Careersparx

Image Credit: Karen Morrison

Today’s interview was written and compiled by CareerSparx Managing Editor Kacey Valla.

Today’s interview is with PR Couture founder and curator Crosby Noricks. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the PR Couture website, then you’re missing out on some incredible advice for those dreaming of making a career in public relations, and all the must-have pr jobs! PR Couture started in 2006, and has since been featured in Mashable, PR Week and 944 Magazine, just to name a few. In addition, Crosby was invited by WWDMAGIC and TeenVogue to be among the first bloggers invited to report live from the tradeshow, while earning countless awards along the way.

With all of the solid advice, valuable content and wittiness, it’s no wonder Crosby and PR Couture have gained a large amount of respect and credibility within the PR industry. PR Couture has become so influential for college students and recent graduates that Crosby is publishing her first PR guide (out any week now!): “Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide to Breaking into Fashion PR.” It will be available in both ebook and hard copy versions and is worth every penny. To be sure you’re the first to get your hands on this incredible book, sign up to get PR Couture in your inbox!

So, without further adieu, check out our interview with PR Couture’s Crosby Noricks! Also, for daily tips and updates from PR Couture, be sure to check out their Twitter and Facebook profiles!

1)  How did you make PR Couture a success, and what are some keys to managing a successful social community?

The biggest things I did to make PR Couture a success was simply consistency. I’ve been developing and publishing content for the site several times a week for the past five years, and in doing that I have developed a relationship with readers and partners who know they can count on me to keep the site up to par.

In terms of the community aspect, I think it’s important to be accessible and genuine, as well as consistent. I spent a lot of time in the early years providing advice via email — and even these days although I have switched to doing paid consulting, I still take a few minutes to provide quick ideas or suggestions to the inquiries that come through. I have a genuine interest in helping young PR pro’s along their professional path as well as proving opportunities for fashion PR practitioners and agencies to shine. I think that comes through and helps to build trust.

2)  What was the inspiration behind “The PR Couture Guide to Breaking into Fashion PR,” and when did you decide it was time to write this incredible guide?

It took me a long time to think of ways to monetize the site beyond just advertising. I had tossed around ideas with other PR Couture writers and friends about digital products I could sell for years, but it either didn’t feel quite right or felt overwhelming. A few divine encounters with some amazing women gave me the push I needed to begin exploring ways to take what I was already doing behind the scenes through coffee dates, email and the occasional phone call, and charge for it!

Step 1 was launching Power Sessions in September, where I review resumes, blogs, press releases, whatever and then jump into a fast-paced 45-minute consulting call and follow up with a custom action plan. I’ve done this several times over the past few months, both with entry-level practitioners as well as brands and really enjoy it. Step 2 was writing Ready to Launch, which is a more affordable option for students and younger practitioners who can’t or don’t want to do a session but are still looking for advice and expertise about fashion PR.  It feels amazing to have taken the initiative, despite sacrificing quite a few Saturdays, and to have put together what I think is a treasure-trove of insider information. It’s essentially everything I would have killed to have 10 years ago when I was starting my career.

3) Cover letters can be one of the most challenging documents to write. What are your top tips for writing a great PR cover letter?

Demonstrate that you have read the job posting, and connect specific job requirements or skills to your experience or skill-set. Highlight anything measureable — media coverage you have secured, awards you have won, attendees at an event you helped to organize. Avoid cookie cutter cover letter templates. Instead let your cover letter communicate the energy, personality and unique blend of education, experience and passion that makes you, you! Avoid clichés, (never say you have a passion for fashion), and spell check, especially the name of the person you are writing to.

4) We love that you discuss the importance of informational interviews! What is your experience with informational interviews, and why do you encourage them?

I never went on any, but I sure have done several! I think the biggest benefit is that we professionals are always searching for great talent — it just might not be the right time or the right fit. However, when we need someone, we reach out to our network — I need an intern, I need a part-time publicist, whatever. When that happens, we naturally go to the inventory we keep in our heads of people we know. Setting up informational interviews is not only a great way to learn about the job, how different agencies are set up, and practice your interview/communication skills, but it helps keep you top of mind when job opportunities do pop up.

5) From your incredible lists of interviews questions (both what you will be asked and what to ask), what is the one question to remember to ask the employer during an interview?

Here’s one that’s not in the book — How can I best support you in this position?

6) What is the ultimate key to making it in the fashion PR world?

Consistency. If you do something for long enough, you get really good at it. The key is to keep going, even when you are exhausted, embarrassed or frustrated. We’ve all been there

7) Any closing comments or advice for our budding fashion PR readers?

Most everything is a choice — think of your career as a living, breathing relationship. Tend to it, nurture it, even love it, but don’t be afraid to get out if the situation is unsupportive, out-of-control, and painful. There are opportunities everywhere.

Today’s post is a feature from Target’s “A Bullseye View.”

Each year, Target travels around the country to attend diversity recruitment conferences to support outstanding talent and seek out the leaders of tomorrow. Thousands of MBA students and professionals shut their textbooks, leave their desks behind and attend these annual events to encourage their peers, listen to inspiring speakers and foster their intellectual and career growth.

Below are five key words of wisdom Target picked up from some of the most influential MBA conferences.

1. LEARN FROM YOUR FAILURES
Every one of those no’s teach [taught her] the importance of persistence and the inevitability of failure. But calculated risks and failure will be a part of your success story.

2. BE BOLD
Whether you tend to be shy or the life of the party, it’s okay to be bold in the workplace. Make a statement and demand attention (in a good way, of course!).

3. COMMUNITY IS KEY
Forming positive relationships with colleagues and coworkers will increase productivity at the workplace and encourage inclusive office environments.

4. LIFE AT THE OFFICE WON’T ALWAYS BE FAIR
It’s not always going to be smooth sailing on the job, so accept that now. But that’s just the way it is, says Christy Haubegger. “You have to work a little harder, show up early and defy the stereotypes. It’s not fair – but deal with it!”

5. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
You don’t get ahead in business without making sacrifices in your own life, but it’s important to give yourself a break every now and then so you can be the best version of yourself.

For the complete story, visit Target’s “A Bullseye View.”

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Reading Break! Yes, it’s time once again! This week our articles focused on internships: how to transition between them and how to be an awesome virtual intern! If you’re looking for advice to be a killer intern, check out these articles. And remember to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for quick tips to make your job search successful!

WSJ.com ::

Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone to Advise M.B.A. Students at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

A two-time college drop out is now advising at one of the top business schools in the nation! How can he do that? Well if you co-founded one of the most influential social media channels, we’re sure you could get away with it, too.

Levo League ::

How to Make the Most of “Not-Your-Dream” Jobs

Even if you aren’t at your dream job yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t gain valuable experience and connections at your current position. If you’re feeling frustrated with your current employer, check out this article from Levo League to make the best of it!

AOL Jobs – Career Articles ::

3 Words That Will Kill Your Job Search

With the job search market being more competitive than ever, you don’t want to make an easily avoidable mistake! It’s worth your while to check out these three words guaranteed to hurt you in your job search.

The Ladders ::

10 Good Ways to ‘Tell Me About Yourself’

This is usually one of the first questions you will be asked during an interview and one you may be asked multiple times. The Ladders has provided the top 10 answers that will be sure to impress your potential employer.

Fox Business ::

Five Job-Hunting Tips for Recent Grads

Here is an encouraging article for all recent graduates — employers are hiring based on enthusiasm and potential! You may think those with more experience will always get the job; however, this article proves otherwise. Remember to show how much you really want the job during your interview!

HerCampus ::

Falling Asleep in Class? Skip the Second Cup of Coffee and Follow These 5 Steps

How do you fight the mid-day crash? Make a quick stop to Starbucks or grab a RedBull? Actually, neither are included on this list! Check out five healthy ways to stay alert all day!

Chicago Tribune ::

Find the Top Job For Your Personality type

To be successful at a job you need to fit seamlessly into the position and company, and an important factor in determining this is your personality. So what job do you fit into? Find out here!

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Today’s post is written by CareerSparx Managing Editor Kacey Valla.

College students and recent graduates who have the opportunity to intern at multiple companies know that the transition between internships is not always easy. Each company comes with a new set of rules, employees, expectations, values and workloads. With all of these changes and more, adjusting to a new surrounding can provide for a roller coaster ride. However, there are incredible advantages to multiple internships, as well as ideals you should be realistic about. Whether you have a good or not so good internship experience, all help you grow and mature to become a seasoned professional.

• New experience, new knowledge, new power.

They say knowledge is power and the more experience you have, the more knowledge you gain! Working in different companies, and even industries, will give you the opportunity to learn different working styles and management of professional relationships. One of the best things about interning at multiple companies is the amount connections and relationships you will gain! Your career will most likely be dependent upon networking, so nurture the connections! You just never know whom you will run into.

• A whole new learning curve.

Just when you think you have a handle on your surroundings, you need to start over from scratch! Most internships are three months, although some may be extended, and this is just enough time to find your footing. The great part is you found your niche, the challenging and soon rewarding part – it’s time to find your footing, again.

• Don’t let expectations determine the outcome.

It’s in your best interest to only set one expectation going into an internship – to succeed! If you go into an internship expecting something specific and reality gives you a different outcome, it will affect your work. Try to always go into an internship with an open mind and be ready to learn! Each company is very different, even if they work in the same industry.

• Time to shine!

If there was anything you wish you did differently in your previous internship, now is your chance to start fresh! Every experience is a learning opportunity and with a fresh slate, it’s your time to shine! The company hired you for a reason; prove what you’re capable of. New internships lead to new experiences, lessons and connections. All of these lead to a new career and a soon-to-be accomplished professional!

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Are you ready for a Reading Break? We sure are! This week we had the opportunity to interview Jim Hopkinson, author of the “Salary Tutor,” and posted photos on our Facebook page from “A Night With CareerSparx!” If you haven’t tagged yourself in the photos, check it out! And follow us on Twitter; our feed is packed with career advice to help you succeed!

Forbes ::

How To Pitch Anything To Anyone

One of the most difficult tasks to do is to deliver a pitch successfully. This means that the person being pitched actually wants to finish reading the pitch and respond. So to help you out, Forbes has explained the key initiatives to successful pitching.

Levo League ::

How To Network: Your 7-Step Action Plan

Just to remind you how important networking really is (in case you didn’t pick up on that in September) learn how to create your own action plan when networking!

US News and World Report ::

How To Move Abroad and Keep Your Job

With technology changing the shape of the way businesses operate, it’s now more likely than ever to find ways to bring your job with you if you happen to be bitten by the travel bug. This article offers tips on how to approach going about taking your job where you want to go.

Her Campus ::

Grad School 101: Your Guide to Graduate School Entrance Exams: MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, GRE

Thinking about grad school? If so, you know that it’s in your best interest to research and prepare as much as possible before making the big decision of where to attend graduate school. Her Campus has created your first step in preparation — Grad School 101.

New York Times ::

What if the Secret to Success is the Opportunity to Fail?

No one wants to fail, and who would’ve thought successes would be based off your opportunity to fail? If you’re looking for a good read and have a few extra moments for your reading break, definitely take the time to check out this article.

Career Bright ::

5 Ways to Prep Your Career Skills for Social Media Jobs

Just because you can tweet and post a status update, it doesn’t mean you’re ready to make it in the world of social media. But thanks to Career Bright you now have five ways to help you become successful in a social media position.

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Reading Break: Your weekly dose of job search and career advice headlines. This past week we ventured back to Sept. 28 when we hosted “A Night With CareerSparx” and featured a guest post by Cheryl Minnick, career counselor and internship coordinator, to help you figure out your next steps after graduation. We always post awesome career tips on our Facebook and share great articles to help you land your dream job on Twitter! So if you haven’t connected with us, please do so!

Forbes ::

The Career Advice You Should Never Offer or Accept

You are fed countless career advice on a daily basis, but which advice should you take to heart and which should you let go? Forbes has compiled the top career advice you should never give or accept. A must-read!

Yahoo! Finance ::

Ignore These 10 Outdated Pieces of CareerAdvice

With the job search market changing so rapidly, you need to be sure you’re not behind the curve. To keep up-to-date, check out these 10 outdated pieces of career advice we hope you haven’t been applying to your job search!

Levo League ::

Getting Your Resume Noticed: Don’t Just Be Impressive, Be Relevant

Creating a perfect resume is only the beginning. You want to make sure it’s actually noticed and read! The key to getting your resume noticed is being relevant. How? Read on.

AdAge ::

Digital Takes the Jobs Lead in New Mainstream Media

Which industries are hiring and who are letting many go? Check out these statistics compiled by AdAge to see how the digital, radio, broadcast and magazine industries stack up.

New York Times ::

At the University of Chicago, Football and Higher Education Mix

Athletics and academics do mix! Well at least at the University of Chicago … Do you think they mix at your university?

In The Door ::

In The Door

Our favorite social job search site! By far the easiest job search resource you will use, so log in today!

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Today’s CareerSparx guest post is by Cheryl Minnick, a career counselor and internship coordinator at The University of Montana.

At age five, you pretty much knew what you were going to do with your life. You had big plans. You were going to kindergarten, and you knew that if you learned to read, write, walk in a line, take turns and share, you would get a big promotion — to first grade. From there the sky was the limit … middle school, then high school and off to college. But few of us think beyond graduation to, “Now, what?” A college degree allows career doors to open, but how do you decide which door to knock on? Grab a piece of paper, a pen and pumpkin spice latté, and let’s complete eight self-reflections.

Describe five moments you felt “flow.” Easy flow of effort, peace of spirit and confidence in your abilities whether on the job, volunteering, interning, doing extracurricular activities or simply having fun with friends, is key to career success. Note five times you felt “flow” at work and try to identify patterns. A career with easy flow of effort is a career of successful effort.

Reflect on your childhood. As a kid, you were most truly you and thoughtlessly revealed your natural talents and interests … you were a reader, explorer, risk-taker, teacher, caregiver, outdoor adventurer, writer, mechanic, athlete, etc. What gave you fulfillment or pleasure as a child … was it learning? Challenges? Being alone? Being with people? Fixing stuff? Being active? Helping people? A career honoring your authentic self and using your natural talents will bring you on-the-job happiness and success.

Pinpoint moments of joy. List five circumstances that brought you ear-to-ear grinning joy. Look for themes in those circumstances. Now, make a list of industries, companies or careers where those same joyful moments are required job criteria or job success factors.

Volunteer yourself  a future. List two duties, projects or areas at work that you could volunteer to help with that would let you develop skills/talents, build networks, or just fill your day with more joy. Now, go volunteer .. volunteer your way into a career or up the ladder of success.

List three work tasks you rocked! Reflect on your jobs, internships or volunteer experiences to list three responsibilities you did well and brought you success or joy. Now, list three things that brought you heartache and difficulty that you don’t ever want to do again. Make sure the “do well” tasks are in your future job description and the “don’t want to do again” aren’t!

Ten things I like about ME! List 10 things you’re damn good at (on the job, thank you) and list their common denominators. Try to find employment doing those things.

Who’s in your network? Most career success is built on networking and in our current economy it is the No. 1 way to find a job. List your 10 strongest network connections and get knocking on their doors to network!

Complete these sentences: a) My work colleagues would say I’m particularly good at … b) my supervisor has commented positively about my ability to … c) I’ve been positively recognized at work for … d) My supervisor or colleagues would say I need to work on … e) At work, I could be better at … and f) At work, I am really pretty good at and found success doing …

Come to find out, growing up to be a Superhero or Barbie-Princess-Ballerina takes a lot more energy and thought beyond learning to read, write, walk in a line, take turns and share …  and that a college degree is just the beginning. Finding a career that will bring you success AND happiness requires self-reflection, self-knowledge, and a pumpkin spice latté or two.

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It’s Friday, meaning it’s time for your weekly Reading Break completely packed with career advice to help you land your dream job! This week we shared our interview with the author of Job Searching with Social Media for Dummies, Joshua Waldman, and have been spending time compiling our recap and looking through great pictures of “A Night With CareerSparx.” Look for it within the coming weeks! And by now, you should be following us on Twitter and have already liked us on Facebook! If not, you’re missing out some great opportunities!

Forbes ::

What are the Secrets to Success for Twentysomethings?

Almost every college graduate’s dream is to make it big in the real world and to do it quickly. So what are the keys for success when you’re young? Check out this article to see if you’re on the right track.

Scholars and Rogues ::

Getting Hired and Getting Ahead: Five Important Tips for the Career-Minded College Student or Recent Grad

Learning never ends and there is no exception to this rule in your job search. To really get ahead of your competition, you will definitely need to apply these five tips.

Huffington Post ::

Angie Chang: “Action First” — Interview with Alltuition Founder & CEO Sue Khim

Financial aid – a love/hate topic of conversation. To help students and their families manage this process, Angie Chang has created a program incorporating every step of the financial process. Get to know her here!

St. Petersburg Times ::

A Look at a Tampa Bay Job Fair From the Recruiter’s Perspective

With the job market as tough as it is, you never know which side of a job fair you might end up on. Here’s a look at what a job fair is like from the other side of the table.

Levo League ::

SLEEP! You need it to survive and thrive!

With media, friends, social networking and your budding career who has time to sleep? It may seem like all you need are a few lattes throughout the day, but without sleep there’s no way you will be productive or have enough energy to even get those lattes! Make sure to get your ZZZ’s for more than beauty sleep.

PR Web ::

Top 5 Reasons Job Seekers Should Use Google Docs When Applying For Job Positions

PDF? Microsoft Word? Google Docs? Well there’s a reason to use each program, but if you’re a fan of Google Docs, read why you should use this program when applying for a new job.

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Time for another Reading Break packed with career advice. If your to-do list has ever looked like the picture, we have the solution. During the week we covered some great topics including objectives and goals for your job search, how to be a rock star in your career and how to control an overwhelming amount of stress. Also, don’t forget to buy your tickets for “A Night With CareerSparx.” We have some UNBELIEVABLE professionals coming to connect with you from companies like NBC and Disney. (And it’s only $5 if you use the code CSXreader!) If you haven’t yet, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest from CareerSparx!

Boston.com ::

Work All Your Networks

With our upcoming event, we want to make sure you’re ready to network! With today’s super competitive job search market, it’s more important than ever to make connections that could help your career in both the short and long term.

The Levo League ::

Get Dressed! Part 2 of Our Work Staple Miniseries

It’s important to dress the part whether you’re interviewing or starting your first day of work. What exactly should you wear? Check out Levo League’s picks for work staples. We’re sure you will get some sort of inspiration from these! And just in case you need more ideas, here’s Part 1.

The Explorer ::

Job Search Tip: Make Yourself Stand Out

As we have stated earlier, the job search market is at one of its most competitive times in history! Now it’s more important than ever to differentiate yourself. How do you do that? Check out these three tips to put yourself ahead of the rest.

The Washington Post ::

Achieving Work-Life Balance

The most difficult part of becoming successful is learning how to balance your work and personal lives. This is definitely easier said than done. According to The Washington Post, you need to identify your values and vision.

Corner Office / New York Times ::

Leadership Doesn’t Rest on Your Title

Every Sunday in The New York Times, Adam Bryant talks with top CEOs about management and leadership. Today we’re sharing an interview with Terri Ludwig, the CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit housing finance organization. Terri shares great advice and life lessons to help you become a top-notch leader. Also, we loved this interview with Bobbi Brown, High Heels? They Just Don’t Fit. (Guys, check this out, too, it’s not really about high heels.)

Tiny Buddha ::

Overwhelmed By Your To-Do List? How to Decide What to Do Now

At some point, we have all taken on more than we can handle. So how do you organize your priorities and be successful? Read this post by Tiny Buddha to help you tackle the tasks at hand.

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Today’s guest post is written by CareerEffect Founder Catrina Boettner.

Imagine fancy cars, expensive items, an entourage, money and celebrity status … who wouldn’t love the life of a rock star? No real cares, no responsibilities, just focusing on your passion and your paycheck. Sign me up! Unfortunately the life of a rockstar, although glitz and glam, isn’t nearly as fabulous as we all would like to believe.

Not everyone is cut out to be a rock star, otherwise, we’d all be one. However, a rock star is someone who I believe we can all learn from. So the question really becomes, how can we all become our own version of a rock star?

1. They Have Thick Skin

Most rock stars aren’t handed their ‘rock star status’ on a silver platter. Many of them spend years trying to make it big, and there are others who ‘sort of’ make it, but never become a household name. They most likely received countless rejection letters, meaning no shows or boo’s. So they understand that not every door opens, and that those that do, you have to jump at and work for.

How to Apply It: In today’s economy, there are so many qualified applicants out there and only so many positions. Keep in mind that when starting your career, like the rock star, you won’t land every interview or get every job you want. The key is knowing that whatever happens, the door will open to the opportunity that’s right for you.

2.  They Don’t Stop

You won’t be a rock star overnight. Nothing worth having is just given to you. So, if you want that job or that interview, take the steps necessary to get it, even if it’s out of your comfort zone. If they say no, keep trying until they say yes. (Note: I am not suggesting in any way, shape or form to harass a company or individual, but rather to be persistent.)

How to Apply It:Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. What would you want to see from a potential intern or employee? Make a list. Then do it, at least do everything within your power. Start working for the company before you actually get the job. Research not only the company but the industry, competition and clients if possible. Go into an interview fully armed and ready to go.

3. They Have Attitude

Not a bad attitude, but one that engages you, that attracts you and charms you. They are someone you would want to be like and someone you would want to be around. Keep that in mind as you go through your journey. No one wants to work with a stick in the mud!

How to Apply It: To quote Guy Kawasaki from his book, “Enchantment,” “The optimal response when someone says ‘thank you’ is not ‘you’re welcome,’ but ‘I know you would do the same for me.’” It’s really all about being likable. Why? When it comes down to it, if you’re one of three final candidates, the one that wins is the one that they like the most — the individual who can adjust and thrive in the companies atmosphere.

4. They Adapt

A great example of this is the band KISS. They adapted with costumes, face paint and a band-identity that people could recognize without question. They changed and altered themselves while staying true to who they were and the music they created. Kiss used the tools they had and sought out new ones to achieve success.

How to Apply It: As you go through your career, you’ll figure out what works and what doesn’t for you. You’ll adapt to your environment, your peers and your duties. Maybe you’ll adapt by learning new skills, by going back to school or teaching yourself at home. Perhaps you will use the knowledge you already have and apply it in new and unique ways. Build your personal brand, watch it grow and strengthen into the person you want to become. In your freshman year of college, many of you had no clue what you wanted to do with your lives, but I would bet by senior year you had a pretty good idea. The same goes for your career. Whether an internship or first real job, it may not be your dream, but it’s a stepping stone and a great experience to learn who you want to be and where you want to go.

5. Work Hard & Play Hard

Many times we feel we’re under such pressure to get that job or promotion that we don’t take time for ourselves. Rock stars play just as hard as they work, so take care to do the same for you.

How to Apply It: My favorite thing to do once I’ve come from an interview is to do something for myself. After all, I worked hard, I deserve a little treat. Whatever that little treat is for you, it’s just as important to take time for yourself as it is to work toward your goals.

As you look ahead into your career, keep all of these things in mind. They’re great tools to help you become the rock star we all know you can be.

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