Best Practices for Beating the Odds – and Winning A Job in PR

� 1996 Syracuse University Graduate – B.S. Broadcast Journalism

� 11 years experience in radio news/sports reporting, advertising, sales

� Classes taken in public relations: 0

� Professional work experience with social media: 0

�Media Relations experience: 0

� Portfolio: Non-existent

�Unemployed

Just 4 years ago, at age 33, I was just like you: facing an uphill battle.

� Customer Communication Content Manager, Chase

�Works daily with mortgage VPs, project managers, subject experts

�Writes operations procedures published to corporate intranet

� Classic movie blogger

�Media placement collection

�Online portfolio

� Founded an official alumni chapter on the strength of social media

I got there. So can you.

But you better be ready to work.

� Passion� What do you LOVE to do?

� How many hours can you stand?

� What sacrifices are you willing to make to advance your career?

� Professionalism� Personal appearance

� Managing relationships and expectations

� Trust

� Presentation� Taking pride in your work

� Marketing yourself

And the most important of them all… Personal Relationships

1996: WNSS-AM 1260, Syracuse, NY

1996: WSYR-570 AM, Syracuse, NY

1997: KDKD-FM, Clinton, MO

1998: West Virginia Radio

Corporation, Morgantown, WV

2003: WBNS-AM, Columbus, OH

2005: Apollo Group, Columbus, OH

2007: C.H. Robinson, Columbus, OH

2008, 2011: Chase, Columbus, OH

YOU

ONLINE

APPLICANTS

(BOTTOMLESS PIT)

HIRING MANAGER

RECRUITER

� Internships/Alumni networks

� Professional organizations

� Volunteering

� Young adult groups

� Community events

� Social networks – Meetup.com

� Business organizations

“Can we connect on LinkedIn?” is your new favorite question.

� Be prompt, come prepared

� Conservative business attire – shine those shoes!

� Examples, examples, examples

� Now playing: Your “Greatest Hits”

� You are positive at all times. No matter what.

� Hand-written Thank You note

� The PR field is vast. Find your fit.

� Separate yourself from the college stigma.

� Always higher.

� Party responsibly.

� Find people who believe in you – but more

importantly, believe in yourself.