Expressing Gratitude

Thank you notes are nothing new. Employers and professionals at all stages of their careers note the exercise as a best practice and one that often distinguishes peers and sets candidates apart from their competitors.

The late Betsy Plank, a pioneer in the public relations industry and the Godmother of the Public Relations Student Society of America, is commonly cited for her advice to upcoming PR pros to “leave a trail of thank you notes, certainly at the beginning, but throughout your career, too.”

Because technology is more convenient, an email is often used as a substitute for a written note of thanks but unfortunately does not build the same feeling of sincere gratitude.

After hearing and experiencing the excitement of receiving a hand-written thank you note by mail, it became a habit and practice that I enjoy. Here are five tips to overcome a perceived hassle of written thank you notes and use them as a consistent way to express gratitude more frequently.

1.      Keep a supply of thank you notes and stamps. Books and bulk are your friend; personalized stationary is a nice added touch.

2.      Address the envelope and apply the stamp prior to interviews.

3.      Write the note ASAP (immediately after an interview, thought or act of kindness).

4.      Drop the note in the same city of the recipient’s mailing address, if possible. This allows the note to be delivered more quickly.

5.      Include thank you notes on your to-do list.

When did you last receive a note of thanks in the mail, and how did it make you feel? Share below.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate

Rocking the Interview

When making the transition into “The Real World” there is one thing you can’t avoid. No matter how much education or experience you have the interview is an essential element of the selection process. Even when rising within the ranks of a company, interviews are often a matter of protocol.

Today I thought I’d share interview questions and statements commonly directed toward candidates to gauge their ability to succeed in specific roles and determine if they are a perfect fit.

The following are general questions I’ve been asked recently. Although I haven’t interviewed for positions outside of public relations and communications, these questions are applicable across all disciplines. Go ahead, answer.  

1.       Tell me about yourself and your experience to this point in your career.

2.       Why are you interested in this position?

3.       Why would you be a good fit for this position?

4.       What would make you an asset to the organization?

5.       How can this organization and position help you achieve your career goals?

6.       How would you overcome challenges of the job and roll with the punches?

7.       What are your salary expectations?

8.       Do you have any questions or comments?

Because I am a talker, general interview questions are easy for me to answer. When preparing for a new potential opportunity, I spend most of my time focusing on situational inquiries that may arise. Because I thrive in fast-paced, project-oriented, results-driven roles, I’m often asked questions that relate. Below are questions specific to public relations, events, and non-profit roles. Others were simply interesting and fun to answer.  

1.       What is your dream job?

2.       Tell me about your event planning experience and the most overwhelming event you’ve ever had to plan or participate in?

3.       How important is work-life balance to you?

4.       Are you comfortable working nights and/or weekends, when necessary?

5.       What draws you to working in community relations for a team versus a non-profit?

6.       What are you most passionate about?

7.       What causes and/or organizations are near and dear to your heart?

8.       What is your favorite program or initiative of this company and why?

9.       What would be your greatest challenges in this role and how would you overcome them?

10.   Describe a time when you had to adapt to a change midway through an event or campaign.

11.   What are your most and least favorite elements of public relations?

12.   What public relations skills have you mastered and which do you need to improve?

13.   If you could be a vehicle what would you be and why?

14.   What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken and what were the results?

15.   What is your most significant achievement up to this point in your career and why?

If you get through all of these questions and you’re still in the hot seat, it is probably a good sign. The more direct your responses are the more questions you’ll get to answer. Consider this a practice interview. You can thank me later. What are some interesting or challenging questions you’ve been asked in an interview? Share below or continue the conversation on social media. Don’t forget #RealWorldWednesday! Talk to you soon.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate

Balancing Busy-ness

I graduated from the best high school in Louisiana, went to a college where I was more than a number and mastered in public relations at the university that takes its students #ToTheTop.

Each time I began a new chapter I walked away with experiences that I will never forget. Excitement comes every new academic year, semester, and graduation season, but what I was most grateful for were opportunities to gain experience, make friends and be actively involved in my campuses and communities outside of the classroom setting.

In addition to class projects, papers and late night study sessions, cheer practice, chapter meetings, conferences and part time jobs kept me busy. I look back on one semester in college when I worked three jobs, completed two internships, volunteered at North Oaks Health System and remained involved in numerous student organizations on top of an 18-hour course load.

With a lot of free time on my hands, now, I often think about the days when the pages of my planner and to-do lists were full. I wonder how I managed it all successfully. Then I look at my planner and realize that it saves me every time.

My grandmother once said “If you have a place for everything and everything in its place, your house will never be out of order.” I’ve never forgotten that piece of advice, and I try to apply it to my life as well. This is where a planner comes in handy.

No matter how expensive, spacious or pretty your planner is, it’s useless if you don’t use it appropriately. Read on to learn how I managed my planner as a tool to balance the hectic schedule I maintained and all responsibilities that came with it. Real World Recipe… Coming right up!

Ingredients:

-          Planner

-          Pen

-          Content (syllabuses, schedules, etc.)

Instructions:

1.       Write all important dates and deadlines in the calendar section of your planner.

2.       Create weekly to-do lists.

3.       Refer to your planner three times daily, at minimum.

Optional Toppings:

-          The Traveling Stick: I write down major responsibilities on a sticky note and transfer it each week to make sure nothing gets overlooked. Examples: Personal, Internship, PRSSA

-          The Secret Code: Bic Pens are perfect for separating academic and professional from personal and social on your calendar. Examples: Deadlines in red; date nights in pink; football games, concerts, and girl nights in green; meetings and appointments in blue

-          The Flashlight: Highlighters are perfect for things that are left undone at the end of the day or week.

Additional Notes:

-          It helps me to have a specific day and time to prepare for the week ahead. During my last semester at USM, I planned my weeks on Sundays after church and evening yoga.

-          Detailed to do-lists are important to making progress on things that need to be done. Avoid vagueness. Plan steps to complete big projects versus writing the project on your list.

-          Spread your tasks out based on urgency to avoid cramming everything on one day.

-          Transfer incomplete tasks to the next week to avoid flipping back.

I’ve tried many recipes that I now follow regularly and have tossed others. Hopefully this one is one you can add to your collection and share with friends. I’d love to hear about your results. Please share!

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate  

Moving On

Earlier during the summer after a long hiring process, I kept thinking “you have to finish your current chapter before starting a new one.” Although I had high hopes, there was no certainty of anything in my future. I wanted to hold on to what I had until I knew what was next.

I consistently reflect on the advice of highly successful individuals who always advise others to take risks, which is not easy for many, including myself. The “what ifs” run laps in my mind and sometimes keep me from seeing the bigger picture.

A voice in my head kept telling me to let go. So I thought let’s try and see what happens.  I resigned from my job at Kohl’s and then received an email I had been anticipating.

This week I spent “Real World Wednesday” climbing up and down three flights of stairs moving all of my belongings from the place I’ve called home for the last two years. Yesterday I passed the torch as the supervisor of the Intimates and Accessories Departments at Kohl’s and ended a five-year career in retail.

Toward the end of my high school years, I asked my dad if I could get a part-time job. His response: “You have your whole life to work. Enjoy not working while you can.”

At the time, I had no bills, no responsibilities, just wants. Fast forward five years later: I’m in the same position, but I have more knowledge, experience, and skills. During my time in Hattiesburg, I learned and grew mentally, spiritually and professionally. I got to know myself better. I learned what I want from my career and life - and why.

In high school when asking my dad if I could get a job I wanted to work so I could buy clothes, shoes, accessories and handbags. Today, I apply for positions with a strong desire to make an impact in the lives of others and maintain a long, successful career. The advice my father gave me five years ago is still true today.

The email I received didn’t contain the information or offer I hoped for. However because I have my whole life to work, I’ve decided to ignore the advice of people who say “get a job and move on with your life.” Instead, I’ll keep seeking opportunities to enter a position that I enjoy.

Fortunately for me, there is no rush to find work to repay student loans. Although I have a good bit of what I call “Daddy Debt” my father still welcomed me back home. I have moved seven times within the last five years. My goal is to move one within the next five. I have accepted my reality and am not willing enter a place where I see many of my classmates and friends: dreading Monday-Friday, counting the seconds to 5 p.m. and using the bathroom and social media breaks as an escape from work. I’m moving on... just on my own terms.

Sometimes you do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do and everything does not always go as planned.

“Welcome to the real world!”

XX, 

Jasmine C. Tate