Holly Grande: Short and Sweet

People in the PR industry are awkward. All of us. We're the smart kids, the creative kids and the weird kids. Maybe we're attracted to the digital PR industry because all that weirdness is celebrated, or maybe it's because the weird, smart, creative kids got here first and we set the rules.

Look at some of the big names in the PR blogosphere: Todd Defren, Brian Solis, Kevin Dugan

All a little weird.

(Sorry, guys. You're still my PR heroes.)

But I think being a little weird is one of the biggest strengths of the industry. We're strange and smart and willing to go that extra step, even if we look a little silly. We try new things and come up with crazy ideas that just might work, and we look at the traditional strategies from a different perspective, coming up with an innovative plan that builds on our predecessors.

Some PR professionals have incredible charasima to go with their marketing know-how, while others excel at the behind-the-scenes work, writing speeches and outlining campaigns. There are as many jacks-of-all-trades as there are social media mavens and viral-campaign experts. Digital PR is a wonderful, evolving mix of experts, but I still think there is one, defining trait: we're a little weird.

In the summer of 2008, I created a sing-a-long resume. I knew I was doing something a little weird; I knew I didn't have quite the right software for the vision I had; and I knew I am a terrible singer. But I also had a free weekend and I wanted to do something different.

The result was a video that has been equally applauded and derided by professionals and career advisers.

I could lie and tell you it didn't hurt when someone commented that I am painful to watch. It did hurt. But I am kind of painful to watch--I am just as weird in person as I am in the video. I write well, and my campaign outlines are often spot-on, but I am a little ridiculous in person. I will never list public speaking as a strength, and I am much more comfortable writing speeches than giving them, although that is something I am working on.

On my first day walking into Edelman in 2008 (a job I got, in part, to being a little strange), a coworker and friend said to me about the Digital Team: "We are so awkward. All of us."

I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Posted by Holly at 3:56 PM 33 comments  

Labels: career, communication, creativity, digital, PR, public relations

I had a job interview this week, and my interviewer asked me an interesting question that caught me completely off guard: If I hired you and in three months Turner Broadcasting came to you with a great job offer, what would you do?

I knew why she was asking—my previous work had been for large corporations. The easy answer would have been to say that I would stay with her company, obviously, but that seemed like it would have rang false. I took a second to collect my thoughts, and figuring that there was no right answer, I told the truth: I don’t know. I would really have to look at my options and weigh the possibilities with both companies.

I told her that, right now, I want a job that I love, and I do love marketing and PR. I also want a job that I can learn from and continue to grow in. As tight as the economy is right now, money would be a secondary factor—but my industry does give me the luxury of that perspective.

I think, ultimately, I would choose the company where I had the best opportunity for growth. Hopefully, three months in, I would know where I fit in her company, and it is very likely that I would stay. But it would be dishonest of me to say that I would not consider going with Turner or that it wouldn’t be an easy choice.

In the past, hiring managers have asked me where I saw myself in five years or what I wanted to get out of the position, but I don’t think I have ever been asked what I would do if a better offer came along. It was a surprisingly tough question, and I hope I got it right.

Posted by Holly at 1:20 PM 2 comments  

Labels: career, interview, job search

Since moving back home, New Year’s Eve hasn’t had the same appeal as it did in college. The party invitations sound fun, but they’re from near strangers whom I haven’t spoken to since high school. At the same time, my friends from college who fill the memories of “remember that time!” and “did you see that?” grow stranger all the time. We text salutations and congratulations when Facebook updates remind us that we used to be bestest friends, but it’s getting harder.

Our lives are oversaturated with communication, but it gets harder and harder to just talk. The memories will always be there, but the miles between us relegate them to the back of our minds as jobs and families and new friends need the space.

With those melancholy thoughts, my new year was bittersweet. I spent it with my family, whom I am so lucky to have. We watched movies and drank champagne, but even the happy, fizzy buzz from my wineglass couldn’t turn my thoughts from the simple fact that I am 24 years old, and instead of being out with my friends, who all seemed to have awesome jobs and boyfriends and apartments, I was sitting at home—where I still live.

I felt like a Taylor Swift song, all what-ifs and never-beens and hometown sad stories. Woe unto me, the women-childe unemploy’ed, for the kingdom of my parent’s basement shall be mine now and forever. Amen.

It took a week to snap out of it.

The fact of the matter is this: I am still young and awesome and I have my whole life ahead of me. Sure, I am still living in my childhood bedroom, but so what? Plenty of people are, and it’s a smart economic decision: I do the shopping, cooking and cleaning and I save about $800 a month. I shouldn’t be ashamed to admit that I come home to a family that cares about me and lives in a 20 minute radius to my work and university.

That’s another thing to be proud of: Not only am I an MBA candidate, I am an MBA candidate paying her own way through school by teaching dance, tutoring kids and working for the Alumni Office. That’s pretty kickass, if I may use language I can’t use in front of the kids. I get to do something I love while I earn my Masters so I can do even more things I love.

I may not be where I expected to be in my five-year plan, but the place I am in is pretty awesome. I have a supportive family, part-time work I enjoy and the belief that I am going to get somewhere, even if it takes a little longer than I expected.

Posted by Holly at 9:58 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, communication, family

Life takes interesting turns. I am still actively searching for a position in public relations, and my calendar of resume submissions is as filled in as ever, but I am also dancing again. Not just dancing, teaching, too.

I’m a dance teacher. A PR-trained, mass comm. major, economics studying dance teacher, and I love it.

The last time I taught dance was in high school when I worked for the local community center. I taught during the summer. My classes were pre-ballet and jazz combo for fours, fives and sixes. I was a kid, but I ran those classes like I remembered my teachers ran theirs. The Miss Danas and Miss Frans in their black tights and leotards, toting huge CD cases and books of stickers for after class. My girls learned to passé like flamingos and stretch like cats; we stomped like elephants and galloped like ponies. I had as much fun teaching ballet as I did learning it, and my girls were so excited to dance each week.

That kind of excitement is easy to forget. Between applying to and being accepted by colleges and planning a move across the country, I began to forget about dance. Even as I auditioned for student dance teams and later cofounded my own, I forgot dance. I forgot about the excitement kids have when they put on their pink shoes, and I forgot the excitement I had when I stepped out on stage. Sure, I still performed, and I even taught steps to some of my peers on our team, but it became as much work as the paper due at the end of the semester.

By the time I graduated and began looking for a career, I had forgotten dance altogether. My days were counted by getting through them, and every interview another checkmark on my calendar. I didn’t look forward to the Tuesday nights that used to be devoted to Pointe, or the Thursdays reserved for Hip-Hop with Mr. Josh. My dance bag, the same bag I used since I was four, had finally been retired to the back of my closet.

And then my former teacher Dana called me. I had stopped in after going to the gym to check in about summer classes, and I mentioned that I would be available to sub should she need someone. I never expected her to call with an opening, let alone three. A nearby nursery school was looking for a dance teacher for their twos, threes and fours, and if I was okay with it, Dana would give them my info. Okay, I said, I’ll give the school a call.

And now I am teaching dance.

I am not sure what I expected when I walked in for an introduction, but it wasn’t to be greeted by fifteen excited little girls who hadn’t had dance in months. Oh, they’re just so happy to dance again! the staff explained. Oh, I replied, a little wary. I wasn’t sure of their expectations of me—could I even teach girls so young? Could I teach dance at all anymore?

But it’s amazing how muscle memory returns, how quickly your body remembers how to move and how easy it is to fall into the same routines you did for a dozen years. Once more we were plié-ing and relevéing and twirling like princess-fairy-ballerinas (their words, not mine). I remembered dance, and I remembered how happy it makes me.

I know I am still young, and there are so many lessons left for me to learn, but this one is a big one. It is hard to admit when you are unhappy, and I was unhappy for months as I searched for work. I think that unhappiness sprung from feeling so useless, like I couldn’t contribute because I didn’t have a job in my field. If I couldn’t get that first foothold, what life could I possibly make for myself?

I still don’t have a job in PR, but I am not useless. Every week I teach dance and every week those little girls are so excited to dress up and learn something new. That’s something important. I am still looking for a career, and I am still applying for PR positions, but I can be happier about it now. If I can be this excited about dance again after 8 years, I can be excited for finding a career, too.

Posted by Holly at 1:40 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, dance

Since moving back to Atlanta, I have been using local Web sites and community-based listings to aid me in my career search. Of these, craigslist has been a constant source of leads. As you are aware, the want-ad behemoth lets companies post job listings for free or for a low cost, making it an important, low-cost tool. Unfortunately, that also means not all of these leads are legitimate.

I am shocked by the sheer number of positions that claim to be entry-level public relations jobs. I have found everything from cold-calling, customer service jobs to borderline pyramid schemes masquerading as marketing jobs.

One of the biggest warning signs I've found for these jobs is the requirements. When a listing announces: ENTRY LEVEL NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY WE WILL TRAIN!, I know they aren't looking for skilled professionals. What I want to do requires four years of study, and another two training as an intern. I am the first of my family to earn a bachelors, and I am proud of my education. I don't want to learn to sell in two weeks just to make calls off a list.

Language is usually a hint, too. Promises of huge earnings in one year or commission-only compensation sets off loud alarm bells. Excitement that can only be expressed in ALL CAPS isn't something I want from a firm, nor are promises of incredible rewards.

The frequency of these posts, or a large number of openings, is another sign. It tells me that turnover is great, and if the positions were as incredible as the company is claiming, why would there be so many openings?

One last warning sign I have come across is the call for a head shot. Head shots are perfectly fine when you are auditioning for an acting job, but not for a PR professional. Why is my appearance important if I am a communicator? I want to write content and strategy, not show off my good looks. When a job asks for a head shot, it tells me that they aren't looking for communicators, they are looking for pretty girls and guys to sell sex, not their client.

I am sure that there are people who are right for these jobs, but they are not what I want to do. Weeding through the clutter has made me all the more driven to find that right position, but it's tough. What sets off your alarm bells when looking for a job?

Image copyright National Geographic.

Posted by Holly at 9:20 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search

Over the past year, I have been keeping track of the positions I apply to in a spiral-bound notebook. After every query and cover letter, I would write down the date, the name of the company, the position and the person I contacted. Later, I would try to update the entry with any responses I had received or telephone interviews. The method worked, and it was a great way to keep my thoughts organized until, one day, I couldn't find my notebook.

Posted by Holly at 8:57 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search

The past few weeks have given me a new sense of clarity in terms of the career I want to have. This afternoon, I started the process of becoming a sole proprietorship, which means I will be able to offer freelance services while I continue to look for a position with a public relations firm. A license also means that should I decide to devote myself entirely to freelancing, I can do that, too.

When I was a kid, I wrote short stories about trees and tornadoes and mice and ballerinas. I imagined one day I would be a famous author like Eric Carle, and I practiced thinking up novels in the bathtub. I continued to write in high school and college for student-run newspapers, and my passion for words is what led me to public relations.

I love the way a good writer can craft language. It’s exciting to write articles and press releases and e-mails targeted to bloggers—choosing just the right words can lead to a feature article or an interview with an up-and-coming celebrity.

Centuries ago, philosophers argued about the power of words. A good speaker can sway minds, and a great one can incite change. Be it Aristotle or Eddie Bernays, when someone uses language to change minds or share ideas, they have power over people.

Writing a press release is not difficult. Typing up original Web content can take minutes, as does customizing an e-mail. It’s easy to get the words down, but what I want to do is write great press releases and articles that help clients reach new audiences and motivate change.

Finding a job in this economy is going to be difficult. I have no doubt that I will see many more polite rejections before I find the position right for me. But I am sure now that I want to continue to write and blog and maybe change the world.

Posted by Holly at 6:48 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, communication, writing

An important step in developing a career is learning about what you don’t want from your employer. I think it is easy to decide that you want a team-orientated environment or family-positive policies, but it is a lot harder to put names to the things you don’t want in a workplace. Part of the problem may lie in the fear of sounding negative or unlike a team player, but another part of it may be due to inexperience or naivety.

About eight months ago when I left Edelman, I began my second voyage into the food industry. I started working for Tap & Vine, a local restaurant bar with an incredible beer selection from independent breweries around the country. Although I worked part time at a bagel shop and deli while I was in high school and college, this was my first time working full time as a server in a restaurant.

The food industry is unique in itself, and there are as many cons as there are pros, but I enjoyed it. I liked the people, I loved bartending and waiting tables. For all the unruly children or inappropriate bar guests, there were the sweet families on their “first restaurant excursion” or the cheerful regulars who tip an amazing 35%. We had fun in the kitchen and on the floor, and when I made the decision to move back in with my parents, I was sad to leave everyone behind.

Last month, I started looking for a part-time job to supplement my (non-existent) income while I apply to Atlanta PR firms, and I was happy to include local restaurants on my list of possible employers. I was excited when an Italian restaurant asked me to come in for an interview, and pleasantly surprised when they e-mailed me that very evening to extend an offer for a server position. I had been a fan of the restaurant for several months: when you walk in, it smells like my Grandma’s kitchen on Sundays. The owner set me up to begin training that week.

My first warning sign should have been the way the owner spoke to me. I am Italian. My family is very, very Italian. My childhood is defined in part by our Sunday visits to Grandma for macaroni, meatballs and gravy. Although I had mentioned my familiarity with Italian food—both New York style and more traditional dishes—the owner informed me that I have not had “real” Italian food: the food they make in the restaurant is “real” Italian, not like what I would have had.

The owner pointed to an item on the menu and asked me to say how I thought it was pronounced. Now, I knew exactly where this was going, but I still mispronounced the word, and the owner quickly corrected me and launched into a lesson on how I need to learn the proper pronunciation and what the items contained. Caught off guard, I smiled and agreed—and mentally noted that I am illiterate in Italian, but I can certainly pronounce the names for the food I eat every week.

My ego was bruised, but I gave the owner the benefit of the doubt. After all, how many times have I gotten into tiffs with friends over Ragu and the color of gravy? How many times do I scoff at people who ask for spaghetti and meatballs when they could have ziti and a wonderful, meaty red gravy that hides so perfectly in the al dente tubes? When it comes to my heritage, I know I am proud and stubborn and a little bit of a know-it-all.

I returned the next day to begin training and meet the rest of the staff. Everyone was nice and happy to help me as I trained—they were young, but knowledgeable and good teachers. In fact, my first official day went really well. I wondered if, perhaps, I had imagined the condescension because I got my feelings hurt. Everyone else seemed to be pleased with their jobs, so it must have been me, right?

Unfortunately, my discomfort culminated with an offhand comment made by one of my coworkers as she was showing me how to clock out of their computer system. “Keep this paperwork,” she warned me, “the owner will test you.” Oh, I think, that’s strange—how would he test you on hours worked receipt?

My coworker continued, “He’ll short your pay—he’s shorted me a few times, and you need your paperwork to prove you worked more hours or received more tips.”

What?

I mulled over this. From what I understood from my coworker, the owner didn’t make mistakes: he shorted his servers on purpose to see if he could get away with it. My previous employers may not have been perfect, but they never, NEVER intentionally withheld pay. I came to a decision: as much as I need a part-time job right now, this is not something I will deal with. I refuse to work for someone who takes advantage of his employees in such a way. There is a difference between hurt feelings and disrespect, and I will not tolerate the latter.

And so, with just four hours on the clock, I turned in my resignation and I will continue my job hunt elsewhere.

Posted by Holly at 10:03 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career

I have been working on this post for two years now, since I first launched Short and Sweet. I knew I would write it one day, but I was never quite sure how. I know once I hit that publish button, there will be no turning back.

Posted by Holly at 9:46 PM 5 comments  

Labels: career, RAINN, rape, work

My interview with Paige Holden of Bliss PR went live this morning at PR Breakfast Club. The interview was part of Pitch Yourself, a new feature at the PRBC blog, and I am very excited to have been a part of it.

Pitch Yourself is a great educational tool for new PR professionals (and old ones, too!). I always wished that I could hear my interviewers' thoughts after each interview: What did I do wrong? What did I do right? In this case, Paige pointed out a few things I felt iffy about after the interview ended, and I am glad she did. Now I know what I can improve on, such as being prepared to answer questions outside my specific focus and having questions of my own ready.

Overall, I am pleased with the interview. You can check out the video here or on You Tube.

Posted by Holly at 1:41 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career

It's been a little quiet around here lately. I've been in the middle of a fairly big move, and I am finally getting settled in.

Thirteen months ago, I packed my life into boxes, crates and laundry baskets and drove to Washington, DC. My only connection to the city was a friend from college and an internship at a PR firm. In fact, for the first couple of days, I lived out of my car and slept in @lindsaydoll's den on an air mattress. It was very exciting--nerve-wrecking--and incredible.

But I'm someone who likes plans. I make itineraries, set up appointments and schedule my life. I don't blindly run into the fray, and so my post-college adventure was tempered with a plan: If I am not hired as a full time account executive at the end of my internship, I will give myself six months to look for position in DC.

And so, working a part time job waiting tables and tending bar, I began my job search in Washington, DC. I focused specifically on positions in non-profit, but I kept myself open to everything I came across. Sometimes I was called in for an interview, and sometimes I received a polite e-mail informing me the position had been filled.

With Thanksgiving past, I had a decision to make: continue my search in DC while I worked at the bar, or move back to Atlanta and look for a position there. I decided that while there were amazing opportunities in DC, there were many in Atlanta, too, and as much as I love DC, it was time for me to return home. Like 13 months earlier, I once again packed my life into boxes and set out for the next adventure.

"Moving Tools" by Rachel Spauldilng

Posted by Holly at 10:20 AM 0 comments  

Labels: career

An Australian news source recently reported on gender and job requirements. According to Australian Dell executive Joe Kremer, women are more likely to pass on applying for a job because they don't think they meet all the requirements, while their male colleagues will apply even if they only meet two or three.

This is not exactly a new phenomenon. In fact, it's something my professors and peers at BU often talked about during class. Men are more likely to overestimate their abilities than women.

But is that necessarily a bad thing?

During the my job hunt over the past few months, I've started to notice a pattern in my own application process. I'm not a modest person, and I am proud of my accomplishments, but I was throwing out applications because I thought I didn't meet all the requirements. I would read through the position, thinking to myself, "Wow, I would be great at this! I already have some great ideas I'd love to implement!" As I scrolled down to the qualifications, however, my confidence would start to wane. "Three years? I only have one. A certificate in design? I only have my Web sites..."

Ultimately, I would put aside that application and start in on the next one, accepting defeat before the race even began.

But that's not me--I don't give up so easily. I am confident, driven and a little stubborn, so why doesn't my job hunt reflect this? After all, the worst that can happen is that I receive a polite but succinct e-mail from HR stating that I am not qualified for the position. Is that so bad that I won't even give myself a chance?

I am smart and talented, and I know digital PR. From now on, I am going to let HR decide if I am qualified, and I am going to stop worrying about meeting all the requirements. I am good enough, but my future employer can't know that unless I apply first.

Photo by Indigo Fish.

Posted by Holly at 7:26 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, job search

As those of you who follow me on Twitter might already know, I recently applied for a grassroots position with a non-profit organization. It seemed like a very promising position, and I thought the interview went very well. I liked the environment and the goals of the company--I thought to myself, this could be the one!

Then, I received a letter this morning. It was a thin envelop from the organization with a big, red stamp: Confidential.

Uh oh.

I opened it, and sure enough it was a friendly but succinct rejection from the firm of my dreams.

I felt a little like I had when my fifth grade crush told me that I wasn't his type. He was kind about it, but it sure broke my heart. I cried about it for hours, re-reading the folded note he sent me from across the classroom. This morning, I took a deep breath and re-read the rejection letter. There were significantly less tears this time, but it was still a blow to my ego.

That got me thinking, though. My job hunt has been a lot like dating. From perusing wanted ads to setting up that first date/interview, I am starting to feel like an occupational Casanova. (Unfortunately, I can't claim the same level of success with my career as the famed Venetian adventurer can with women.)

Rejection is never easy, whether it is from a company or a crush. But, I'm going to pick myself up and keep going. After all, the career of my dreams is out there, and it isn't going to wait for me.

"Heart" by Agnieszka Bialobrzeska.

Posted by Holly at 6:50 PM 4 comments  

Labels: career, rejection

This post is a part of 20SB’s Looking Back Blog Carnival, and Ben & Jerry’s is awarding free ice cream to lucky bloggers and readers!

Although I started this blog so I could talk about technology, communication and my job search, my initial entries are embarrassing, to say the least. I think I tried to hard at first, trying to straddle the line between relating to other 20-somethings and keeping my personal life private. Most of the entries are saccharine, superficial and...boring. I did find one, though, that I think shows how much I've grown as a professional (and a blogger). Fired was originally posted in November, 2007.

Speaking of new technology, a friend of mine was recently fired from her internship.

It's really an amazing story. Kate* is very intelligent and field-savvy, and she got a position with a very important news source. As part of her learning experience, and to use in her final project for school, she created a blog in which she wrote about her experiences. Kate is very witty, and it showed in her entries. Unfortunately, the newsroom director was not amused and had Kate fired. She will not earn credit, she will not pass go, and she will not receive her $200 stipend. Kate, understandably, was very upset by this development, especially when she learned that the HR department had been calling her internship adviser and promised that she will never work for this very important news source again.

When I found out, I was stunned. Kate was not writing about the sexcapades of politicians. However, she must have written something that the news director thought portrayed the very important news source in a negative light. I would tend to agree with this news source, especially if Kate had breached her internship contract, but I do not think they handled it well at all.

As I mentioned earlier, the internet is so new that we don't know what to do with it. This is also the age of Ugly Betty, Back to You and Devil Wears Prada. We love to hear about the behind the scenes scandals of big-name companies. It the grand scheme, Kate's blog was harmless, and probably would have served to humanize this news source.

Should Kate have remained anonymous? Absolutely. And it is unfortunate that the news director found out about the blog. But should the very important news source have fired Kate? No! With her writing ability and witty tone, they could have capitalized on her, granting her some guidelines about what should and should not go into the blog and a general time frame for when information can get out.

It's unfortunate that Kate lost her job over a blog, but it is more unfortunate that these big corporations aren't better taking advantage of them.

* not her real name

Posted by Holly at 4:07 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, communication

Over the past year, I have spent many nights and weekends online, and contrary to popular belief, I was not playing World of Warcraft. I knew well in advance that my internship would be coming to a close in mid-May, and I would once again be part of the hordes of unemployed. Fortunately, social media and online search tools have made the job hunt just a little bit easier, particularly for those of us in public relations and communications. While I don’t have a position quite yet, prospects are bright. Here are a few of the sites that have helped me in my search.

Craigslist

Perhaps the most obvious and easy to use listings of open positions, Craigslist is filled with jobs waiting for applications. But Craigslist’s ease of use is also its downfall: with no filter and a self-censoring “Flag!” system, you are as likely to find one-shot gigs listed as entry-level positions as you are associate positions requiring five-plus years of experience. Fortunately, the search function makes searching for jobs a little less messy. Instead of perusing the full listings (or even just the Marketing/PR section), try searching for terms related to your industry. I use “entry-level PR,” “public relations,” “public affairs” and “non-profit communications,” to name a few. Search the jobs category as a whole, too—sometimes great positions are posted to categories you wouldn’t normally expect.

Idealist.org

My new favorite Web site, Idealist lets you search thousands of listings in the non-profit sector for the positions right for you. You can pare down the jobs by type, from volunteer opportunities to internships and full-time positions. Overall, the site is very clean and easy to navigate, and I like that you can search for areas that interest you most. However, don’t discount running a broader search, too—I found some nice openings in organizations from across the board.

USAJobs

I thought my dad was joking when he sent me a link to USAJobs.gov. He said, “No, wait, take a look. Barack is looking for PR people.” Admittedly, I was surprised to see that my dad was right—and, apparently, on a first name basis with President Obama—there are jobs for PR professionals with the US government. The site is not too difficult to navigate, and you can narrow down results by your region and industry. The site also has special options for current students, veterans and seniors as well as information about hiring trends. You may not find a listing for press secretary, but there are tons of surprisingly interesting openings available.

Twitter

I am not shy about admitting that I landed an amazing internship with Edelman because of Twitter. Twitter is a great place to get a heads up on who is looking for new talent. Some great Tweeps to follow include @HeatherHuhman, @SocialMediaJob, @ComeRecommended and individual HR departments, such as @EdelmanHR for the Edelman London office. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on the conversation around #entryPR and similar tags. Oftentimes, in between links to job openings, users will post advice and links to articles about landing an entry level job.

Organization Web sites

If none of the positions listed on the aforementioned Web sites catch your attention, why not go right to the source? Many PR and Ad firms list positions in the career sections of their Web sites, and it is a good idea to check the sites regularly for new positions. Visit O’Dwyer’s to access their database of PR firms, and take a look at each organization’s Web site. Some companies, such as Porter Novelli, even offer an RSS feed to help you keep track of the latest openings.

Some other sites worth checking out are: One Day, One Internship, One Day, One Job, Career Builder, Monster, Opportunity Knocks, Brazen Careerist

Do you have any advice to add about your experience searching for a job? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Posted by Holly at 4:06 PM 2 comments  

Labels: advice, career, communication, social networking

Next week will mark my final week as an intern at Edelman. I'm nervous and excited, and a little sad.

Overall, the experience was amazing. I learned more about social media, public relations and technology in these few past months than I could ever have expected, and there is still so much more to learn.

I made friends, too. Great friends with life experiences and knowledge to share over intermittent trips to the kitchen or ice cream cooler. I know I will keep in touch with everyone, but it will be sad to say goodbye.

I don't know what the future holds, but I am confident that good things are ahead. Wish me luck.

In other site news, I am working on updating hollygrande.com. My portfolio, experiences and bio have all been updated.

Posted by Holly at 9:10 PM 2 comments  

Labels: career, friends

I hope you all had a very happy New Year. I kept mine pretty low-key this year. I was invited to a couple of parties, but by the time I got home, I was so tired I decided to order in and watch a couple of movies.

I saw The Fall, which is by the same director behind one of my favorite visually stunning flicks The Cell. It has Lee Pace in it, and he is very good--and very different from his role as the charming pie maker who can wake the dead.

This morning I slept in and enjoyed waking after the sun rise. I organized my desktop, cleaned my room, and set up my to-do list for the weekend. It's nice to have some time off. I took a vacation over Christmas, but I spent it at my parents. As wonderful as it is to see my family, they are very tiring!

We went up to my dad's cabin for the holiday. My dad is a contractor, and he has been working on this cabin as a pet project for the past three years or so. It is just about done, and so my parents decided to host Christmas at the cabin in the middle of the woods. It was very neat! No snow, but the weather was gorgeous. Little Brother set up a swing in the backyard, and he and the Monster Puppy had a blast getting lost in the woods (although he was a little disappointed he couldn't play World of Warcraft because there was no Internet).

I think the big plan is for my parents to retire up there, but that won't be for many, many years. In the mean time, they said I can go up there whenever I want. Sweet!

I was very happy to return to work this week. We have a few big projects ahead of us, and I am excited to get started on them. Come January 10, I will have been with Edelman for two months, and I hope to stick around for many more.

2009 looks like it will be a good year for me, and I hope yours are, too!

Posted by Holly at 6:44 PM 2 comments  

Labels: career, family

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Posted by Holly at 9:56 PM 0 comments  

Labels: career, video, vlogging, writing

Today feels like my day off in ages. Over the weekend I worked two double shifts at the Fox theatre. I got in at about 11 PM last night and went to bed. I didn't wake up until noon today. I am enjoying working merchandise--it's a nice change--but I am exhausted when I come home.

I'd like to see Wicked one of the days I have off. I have only seen the middle forty minutes of each act from the televisions in the lobby. The tour cast is fantastic, and the show is fun. If you're in town, definitely swing by.

I updated my recommended reading to the left, and also my summer book list. I am getting a lot of reading done during breaks.

Posted by Holly at 3:09 PM 3 comments  

Labels: career, recommended reading, summer book list, website

After the car debacle yesterday, Sistergirl and I took Schmendrick to our mechanic and she drove me to her apartment in Atlanta. I am staying with her for the rest of the week in Atlanta, sleeping on her couch. I feel like I'm in college again.

Last night, I drove to training at the theatre. I was surprised by how old the staff was. There was one high school age kid, but he was there with his mom, who will also be selling merchandise. The rest of the staff are, well, adults. I think I am one of the youngest there. Most of the folks are professionals, and aspiring actors, who are working to fill up time.

I am definitely excited to start. I have had no income coming in for months, and it is killing me: Gas prices alone have drained most of what was left in my bank account. Poor Schmendrick will eat up the rest.

A former professor told me once that when you leave school, your job is to find a job. I completely agree, but what he failed to impress upon me was just how difficult it is. Firms don't want to hire you unless you can prove your worth (often in an unpaid internship). I am learning that first-hand.

The stint with Wicked is only four weeks, to tide me over while I interview, interview and interview some more. I have an interview coming up on Thursday, and I am looking forward to it. We'll see how it goes.

Dan Schawbel at the Personal Branding Blog has a great entry today on putting in your dues for the experience and networking that will land you your dream job. He has some great advice, and I definitely recommend you check this entry out.

Posted by Holly at 12:23 PM 1 comments  

Labels: career, family, Schmendrick