Careers & Advice

Seeking employment in metropolitan Chicago’s public relations or marketing communications industries?

Looking for the right talent for your communications opening?

Wanting a way to promote your free-lance or contract communications services to Chicago’s PR, marketing and communications pros?

Or are you seeking counsel on compensation, tips for ramping up your resume or general job advice?

You’re in the right place.

Media Meanderings: Illinois devalues the importance of good writing

Isn’t it great that Illinois has so many proficient writers that schools can stop testing the writing skills of elementary and junior high students?

Think I’m kidding?

A Chicago Tribune story reported that “Illinois is eliminating the state writing exam for elementary and junior high students, provoking concerns that writing instruction will taper off and fewer students will master the critical skill.”

As PR people we should be outraged that the state puts so little value in good writing. This does not bode well for the future generation of kids applying for PR jobs. “In the land of the illiterates, the writer will be king.”

David Brimm is pres­i­dent of Brimm­Comm, Inc., a full-service public rela­tions and market­ing commu­ni­ca­tions firm.

Your First Business Trip

Guest blogger Stephanie Florence is an assistant account executive with JSH&A Public Relations.

For the first time, The Hershey Company is inviting consumers to design their own candy bars by selecting their favorite ingredients, seeing the equipment in operation and designing the packaging at Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar. Lucky for me, my first business trip was opening this new experience at Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction.

My colleague and I helped to support the media preview and VIP event hosted just before the grand opening to the public. After our continuous local media outreach off-site we greeted the media and ensured they were able to take in the full chocolate-making experience. Throughout the trip I took notes on key learnings for my first business trip.

Come prepared – Study up on the program materials and your responsibilities throughout the trip. I may have looked like a student reviewing for a final exam on the flight, but I felt confident as

My colleague Chris and I take a break from the grueling process of creating our own candy bars.

I walked off the plane. I knew the list of potential media attendees backwards and forwards and could recite the program Key Messages and Q&A. Arriving prepared helps you plan ahead for what is inevitable in any media event – the unexpected. If you prepare as much as you can, the unexpected won’t feel as overwhelming.

Listen – I received great advice from one of the PR team members from Hershey’s. She explained the importance of learning to communicate with all different types of people and to adapt to their communication styles. This will help in conveying messages and avoiding any misunderstandings. It will also provide direction in understanding people in general, which is so vital to what we do. No business trip will be the same, but the information you take away can only help you on future trips.

Enjoy the experience – You’re on the trip for business, but are allowed to have some fun as well. I learned that if you can become friends with the pilot on the flight in, you know it’s going to be a good trip. As we boarded the plane the pilot and I chatted about my first business trip to Hershey, which he said he wished he was joining. (When you tell people you’re en route to creating your own candy bar, that’s the typical response.) The best part occurred when we arrived in Harrisburg because as I walked away he wished me luck and said he knew I would do well. The timing of this conversation provided me the reassurance I needed as I began my trip.

I’m grateful I was able to work on this program from groundbreaking to grand opening. It’s interesting to see a PR program come full circle and even more worthwhile being on-site for an event of this nature. I was able to take in the entire experience of meeting the client for the first time and putting faces to the emails and phone calls we have regularly. I’ve only traveled once so I know I have a lot to learn – what are your tips for business travel?

Connect with Stephanie via LinkedIn, Twitter and Posterous.

Your First Week at the Agency

Guest blogger Stephanie Florence is assistant account executive with JSH&A Public Relations.

There is a lot to consider during your first week on the job – here are a few reminders!

Know your job description – If you weren’t given the details prior to starting the position, ask for a list of tasks associated with your job. Take note of what is expected of you from day one. This will prepare you as you get acclimated with the position and the company. Additionally, there won’t be any surprises when it comes time for a review of your performance.

Create a relationship with your supervisor – This individual will be your “go-to person” when it comes to questions, concerns and creativity. I say creativity because new ideas are a vital component to what we do on a daily basis. Your supervisor is someone to whom you can bounce ideas off of as well as take advantage of his/her experience. Check in with him/her on a regular basis and take the time to develop a relationship.

Get to know your colleagues – An important part of where you work is getting to know the people with whom you’ll be spending your days. Time is precious in our industry and we are constantly busy. Don’t be afraid to stop by your colleagues’ offices to chat or ask them to have lunch or coffee. Being busy with work can be mistaken for being too busy for you. In PR, we’re always going to be busy. Knowing when and how to improve your work connections will make for a much more worthwhile learning experience.

Can you share any tips for the first week at the agency?

Connect with Stephanie via LinkedIn, Twitter and Posterous.

The Fresh Face in the Agency

Guest blogger Stephanie Florence is assistant account executive with JSH&A Public Relations.

So you’re in the door – what next? How can you stand out as a new assistant account executive in the office?

Do your research – You may have recently graduated, but you’ll still need to hit the books on a regular basis. Many PR pros consider the AP Stylebook “the Bible of PR.” Other top books on the industry include Putting the Public Back in Public Relations and The New Rules of Marketing and PR. Stay informed on industry news, updates and opinions by checking into these sites: Ragan’s PR Daily, Alltop and PRBreakfastClub to name a few.

Put in the time – Now is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your passion for the PR industry. In PR we know there is no typical day. There are deadlines to meet, and somehow new projects always seem to appear. Be ready to come in early and stay late to get the job done.

Ask questions – Don’t assume you need to know everything on the first day. As an assistant account executive, you are embarking on one giant learning experience and the best part? You work alongside the best resources to further your knowledge of PR – your colleagues.  Take advantage of their support and guidance as they were recently in your shoes.

Pitch as if it’s going out of style – AAEs spend a lot of time striving to secure media placements for their clients. Get comfortable with being on the phone and be prepared for whatever direction the conversation takes. If you aren’t garnering attention, step back from your pitch or request feedback from your colleagues. A new angle may be just what you need.

Can you offer additional tips to gain the recognition all newcomers are after?

Connect with Stephanie via LinkedIn, Twitter and Posterous.