Month: December 2014

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How to Ask for an Informational Interview

With fall term coming to a close, winter break is a great opportunity to schedule an informational interview. Sitting down with someone in the company or position of your dreams allows you to gain knowledge that you can’t find on a company’s website. However, finding the right way to ask for an informational interview can seem intimidating at first.

Here are a few tips on how to contact someone for an informational interview:

Research: Before reaching out to anybody, look into a specific company and find out what that company does, what they supported, and recent projects they’ve done. Then think of related questions you might want to ask. This will help to narrow down where it is you want to contact.

Reaching Out: Once you find the person you want to talk with, study up on them. Find out where he/she has worked, went to school, and other work related information. Then think about the best way to contact that person. Some interviewees prefer to call the person directly. This can be done by calling the main number for the company and asking to be transferred. If your phone call is not answered, hang-up. Leaving a message is not best, as the person you are trying to reach does not know you. If they do answer, make sure you have a 30-45 second speech prepared on why you are interested in getting in contact. Also sending an email is a safe bet and allows you to craft your message to make a good impression. As with a phone call, make it clear why you would like to talk with them.

Be Direct: When you finally get in contact with the person and are working to set up an interview, be direct. PR professionals are busy and don’t want to deal with college students who are beating around the bush. Tell them right away that you are calling or emailing about finding a time to schedule an informational interview. Next, explain why you chose the company and that particular person. Maybe you found out that he or she started as an intern and is now working as a manger. Flattery can help you catch their attention and make them more willing to schedule the interview you’ve been chasing.

Although contacting people for informational interviews can seem intimidating at first, just remember that most people are more than willing to tell you about themselves and exactly what their jobs entail. Make sure you have thoroughly researched the company and arrive at the interview prepared with a list of questions. Don’t assume the interviewee will lead the conversation for you, this is your interview and you must take charge.

Have you done an informational interview before? Share your experience with me and other readers in the comments.

Photo credit: Daniel Foster

Austin is a senior public relations student graduating in fall 2014. Austin is interested in pursuing a career in investor relations and financial communication. You can reach him by email at austinz@uoregon.edu.

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PRofessional: Michael Nguyen

Michael Nguyen is the Communications Coordinator at Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate. He earned his Design and Visual Communications degree from Western Oregon University. During his college career, he also participated in a study abroad program at the Florence University of Arts where he studied art history and photography.

Q: What are some of your responsibilities in the organization?
A: My responsibilities entail graphic design, web design, photography and social media. Essentially my role here is heavily visual communication design.

Q: What does an “average day in the office” look like for you?
A: An average day at the office has me checking my emails in the morning and responding to any questions or projects that I am currently working on. Various projects that I work on routinely would be maintaining care of the website, updating any information, managing what content goes on the front page and checking for trends through Google Analytics which show me statistics of all traffic coming to our site. Likewise, I go through our social media accounts as well to check on any messages or comments as well as to periodically post content and information about upcoming events and activities. Bigger projects that I work on depend on the time of the year. Currently we are going through our Year End Appeal. I have designed and sent out over 9,000 letters to our constituents as well as to our email database and I’m posting social ads through media outlets for maximum exposure.

Q: How did you land your position at Susan G. Komen?
A: I began as a graphic design intern working for Komen under the Director of Marketing, creating visual content for use on web, social and email. After several months I was then brought on part time as the Communications Coordinator eventually working with the Director of Development and Communications where I was then brought up to a full-time position.

Have confidence, be assertive, and make sure that if you make a mistake own up to it.

Q: What tips do you have for students coming into the professional world of public relations and communications?
A: Education is the foundation from which you start your journey. However, experience is ultimately what is required to push you forward not only in your career, but also in your skills. If you can start early and become involved in any organization, internship, company, or opportunity that allows you to practice real life applications while you are still in school, then you will have an edge over other candidates your age looking for similar jobs. That experience early on will easily translate over to similar encounters in your future career.

Additionally, work on your people skills! Practice mock interviews, if you find yourself stumbling on words or having a hard time answering a question, then you know what you must focus on in improving. This can be crucial in future negotiations, job interviews (negotiating salary can cause people to stumble and become tongue-tied), or communicating confidently at work with your supervisors or clients. With that also is networking: no matter how skilled you are, knowing the right people can take you very far. They can provide opportunities and connect you with potential job prospects or clients. Final tips would be to have confidence, be assertive, and make sure that if you make a mistake own up to it.

Lastly, take a look at this Ted Talk on body language that Michael recommended!

ShelbyNelsonShelby Nelson, External Relations Committee, serves as a project manager for the PRSSA blog. She is a senior pursuing a Public Relations degree. Feel free to follow her on Twitter at @shelbybriann.

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How to Have a Productive Winter Break

The first term of the year has come to an end and the heavy stress of finals no longer weighs on your shoulders. The plans are set, flights booked, and your mom has called to confirm almost ten times. You start to remember what it’s like to sleep in, eat home-cooked meals, and do that thing time never allows for anymore – relax. However, most college students fail to realize all that free time is a gateway to opportunity, productivity, and success. Here are a few ways you can be proactive with your college career over break:

Hunt for summer internships.
It’s never too early to plan out your summer. In fact, for many popular internships the applications are due before the end of winter. It’s better to start now with no homework to do, than in January when the chaos of midterms is in full swing. Also, don’t forget to reach out and make a memorable impression so you’ll stick out when they’re making their selections.

Job shadow.
Not exactly sure what field you want to get into? The only way to find out if you will truly enjoy it is through experience. Make a list of three possible careers choices and find out if there’s anything similar near where you’ll be over break. Call and ask if there’s any chance you could job shadow just for the day, and don’t forget to ask whoever you’re shadowing questions. After all, it’s possible you’ll be in their shoes one day. 

Start applying for scholarships, now.
Regardless of where you’re at in your college career, scholarships are always beneficial. Not only do they help you financially by taking some of that future stress of student debt away, but they can ease your checking account too. Plus, they’re always a great addition to the “awards” section of your resume.

Create something beneficial to add to your portfolio.
Take on your passion and just let it flow with this one. Videography? Make a video combining your love for shooting and editing with your love for your local animal shelter. Writing? Write freelance stories about things that interest you and see if anyone will publish them. Designing? Collaborate with that girl from high school who just started her own business and design her logo. Be creative and expand your experience. 

Learn something new.
This can be a tricky one to do in just a month, but even just skimming the surface of broadening your knowledge can get you closer to where you want to be. For example, my goal is learning how to build a website through WordPress over break.

And lastly, relax.
Go to the cheesy holiday festival with your family. Watch movies. See your friends and make travel plans to visit them in the spring. Read a book in your favorite hometown coffee shop. Do all the things that aren’t possible or realistic when you’re staying up till 2 a.m. writing that history paper that’s due tomorrow, because after all, the month will go by quickly and you’ll once again be swamped.

What are your goals for winter break?

Brooke Adams, External Relations Committee Member, is a junior transfer student, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Business Administration. Brooke is a native Oregonian, avid coffee drinker, and music lover. Contact her at badams7@uoregon.edu.

Photo Credit: shallowend via Compfight cc