Entry-Level PR Job Archives - Page 5 of 16

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 15 – Dear Jasmin

January 28, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Wonderfully Randomadvice for college grads, beauty PR, Clairemont Communications, fashion pr, new hires

A Letter to my 18-Year-Old Self

Dear Younger Self,

Right now, I know you are focused on who likes you and maybe even how you will fit in at school. The summer is ending and college awaits you. I know that college seems intimidating and you fear rejection. Don’t fret, my dear, you will do just fine.

You fear disappointing your parents. I want to tell you that it will be okay. Your parents couldn’t be more proud of you. Everything you’ve ever wanted is over there on the other side.

There’s independence. Acceptance. There’s college and a career — one with dignity and a livable wage. There are friends ones that you will cherish; the best you’ll ever have. There is love, so much love from the ones that matter most. There are tests and trials. There is some failure. Oh, my darling, there are some rainy days. Some days you will feel so blue, know that trouble doesn’t last always and you will pull through.

Here’s what you need to know or what you already know but may not fully believe just yet:

What if I told you that next year you would step out of your circle of friends and run for Miss Sophomore, representing the entire class of 2015? What if I told you that you would win? What if I told you that this accomplishment would open so many doors for you in the university?

How about if I told you that in three and a half years you would graduate early with honors? Jasmin, you are the first in your family to finish in less than four years.

What if I told you that on your graduation day, your future boss would send you an email requesting to meet you? What if I told you that in two short weeks you would enter the working world with a full-time job? That one email would be the start of a brand new career.

So walk on campus with your head high and shoulders back. It will all come together soon.

With all of my love,

Your older self

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 14 – #jobsearch

January 27, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Professional Developmentinterview tips, interviews, job search, Networking tips, resume

As I neared graduation, I had mixed feelings about finding a “real job.” I did a plethora of job searches on Indeed.com, and although there were hundreds listed, I couldn’t find anything that didn’t require two to five years of experience.

Left feeling blue, I applied all of my critical thinking skills acquired in school. How could I find a job that would be the best fit for me? Whether you are a student seeking a job or a business professional ready to jump ship from your current position, I think you can relate to the difficulty of the job hunt.

I knew that if I could capture a prospective employer’s attention, I could at least get my foot in the door. I took to the web to find methods to enhance my resume and my interview skills. Here are a few tips for any college student approaching graduation in May or job seeker simply needing a refresher:

1. Use your network.

I find that a lot of times people are petrified to ask for help. I was very active on campus and always reached out to my mentors as well as former professors. It’s important when looking for a job to tap into your networking skills.

2. Create a resume that stands out from the crowd.

Invest in a resume that clearly conveys your skills. I think that you can remove unnecessary information and only reference skills that will help you land the job.

3. Know your strengths and your weaknesses.

I created a simple pitch highlighting my accomplishments, why I am different and what skills separate me from the bunch.

4. Don’t be afraid to contact the CEO of the company.

Although it may be difficult to find the president’s information, I have found success in connecting directly with the company owner or boss. With a little luck, they might actually enjoy your conversation, expedite the application process and invite you to interview.

5. Follow up.

After making your initial contact, don’t hesitate to email or call to follow up. The new acquaintances that you make could possibly lead to your next opportunity.

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 13 – I’m Official!

January 26, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Wonderfully RandomClairemont Communications, Clairemont Team, PR Agency

I have been so immersed with projects and client work that I didn’t get a chance to share my utter excitement about being added to our website!

Before interviewing at Clairemont, I conducted a somewhat broad search for PR companies around Raleigh. When I found Clairemont’s website, I fell in love with the color scheme and the compelling blog articles.

The “Our Team” section was my favorite. All of the team members’ headshots were beautiful, and the linked profiles to their social media really provides a tidbit on who exactly they are. As a student, I longed for the day I would be working in the “real world” and become a part of a company’s website.

All of my pageant practice of smiling in front of the camera didn’t go to waste, because I am now featured in that coveted section. Although it may seem trivial, this accomplishment was a joy for me. This one simple photo symbolizes the start of my professional career in PR. I have begun my career in PR ahead of schedule (I graduated six months early), and I can now call myself an “Account Coordinator at Clairemont Communications.”

I can honestly say that this job is the perfect fit for me, and I am so humbled to come to work every day. When I have free time, I am always popping on our webpage and looking at our team–which now includes me!

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 12 – Our Office

January 23, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Raleigh PR AgencyClairemont Communications, Clairemont House, Raleigh PR

I think that comfort in the workplace is a big deal. Well, at least for me it is. I worried about transitioning from my own space into a random cubicle. I was afraid of corporate America with its white walls and boring elevator music. In my quest to prove that feng shui matters, I discovered many studies that say the atmosphere enhances the flow of energy and may bring favorable effects.

One of my favorite things about my job is not only the people, but also the place. I love walking into The Clairemont House every morning. The versatility of the space doesn’t just limit me to working from my desk. I can choose to switch it up and move about the house whenever I need a change in scenery.

I find that working at The Clairemont House doesn’t make coming to work a chore, instead it almost feels as if I am working from home. The cozy atmosphere in the office space is inviting and collaborative. The chic decor makes the office culture fun.

As a native of Raleigh, I know this city pretty well. I love to explore different areas, as well as learn a little more about my hometown. When I accepted the job at Clairemont, my excitement grew to learn more about downtown and its rich history.

The Clairemont House is conveniently located off of New Bern Ave on South Bloodworth Street in the heart of Historic Oakwood in Downtown Raleigh. In the finishing decades of the 19th century, some of the city’s chief educators lived in Oakwood.

The Oakwood neighborhood borrowed its name from the nearby cemetery and was the first district in Raleigh created to be a private residential suburb. Oakwood remained an upholder of the middle class through the early 20th century.

The house is perfectly outfitted with large windows and a wrap-around porch. Talk about luxury office space. The gourmet eat-in kitchen and dining room make the perfect place to cook and eat your breakfast or lunch.

If all of these reasons don’t make the house seem extra special, come on by and see it for yourself. Trust me, you will be begging Mrs. Hughens to let you have a corner to curl up in and enjoy a good book.

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 11 – Q&A with Sarah

January 22, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsAPR, Blog, Entry-Level PR Jobnetworking, PR Agency, PRSA

Creating a positive work environment is the responsibility of every employee. I think it’s a good idea to get to know your co-workers. I find that in many settings no matter what walk of life you come from, you can always learn something from someone else.

Sarah Hattman, APR, has a passion for storytelling. From a decade in television news to creating award-winning campaigns for her clients, she is always searching for a memorable way to tell the story. Sarah spent nearly 10 years in television working as a producer, reporter and anchor at WECT in Wilmington, N.C. and KRQE in Albuquerque, N.M.

She made the transition from journalist to public relations practitioner with James Korenchen Public Relations in Albuquerque. In 2013, Sarah earned her Accreditation in Public Relations designation. As a member of the Clairemont Communications team, she oversees multiple accounts and provides clients guidance in all aspects of public relations.

Today, I interviewed Sarah to learn more about her experiences at Clairemont and her career switch from journalist to PR practitioner.

Jasmin: “Sarah, How did you know you wanted to make a career change?”

Sarah: “During my ten years in news, I worked with a lot of PR professionals and one of them really stood out to me. I met James Korenchen, president of James Korenchen Public Relations, while working at KRQE and he really influenced my career path. A lot of PR people are former news people, and when I first thought about making the switch from news to PR, I reached out to James to learn more about the PR profession. At the time I wasn’t sure I was quite ready to leave news, but it just so happened that he had an opening and made me an offer. I decided to take the leap and have never looked back or regretted my decision.”

Jasmin: “Since you made the career switch, I observed that you have found a love for PR. What exactly does Pubic Relations mean to you?”

Sarah: “For me PR is another version of storytelling. The difference is that in PR I don’t just tell the story, I get to shape it.”

Jasmin: “What attracted you to Clairemont?”

Sarah: “The people behind the agency. In 2012 when I moved back to North Carolina, I became active with the local PRSA chapter. It was there that I first met Tracy and Dana. I admired their hard work and dedication to the profession and considered myself lucky when I had the opportunity to join the Clairemont team in 2014.”

Jasmin: “What is your personal mantra?”

Sarah: “Be present. (laughs) It’s so cliche, but in a PR agency you often find yourself switching tasks quickly which can make it difficult to focus. When I have to switch gears quickly, I always try to take a deep breath and give the new task 100 percent of my focus. It’s something that is easier said than done, but I strive to do it each and every day.”

Jasmin: “Describe your best moment at Clairemont.”

Sarah: “That’s a tough one. There have been so many great moments but the one that stands out the most in my mind is the night of the T.MAC social at the Clairemont House. The event was developed as to way to introduce T.MAC to influencers in the Triangle. After weeks of planning and hard work, it was fun to see the house bustling in the moments before we welcomed our first guest. The head chef from T.MAC was cooking in our kitchen as well as in our driveway under a tent. Furniture was being a re-arranged, tables and linens were being delivered and Fortnight Brewing Company was setting up a tasting station. It was a fun night and a great feeling to see all of the team’s hard work come together to create a great event.”

Jasmin: “What skills have you found that you didn’t know that you had until you entered the PR world?”

Sarah: “I would say creativity. In news it’s all about the facts. Sure, you can be creative with reporter standups and when editing the video for the story, but its nothing compared to the creativity that I have found in the world of PR.

Jasmin: “What advice would you give to someone like me who is fresh in the PR world that you wish you would have been told?”

Sarah: “Don’t take it personally. It’s actually something I have been told for many years and am still told on occasion. There are times when you will take your best idea to a client, journalist or contact only to be told no. Don’t let it get to you. It’s not that they don’t like you; they just don’t like your idea as much as you do.”

Jasmin: “What legacy do you want to leave behind in this field?”

Sarah: “I want to be known for my go-getter attitude. I love a good challenge and finding a way to work through it.”

I think its safe to say, Sarah is qualified for this gig, and is an amazing asset to the Clairemont team. She is a joy to work with, and I am proud to be her co-worker.

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.