Answering “How is the job search going?” and other awkward questions during summer break

Summer break is a time for rest and relaxation, but it isn’t completely stress-free.

One of the greatest stressors of the sunny season is the barrage of questions from family members and friends who are dying to know answers to their inquiries that you might not know yourself.

These questions can blindside you at barbecues, birthday parties, or even family vacations, so it is important to be ready to answer them without letting your emotions get out of hand.

Here are some of the most common and uncomfortable questions you may get asked this summer, and tips on how to answer them:

1. “What do you do in your major?”- This question is so predictable for PR majors that most of us already have an eye roll on standby. However, it is important to remember that at one point, you may not have had a complete definition of your major, and you may have struggled to figure out where your studies would take you in the real world. Most PR students still have trouble finding a fitting definition for our major even after we have become upperclassmen! It can be helpful to speak about your favorite classes in PR or even describe the areas of PR that interest you the most. That way, you aren’t reciting a textbook definition, and you are explaining your interest in the field as well.

2. “Aren’t you worried about finding a job?”- This question is so forward, it may knock you off your feet when you first hear it. Unfortunately, people may ask you these kinds of questions, and even though it may sting at the time, it is important to be honest with your answer and be confident in your abilities. You can be honest if you are a bit nervous, but focus on the experiences you have had (such as internships) and classes you have taken that have prepared you for the professional world, and bulk up your answer with reasons that you are confident in yourself and your future job search.

3. “How is the job search going?”- Recent graduates are already under stress trying to find jobs, and random questions regarding the search can not only be annoying, but also upsetting. It is important to keep in mind that most people are not asking maliciously, and are only curious to see what your plans are. If you have a job secured, congratulations, but if not, don’t feel ashamed. Answer the question truthfully, and try not to get upset. It could be possible that the person asking has a position in mind for you to look into!

What do you think of these answers to these common questions? Let us know!

Breaking Bonds: Friendship Troubles in PR

It isn’t a secret that PR majors make great friends.

We are outgoing, driven, and full of energy that often spills into various parts of our life.

However, our passion for PR and success can lead to trouble, especially when we are friends with other PR majors.

Suppose your best friend lands an internship that you wanted, or gets to shadow at your dream company before you do?

Situations like these happen often, and it can muddy friendships faster than fights over significant others or shared articles of clothing.

So what can you do to prevent or solve these sticky situations before they arise?

First, it is helpful to have a chat with your PR bestie. Take time to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and agree upon not letting your friendship be affected by work.

Sure, it may be upsetting for your friends to get opportunities that you wanted, but at the same time, you should be glad that they are able to succeed.

Another step you could take is agree to not apply for the same positions, unless absolutely necessary. In cities, there are thousands of potential internships that can be applied for, and chances are, you and your friend aren’t interested in the same field of PR. By applying for different positions, there will be no hard feelings regardless of the turnout.

However, if you both are interested in the same field or the same company, then it may be best to revert to the first tip, which is agreeing to be happy for each other regardless of the turnout.

Regardless of the situation, remember that you are friends for a reason, and even though the job search may get tough, you have each other for support.

Do you have any stories regarding your love-hate relationship with a friend over a job or internship? If so, we want to hear from you below in the comments!

"Do You Have Any Job Prospects Yet?"

It’s funny how you hear stories about how going to a family holiday party when you’re older is a horrific experience full of questions like, “Are you dating anyone?” or “How old are you now?”  But if you are a senior like me, then you can relate to hearing the most terrifying question of all…”So, do you have any job offers lined up after graduation, honey?”

*Insert hyperventilating, instant panic attack, hot flashes, slight crying, etc. here* 

(Source: Google)

If your answer to the previous questions was “yes” then great, you should be proud.  If your answer was “no,” you are not alone, I am right there with you and I’m going to tell you why it’s okay (through musical song titles because music is how I relax).

1. I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith

While your significant other may not be cheating on you like Sam Smith says in the song, you are still not the only one.  As I just stated, every person our age is most likely feeling the pressure to find a job at this time, so confide in someone you trust to vent to.

2. Time of Our Lives by Pitbull & Ne-Yo

As Pitbull would say, “Have me a good time, before my time is up.”  College only happens once, so it’s important to remember to live in the moment!  Enjoy every experience the last semester has to offer and make sure you aren’t stressing so much about the job search that you are missing out on making memories. 

3. Elastic Heart by Sia

After three and a half years of college, you’ve built “thick skin and an elastic heart.”  So don’t get discouraged if you are applying to companies that aren’t answering you or respond saying you’re under-qualified; at least you’re putting yourself out there!

4. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

“Don’t be getting down about all the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world when you could’ve been getting down to this sick beat.”  There is no shame in taking a break from your everyday searches on LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed, etc.  Sometimes a dance party solves all problems.

5. The Heart Wants What It Wants by Selena Gomez

By now you probably have some idea of what kind of PR you want to take on as job whether that is fashion, corporate, tech, agency, etc.  Make sure to go after jobs in your niche, don’t settle for something that you are going to end up hating.  Follow your heart; the more passionate you are about what you do, the more you have to offer to the company.

6. Jealous by Nick Jonas

Do not be like Nick Jonas and get jealous.  One of my supervisors at my previous internship gave me advice that has stuck with me: “Don’t worry about what other people are doing!”  Nobody likes a green-eyed monster, so when your friends land awesome jobs, congratulate and celebrate with them!  Don’t let it stress you out or over-think your job-hunting situation.

7. Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift

Despite what Taylor may have to say, you are NOT out of the woods yet.  You still have classes to pass and internships to complete before you receive that diploma.  Dedicate as much time to your school work as you are your job search.

If all else fails, remember that just like Queen B, you are ***Flawless!  Things have a funny way of working themselves out.  You worked hard these past few years by getting involved, completing internships, making great connections and becoming a young #PRofessional ready to take on the real world!  Good luck and enjoy your last few months of college!  If you would like more advice on the senior year job search, click here.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo.  You can follow her @kayliecorallo.

Fake It Til You Make It

One of the newest trends when it comes to job hunting has been to create your own job. I don't necessarily mean become an entrepreneur and work for yourself, although that is also a viable option these days. It's come to my realization that most of the people I've spoken to about their own job search experience didn't find it on Indeed. Instead, they started with what they knew they wanted to do and found someone who was willing to let them do it. Sound a bit confusing? Well I promise it's much simpler than it sounds.

Typically, one would go on a site like Indeed, Monster, or even Craigslist to check out job openings in their field of work. However, the new trend (albeit a bit more risky and ambitious) allows young professionals to create their own positions. As opposed to simply applying to an open listing, people are doing the process "backwards" and starting with looking into companies or careers they love, whether they have announced a job opening or not.

Attempting to create a position for yourself doesn't go unnoticed; it shows real courage and confidence in yourself and what you have to bring to the company. Whether that leap of faith results in a job or not, you've just created a new network. Someone else in the industry now knows who you are and although they may not have a position to offer you at the time, it's always possible that they know someone who does. This generation is betting on themselves and selling their skills to their dream companies...and it seems to be working pretty well.

This new approach is actually pretty similar to what it was like applying to colleges. We were taught there were safe, match, and reach schools. Safe meant that you are over-qualified and guaranteed to get in, match schools are universities where your skills correspond to their qualifications, and reach schools are where your credentials fall just below their qualifications but you try your best regardless. Why can't applying to jobs be treated the same way? Reach for your dream job. The very worst that could happen is that they say no, but the very best could open up doors to a career that's tailor made for you.

Four PRo Tips For Job-Hunting Seniors

The holidays are over, the start of the semester is around the corner and reality is becoming more real. For seniors everywhere, the next few months will be filled with interviewing, resume critiques and (hopefully) receiving the perfect job offer to commemorate four years of hard work.

Entering the "real world" can be a looming thought, and is one that many seniors have tried to put off having to face for many months now. Searching for the perfect job (or any job, for that matter) can be quite the overwhelming task. When you have the same end goal as the rest of your graduating class, it's easy to feel like a small fish in a huge pond.

Despite the pressures and concerns, we should all take comfort in the fact that this happens every semester. Seniors graduate, search for jobs and end up just fine. And you will, too!

Here are four tips to help you kick off your job hunt like a PRo, giving you the chance to start early in the semester.

1. Evaluate Your Network

Who do you know, and how can they help you? Take some time to consider if past mentors, professors, bosses or internship colleagues may be able to help make your search a little less stressful. Send emails or handwritten notes to check and and re-spark conversations (that you've hopefully been keeping up with all along). Really beef up your LinkedIn profile and make those connections more than just meaningless digital data.

2. Visit the University Career Center

This may seem a bit cliche, but considering you've been paying for your education for 4 years now, it's best to use every resource at your disposal. Ask for advice on your resume, cover letter and interviewing techniques. Does your university offer any assistance with connecting you with local alumni who you may want to network with? These are all valuable questions that can lighten the load of your job-searching burden.

3. Compile Your Accomplishments

No, I don't mean write a resume (though you should have one of those, too). I mean physically gather all of your accomplished works in one place, and create a portfolio of sorts. Your resume will outline the work that you've done over the years, but having the physical work in front of you will spark memories about just how good you are at what you do. Go through the materials you've gathered and develop taking points about your strongest work. Then, take those talking points and pieces into interviews for an even stronger self-pitch.

4. Develop a Plan

Right now, anything is possible. Your future career may be right in front of you or a plane ride away. To help narrow down the possibilities, it's easiest to work from a strategic plan (treat your job search like a client). Decide what you'd like to do, and what you wouldn't like to do post-grad. Select companies that you could see yourself working for and set up informational interviews, face-to-face or phone meetings. Create lists of why you'd be an ideal candidate for all of the positions you're interested in. Don't walk into the job search blind --know what's out there and go for it!

Seniors, what methods are you using to make the job search easier? And to those who have already graduated and landed their jobs, what advice do you have for current seniors?

4 Tips for Your Next Phone Interview

Some employers may make the decision to interview you over the phone before meeting with you for an in-person. In this case, it's important to prep the same as you would for an in-person interview - but with a emphasis on a few different things. By skipping all the preparations with appearance and transportation, you have more time to focus on studying your experience and the company itself!

(Source: The Macho Macho)

1. Do your research - Take the time to get to know the company/organization you are applying with. Visit their website and check out the mission, upcoming events, and blog or newsletter. As aspiring Communications professionals, your tasks as an intern or employee will most likely involve working these portions of the business. It'll be easy for you to relate your previous professional experiences to the company's events, writing, and promotions.

2. Find an appropriate place to take the call - Make sure you have an area where you can sit down and take the phone call for an extended amount of time without being interrupted or distracted. Being distracted by the things and people around you could alter the way you answer a question, or simply leave you forgetting something important you really wanted to mention to the employer. It's best to be alone when taking the phone call.

3. Listen - The heart of the interview is all about listening. Even though you are not sitting across from this employer at the moment, it's essential that you are still 100% invested in the conversation. If you do need the interviewer to a repeat a question though, do not be afraid to ask; it's better to have heard and understood the question correctly, then to answer it thinking it were a different question.

4. Articulate - Speak with the utmost interest and energy. Just as you are listening intently, the interviewer will be as well. It's possible that the connection could be bad or a surrounding sound could interfere with your conversation, so by articulating, you are already preparing to be heard clearly no matter what. Make sure to smile throughout the conversation - the interviewer will hear smiling in your voice!

Would you prefer being interviewed over the phone or in-person? Why? Let us know!

Above All, Love What You Do

If you were to picture your perfect future, what would it be?
Money
Happiness
Family
Travel
These are just a few things that might come to mind.

In my perfect future, I spend every day doing a job that I LOVE to do. Whether it's 9-5 or 24/7, as long as I truly enjoy what I'm doing I know I'll be happy and successful. I'm one of the lucky people who has never doubted their major. I've had PR in my heart since before I even came to college and that never changed. Now, as I email every person under the sun about a full-time job, that still stands true.

Spending the past three years with PRowl Public Relations has only solidified by passion for PR, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. It has everything to do with the fact that I was a sophomore in college working with real clients and being thrown into work that entry-level employees do. I love to be challenged. It has everything to do with being surrounded by people who love public relations as much as I do. It's been the perfect environment for myself and my peers to grow in.

Millions of dollars would be nice. A big house with nice cars and acres of land, endless vacations to tropical places, the whole nine yards. I think that's what most people are aiming for. I choose happiness and I choose to wake up every day knowing that I will be doing something that I'm passionate about.

That's my one piece of advice, to everyone: above all, love what you do.

How to Handle Rejection

I'm not talking about getting turned down for a date--you'll have to go to another blog for advice on that one. I'm talking about job rejection. Whether you're about to graduate and applying for your first full-time position, you're an eager student applying for summer internships, or you're just looking to make a career change, there's a chance you could be facing some rejection sometime soon.

Getting a rejection letter or email for a job that you carefully crafted a cover letter and tailored your resume to can be pretty discouraging, but I prefer to think on the bright side of things and I've come up with some ways to handle rejection and turn it into something positive.

1. Learn from it
Maybe you can pin-point what you said (or didn't say) that caused your job-quest to end in rejection, or maybe you're not quite sure. Go back through the job description and look at the skills and think of ones you might not have highlighted enough or ones you could improve on. Think back to the interview process and consider what you might have done better or changed. Use this opportunity to reflect and improve.

2. Understand it
In a perfect world, every employer would call the people they reject and tell them exactly why they aren't getting hired. Unfortunately, that's usually not the case and it's up to you to figure it out. Try and think about the office atmosphere, the type of work they do, and the way they do it. You might have had all the qualifications, but not have been the right fit for that company. If they didn't think you were a right fit for them, they probably weren't a right fit for you anyway.

3. Use it to your advantage
In interviews you might get asked "what's your biggest failure?" or "talk about a time you didn't succeed and how you handled it". Job rejection is a perfect scenario to use in an answer to this question. You will learn from it and it will help you along the way, whether you realize it now or not, and employers will be impressed with how you handled it and all the ways you used it to become a better PR pro.

4. Chin up, soldier
Remember, there are hundreds of opportunities out there for you. Don't let one rejection get you down or stand in your way of doing the best you can. Keep looking for jobs and internships and you'll find the right one, even if it's somewhere you might not expect.

How have you handled job rejection? We want to hear from you.

The Job Hunt To-Do

With May just around the corner, one thing is on every graduating senior’s mind besides warm weather - getting a job! Add in trying to finish out the semester strong and do well in classes, the process can prove to be very stressful. However, keeping organized is the key to success. To help organize the process a little more, I created an excel spreadsheet that arranges everything to keep in mind when applying for first jobs.  Doing something as simple as creating an excel spread sheet can make the process go a little bit smoother!

Here’s an example of the spreadsheet I created:

1.     Set criteria of job - What industry are you looking to go in to? What kind of position would you ideally want with a company?

2.     Set criteria of location - Are you willing/ do you want to relocate?

3.     Finish resume - Update resume with your most recent experience and have a trusted family member, friend or the career center review it!

4.     Finish cover letter - Tailor each cover letter to respond to the job responsibilities and qualifications when applying for different positions.

5.     Personal network list - List all former employers, connections, family members and friends that might be able to help you.

6.     Network List of Mom and Dad - Boss or friends?

7.     Networks through clubs - PRowl, TAC, Greek Life, etc.

8.     Join online groups - LinkedIn, Monster.com, etc.

9.     Join in-person groups - Many cities have young professional networking groups that meet monthly!

10.  Make contact with network lists - Reach out to each person and let them know you’re going to be graduating soon. Depending on your relationship, maybe ask to meet for coffee or lunch and send them your updated resume!

11.  Check online job postings - You have to start somewhere!

Applying for first jobs can be a stressful experience. By outlining key components of the job hunt with certain deadlines, you begin to have a better sense of control over something that can seem overwhelming at times. Also, listing contacts and connections of your own and of family and friends helps to lay out all of your possibilities.

What are some tips you have for college graduates and keeping organized in the job hunt? Leave us a comment and tell us!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Tessa Cohn.