Month: March 2014

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How to Be Authentic in Your Branding

As PR majors, we’re often told about the importance of personal branding while looking for a job or internship. While telling an interviewer what they want to hear may land you the job, it won’t land you the right job. Here are few tips to branding yourself before you start the job hunt:

Be consistent. Branding yourself is about more than a neat heading at the top of your resume. It’s about being consistent across multiple platforms. This means employers can draw the same conclusions about you from looking at your Twitter or your LinkedIn. It’s about showing not telling. One great way to show an employer your passion is to consistently show off your niche. And on that note…

Embrace your niche. The truth is, you produce better work when you’re passionate about the work you’re doing. So, if you’re into technology or the environment or health care, don’t be afraid of letting employers know that. It will not only set you apart from other applicants but also open doors for which clients you work with at an agency.

Know what excites you. Yes, flexibility and a willingness to try new things can look great in a job candidate, but knowing exactly what you like does too! Don’t lie and say you love social media if you could really care less about Twitter. Instead, focus on what does excite you and why that makes you a great hire. Plus, if you are hired, you will be able to do something you actually enjoy!

Remember, everything you do reflects on your personal brand. So, keep it clean, consistent and authentic.

Have any other tips on how to stay genuine when starting off? We’d love to hear them! Comment below to keep the conversation going.

dsc_0434Mandy Shold is the 2013-2014 University of Oregon PRSSA chapter vice president. She is currently a senior double majoring in public relations and environmental studies. Follow her on Twitter at @WayToRepresent or check out her portfolio at mandyshold.wix.com/portfolio.

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Make a Successful Transition from College to Career

For many of us, graduation is around the corner. That final day in spring is full of excitement, happiness and fear. The monumental transition into the real world can seem daunting, so, here are tips to help you along the way:

Make goals. As public relations professionals, we know a lot about the importance of planning. Pretend that you work for an agency and the client is yourself. Make a plan with long-term and short-term goals. Ask yourself reflective questions to help you plan your future, but always leave room for change and opportunities you don’t expect. 

Land that first internship or job. Landing a job right out of college can be overwhelming and discouraging, especially when you don’t get a job you thought you were qualified for. The trick is to stay optimistic and keep your options open. Apply for jobs that could lead to your dream position. As a young professional, you have time to try out plenty of options and you never know which experience could lead your ultimate goal.

Manage your money. Now that you have a new job with a real salary and expenses, you need create a budget and stick to it. iReconcile, Expenditure, MoneyBook and Mint are great apps to help you track your budget.

Continue to network. Building a strong network is about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and will vouch for your character. A professional network will help propel your career forward and strengthen your resume. Personally, networking can connect you to your new community and help build a balanced life.

Keep learning. College may be over, but knowledge is still out there. Ask questions, this will demonstrate passion and commitment to your employer. Seek out new experiences to bring more to the table – personally and professionally.

Hopefully these tips will help ease your anxiety. Just remember that every executive started out as a scared recent graduate just like you.

Continue this list of tips or comment with your own concerns for the transition from student to professional.

Ruby Hillcraig, external relations committee member, is a senior at the University of Oregon studying public relations. Ruby hopes to pursue a career in fashion and beauty PR when she graduates in spring 2014. You can reach Ruby at rubyh@uoregon.edu.