As you all know, I have been working my bum off over the last few years to get to New York City and unfortunately, there haven’t been too many job leads coming my way. Well, not any more! This past week could possibly be one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. With hard work and a little help from some amazing people, I have had a serious breakthrough in my job hunting efforts.
Last Friday I was walking out of the office, looking forward to celebrating my younger sister’s 20th birthday that night, and all of a sudden I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize. The first thing I noticed was the area code “212” and I knew this phone call could be major. I answered and it was a very nice lady named Karyn who is a PR recruiter in NYC. She said a colleague of mine had forwarded her my resume and she wanted to sit down and chat with me about my NYC/PR plans when I visited NYC in December. Even though the meeting isn’t technically a job interview, it is a meeting that could lead to a job, which is one step closer to my dream.
After my talk with Karyn on Friday, I was starting the new week off on a positive note and feeling oddly optimistic. When Wednesday rolled around I never expected what was about to happen. I was walking to my car from the office and I must not have gotten reception in the parking garage, but I looked down at my phone and had a voicemail. Thinking it was probably my mom or dad reminding me to let the dogs out when I got home, I was extremely mistaken. The voicemail was left by a woman from the global and award-winning communication firm Fleishman-Hillard in NYC saying she had received my resume and wanted to know my availability to come to the NYC office and meet with her and her team.
After hearing this jaw-dropping voicemail, I sat in my car for a good minute in complete and utter shock. Once I overcame the shock, I had a 20 minute freak out/screaming session in my car. People walking by probably thought I was either a.) having a seizure or b.) I was dieing. I finally calmed down enough to call the lady back. When I called back we set up a day (Dec. 11) for me to come in and meet her and the Fleishman-Hillard digital team. Although, she didn’t mention a specific position I would be meeting for I’m hoping that there will be a fit for me somewhere.
For the next three weeks I am solely focusing on preparing as much as possible for my two meetings in NYC. I am so ecstatic I can barely even concentrate. I know I haven’t secured a job just yet, but I’m actually starting to get somewhere and see some progress. I will keep you posted on how the interviews go and keep your fingers crossed!
Ever since the news of the recession broke out, I have been hearing comments and reading articles that the death of public relations is among us. The word on the street is that companies are having to downsize and restructure their business, which means the PR department is the first one to boot. I have also been hearing that PR agencies are lacking in company earnings. For example, if you take a look at the “Earnings” section on the PRWeek Web Site(http://www.prweekus.com/earnings/topic/33/) you will see that almost every single agency listed is facing a decline in revenue.
I refused to believe all of this “PR death” talk, so I decided to do my own research. I visited the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and what I found was quite surprising.
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, “Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for these workers in organizations of all types and sizes. Those with additional language capabilities also are in great demand.”
On the other hand, the BLS also states that there will be a continuation of “keen” competition for entry-level public relations positions due to the number of qualified candidates exceeding the number of job openings.
There you go. The death of PR is NOT among us. Even the government tells us so and if you can’t believe the government, then who can you believe?
Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last two years, we all know our country is facing a serious recession and a troubling job market. According to a recent news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In October, the unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent, the highest since April 1983.”
As a 2009 college graduate, that unemployment percentage not only scares me, but it depresses me. I became even more depressed when I read an article in the Associated Press saying that in October 2009 the unemployment rate for college graduates was up to 4.7 percent. Yikes. 
Out of everyone I know who graduated from college in ’09, I can count on one and a half hands how many of them landed a full-time, “real” job. Many of the college grads I know are resorting to serving tables, working in retail stores, working unpaid internships or, like me, are working temporary positions. It is a shame and unfair for us college grads who have worked so hard throughout college to build our resumes and do whatever we can to obtain a job after college and not see any results.
Personally, I am utterly frustrated with the entire situation. For the last two years I have been working my bum off to be able to find a public relations job in New York City and after five and a half months with a college degree I still have nothing.
My junior year of college was when I decided I really wanted to move to NYC. So, I started networking, working internships, getting involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America, utilizing social media and even making seasonal trips to NYC for informational interviews. For the last two years of college and up until now I have been doing whatever I can possibly think of to land a PR job in NYC. The result: four phone interviews that led to nothing. Nada. Zilch.
At this point I really don’t know what else I can do, except move to NYC with no money and no job. As tempting as that sounds, I’m going to continue what I’m doing and pray that this job market slump ends soon so I can find a job in my dream city.
P.S. If anyone has any suggestions, tips or advice on my NYC job search, I am all ears.
Facing interview stage freight? Here are 10 tips to prepare and get you through a big job interview.
1. Research the company
Always, always, always research the company you are interviewing with. Researching the company should be the first thing you do after setting up an interview. You should learn everything there is to know about the company: their clients, services, awards, etc. Being knowledgeable about the company you are interviewing for will give you a better sense of the type of company it is and how it runs. It will also show in the interview that you take initiative and you really want to become a part of that company.
2. Get your resume/portfolio/leave-behind looking perfect
While prepping for your interview, make sure your resume, portfolio and leave-behind looks clean, organized and polished. Check for spelling and grammar errors in your resume, as well as in your portfolio and leave-behind labels. In your leave-behind, be sure to include a copy of your resume and business cards. If you need to, have your mentor or another professional look everything over beforehand for any feedback.
3. Write out questions they might ask you and questions you want to ask them
This is one of the best ways to prepare for an interview. Write out as many questions you can think of that an interviewer might ask you and then prepare your answers. This way, you will be prepared and you won’t be caught off guard by some of the questions asked. Even think of random, off-the-wall questions like, “If you could write for any television show, what would it be and why?” Just don’t answer The Sopranos like I did once in an interview. Let’s just say with the last name D’Amico and my answer being The Sopranos, the interviewers were a little frightened. If you’re stumped about what questions they might ask you, here is a link to About.com with a list full of potential interview questions: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm.
Also, don’t forget to write out questions you want to ask the interviewer. In a way you are also interviewing them, so come prepared with questions you want to know about the company. For example, ask why they enjoy working for that company, what their favorite projects are or maybe ask something about how the company is utilizing social media.
4. Figure out what you are going to wear 
It’s no secret that girls take 18,723,947,892 hours to figure out what they are going to wear for an occasion. So, girl or boy, I recommend putting together an interview outfit a few days in advance. Knowing that PR is a pretty hip, trendy occupation, I like to wear an outfit that is fashionable, yet professional. Girls, you can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt, blazer and heels. Guys, you can’t go wrong with a nice suit. Don’t forget, if you have tattoos, which I’ll admit I am guilty of, COVER them!
5. Do a mock interview
A mock interview is a great way to prepare for the real interview. Have a past internship/job supervisor or one of your former professors lead you through a mock interview and act as if it is the real deal. Set a date and time, meet them at their office, bring your portfolio and resume and have them interview you for a fake job position. If you can’t find a supervisor or professor to help with your mock interview, ask your roommate, parents or a friend. Doing any type of interview practice is always beneficial and helps reduce the stress.
6. Know where you are going and arrive to the interview early
When you are setting up the interview, confirm the address and location of where you will be meeting the interviewer. Print off directions a few days before the interview so you can plan ahead for when to leave. Always arrive at least 10 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview so you have some time to prepare and gather your thoughts.
7. Come prepared to take notes
Always remember to bring a notebook and a pen or pencil to take notes during the interview. I don’t think you have to go as far as bringing a laptop, but have something available to write with/on to jot down notes or reminders from the interview.
8. Be confident, even if you’re not
It sounds kind of like an oxymoron, but if you act like you’re confident then you will be. I can’t even count how many interviews I have gone into feeling nervous and self-conscious, but acting confident got me through them. You don’t want to act overly confident or anything, but you do want to show the interviewer that you are deserving of the job position and you have the experience to prove it. When the interviewer sees your confidence come across, they see someone who is reliable, hard-working and determined.
9. Show your personality while staying professional
Be yourself in the interview. You want to be able to form a connection with the person who is interviewing you, so show who you are as a person and as a professional. I’ve found that if you are more personable with the interviewer, the interview tends to run more smoothly and you feel less nervous. Worst case scenario, the interviewer doesn’t like your personality. Their loss.
10. Listen to Britney Spears 
Well, maybe not Britney Spears but before the interview I suggest listening to your favorite music and relax. Whenever I am stressed or anxious before an interview I always put my ipod on and listen to my favorite playlist. This might sound extremely geeky, but I’ve even made a pre-interview playlist before. Listen to your favorite music in the car on your way to the interview as a way to clear your head and let the nerves settle.
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