Tag: PR jobs

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 2 – #newjob

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Raleigh PR Agency, , 6 Comments on The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 2 – #newjob

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency. 

Starting a new job can be scary. You may feel bombarded with new information and feel like you can’t catch up.

On my second day, I don’t have these feelings. Although I have a lot to learn, the Clairemont team has an amazing way of making me feel at home. Honestly, it feels like I have been working here for months.

I am pleased to say that my level of comfort puts me the most at ease. Mrs. Hughens has created an amazing atmosphere and comfy workspace. No cubicles in sight.

I can’t go without mentioning that my boss rocks. Mrs. Hughens has the best sense of humor and is an amazing storyteller. I feel inspired about my future just by talking with her. I want to soak up every thing she says like a sponge.

My coworkers are noteworthy as well. Cherith has been my “go to girl” about AP formatting and blog advice. I thank you for your patience. Sarah is a sweetie, and her love for her clients is contagious in a room.

All in all, today has been a great day. I finished perusing through case studies and dove into navigating Freckle (our online time-tracker) and WordPress. Technical things that must be learned. I can honestly say that I woke up excited to come to work today.

While flipping through one of my morning inspirational books, I found a quote that I couldn’t go without sharing:

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” -Ella Fitzgerald

Ms. Fitzgerald, I couldn’t have said it better.

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The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 1 – #gothired

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Raleigh PR Agency, ,

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency. 

I figured my first day at work would feel exactly like my first day of high school or college. You again feel like the new kid on the block or the smallest fish in the pond. I wondered all night about my transition from college into the “real world”. There were definitely a few barriers to overcome. I worried about fitting in and being unfamiliar with small details.

Realizing that student life was at an end seemed overwhelming. Where did the time go? Although there were a few jitters, I could barely sleep from utter excitement. I realized these first-day jitters were merely a rite of passage.

My outfit was chosen four days in advance, and when my alarm clock went off at 5 a.m., I was ready. This was my moment to make the best impression possible on my first day. I arrived early (I figured being punctual leaves a lasting impression).

Before I walked in, I took a moment to pause, take a deep breath and envision my future with the Clairemont team. Today was a brand new beginning. I fixed my hair hoping to look my absolute best.

I opened the door, and my new coworker Sarah greeted me with a smile. The awkward scary feeling I expected dissolved instantaneously. My new boss and the CEO of the company, Mrs. Dana Hughens, offered me a cup of coffee while I got the official tour of the Clairemont House. I must say, this restored house in the heart of downtown Raleigh is the most ideal place to work.

My desk has to be the cutest space in the entire house. Mrs. Hughens took the time to deck me out with office accessories featuring my favorite color, pink! If that isn’t enough, I got my own personal MacBook Pro (talk about official working girl). After my tour, the real work began. I got a chance to sit in on two client calls and actually speak to clients!

When I started my job search, I knew that I wanted to be in the PR world. Interning at a small agency in Fayetteville piqued my interest; so I began to research different firms across the Triad.

After sending out my resume to a few companies, the CEO of RLF Communications sent me a reply. Monty Hagler gave me the opportunity to interview with his company, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the space to offer me a position. Monty seemed impressed with me and passed my resume along to Mrs. Dana Hughens who contacted me on my graduation day!

Two weeks later I got to sit down and meet her entire team; after my interview process Dana thought I would be a good fit. Ironically, Monty popped in today to catch up with Dana. I am forever grateful to Monty for recommending me, and I feel blessed that Dana offered me a job.

I figured my first day at work would feel like my first day of high school or college. I would be the smallest fish in the biggest pond. Thanks to Dana and the Clairemont team, I had the best first day imaginable. -xoxo

 

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What to Wear to a Job Interview

Margot HorganBlog, Fashion, Free Advice, , , , , , , , ,

I’m a big believer in the mantra “dress for success.” And, although it’s not yet scientifically proven, I am pretty positive that you will always feel more confident and secure if you are dressed in a crisp, clean and appropriate outfit. This especially rings true for job and internship interviews.

As the internship coordinator at Clairemont, I’ve seen plenty of interview candidates – and often been one myself in the (somewhat) recent past. For an interviewer, few things are more distracting than an inappropriately dressed or sloppy candidate. For a job hunter, dressing the part for an interview can be just as stressful. Is this too dressy? Is this too casual? Is this too boring? As a college student seeking internships and jobs, I often asked myself these questions. From experience (on both sides of the interview table), this is what I have decided.

Sporting a suit should always be your first choice. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should fit well without being too revealing. For women candidates, this can be a skirt or pant suit, or the alternative suiting dress, like this one from J.Crew. Suits are classic and classy and show you are serious about the job. For more inspiration, see our Interview Appropriate board on Pinterest.

J. Crew Suiting Dress
J. Crew Suiting Dress

If a suit feels too stiff for the occasion, opt for a tailored pencil skirt or pair of slacks, a blouse and a cardigan or blazer. For a creative job in an agency setting, take the opportunity to show your individuality with statement accessories or a fashionable blazer like this one from Nordstrom. We also love this simple pencil dress with subtle leather detailing from Asos.

Smythe Blazer from Nordstrom
Smythe Blazer from Nordstrom

In the end though, don’t ever minimalism the fact that this outfit is for a job interview. Being fashionable is great, but making a good first impression and landing your dream job is way better. Steer clear of anything too short, too tight or too low-cut. Always err on the side of conservative caution, and you’re sure to be dressed for success. (Here’s a hint: If you’re stuck for ideas on what to wear, check out this fabulous blog stock full of great office attire and where to buy each of the pieces!)

What are your tips for dressing for an interview?

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We're Hiring PR Superstars!

Dana PhelpsBlog, Public Relations, , ,

 

I’m delighted to say that once again we are issuing a call for PR superstars. Here are the details…

 

Clairemont Communications takes a tactics-agnostic approach to devising communications strategies using both traditional and social media. Clairemont leads on QUALITY — quality of service, quality of experience and quality of the deliverables. We carefully select clients who are motivated, passionate, focused and respectful. It is our promise to work as hard, if not harder, than our clients in achieving their business objectives through communications and improving the strength of their brands.

 

Clairemont is currently seeking smart, responsible, creative and hard-working people who are ready to tackle any assignment and join a highly-motivated, growing team of communications professionals who share in the passion of delivering quality client service while enjoying the collaboration and co-learning of a team environment. We are currently interviewing for the positions of intern and account executive.

 

Abbreviated job descriptions are as follows:

 

Intern: Clairemont Communications is currently interviewing intern candidates for the summer and fall semesters. Primary duties and responsibilities include conducting research on behalf of our clients, assisting with a variety of writing assignments (event calendar listings, blog entries, Facebook posts, tweets, catalog copy, news releases, media alerts, etc), working with Clairemont team members to meet client deliverables and making media and client deliveries as well as running errands as needed. Interns are expected to work within the confines of approved written plans of activities, represent the agency in a professional manner, participate in internal meetings, read and study traditional and online information relevant to clients and the public relations industry. Our internships are experience based, designed around the three components of team, learning and career. They are non-paid, and we prefer to work with students who can earn college credit as an intern.

 

Account Executive: Clairemont’s account executives work well in a collaborative environment and independently when needed. Primary duties and responsibilities include ensuring that work assigned to her/himself, as well as work assigned to the interns, account coordinators and assistant account executives, is delivered to the account supervisor and/or client on-time and satisfactorily, and that relevant team members are kept up-to-date on the status of accounts and assigned projects. Clairemont account execs establish and maintain strong personal rapport with clients, vendors, partners, reporters, editors and social media influencers, and demonstrate the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems and serve as a positive role model for other team members. Strong writing, project management, organization, planning, media relations and social media skills are required. Communications experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years in an agency environment is required. Resumes of applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered, nor receive a response to resumes submitted.

 

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