Tips For Young Professionals Starting A New Job

You nailed the job interview, and now the hiring manager wants to know when you can start, and whether you're planning to take some time off between leaving your current gig and starting the new one. You may be tempted to take a week off just to put your feet up, or start as soon as possible to avoid any gaps in your income, but here's how to make the right decision and determine whether you're mentally or emotionally ready to start a new job right away. 

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 Can You Afford a Break?

The first question to ask yourself when considering your new job's start date is how long you can afford to be out of a job. In some cases, your new employer may want you on the job as soon as possible, and if you can't afford to take time off in between jobs, even for a few days or a long weekend, then the decision is already made for you. If you can afford a few days away from work, have your own emergency fund, or just need some time to recharge, you may want to consider a couple of days in between jobs to help you get in the right mindset to start a new gig. Here are some basics you should consider:

-Do you need time to recharge?

-Can you survive missing a paycheck?

-When does your new employer want you to start?

-Do you have questions for your new boss that you want answered before you get there?

Are You In The Right Frame of Mind for A New Job?

Stop and take stock of your mental, emotional, and physical health. How has your diet been? Have you been exercising regularly, and getting enough rest? They may seem personal, but all of them have an impact on your professional performance, and if you those personal habits aren't where you want them to be, you won't find a better opportunity to take the time to correct them than the time in-between jobs.

How Stressed Out Will This New Job Make You?

Even if your internships didn't stress you out, your new job may be the biggest professional challenge you've faced. If you know you're about to walk into one of the most hectic, busy, and possibly stressful positions you've ever had, you may want to take a little time before you walk in the door for the first time to get yourself psyched up for it.

Do You Need To Brush Up On Your Skills?

If you think your new job will challenge you in ways you've never been challenged before, or you know from your interviews that your new job will require you to use some skills and abilities you haven't used in a while, it may be an absolute must to take a few days off between jobs to brush up. If you take some time to get your skills and tools sharpened, it will help you feel more confident in yourself, when entering the new workplace. 

Do You Need to Make Any Changes to Your Wardrobe, Workspace, or Buy New Equipment?

You have a new job, but do you need to buy new clothes? Perhaps you'll be working from home and your desk just isn't set up for long hours of work. Maybe you need to buy some new equipment, like a new laptop or monitor for your home office, a new laptop bag for work, some new notebooks, or just desk organization tools to help you get settled at the new job. The last thing you'll want to worry about when you start a new job is whether or not the Staples will be open on your way home from a new office on a drive you're not familiar with. Make sure you talk with your future boss about what your company's equipment policies are, what they will provide you with, the dress code, and then go shopping for the rest. 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck. 

3 Ways To Turn Your Internship Into A Full Time Job

As an intern, you are constantly striving to make yourself stand out. This can be hard to do especially if you are working in an office full of interns who seem to know what they’re doing. If you’re looking to land a full-time job with the company, remembering these 3 tips to impress your boss can help push you to the top. 

Ask Questions

Your boss knows that as an intern you don’t know every little detail of how the company works. Never be timid to ask questions when you are confused about an assignment. Your boss will most likely admire your curiosity to learn the ins and outs of the company. Especially when you are hoping for the company to hire you- it’s always best for them if they can save some time by not having to train someone new.

Volunteer to take on more responsibility

Showing enthusiasm, interest, and proactive engagement in individual and team assignments is a great way to boost your advancement in the company. Making an effort to fit in with the culture and mission of the company, by taking on extra responsibilities can impress your boss and show you have what it takes.

Stay engaged

Check with your immediate boss after completing an assignment, schedule periodic reviews and volunteer as much as you can. Doing these things shows your boss some serious initiative, which is something they yearn for.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck. 

4 Reasons To Declare A Minor

After transferring to Temple University last fall, my academic advisor told me that all students in public relations should consider picking up a minor. With a vast array of minor programs described in a brochure in front of me, I quickly became overwhelmed. What should I minor in?

Although picking a minor may be the farthest thing from your mind, having one can be a great asset to your professional development. Considering a minor can come as a blessing as it can lead you to learn more, in and out of the classroom about your strongest passions. 

Minors help you appear more well-rounded. My digital design professor told me this after I thought about adding Digital Media Technologies as a minor. I was not only good at communicating using emerging media and computer technologies but I had a passion for it. My professor advised me to take up this minor because even if it didn’t fit perfectly with my major of public relations, it did showcase a variety of skills I had to offer.

Minors help you gain different perspectives. College is a time to gain training and knowledge in fields you are interested in. It is also meant to open your mind to new opportunities and mindsets. In the PR field, you will be responsible for reaching out and connecting with various audiences, and different perspectives can help you better communicate with these audiences.

Minors widen your career opportunities. For example, an employer in a health care PR firm would highly prefer a public relations major with a health-related minor than another applicant with only a public relations major. In this kind of tiebreaker situation, a minor can be extremely beneficial.

Minors show you follow your passions. Potential employers are always looking for passionate team members. When you are passionate about something, it drives you to learn and succeed in that area or field even further. This exercise of passion leads to self-motivation, determination, positivity, and goal-orientation.

Many schools don't require declaring a minor. But with the job scarcity today, it is a good idea to have at least two areas that you have good skills in, which is the purpose of a minor. So, find something you enjoy and will have a life long interest in other than your major and make that your minor. You may even find that half way through your education you want to pursue your minor instead of your major. The benefits and possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new!  

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck.

Staying Inspired

As our lives continue to get busier & our responsibilities increase, it’s important to never lose focus and to keep yourself inspired both in and out of the workplace.

Here are some positive tips to keep you inspired this summer:

STAY HEALTHY

Keeping up with your health is one of the most important factors contributing to a more productive and fulfilling lifestyle. Something as simple as drinking a large glass of water when you wake up in the morning can help you think more clearly in order to start the day fresh. 

It’s no secret that daily exercise boosts your energy level, improves your mood, and reduces stress. Summer is the perfect time to do some of the most adventurous outdoor activities! I find joy in hiking the steep mountains in Colorado or swimming in the fresh water springs. There are plenty of options around you, so get out there, continue to move and don’t be afraid to sweat a little!

PLAN YOUR DAY

In the morning, identify your top three priorities for the day- then do them. I am huge fan of making lists, I make them for almost everything! A great way to start is by organizing your tasks by production time. Completing simpler tasks earlier in the day will allow you to devote maximum time to bigger projects or more playful summer activities.

At the end of your day, sit back and review your task list. Check off your accomplishments for the day and begin to set your goals for the following day. Taking a short amount of time at the end of the day to reflect will provide you with awareness of your current status when it comes to your ongoing projects, as well as confidence in your workflow.

KEEP LEARNING

To most of us, summer is a school-free, stress-free, responsibility-free few weeks of essentially doing exactly whatever we want. Although that can be true, it can also be a time to work your creative mind and keep learning new things. Have a summer reading list, browse the web, or brainstorm new innovative ideas to add more color to your life. By doing these things, one can increase their knowledge, capabilities and in turn stay inspired.

FOCUS ON WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Indulging in your favorite things is the BEST way to stay inspired this summer. Setting time aside to relax and enjoy what makes you happy can not only bring you positive thoughts but can also get your creative juices flowing. 

It’s certainly possible to have a playful summer without losing touch of your inspiration to be a more creative, happy and productive you. Recharge yourself by trying something new…who knows what doors will open because you put forth the effort!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck.