Job Search Check List

PR Job Search Checklist

       Preliminaries:

R  Resume
      Create a simple one that could be modified easily for different jobs

Use a personal email address only, which has your name in it.

R  Prepare samples
Have them ready to send by email or on jump drives you can leave with someone

R  Prepare cover letters. 
      Proofread carefully when sending.  Get the names right.
Is the content appropriate for the person who will receive it?
Keep it simple and short:  Why are you sending the resume and what is special about you for this role?

R  Figure out who your references will be and let them know you’ll be using them

       Keep it Going!

R  Begin building your own personal brand by jazzing up your profiles, tweeting, and participating in discussions online. 

R  Complete your LinkedIn profile.  Be sure to use professional photo and make yourself easy to find/contact:  use the right keywords, join groups, etc.

R  Check the PRSA Job Center regularly  (and other job sites)

R  Contact the PR recruiters.  Let them know what you’re looking for and keep in touch

R  Attend local PRSA and other trade events.  Talk to people and make friends!

R  Get your first and second interview wardrobe ready

R  Drill answering the common interview questions

      Prepare For your Interview!

R  Study all you can about the company and the people you’ll be interviewing with (websites, blogs, press releases, news items, Glassdoor/Vault.com, etc)

R  Find out who you will be meeting and check LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to learn more about them

R  Make sure you know exactly where they are located (including suite and floor) and how to get there.  Find out if there are special instructions if you’re going before or after regular business hours

R  Study the job description very, very well.

R  Prepare your questions

Afterwards

R  Send thank you notes.  Email is acceptable but make sure each one is personalized

R  If you got the interview through a personal contact, be sure to send them a note of thanks as well.

R  If you got the interview through a recruiter, be sure to follow up with them right afterwards and be prepared to let them know how it went and if you’re interested.  Or follow up with HR if they were involved.

R  Send the folks you met with any information you had promised or referred to during the interview.

R  Be pleasant and gracious – even if you’re not interested in the job (you never know where these people may turn up again in your career!)

R  Keep all the right actions going, even if you’ve had the best interview ever – until you land the perfect job.

Good Luck!

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