The 5 C's: How to Get Your Next Job ? goldinpr

Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend both the PR+SM Summit on Marquette?s campus and the PRSSA National Conference in San Francisco. I learned an immense amount of information about social media, engaging with your target audience and hospitality public relations. However, some of the most vital information I received came from Emma Shiflett, a Recruitment Coordinator for Edelman, and Brooke Kruger of KC Partners.

During their ?Back to the BAYsics? session at PRSSA National Conference, Emma and Brooke focused on resume, cover letter and interview tips. The overall message was to center on your personal brand. Your resume, cover letter and interview are just small glimpses of yourself. Do they speak to your skill set and personality?

Cover letters

Even though both said a cover letter isn?t the most important thing when it comes to nailing your dream internship or job, Emma and Brooke stress that a poorly written cover letter can definitely prevent you from getting to the next stage of the application process.

It?s key to explain in a couple of paragraphs why you fit with the organization. To stand out, Emma advises adding something quirky about you.

Traveled to 20 countries? Involved in a unique club sport? Add it to your cover letter! It may help the recruiter notice you over other candidates.

Resumes

Your resume should reflect Don Draper?s motto, ?make it simple, but significant.?

Emma suggests using the 5 C?s for resume writing and layout. Keep your resume clear, clean, crisp, classic and concise.

Don?t use an abundance of fonts and sizes, and make sure to bold company names and titles. She also recommends putting important information towards the top and always proofread. Another great piece of advice was to save your resume as ?First Last.pdf?? mine would be ?Megan Stinn.pdf.?

As for the objective portion of a resume, Emma suggests to throw it out. Brooke agreed that when applying for internships and entry-level positions objectives aren?t needed, but once you get 5 to 10 years of experience, an objective should be added back in.

Interviews

With your amazing cover letter and resume, you have made it to the interview phase. So what should you do now?

Emma and Brooke advise to prepare, prepare, prepare. Research the organization, look up whom you?re interviewing with on LinkedIn, and plan your outfit ahead of time. By doing these things, you will be more calm and comfortable throughout the interview.

Preparation also includes coming up with thoughtful questions for each interviewer. It?s important to show you have researched the company!

Another tip is to make sure you bring copies of your resume, along with a portfolio and writing samples. Something else to bring to the interview is your personality. Be positive, express why you are a good fit for the position and relay strong communications skills.

After the Interview

The interview is wrapping up, and you don?t know what to do next. Smile and let them know how interested you are in the opportunity. Emma and Brooke also suggest asking for business cards (or at least an email address) for every person who interviewed you. Write them all individual thank you notes, adding personal connections. This will help each interviewee remember you better.

Throughout the application process, remember to always keep your personal brand in mind and keep things professional. After all, it?s your cover letter, your resume and your interview. Present the best you.

Written by Megan Stinn //?@meganstinn //?linkedin.com/in/meganstinn

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Source: http://goldinpr.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/the-5-cs-how-to-get-your-next-job/

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