Oh, the Places You’ll Go! isn’t merely just a book by Dr. Suess. It’s a celebration of the rollercoaster of life, a symphony of laughter and a profound reminder that the journey of life itself is the greatest adventure of all.
This is exactly why this popular book is so often given as a graduation gift. But, as a recent grad, you may be wondering: How exactly do I get “there?” How do I get my foot in the door? How do I get hired?
Landing your first job can be tough, especially in a business climate where companies are scaling back on budgets, new hires and more, due to all the uncertainty in the world.
And sadly, communications and marketing budgets can be the first to go. But there is good news:
PR generally rebounds more quickly than advertising, because PR is often considered more cost effective and has that all-important credibility factor.
Our team has been in your “new grad shoes,” so here are some helpful tips:
- Be open to post-grad internships. Even if unpaid, that post-grad internship may be the “foot in door” needed to get a job in your desired company. Consider corporate, agency and nonprofit so your resume is diverse.
- Consider a post-grad internship in media. Whether it’s for a newspaper, magazine, television or radio, this will make you more marketable for any job in PR, due to experience on the flip side of our industry.
- Join your local PRSA chapter. But don’t just join, get involved, really involved! Join committees and attend events. Your local PRSA chapter is where the PR industry networks for jobs, clients and more. Plus, you get access to the directory with PR contacts in your area, which is helpful as you look to make connections and send resumes.
- Take the meeting. You never know what opportunities may present themselves as a result or how that one meeting might shape your life for the next 5, 10, 20 years or more. Even if you feel a particular meeting isn’t targeted enough toward what you want to do, take the meeting anyway. Connections made and information learned can be invaluable.
- Build a portfolio of examples that demonstrate you understand the process of integrated communications. And, if possible, show that you can actually execute the steps. The less an employer feels they have to train you on best practices, the more valuable you become as a job candidate.
- Don’t just see yourself as a job applicant, see yourself as an asset. Employers aren’t just looking for resumes – they’re looking for people who bring value from day one. When you lead with your skills, unique perspective and initiative – and align these features with an organization’s goals – you don’t just fit in, you stand out.
- Get active on LinkedIn. When it comes to professional social networking, LinkedIn is the place to be. If you haven’t already done so, create an account, make sure it reflects your school and internship experience and start making connections. Take it one step further by commenting on articles and posts people in your industry publish (and posts from companies you’re interested in and/or interviewing with).
We’re always looking to connect with new talent. Learn more about Franco and submit your resume on our website.
Jessica Muzik is vice president – account services at Franco. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
