"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.

U2 on Ur IPhone

Some of you Iphone addicts may have noticed a new addition to your library early Friday morning.  The band, U2, released it's first album in five years...for free...through a partnership with Apple.  Apple does confirm that they paid band members, though the amount has not yet been released.  According to Daily Mail, there have been reports of Apple paying the band up to $100 million for the deal.  

Bloomberg News quoted Bono, a member of the band, saying, "People who haven't heard our music, or weren't remotely interested might play us for the first time because we're in their library.  And for the people out there who have no interest in checking us out, look at it this way...the blood, sweat and tears of some Irish guys are in your junk mail"

This is definitely the first of this kind of marketing/promoting that I have ever experienced.  In a way, I guess it can be called "guerilla marketing" as it took everyone with a Iphone by surprise.  With the recent leak of nude celebrity photos through the cloud and now this, I am beginning to think it is time to make some setting changes on my phone.  

Outraged customers used Facebook and Twitter to express how they felt about the whole ordeal.  People are more concerned with the violation of privacy that Apple has allowed for it's users.  Also, getting the 11 song album off of your iTunes seems to be quite difficult.  

On the opposite ends, there are fans of U2 raving about the deal, saying that the free download was a gift and has been on repeat since it showed up on their phone.

Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services, Eddy Cue, said in a statement earlier this week that, "U2 has been an important part of Apple's history in music and we're thrilled to make 'Songs of Innocence' the largest album release ever."

There is not much in the news regarding the deal as a marketing move, but I am anxious to see if this kind of surprise becomes a more popular publicity strategy over time.

Do you think this was a smart way to promote the band's new album? Or do you think it may have made some enemies out of consumers for invasion of privacy? Let us know in the comments!

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo.

Interview Etiquette

With PRowl hiring for the 2014-2015 school year, I believe a blog about proper interview etiquette would be helpful to all of our readers (but especially the prospective new hires that are looking at our site in preperation for the interview), which brings me to my first point. 

(google images)

1. Do your research 

ALWAYS research the company you are interviewing with.  Pay special attention to their mission statement, goals and client list.  It is better to be over prepared for an interview than not be able to answer a question.  Plus, researching allows you to better understand what the company is all about and helps you to figure out if you would be a good fit there.  Also, put together a portfolio of writing samples that the interviewer can keep.  As a PR major, make sure you are up to date on current events as well! 

 2. Dress to impress

It is always best to be overdressed than underdressed, especially for a formal interview.  Stick to the basics, but make sure your outfit also showcases your individual personality.  A simply statement necklace or fun tie can easily dress up a suit and also make you memorable to your interviewer.

3. Think before you speak

Remember that you prepared extensively for the interview so don’t let your nerves get the best of you.  Think carefully about your answer before you speak.  It is okay to take a few seconds to compose yourself as long as your stellar answer makes up for it.

4.Breathe, Stretch, Shake

Chances are your interviewer wants to talk to you considering he/she called you in for an interview.  So, own it! Stay confident and friendly.  Don’t let nerves and anxiety get the best of you.  Your interviewer has been in your position before so he/she knows exactly what you are going through!

PRowl interviews will be held this upcoming week! So if you are a public relations major looking to take the next step in the right directions, make sure you set up an interview! Hiring details can be found here: https://tackk.com/prowlishiring.  Best of luck to everyone, can’t wait to meet you all!  

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo. 

The Game of Goal Setting (And How To Win)

A goal, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as something you are trying to do or achieve.  However, setting goals while a student in college is often difficult.  Throughout the four years that you are in college, your interests constantly develop and change, making setting goals almost impossible.  Have no fear people, below are a few helpful tips to setting and achieving realistic goals!

In order to accomplish your dreams:

Be Real With Yourself
Remember that the most important thing to do is to set goals that you are actually able to complete.  Set long term goals that reflect where you want to be in five years and short term goals to accomplish within the next year or so.  In college, it is easy to get carried away with big dreams and that's okay, but you have to be willing to work for them.

Make a Timeline 
Creating a timeline will allow for you to physically see the goals that you have created for yourself.  A timeline will also keep you on track on a daily basis.  Your timeline can be created on your computer or simply written out, but make sure you have one! Include dates and years for each goal and a description of what you want to accomplish and why.  A timeline is a great motivational tool!

Don't Give Up 
In a world of instant gratification, remember that goals are things to work towards. Goals and dreams go hand in hand.  You have to have goals in order to accomplish your dreams.  So remember to not give up when it feels like you have been working towards something that is hard to achieve.  Long term goals especially, are the hardest to accomplish because they can take years of work.  The goals that you work the hardest to achieve will yield the most rewards!

Work Hard, Play Hard 
In the wise words of Wiz Khalifa, "Work Hard, Play Hard," when you are goal setting.  Keep in mind that you have to work every single day to accomplish your dreams.  Stay motivated, stay confident and stay humble when trying to accomplish goals.  Take time off from working your every day job to do things you enjoy such as going to the beach or simply sitting down with a good book.  

In the end, goal setting can be a terribly scary experience when you can't see into the future.  Whether you are on the path to become a PR star or a different kind of professional, you are beyond capable of accomplishing you goals as long as you remind yourself of what you want daily!

What are some of your goals? Let us know in the comments!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo. 

The Charmed Life of Alex and Ani

Alex and Ani is a company founded by Carolyn Rafaelian, an innovative and creative business woman who focuses on positive energy.  The Alex and Ani brand began simply as charmed bangles but today consists of candles, necklaces, rings, etc.  The company focuses highly on sustainability and positive actions, making the brand appealing to many different audiences.

Not only am I personal fan of the bracelets, but also of the branding and public relations behind the company.  I applaud the PR department at Alex and Ani as they are continually working to brand the bracelets.  The company brands their products through the four following components:

Sustainability-  Alex and Ani bracelets are made with materials that are economically and environmentally beneficial to society.  There is even a charm on each bracelet with the iconic recycle symbol.  By doing this, Alex and Ani is appealing to both the environmentalists and fashionistas nationwide.    

Made In America – The bracelets are made in hand picked warehouses throughout the country.  Alex and Ani main stores are located on the main streets of cities in America, supporting small business and helping the economy to grow.  This strategy of the brand allows their customers to believe they are bettering the economy when purchasing a product because they are promoting corporate consciousness.

Positivity- The charms that are put on each bracelet are carefully researched so that they are absolutely sure the charms encompass positivity.  Everyone needs a little positivity in their life and their goal is that putting on the bracelets daily will help the wearer to be reminded that life is beautiful. The various charms also give the wearer a chance to express their personality based on the charms they pick.

Social Media- Alex and Ani is extremely interactive via social media. Search the hashtags #charmedarms, #positiveenergy and #alexandani on any social media outlet and you will see the most recent jewelry trend in America.  The company is constantly holding Instagram contests and replying to their customers on Twitter.  They also keep a blog titled “The Charmed Life” that is updated frequently and features links to their other social media outlets. 

Alex and Ani brands certain charms towards specific holidays: the “love” bangle for Valentines Day or the “four leaf clover” for St. Patrick’s Day.  There are also bangles that include charms for Autism awareness and other organizations that Alex and Ani donate a portion of their profits to.  Overall, Alex and Ani is a consistent brand and company; I admire their work ethic and strategy.  

The Final Countdown

Have no fear fellow stressed out students, the end is near.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Between final projects, final presentations, and final exams you don’t know where to begin to tackle your workload. 

If you are anything like me, you are sitting in classes thinking about your Thanksgiving dinner or doodling holiday graphics instead of taking notes.  A month may seem like a long time but the next four weeks are going to fly by so hold on and (try to) enjoy the ride.  Here are some tips to help you stay organized and focused: 

• Make a to-do list.  In fact, make multiple to-do lists; whatever works best for you.  You may not be an advocate of to-do lists but in times of multiple deadlines they are a great way to keep you on track.
• Invest in sticky notes and carry them with you at all times.  Sticky notes are useful when it comes to jotting down ideas or tasks that pop into your head throughout the day.  Then you can stick them on your wall, your agenda book, your laptop…the possibilities are endless.
• Start studying for exams early.  Finals week may seem far off but if you make your flash cards and outlines in your spare time now, you will have more time to study them later.
• Organize your time.  Instead of spending your Tuesdays watching Law and Order: SVU and sitting on the couch, do some school work.  Making a daily schedule that includes what and when you are getting something done may help to keep you focused.
• Breathe. Remember to allow yourself some down time to relax.  Run off your stress at the gym.  Cuddle up with a book that doesn’t involve theories and definitions.  Have a dance party with yourself.  And if all else fails, call mom.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another”- William James, American philosopher.

Stay positive, drink a lot of coffee, and sleep often.  You are almost one semester closer to the real world!  

What is your best strategy for keeping calm and collected at the end of the semester?

This guest blog post was written by Kaylie Corallo.