Falling Again

Excitement overwhelms me each October as we enter the last quarter of the year. Its celebration season, and I must admit I’m ready to let the fun begin. The most wonderful time of year follows my favorite season and then comes the start of a new year. Before we get to resolutions, let’s enjoy the final months of 2016.

Outside of my birthday and the opportunity to reconnect with my classmates, campuses and peers, below are five things I fall for each year.

1.       Family: Without them, holidays and celebrations are not complete. Those who travel from many miles and across state lines are an added bonus.

2.       Football: Although the season is in full swing, Homecoming takes the celebration to the next level. Fortunately, I’ll get to roar and soar this year. The Lions and Golden Eagles will host their opponents back to back during the last two weeks of the month.

3.       Fashion: I’ve never been a fan of Louisiana heat and humidity, but a proud supporter of the transition to fall trends complete with boots, scarves, hats and more.

4.       Fair: The best thing about the small town at the tip of the boot is the annual event that draws visitors near and far. The fair in Washington Parish is the world’s largest and a Franklinton tradition I have yet to miss.  

5.       Food: From crawfish and snowballs to gumbo and cocoa, nothing beats hearty meals and sweet recipes.  

What is your favorite season and why? Share below.

XX,

Jasmine

Tripping on Tips

When seeking job opportunities outside of your current state of residence one of the biggest challenges is securing and participating in interviews. Although video and phone sessions are sometimes an option in the early stages of the selection process, most employers will eventually want to meet the potential newest addition to their team face-to-face. After a recent four-hour commute for a five-minute interview, I decided I would make more of my traveling opportunities moving forward.  

Last week I took a trip to Houston, TX and returned home with many memories, lessons and budding relationships. I extended my stops in the city beyond the locations of the interview building and post office and opted for a more rewarding experience. While exploring the city I discovered several interesting facts and bragging rights of the most philanthropic city in the country, which also houses America’s largest airport and rodeo.

After securing my spot in Super Bowl LI festivities, I’m excited to extend my Houston experience while visiting for training and the big event. Below are three simple tips to make the most of your future road trips.

1.       Research and visit popular attractions and dining options in the area.

2.       Schedule informational interviews with other businesses of interest in the city.

3.       Visit family and friends along the way.

What are your favorite things to do when traveling to new places? Share below.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate

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