It’s Never Too Late….Right?

If you’re reading this it’s not too late- my poor twisted reference to Drake’s new mix-tape.  To answer, the burning questions I am sure the world has: yes, I am still on my public relations journey and no, I still haven’t landed my dream internships working with Taylor Swift, the Kardashians or the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I am now in my second semester of my corporate communications and public relations program at Centennial College. Second semester means two things- adjusting back from Christmas break and internships.

To start, adjusting back to getting up at 6:30am for school has been horrendous. Is that too harsh? Maybe. But so is waking up before the sun. I’ve realized that waking up does not get any better but the taste of coffee does or in my case the taste of my vanilla bean latte.

I can honestly say January was the most anxiety filled month. I was overwhelmed with internship applications, cover letters and resumes. Centennial required we submit our internship applications to our companies of choice by February 2nd. And instead of grabbing the bull by the horns, I sank deeper into my bed watching the Kardashians.

Fast forward to January 28^th– a flow blown meltdown is occurring. My arm is cramping from typing so much, my eyes are red from crying and my mom is trying to comfort my poor broken internship-less soul. Not a good state to be applying to internships in. It was a disaster. I was only applying to places to meet the deadline and get the weight off my shoulders. I do not want anyone to go through what I did so here are some tips on how to avoid an internship meltdown Katie Mott style.

How to avoid my internship meltdown:
1. Apply as soon as possible: This is the best way to manage stress and gives you more options.

2.  Be confident: To quote Dr.Seuss, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

3. Proof Read: Not just for spelling errors, but to make sure your cover letter reflects you and the internship position.
4. Keep applying: What do you have to lose? Nothing! The world is your oyster.

Looking back, I caused myself so much unnecessary stress. Yes, the whole internship process is stressful but it can also be fun. Applying for internships is a chance for you to envision yourself in a variety of different jobs.  Just remember-you can do this and you will do this!

Now I’ll get back to watching the Kardashians…..

Happy Learning!

Katie

Resume Building YOUR Way

Resume building is something I have personally struggled with. During  university I found I did not have much time to work or build my resume. Once I started at Centennial College I found my classmates were building their resumes their own way. 

What I learned:
1. Volunteer experience is huge: Have you volunteered before? Put it down. It’s just as valuable as job experience.
2. Not Everything Goes: Your resume should not consist of your life history. Put  down your most recent jobs, achievements and volunteer experience. Nix your highschool history.
3.Your Achievements Count: Did you pull off a great fundraising event? Put it down!
4. Let YOUR resume SHOW YOU: One of my classmates has a resume with colours and logos. This lets her personality shine through!

After I put these tips in place:
I found my resume did a 360 when I added my volunteer experience, personalized my resume, and trimmed it down. It reflects who I am now and how I want to be perceived in the pr world. This is key. YOUR resume is a REFLECTION of  YOU.

Here is a sample template:

Here is the link to this template image:
http://workbloom.com/resume/resume-sample-example-template-image/Marketing%20coordinator%20and%20Marketing%20Assistant1.jpg

Try this resume builder!
http://www.resume-now.com/builder/load.aspx#

And do not forget about this article on how to write a resume fresh out of college:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/05/10/how-to-write-a-resume-when-youre-just-out-of-college/

So my question for YOU is would you use these tips? What are your resume tips and tricks? Comment below!

Happy Learning!
Katie

Dress to Impress the Right Way: Interview Fashion 101

One the biggest dilemmas I am facing in my new pr career is what to wear to interviews. Normally, I toss on a pair of shiny leggings and a blouse but I am no longer 20 years old and hitting up my university bar.

So this blog post will be dedicated to what to wear to interviews and how to use your current wardrobe.

 My Three must haves for an interview:
1. A Blazer
2. A sophisticated skirt or dress
3.  A tailored pair of pants

Three Pieces You Already have:
1.A blouse: Remember that sheer blouse you bought and never thought you would wear?  Layer it with a tank top and a blazer.
2. A high-waisted skirt: Remember that high-waisted pencil skirt you bought to be sophisticated and cool for your grandma’s birthday?  Now you finally have a use for it.
3. Black ballet flats: We all have black ballet flats. My flats are black and sequined  from Forever 21. Put them to good use!

These are six simple pieces that you can mix and match over again.
REMEMBER: You can repeat a outift.

For example…

Remember the do’s and don’t’s of Interview fashion:
DO
1.Make sure you are comfortable: If you are tugging on your clothes interviewers will take note.
2. Dress for the job you want: If you are interviewing for a CEO position dress like one!
3.  Explore colour! If you look great in a grey brazer…WEAR IT.  Don’t get stuck on black.

DON’T
1. Don’t let your clothes do the talking: Something too tight or revealing will take away from you!
2. Don’t wear athletic shoes: This is inappropriate and immediately gives interviewers an unprofessional vibe.
3. Don’t wear mountains of jewellery or make-up:  You are at a job interview not out with your friends.

Though this blog post primarily explores women’s interview attire I have found some great websites for men on interview fashion and attire.

http://www.mensfitness.com/styleandgrooming/fashion/what-wear-job-interview
http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/proper-attire-look-job-interview/

Men comment and tell me about your interview attire, what works, what doesn’t and what your tips are for others!

When in doubt remember….Keep It Simple Silly

Happy Learning!

Katie

Stress, Time Management and You!

When I am stressed there I are many other things I would rather being doing than homework such as sleeping and watching Greys Anatomy….two of my favourite things.  However, all my stress stems from my lack of time management. University stressed me out but it felt like a right of passage and once I passed through it I was able to mange my stress and time more effectively.

College though is a whole different ball game and I am new to game. So what does any player do? They learn the game and beat it. 

Here are my self-invented  time management tips:
1. Block your time: Divide your days into sections. For example I will devote two hours for homework on Saturdays from 1-3pm and then take an hour break. Try it out!
2. Set Goals: Aim to have a certain amount or part of your work done by a specific time.  I find this makes me compete with myself and I actually work faster.
3. Sleep: If you are tired just sleep. When you are tired you are not going to produce your best work. Go to bed early. Just do it.
4. Have YOU time: I set aside an hour every night before I go to bed and I unwind. I watch television shows or read. Come down from your stress.
5. Invest in an agenda: My agenda goes with me everywhere. I have nightmares of losing it. Writing things down will help you feel organized. 
6. You cannot not doing everything right now: You cannot do it all. You have to learn to prioritize. Learn to accept not everything is a priority.

As much as I love my tips sometimes you gotta listen to a professional. Check out the website below its specifically for college students.
Five Time Management Tips to Calm College Student Stress:

http://www.campuscalm.com/time_management.html

Stress is natural but letting it take over your life is not!

Let me know what destresses you!

Happy learning!
Katie

How to Prepare for an Interview: From My Perspective

Interviews.  Everyone gets a chill down their spine when they hear that word.  Imagine how my heart dropped when I heard my teacher say we had to do an mock interview as one of our assignments.  After my heart dropped, I thought, I got this. 

Our assignment required us to research the mock job position  and prepare answers to potential interview questions.

I had never done a pr interview but I thought they must be similar to other retail interviews I had. Prior to the interview, I did research about the company and formed answers to potential questions. Lets just  say I did the bare minimum. This is a huge lesson right here. 

The Interview: 
I went into the interview room feeling pretty good. However, the interview style was different from what I was use to. It was quite formal and my typical answers were not going to cut it this time.  I was stunned but I moved through the interview thinking still I got this. 

What I learned: 
The I got this  attitude does not get you far. You cannot wing an interview.  And you must always prepare. Having never done a pr interview, I should have prepared much more and that showed big time.  

Here are the tips I learned from my pr interview:

1.PREPARE: Do your homework, research the company back ground, and write answers to potential interview questions.
2. Know your interview: Be aware of the type of interview it is. This is not an interview for a job at the mall. Think about that.
3. Be detailed in your answers: Give lots of examples, it’s your time to shine!  Use both work and non-work related examples as well. This shows you are well versed.
4. Ask Questions: Questions show you are interested and have done your homework. Be aware of appropriate  and inappropriate questions.
5.  Dress the part: The more professional you look the more professional you feel! 
6. Be confident NOT cocky: There is a huge difference in being confident and being cocky.

I hope my tips help but here are some other helpful tips about interviews from pr industry professionals. Check them out and tell me if they help!

http://www.skilledup.com/articles/12-public-relations-questions-answers-jump-start-pr-career/

http://www.smartrecruiters.com/blog/the-4-essential-interview-questions-for-the-pr-professional/

I want you to be PREPARED for your pr interviews and LEARN from my mistakes.

Share your tips with me and let me know if mine help.

Happy Learning!
Katie

Group Work: Can You Be a Team Player?

For this post I want to discuss group projects.  I find group projects can be a tense subject.  We have all been there where group members do not contribute and you’re stuck pulling others weight. Or you’re the rare individuals who have had great group work experiences.

I have found my group work at Centennial has been positive but I have had to adjust my ideas and work methods.

Here’s what I did:
1. Listen: Listen to everyone, hear out their concerns, fears and goals.
2. Be accommodating: Not everyone will be on the same schedule as you. Make a document of times everyone is available and not available. This will save headaches.
3. Learn how to mediate: Personalities will always confict. Learn how to hear both sides and find an effective solution.

These are tips I have learned over the years and I am still learning how to work effectively with groups. It is never easy but remember everyone is in the same boat.

Learning to work with others effectively is something you will take with you throughout life. So why not start now?

Here are some extra tips on working effectively with groups. I hope they help!
http://collegelife.about.com/od/academiclife/ht/GroupWorkTips.htm

Group messaging apps:
http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/2998-17-Group-Messaging-Mobile-Apps
http://www.imore.com/best-messaging-apps-iphone-hangouts-line-whatsapp-more

Mediating Tips:
http://www.mindfulmediation.com.au/workplace-conflict-resolution/

Comment and share some of your group work experiences!
Happy Learning!

Katie

New Assignment, New ME!

My first assignment as a pr student challenged almost everything I knew as  university student.

My assignment was called a communicator reporter . It did not require me to spend hours researching the library data base or exhausting every method of research. No, it required me to find a professional in my field, reach out and chat with them. Something I had never done.

I reached out to a pr professional from Contemporary Security Canada. I found my contact through a mutal friend on LinkedIn. Having a mutal friend made the connection much easiser. Check out tips below on how to reach out in any circumstance! 

I talked to her over the phone; I asked her  questions from the assignment but  I also asked  some of my own. This is key!  ALWAYS ASK. Ask what you want to know! People love being asked questions when helping others! 

This assignment was so insightful.  I learned from someone in the field I dreamed to be in. But I also did something I never thought I could do. I stepped out of my comfort zone.

Although I had major butterflies with this assignment  I realized I had conquered more than I thought I could. I learned new information about the world of pr but I also learned a new way to research, connect and  challenge myself.

Everything is a learning experience!

Happy Learning!

Katie

Check out this link on how to reach out :
http://idealistcareers.org/reaching-out-without-creeping-your-101-guide-to-building-your-network-online/

The Power of Positivity

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my first few weeks as a pr student was changing my way of thinking.

All my teachers kept repeating, “Frame everything in the positive.”  This was the key to success. My teachers said something will always go wrong but something can always go right, its how you handle it. Clients do not want to hear the bad they want to hear the good. 

I had to change the way I thought on an everyday basis.  

Here’s what I did to change my thinking
1. Look for the bright side in EVERYTHING: for example, you might be stuck in traffic with your mom and you’re late for work but you got to score some extra time with your mom to catch up!
2. Take responsibility: Own it. Own everything you do. For example, you made a mistake at work but you overcame it. You failed an assignment but you didn’t spend the amount of time you should have. Own it.
3.Practice: You cannot change your thought process overnight. You have to commit to being positive.
4. Listen to yourself: Others may laugh at your attempts to be positive, but know this is for you and not others.

Being positive is hard. Sometimes it can down right suck. But I have found being committed to being positive has helped my life is amazing ways. People are attracted to positivity and often complement you on it! What’s better than a complement to brighten up your day?

Positivity is key in the pr world. Learn it now and you will succeed.

Happy Learning!
Katie
Ps. here are some links to help your positive mind! Let me know if they help!

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/tips-help-you-think-more-positively.html khkhkhkhk

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/positive-thinking_b_3512202.html

My First day at Centennial: Letting my guard down.

“The first day of school”, a phrase that makes most people in their right minds shiver. Trust me, it does not get easier the older you get. Here is a snippet of my first day at Centennial college as a post-graduate pr student.

My first day at Centennial is a day I will never forget. I was worried about making friends, if I would like the teachers and my classes…. but most of all I was worried that everyone else was a total pr professional.

I made my first friend Sarah because I could not open the door to the building. It was a push not pull. But it was that moment of vulnerability that I made a life long friend. We laughed over the incident and walked into class together. We have been sitting together ever since.

Sarah and I at Corus Entertainment for Passport to Pr.

After telling that story to several other classmates I realized everybody was just as nervous as I was.  Everyone was laughing and was happy to see we were all in the same boat. Nobody was a pr professional yet. 

Sometimes you make friends in unusual ways and I learned an important lesson: let your guard down. 

So let your guard down, show people who you are and you might just make a life long friend.

Do not forget to laugh and smile at the funny moments life throws your way!

Happy learning!

Katie

How did I get HERE? How will you get THERE?

Picking a career and college are both journeys in themselves. After being in university for four years I felt more lost and confused at the end then I did at the start. I knew I had to make a change and here is how I did it:

1. RESEARCH:Research all colleges; research your interests, potential jobs, and research programs.
2. ASK QUESTIONS: Ask yourself what makes you happy, where you see yourself and ask guidance councillors or friends where they see you.
3. MAKE A PLAN:make a plan of what you want to do. A plan acts as a road map for you. It will keep you on track but also make things clearer for you.
4. WRITE IT DOWN:Write down your thoughts and ideas. Examine how these ideas have changed over time. Keep a tiny notebook with you at all times. You never know when INSIRPATION will hit

What I found most helpful was researching my own interests and seeing what jobs I could do with them. Then I researched various colleges with my interests in mind and found Centennial’s environment fit both my interests and my personality. For example, I like celebrities and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As hard as it was I reached out to Centennial. I booked a tour to explore the program and see the campus. This is important; you must be able to SEE YOURSELF there.

I made a plan for myself. I found it useful because I had something to follow and keep me in check. It might sound silly but it works!

I started to keep a journal with me. I found ideas tended to float to my head during lectures, at the library or out with friends. Don’t want to use a notebook? Your cell phone acts as a notepad!

I hope my list helps YOU find the perfect program and career for you. Sometimes we have to step back and look at the big picture to see how all the puzzle pieces fit.

Comment and let me know if these tips work for you!

Happy learning!