspaper or magazine, going into sales at a TV station, or even becoming a production assistant for a radio station.

So, if you're among the many recent college graduates that are having trouble finding work: remember the following closing words to this post: Be persistent, and don't give up!

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Why starting a blog is important in today's media landscape

Are you a journalist that's recently been laid off, and/or in between jobs?  Then click here and here to read the following posts.   Both offer tips on how to not only start a blog, but also build a brand, not to mention an audience.

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8 Ways to Track your YouTube video performance

Do you want to know how many views your video is getting on YouTube? More importantly, how can you increase the viewership of those videos?  Click here for eight tips to track YouTube video performance, courtesy of socialmediaexaminer.com.

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PR job prospects improve for 2012

Here's some good news for recent college graduates looking to land a job in public relations.  Job prospects for aspiring P.R. pros have never been better.  Click here for five tips on how to get that job, courtesy of the Washington Post.

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A simple one-minute exercise to eliminate pauses

Are you a public speaker that's always goes "um" and "ah"?  Then click here to watch this short, but simple, 60-second to eliminate those pauses, courtesy of prdaily.com.

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Seven Great Websites for Writers

Does the job you currently hold constantly call for writing?  Then the following article is for you.  Click here to find out what the "7 Great Websites for Writers are all about, courtesy of dailywritingtips.com.

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Is social media website traffic overrated?

Click here for the answer, courtesy of ragan.com.

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Golden Gate Bridge turns 75 years old

A historic landmark turned 75 years old today (Sunday, May 27).  The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge which connects with San Francisco with Oakland was built on this day in 1937.  Click here to find out more on the anniversary, as well as video tributes here.


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How brand journalism helped one writer's career

In recent years, brand journalism has risen to become a vital, yet unknown, part of the ever-changing media landscape.  Click here to find out how it kept the career of one writer going, courtesy of jaffepr.com.

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The new Communication Careers Corner Daily is here

The all-new Communication Careers Corner Daily has arrived, with the latest news on communications, media, public relations and more, updated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Click here to read it.

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More on Times-Picayune ending daily publication

In our last post, we told you that the New Orleans Times-Picayune was cutting its publication back to three days a week.  That move effectively makes New Orleans the largest city in the U.S. without a daily newspaper.  Click the following links below to read more reaction.

Agence France-Presse (via Mother Nature Network)

Associated Press (via Columbia [Mo.] Daily Tribune)

Hispanic Business.com 


New York Times (via the Sacramento Bee)

PC Magazine


UPI

U.S. News & World Report

Local Reaction

Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate

WVUE

WWL 


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