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esPResso Volume 6 Issue 2

Guest Post: How to Survive PRSSA National Conference

Image via PRSSA 

With the 2014 PRSSA National Conference behind us, our Regional Conference Coordinator Katelyn Pecorelli has a few tips to offer for anyone attending next year:

• Go in with an open mind: I went by myself, so I had to make friends, but even if you go with others from your school talk to everyone. These were some of the nicest people I have ever met and talking PR with other people that were as passionate about PR was incredible. 
• Prepare something for roll call: It may seem scary especially if you are on your own, but I wish I had more time to prepare and had actually done something, because some schools were very creative with it. 
• Don’t be afraid: Talk to everyone, including the professionals. They are there for us to learn from and want to hear our opinions. 
• Do as much as you can: There are so many experiences at National Conference and so much to learn, try to take it all in.
• Talk to everyone: Especially on your own you may be shy, but talking PR with other people that are as passionate as you is incredible. 
• Don’t sleep in: You will be tired and you will want to skip some speakers or opening. Don't. It is worth it to go and you or your school is paying for you to be there, make the most of it. 
• Go out and have fun: Again, you will be tired, but going out with new friends helps to solidify the relationships you built. 
• Keep in touch: It may seem as if you will only know the people you meet for the next few days, but it is completely possible and reasonable to keep in touch with them for extended periods of time. The more connections you have the more opportunities, especially if they are spread out across the country.

Special thanks to Katelyn Pecorelli for sharing her advice! 

#X: AT&T “It Can Wait” Campaign is a Success

Image via It Can Wait

Everyone has done it. Sent a text message while driving.

AT&T has now launched a new “It Can Wait” campaign to stop drivers from texting while they are traveling.  Cellphone use can be attributed to nearly 26 percent of motor vehicle accidents.

A survey conducted by AT&T last year found that 49 percent of adults and 43 percent of teens admitted to texting and driving.

Four of the major cellular providers have joined together to create the “It Can Wait” campaign in 2013 to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. The companies include Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.

The latest installment in AT&T’s campaign encourages people to send a “#X” to let people know that they are getting into a car and cannot talk, pausing the conversation. This specific part of the campaign is hoping to reach the younger, teen audience.

Image via AT&T

In an article from PRNews they stated that, “AT&T has won the support of more than 1,500 organizations and recruited celebrities … to spread the word via social media.” The campaign has also gathered over 5 million pledges to not text while driving.

The #X campaign is a great way for the company to refresh their techniques and reach a new audience.  

Follow @ItCanWait on Twitter and find more information on the campaign here.

5 Ways to Revamp Your Resume

Image from Flickr

1. Consider the job that you are applying for: Every job is different and your resume should reflect the field that you want to work in. For instance, in creative industries you can rework your resume to reflect your aesthetic while still keeping it professional. You always want the most relevant and important work that you have done at the top.

Tip: Keep an eye out on job listings for “required skills” and if you possess any of them, use the keywords in your resume to help stand out when online software is looking for specific words.

2. Focus on accomplishments, not just duties: Employers want numbers and goals. Show them that you can meet benchmarks. The more numbers you can include the better because it serves as a reinforcement of your personal traits. It shows what you can bring to the company and your ability to problem-solve.

Image from Buzzfeed

3.  Use “power vocabulary”: Make every bullet an action and avoid clichéd words. Use industry specific terms to show knowledge. Check out this list of power words that can help you. On a very important note, always proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes.

4. Include modern elements: We live in a digital era, so it is important to highlight any skills that you have, especially with social media. If you’re comfortable, create a digital resume that links to your blog, portfolio, LinkedIn, Twitter and any other relevant accounts. The key is not to overdo it and keep it professional.

5. Show your personality: You want to stand out in a pile of resumes, so always add something that makes it your own. Whether it is a small pop of color, a photo or an interesting layout. Offbeat resumes are becoming more accepted, so experiment and do what feels right for you, all the while keeping a professional eye in mind.

Check out this Buzzfeed post for inspiration