As the internship manager at BPR, I’ve received dozens of emails in recent months from prospective interns and entry-level candidates inquiring about available positions, or about how to market themselves in a weakening job market. So I thought it would be helpful to compile a few of my best tips and tricks into one blog post— here are seven of them.
1. Create a work portfolio. A solid portfolio demonstrating your skills and expertise will help you stand out in a pool of applicants that solely relies on resumes or cover letters. Build a sophisticated portfolio using a simple, user-friendly website like Wix or Squarespace. If you’re a recent graduate and don’t have any professional experience or relevant internships, you can include class assignments, blog posts, design work or any writing samples you’re particularly proud of.
2. Learn to be flexible. If you’re interested in events, hospitality or entertainment PR, you might be struggling to find a job more than some of your peers in other industries right now. That’s OK. Those jobs will eventually become available. In the meantime, learn to be flexible and adapt. Opt for a PR or marketing job in a different industry instead. While you won’t be doing exactly what you’d hoped you would, you’ll gain valuable skills that will translate to those jobs later on.
3. Reach out to old connections. LinkedIn is an extremely valuable tool right now. Take a few minutes to comb through your network and check in with any connections whom you haven’t been in touch with lately. It’s important not to be pushy or demanding in these interactions. Instead, offer a helping hand. And when the time is right, those connections may be in a position to help you in return.
4. Tap your university’s alumni network. More often than not, when you research a specific company on LinkedIn, it’ll indicate on the righthand side how many alumni have worked there. Sift through these contacts and see if there are any you’d feel comfortable reaching out to. Also browse alumni groups on LinkedIn and on Facebook as well. People are constantly posting new jobs there and may be more inclined to hire a fellow alumnus.
5. Become a freelancer. There are plenty of small businesses that could use inexpensive PR support right now. Try going solo for a little while and reach out to restaurants, boutiques, doctors’ offices or others, and ask if they’d benefit from your services. Or, if you have the means to do so, consider reaching out to agencies or companies in the area and volunteer to work for them without pay. This, at least, will allow you to hone your skills while you work to secure something more long-term.
6. Learn a new skill. In a normal job market, you’re competing against hundreds of other qualified candidates for just a couple of openings. Now, multiply that by a lot to match our current market. I know it’s scary, but keep putting your best foot forward. Learn a new skill – search engine optimization, graphic design, podcast production, to name a few – to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. You can find plenty of free resources, courses and videos online on just about any topic.
7. Be patient. This is probably the most difficult piece of advice to follow. Though it may seem like some of your peers are starting their dream jobs, just know that most of them are in the same boat as you. But there is always need for a good communicator. With enough patience, determination and creativity, you will get to where you need to be.
I won’t sugarcoat it: nailing a job right now is difficult. But don’t be discouraged. If you’re persistent, network often and prove your value, companies will find a spot for you. Take our newest account coordinator, Taylor, for example. When the pandemic hit, BPR put all hiring on hold. A few weeks later, we were fortunate to receive a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, allowing us to add two summer interns to our roster for eight weeks.
Taylor, a former summer intern of ours, came on board. Those two months came and went fast. Taylor went above and beyond what was expected of her, so we found a way to make a permanent position available just for her.
If you work hard enough, it can happen for you, too. Keep your heads up, grads.
Looking for more words of wisdom? Drop us a line at careers@buchananpr.com.