Tag: resume

Photo of the Week: Star Interviews

Cherith AndesBlog, Photo of the Week, Professional Development, , , ,

Ever feel like your resume is hiding backstage? Are you booking interviews but never landing the internship or job? We decided it was time to help young professionals learn how to interview like a star.

This week, the Clairemont team visited Meredith College to teach students how to step into the spotlight as they apply for jobs. Jasmin, a winning beauty queen, and Cherith, a former professional actress, unveiled secrets straight from their experiences on the stage that coached students to prepare and deliver an Oscar-worthy interview. *cue curtain call*

Interested in a success story? Check out Jasmin’s own firsthand account of how she landed the gig at Clairemont!

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What TV News Taught Me about PR

Sarah HattmanBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, , , , , , , , ,

I recently took a trip down memory lane as I converted old VHS tapes and DVDs featuring clips from my career in news into a digital format. Along with my favorite stories, best and most memorable live shots and award-winning stories were several versions of my “escape tape” – a resume reel that is sent to bigger markets in hopes of landing the next job. That’s when it hit me. All those years of compiling and updating my reel taught me valuable lessons about how to effectively pitch the media.

  1. Get to the point quickly. A general rule of thumb when compiling the montage for the video resume is that you have about 10 seconds to get their attention. I cannot tell you how many news directors said they knew within the first few moments of seeing a reporter’s reel if they wanted to hire them. The same can be said for media pitching – especially when speaking with the people behind the assignment desk. Each day the assignment desk receives literally hundreds of emails, phone calls and (in my day) faxes. That’s a lot of information, so when you call be mindful of their time.
  2. Give them a reason to care. I remember critiquing each and every live shot and story I put together to determine if it was good enough to be included on my escape tape. Was it visually compelling? Demonstrative? Engaging? Those same questions can be applied when talking to the media about a story idea. Make sure you are offering them a visual component – especially for television. Succinctly highlight the reasons they should care about your pitch. Does it have a personal element or offer new and exciting information that appeals to their audience? If it does, make sure you spell it out for the journalists. If not, you should probably revisit the pitch.
  3. Highlight your personality. Yes, this might seem a little odd, but I always included lighter moments in my reel to showcase who I am as a person, not just as a journalist. This too can be applied the next time you pick up the phone and call the media. After all, it’s all about developing  relationships with the media. Get to know them and the next time they see your number on caller id or name in an email, they will more likely to pay attention to it.

So, what did my montage look like? Take a look.

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The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 14 – #jobsearch

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Professional Development, , , ,

As I neared graduation, I had mixed feelings about finding a “real job.” I did a plethora of job searches on Indeed.com, and although there were hundreds listed, I couldn’t find anything that didn’t require two to five years of experience.

Left feeling blue, I applied all of my critical thinking skills acquired in school. How could I find a job that would be the best fit for me? Whether you are a student seeking a job or a business professional ready to jump ship from your current position, I think you can relate to the difficulty of the job hunt.

I knew that if I could capture a prospective employer’s attention, I could at least get my foot in the door. I took to the web to find methods to enhance my resume and my interview skills. Here are a few tips for any college student approaching graduation in May or job seeker simply needing a refresher:

1. Use your network.

I find that a lot of times people are petrified to ask for help. I was very active on campus and always reached out to my mentors as well as former professors. It’s important when looking for a job to tap into your networking skills.

2. Create a resume that stands out from the crowd.

Invest in a resume that clearly conveys your skills. I think that you can remove unnecessary information and only reference skills that will help you land the job.

 3. Know your strengths and your weaknesses.

I created a simple pitch highlighting my accomplishments, why I am different and what skills separate me from the bunch.

 4. Don’t be afraid to contact the CEO of the company.

Although it may be difficult to find the president’s information, I have found success in connecting directly with the company owner or boss. With a little luck, they might actually enjoy your conversation, expedite the application process and invite you to interview.

 5. Follow up.

After making your initial contact, don’t hesitate to email or call to follow up. The new acquaintances that you make could possibly lead to your next opportunity.

 

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.

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How to Get an Internship at a PR Agency

Josephine ButlerBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency, , , , , , , , , ,

Our intern Erin Kelley not only landed an internship here at Clairemont – she also wants to share a few tips with you on how to do the same! Isn’t she sweet?

This could be your desk, too!

In the public relations field, internships are crucial for networking and eventually landing your dream job. Since I went through the internship process recently, I thought I would share six easy steps that helped me find my place at Clairemont:

  1. Research: Searching through massive amounts of internship postings and websites can be stressful and overwhelming at first. If you’re doing a Google search, try to narrow it down first by location, then by interest. Just from my experience, your best bet is networking. Don’t be afraid to connect to public relations agencies through social media! I actually found out about the Clairemont internship program from then-intern Margot Horgan’s post on the UNC Public Relations Facebook page.
  2. Understand the application process: Unless an agency specifically states otherwise, it is usually a safe bet to include your cover letter in the body of the email, with your resume attached. Employers may also want writing samples from past internships or class assignments, so choose from your best work! I usually include a news release and then something that shows my creative side, like a feature story or design project.
  3. Cover letter: The purpose of the cover letter is to go into depth about important experiences or previous internships that you couldn’t fully explain on your resume. You’ll also want to throw in a sentence or two describing why you would be an asset to the company. Always include a cover letter, even if it isn’t mentioned – it can’t hurt!  
  4. Resume: It wasn’t until this past year that I learned that your resume, specifically the relevant experience section, should be tailored to each position. For instance, if I were to apply for a nonprofit internship, I would highlight my work with the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina; however, for an agency position, I would include my experience as PR director for an on-campus organization.
  5. Email: The worst mistake you can make with an email is the dreaded typo or grammar mistake. As I learned in my public relations writing class, you can never rely on spell check! Sometimes it’s best to whip out the good ol’ AP Stylebook. Other than that, just be professional yet personable when explaining your interest in the company and past public relations work.  
  6. Follow Up: Arguably the most important part of the process is maintaining communication with the agency. I always make sure to keep a record of when I applied, sent writing samples, talked with them, etc., so that I can stay in touch and provide any information they may need.

These are just a few tricks of the trade that I used this past year when searching for an internship. Overall, the key to securing a PR internship is perseverance and a bit of luck!

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