Meeting Bay

I'm extremely grateful for Bill and his invitation to join the community. Bill is the founder and CCO of the IW Group, Inc. and started the National Millennial Community. 

A small selection of the National Millennial Community at Spitfire offices. 

Chelsea Eytel, D'Anthony Jackson and I stopped for a photo while touring the Golden State Warriors' Headquarters and representing The University of Southern Mississippi.

Thanks to the Warriors' organization for providing memorabilia from the 2015 Championship Title. 

Although we had a pretty busy schedule, we took a short break by the bridge.  

The eBay campus was the last stop on our tours of the Bay.

From the Golden Gate Bridge to the home of the Golden State Warriors, last week’s visits in the San Francisco Bay Area exceeded my expectations and renewed my excitement about the start of my career. Networking earned me an exceptional opportunity to become a member of the National Millennial Community, a group of individuals united with a common goal to join and change the conversation about our generation.

Members of the community have unique connections to companies and individuals that might not otherwise be accessible. While in San Francisco, my colleagues and I participated in meetings with several executives from businesses including the Verizon Innovation Center, Shift Communications, Wells Fargo, Spitfire, the Golden State Warriors, eBay and Google, Inc.

Serving as consultants on many stops, we gained exposure to diverse perspectives and a platform to share our personal positions. Although I knew I would enjoy the trip before I boarded my flight, during each visit I felt as if the tours were planned and organized specifically around my career interests including executives in my dream job (community relations’ director) and industry (professional sports).

“This business does take you places,” said Eric Bresler, Executive Director of the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center. “Our industry keeps you young, keeps you moving and keeps you motivated.”

But only two percent of applicants are hired according to Jennifer Cabalquinto, Golden State Warriors’ Chief Financial Officer, which means “you have to have applicable skills.” Good news followed as she assured us that there are several doors into the building of your career.

Inspiration continued as we engaged with a young professionals’ panel of Google employees who offered motivation and realistic expectations.

Of course, you have to “put in the work to get there.”

          - Brendan Chan, Program Manager | Customer Experience and Strategic Programs

“You should follow your dreams, but do it responsibly.”

          - Tiffany Siu, Product Marketing Manager | Google Analytics 360 Suite

 “Bad experiences lead to great learning and happiness is the guiding principal” [of a fulfilled life and successful career.]

          - Mona Weng, Global Business Development Manager | Waze

“You learn a lot more when you’re learning together.”

          - Alice, Web Solutions Engineer

Remember you have 30-50 years to start and maintain a prosperous career. Forget about work-life balance. It doesn’t matter if you’re working at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m. if you love what you do. After all, work is part of life. 

Have you met Bay? If not, now is a great time to travel as airline prices decrease. Be sure to catch Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon Production; it’s a very entertaining show.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate 

Moving Forward

Photo by D'Anthony Jackson

Last week I discussed ten tips for “Facing Rejection” and preparing for interviews. When writing the post, I had no idea I would have to take my own advice this week. I experienced the largest sting of rejection I’ve faced since the start of my job search to launch my career. After an extensive selection process, I learned that the position wasn’t “a perfect fit for me at the time.” 

I felt confident that the position was mine. In fact, I had already written a blog announcing my new role and the end of an emotional journey into a new chapter of my life and an industry of my dreams. I was waiting for an official offer and confirmation. Unfortunately, it didn’t come, and the search continues.

Five things I learned from the process.

1.      Don’t place excessive time and energy into a company or position until you receive an official offer. Because I was extremely excited, I researched every employee of the team, component of the programs and responsibilities and even potential projects, among other things.

2.      Never assume the position is yours, no matter how qualified and confident you are that you nailed your interview(s).

3.      Keep your options open. Continue seeking opportunities and taking interviews until you land a position. Don't let opportunities pass you by waiting for one company. 

4.      Move on. Don’t dwell on the position, analyze every word of your final response or the advantages your competition had over you.

5.      Don’t burn bridges. Keep your composure and always remain courteous. You never know what the future holds and when you may need or work with the interviewers.

I trust God’s plan for my life and believe that his will is better than any roadmap I can develop. Advice from two influential men continued to echo in my head as I overcame the shock and disappointment… while blasting inspirational music, baking brownies and preparing oreo balls. :)

In the midst of the cloud of frustration know that “You’re going to make a great employee for the first organization smart enough to hire you,” and remember, “You’re going to do great things. Just be patient.”

 How have you persevered through difficult processes in your life? Share below.

 XX,

Jasmine C. Tate

Facing Rejection

Rejection is never fun, but you can always learn something from it. I have had eight interviews for five positions within the last two months, and I feel like I’m becoming an expert. Keep reading to learn ten practices I now make sure to incorporate into the selection process. Some may have cost me previous roles; others have led me to offers for positions that weren’t right for me.

 1.      Be prepared.

Do your research. Know as much as you can about the position and responsibilities. Seek future challenges you may face, if selected, and be aware of tasks you will be able to complete with ease. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Know what is on your résumé, and be able to speak about steps you took to achieve success as opposed to positions you have held. Plan ahead and arrive fully prepared at least five minutes before the scheduled meeting. 

2.      Smile and be confident.

A smile exudes confidence, and employers want someone who can provide this quality in their work and representation of the company or organization. Don’t be arrogant.

3.      Communicate beyond words.

Your body language and handshake say a lot about you and your attitude toward the company and position. Always give a firm handshake, and watch your posture; speak positively with your hands and facial expressions. Don't forget to listen; it's a major component of communicating that people often forget. Active listening will also help when you reach number eight. 

4.      Showcase your personality.

Don’t be so focused on impressing your interviewers that you forget to be yourself.

5.      Bring physical copies of your résumé and portfolio.

Don’t walk into your interview without a portfolio complete with strong work samples that showcase the experience you’ve gained and what you can contribute to the company and team. It also helps to provide access to a digital portfolio. Have several copies of your résumé in case it hasn’t been printed; keep in mind that there may be more than one interviewer.

6.      Be comfortable incorporating your passions into conversations.

Make sure your interviewers can see your passions through your explanations. Almost all interviews I’ve had start with “Tell me a little about yourself.” This is when your elevator speech comes in handy. You don’t have to say “My passion is _____.” Talk about enjoyable activities, experiences and how you’ve fulfilled your passions through previous positions. 

7.      Always ask questions.  

Not asking questions will likely kill your chances at advancing to the next round of interviews or securing the position. I try to prepare five questions at a minimum. You don’t have to ask all questions that you prepare, but having more to choose from will save you if some of your questions are answered before you’re given the opportunity to inquire about the company or role.

8.      Follow up.

Send hand-written and email thank you notes. It’s never too soon to send a thank you note. I try to send an email within 30 minutes after the interview ends and mail a thank you note immediately after. This lets the employer know that you appreciate their time and consideration. If there has been a significant amount of time without any connection, reach out to the employers. Do not follow up without having something to talk about other than the job status; reference a topic discussed in the interview and add to it. It also helps to keep up with the organization and know what's happening. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the company rather than joining the employment circle. It can also allow employers see you as a member of the company. 

9.      Don’t take rejection personally.

The decision for the position is not about you. It is ultimately about the role and the best person to fill it. Employers often have a lot of applicants and factors to consider when choosing a new candidate to join their team. In some cases, the decision is made before you are contacted.

10.  Be optimistic.

Never doubt your ability to excel, instead, realize that the position was not meant for you at the time or there’s a better company or position still waiting for you. Maybe it hasn’t opened yet. Be patient.

The best thing about having the opportunity to interview for a position is knowing that you are qualified. The worst part is the possibility that the position may not be meant for you and better for someone else. Although many professionals advise against taking interviews for practice, when you have the opportunity to interview and don't land the job, use it as practice for the next one. 

What are some tips and tricks you use to get through interviews or some of the most interesting questions you’ve been asked? Share below.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate

Narrowing Focus

Each year thousands of students pursue degrees in public relations hoping to be the next Samantha Jones or Olivia Pope.  After discovering the profession, my goal was to earn a degree and become a practitioner.

“You can’t find a job in public relations by searching Monster.com.”

-          Joseph Mirando, PhD. , Professor, Southeastern Louisiana University

Dr. Mirando drilled this into my head throughout my undergraduate career. When expressing my desire to work in public relations, most people ask what that entails. The public relations profession uses simple yet strategic practices for a large variety of responsibilities. In addition, there are many different directions and disciplines you can take.  Three elements to consider:

1.      Corporate vs. Agency

2.      Public vs. Private

3.      Industry

Credit: Aldos80

As I worked to gain experience in a number of ways, I was able to evaluate my skills and interests to change my response when asked about my career aspirations. 

I once answered “I want to be a public relations professional.” My answer now is: “My long-term career goal is to become the community relations director for a professional sport's team.”

That reply often prompts greater discussion, but it is much more focused. My passions for service and sports merge through the role of a community relations professional. While that concept is simple, I took a much more strategic approach to narrowing my interest. There are several ways to discover the best fit for you in the communications or public relations industries. I wanted to share the process I took to discover my desire to become a community relations director and begin my pursuit of success as a professional.

What you need

-          Experience (volunteer experience, internships, jobs, class projects, etc.)

-          Legal notepad/ writing paper

-          Writing utensil

Instructions

-          Find a quiet area with a limited possibility of distractions.

-          Identify your passions and solid skills.

-          Think about your previous experiences.

-          Make three lists.

1.      Things you like about each experience

2.      Things you don’t like about each experience

3.      Things that will be required as an industry standard

-          Compare your lists to gauge the industries, roles and responsibilities of positions that align with your passions, interests and skills.

Note: This method can also be completed on a computer. Use the most comfortable tools for you. 

Although I didn’t complete this process until the start of my last semester of graduate school, it can be applied earlier in your academic career and allow greater opportunities to gain experience and connections. Even after you narrow your focus, always be open to other possibilities.

Are you a public relations professional or aspiring practitioner? What steps did you take to narrow your focus? Are you struggling with which PR path to take? Try my method. Please share your results.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate