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Tag: resume

Photo of the Week: Star Interviews

Photo of the Week: Star Interviews

April 22, 2016January 31, 2023 Cherith AndesBlog, Photo of the Week, Professional Developmentinterview advice, interview tips, job application, resume, Resume tips

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

What TV News Taught Me about PR

October 1, 2015January 31, 2023 Sarah HattmanBlog, Professional Development, Public Relationsescape tape, Media Pitching, news, producer, reel, reporter, resume, Storytelling, video, visual

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.

https://clairemontcommunications.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Reporter-Blog.m4v
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The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 14 – #jobsearch

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 14 – #jobsearch

January 27, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Professional Developmentinterview tips, interviews, job search, Networking tips, resume

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

June 13, 2012January 31, 2023 Josephine ButlerBlog, Professional Development, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agencycollege internship, cover letter, Elon, how to get an internship, Meredith College, NCSU, networking, PR internship, public relations internships, resume, UNC

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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Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media Have you heard about Meta’s newest social media platform? It’s called Threads, and it’s being referred to as “the new Twitter.” Read everything you need to know about Threads in our latest blog post - link in bio!
SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc SNEAK PEEK! @dellthepig landed at @wendellfallsnc (client) today, and rumor has it that @blah2voila has already been hamming it up with Dell! We know you want a selfie with Dell to post on Pigstagram, too!
We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of P We are proud to represent Raleigh as a member of Public Relations Consultants Group, allowing us to offer clients expertise and support across the country! Clairemont founder, Dana Phelps aka @blah2voila, recently attended the PRCG conference in Oklahoma City.
2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Comm 2022 has been a fantastic year for Clairemont Communications! Visit our blog for the full 2022 year in review!
As communications professionals, we wear a variety As communications professionals, we wear a variety of hats to meet our clients’ needs.
 
We’re writers, social media managers, photographers, marketers, editors, content creators- the list goes on and on.
 
Check out our recent blog post to learn what @olivia.noles , account coordinator here at Clairemont, does on a weekly and monthly basis.
#communicationsagency #communicationsmajor #pragencylife #pragency #raleighpr
This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voi This Friday, Clairemont’s Dana Phelps, @blah2voila , will be speaking at the 2022 @nc_prsa Strategic Communication & MarCom Conference! Phelps is a repeat presenter at this annual conference, and this year she is leading a session called Growing from Communication Technician to Strategic Counselor during which she will share three of her coined concepts: knowcasting, morecasting and collabolighthing. Visit our blog for the link to register for the conference!
@clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative g @clairemontcommunications and @yellowdogcreative go together like the bacon and eggs! And speaking of bacon and eggs, have you been to @therainbowluncheonette yet? YUM!
Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc Later this year, Clairemont client @wendellfallsnc, a master-planned community just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, will welcome @parksideraleigh, a Raleigh-favorite restaurant known for its fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, to the community!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Parkside.
“What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we “What exactly does a PR Agency do?” Because we get this question often, we have a series on our blog where we dive into our recent projects to give you a look at what a PR Agency really does.
 
For example, a statewide resource for small businesses recently hired Clairemont to devise an executive visibility campaign to help position the organization and its director as the leading small business resource in North Carolina.
 
Head to our blog to read what exactly an executive visibility campaign entails and to learn more about our services!
So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let So you say it’s National Coffee Day? We say let us tell you about our new favorite @drink321coffee ! If you are in Raleigh, go see Paul, the other Paul, Emma  or whichever smiling faces are working today. We LOVE this place and the coffee! ❤️❤️❤️
Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest mas Our client @wendellfallsnc, one of the largest master-planned communities in the Triangle, closed on its first age-eligible rental community plan, Arden at Wendell Falls, that will offer 140 open-concept units and exclusive onsite amenities!
 
Visit our blog to see the @trianglebizjrnl coverage and read the full feature in the TBJ to learn more about Arden at Wendell Falls.
Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by Staying in Raleigh this Labor Day weekend? Stop by client @vitaviteraleigh for good snacks and great wine!🍷 Both locations are open normal hours Friday-Sunday and closed on Monday.
You never know who might be hanging out at The Cla You never know who might be hanging out at The Clairemont House. Thanks to @yellowdogcreative for helping save this buddy. Notice that we speak lizard. Or skink. Or gecko or whatever he is. Or maybe it’s the extra caffeine before our client presentation.
Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh Yep, our town is pretty cool. #raleigh
Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting Who wants to have a Friday afternoon porch meeting?
Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street Congrats to our new neighbor on Bloodworth Street South @raleighwineshop ! @blah2voila was there today representing Clairemont at the grand opening festivities and enjoying the @grandchamphospitality sandwich pop up. Yum! 🍷🥪
It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers ar It’s National Volunteer Month, and volunteers are needed more than ever! Many organizations with scarce resources rely on volunteers and would not exist without them. Visit our recent blog post to read about the organizations Clairemont has supported and how you can make a difference in your community!
Authenticity is trending, and research shows that Authenticity is trending, and research shows that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content as authentic. Read our recent blog post to learn about UGC, how it can benefit your brand and how to use it in your marketing strategy.
From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 From social values to behavior patterns, COVID-19 has left an impact on every sector of life, including marketing. Read our blog on marketing in a post-COVID world to learn how things have changed and how that should impact your business strategy.
We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned We are so excited to share that Clairemont earned eight awards, five gold🥇and three silver🥈, at this year's Sir Walter Raleigh Awards hosted by the Raleigh Public Relations Society!🎉 We are beyond grateful to work with so many amazing partners, clients and industry friends!
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