Using Twitter for job searches

This is a story about how David found a job using twitter, a microblogging & social networking site. Just another example of the opportunities out there.

Does this spark and interest in Twitter? Check out these site that can help get you started:

Advice on how to Twitter

Here are some tips to learn how to use twitter appropriately and effectively

How to find people to follow on Twitter

You can follow Clemson PRSSA on twitter: @clemsonprssa

Dr. V is also on twitter: @prprof_mv

Are you on twitter? If so, put your twitter user name in the comments, so we can find each other!

PR Portfolios

Brett Turner, PR Director for Jackson-Dawson Marketing Solutions, was the guest speaker for the Clemson PRSSA meeting on PR Portfolios.

• The most important ability of a PR practitioner is WRITING!
• PR practitioners are master communicators.

Rules of Resumes

• Include a cover letter with your resume.  This is the most important thing to include with your resume.
• The cover letter is what separates you from other people.
• Do research about the company. 
• Connect how your experience can tie in and help with the clients at a specific company/firm.
• Write well.  Don’t not have mis-spellings in your resume, cover letter, etc.   Spell check does not catch everything.
• UNDERSTAND THE AUDIENCE THAT YOU ARE TALKING TO. Know the company’s niche.
• Re-contact the company and be assertive.  This will let someone know you are serious.
• Don’t forget to write a thank-you note. (handwritten- most company’s are lead by older generations)

PR Portfolios

What should a portfolio do?

• It is to gain attention. It is for someone to remember you.
• Stimulate interest. A portfolio needs to pull the employer in and engage them.  Make someone look further and want to delve in.
• Build a desire.

What needs to be in a portfolio?

• Don’t fluff up a resume.
• Include writing samples.

Styles of PR Portfolios

• many styles: 3 ring binder
• start with a very general cover letter (where your from, what you have done, what you enjoy, etc.)
• next resume.
• keep its in a chronological order from earliest to latest.
• showcase your writing skills, if you did an event, etc.
• Include references. Usually 3.
• make it easy.
• you don’t need a lot.

Interviews

• Ask questions to the interviewer. Smart, thought out questions.
• ex: Are the people I am going to be working with here today and can I meet them?
• ex: What skills do I not have to be successful in this job?
• ex: What is going to be my day to day role?  What is a typical day like?

Novemeber 19th Meeting

Are you looking to apply for PR internships and wondering what they are looking for and expecting from you? Do you have questions about your resume and cover letter? Are you unsure what to include in your PR portfolio?

Come to PRSSA’s November meeting! Brett Turner from Jackson-Dawson will be coming to discuss how to create PR portfolios:

When: November 19 at 7:00

Where: Brackett 213

Attire: Business Casual

Cost: Free for members, $2 for non-members

Please RSVP here!

Remember to bring your resume, cover letter, and anything you may want to have him critique.

Here is a brief bio of our speaker Brett Turner:

Brett Turner is Public Relations Director for Jackson-Dawson Marketing Solutions. His responsibilities include strategic planning and daily oversight of all of JD’s PR clients, including BMW, Michelin, Milliken, Greenville Hospital System, Bloom and Food Lion grocery stores and Piaggio aircraft.

Turner earned his APR (Accredited in Public Relations) designation in 2006, which is the hallmark of the public relations profession and signifies mastery of the public relations profession.

Turner has extensive experience in sports journalism, sports marketing and public relations, having covered the North Carolina men’s basketball team and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers from 1994-1997. He then managed public relations accounts for NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series teams from 1997 through the end of the 2000 season, before being named Director of Public Relations for SailNet.com in Charleston, S.C. Turner joined JD in 2001.

Turner is a 1993 graduate of Clemson University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Communications/Journalism. He is married to the former Suzanne Spaulding of Charleston, a 1997 graduate of Clemson who holds a B.S. degree in psychology. The Turners reside in Anderson with their two sons, William and Wyatt, and Truxton, the family Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Nov. 9 Executive Board Meeting

Executive Board Meeting- November 9, 2008

I.                    Updates for November 19^th Meeting

a.       Speaker, Room- Dr. V

                                                              i.      Brackett 213

b.      Speaker’s Bio – Meg

c.       Event Descriptions— leads to blog post and event announcement- Meg and Caroline

d.      Promote Meeting

                                                              i.      Meg to send out e-mail about the meeting

                                                            ii.      Julie to publicly promote

1.      Create powerpoint slides and send to professors

2.      Put us on the events email

3.      Put an ad in the Tiger

4.      Identify Marketing professors

5.      Advertise to other minor – PRTM, Advertising

II.                 Fundraising

a.       Sally cancelled bake sale

b.      Looking into baseball concessions

c.       Try to raise money and try to put a line on your resume

d.      Put together a fundraising committee and set a goal for money

e.       Looking into the Greenville PRSA Dec. meeting

                                                              i.      Talent auction

III.               Clemson PRSSA has a gmail account

a.       Clemsonprssa at gmail dot com

IV.              Future Treasurer and Historian

a.       Scheduled a meeting to teach them what they need to know

b.      Tiffany Sellars and Allie Fox

V.                 A future executive board meeting to look over the PRSSA website

a.       Awards, scholarships, etc.

VI.              Listserv business

a.       Send out email to listserv and ask who does not want to be on it

b.      Make a members only listserv

                                                              i.      Scholarships, internships

                                                            ii.      Executive board stuff

VII.            Special meeting with Madison, Dr. V, and Julie to discuss PR stuff

VIII.         Scholarships

a.       Possibility of offering a free membership a year?

b.      Application form

c.       Name, graduation date, GPA, major, will be here both semesters?

d.      Demonstrate need, print off a degree progress report

e.       What will you give back and how will you be involved?

f.       What are your career goals?

g.       How will a membership in PRSSA benefit you after graduation?

h.      Deadline is Oct. 21^st

IX.              Twitter and the blog

a.       Send ideas to Caroline

b.      Get guest bloggers