It’s graduation season, when job queries – and advice on landing a position – are plentiful, especially from sales, marketing, and PR professionals. In fact, PR veterans Jessica Kleiman and Meryl Weinsaft Cooper wrote a book, Be Your Own Best Publicist, full of great tips for next-gen types.
But what about the more seasoned among us? PR tools and tactics can help there, too. Here are some best practices from PR pros and recruiters in the field.
Revamp your online reputation. One of the first things we do in setting up a new client program is research, including listening to what’s said about the business or brand. Of course, everyone in the job market knows the power of online reputation but nurturing a personal brand isn’t just about managing the negative. It’s about maximizing page one of search results to reflect a proactive, current positioning that communicates expertise.
Reference your authority. To that point, you can position yourself as an expert in your area through regular blog posts or – most underused – short videos on YouTube. Start discussions on LinkedIn. Become a regular part of the community on key blogs in your area. Post in the professional groups on Quora. Use MENG more actively. Make connections but convey expertise as you do so.
Repackage yourself. That’s what we say when a certain story pitch isn’t working. If your CV is being rejected out-of-hand, it’s time to replace dated anecdotes with fresh ones and present your skills and experience in a current context. According to recruiters, it’s best to focus on the last 15 years of your resume. And everything – from your CV to your look to your digital profile – should be up-to-date.
Create a