Tag: full-time job

How to Get an Ad Sales Job

If you’ve been studying marketing or advertising throughout your time in college, you likely already know a bit about the important role that ad sales plays in the digital media landscape. Even if you don’t, you might be interested in working for a great digital platform and are curious about how you can get your foot in the door.

To find out the ins and outs of advertising sales, we filmed a video interview with Snapchat Creative Strategist Sam Goodman and got some great advice on how recent grads can get started in the industry.

What does it actually mean to be in ad sales?

“There are a lot of different ways that you can be involved in ad sales. You can be involved in advertising on the brand side, at an agency, or for a publisher or platform,” Sam explains. In fact, because ad sales involves selling advertising space on websites and social media platforms, it’s one of the most integral parts of the digital media industry and a key entry point for those interested in working in a dynamic and innovative field.

How do you get into ad sales without any experience?

Getting started in ad sales without experience might seem intimidating at first, but it really doesn’t need to be. According to Sam, the key is being persistent. “If you’re passionate about it, that will show in any interview,” he says, emphasizing that you can learn a lot from reading trade publications like Ad Age and Digiday while you’re still in college.

Pro Tip: Sam also suggests doing internships and taking on brand ambassador roles to advertise local and national businesses on your campus. This will give you a great sense of what it means to represent a brand and help you build your knowledge base so that you can land a full-time position.

What are the main entry-level roles in ad sales?

“Planners tend to be good entry-level points, both on the publishing side and on the agency side,” Sam says. And the great news is that these roles are among the most popular in the field, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities for you to find a position right out of college.

If you really want to learn a lot as quickly as possible, Sam recommends going the agency route. “You’re going to get a good understanding of everything, both working with a brand and working with a publisher. From there you can jump off and figure out what it is that works best for your skill set,” he says.

How can recent grads make themselves stand out to hiring managers?

Although there is a lot of competition in ad sales, Sam emphasizes that it’s definitely possible to stand out from the pack. The key is going the extra mile. “It can be as simple as sending a handwritten thank you note. You’d be amazed how far those go,” he says, explaining that it shows a level of dedication most people don’t have.

The real secret however, is getting creative. “You can find unique ways to use the platform that you’re applying to,” Sam explains. “At Snapchat, we recently had an interviewee drop a thank you geofilter over the office the day after interviewing.” Needless to say, the candidate made a great impression by not only going above and beyond what was expected, but by also showing that she understood the platform and how to use it effectively.

Finally, what’s the one piece of advice all college students and recent grads need?

Although ad sales has its own unique characteristics and challenges, there’s one piece of career advice that definitely applies to all students and recent grads: Don’t waste your time. “College is a unique point in our lives where we have resources available and time available to do a number of things,” Sam explains. “Try to find something you’re passionate about, experiment a little bit and make sure that you take advantage of your time on campus.”

As a rapidly growing part of digital media, ad sales offers fantastic opportunities to build your skill set while also learning more about an innovative industry. The key to landing an ad sales job, especially at a great platform like Snapchat, is to learn as much as possible about advertising while also representing your skills and experience effectively in an interview. And above all, don’t be afraid to get creative. This will help you stand out to employers and be at the top of their minds when they’re ready to make an offer.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as The Ultimate Guide to Interviewing for an Ad Sales Job and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Travel?

What Does a Day in the Life of a Social Media Manager Look Like?

If you’re thinking of becoming a social media manager, you might be wondering what your daily schedule will look like. Will you be spending all day posting on Facebook and Instagram? How much time will you need to dedicate to analytics and reporting? To help you understand the day-to-day experience of working in social media, we decided to break down the tasks social media managers tackle each day, focusing on both the more popular parts of the job and some you might not know too much about.

Here’s what the schedule of a social media manager looks like:

Morning: Checking Channels, Scanning News Sites, Creating Social Posts

Since social media runs on a 24-hour cycle, it’s important for social media managers to be aware of what’s going on with their channels at all times and to be on top of current news trends. “A lot of people think I’m just painting my nails and Snapchatting all day, but there’s so much more to it than that,” explains Juliette Dallas-Feeney, Senior Social Media Manager at Birchbox.

Checking channels

For most social media managers, the day begins with a quick check on what’s going on with all of the company’s social channels. If there are any questions or comments that require immediate responses, these are typically taken care of first thing in the morning.

Scanning news sites

Once all of the company’s channels have been checked and questions answered, social media managers normally scan news sites for breaking news stories or trending topics related to the specific industry the company is a part of.

Creating social posts

Having a handle on the day’s news is especially useful for crafting engaging posts, which is the next item on the agenda and usually wraps up a social media manager’s morning. Although this part of the day usually only takes 2-3 hours it’s one of the most important because this is the part that the brand’s community actually sees.

Afternoon: Analyzing Campaign Performance, Planning, Meetings

With social posts out of the way, social media managers generally spend the afternoon analyzing campaign performance and developing new strategies and campaigns.

Analyzing campaign performance

Tracking campaign performance is one of the keys to ensuring successful outcomes. In order to get a sense of how these campaigns are performing, social media managers use a mix of different analytics tools designed to measure engagement such as likes, shares and clicks. In turn, these factors correlate to website traffic and customer acquisition which directly affect a company’s revenue.

Planning

Strategizing and planning are two of the key areas of any social media job and something that social media managers always focus on. This part of the day generally includes creating content for current social media campaigns or planning out new strategies to test on both existing and emerging platforms.

Meetings

Another key part of a social media manager’s day, and one that often goes hand in hand with planning, is attending meetings. These meetings are generally focused on ensuring that the company’s messages are consistent across all of its channels and that the social media strategy takes into account things like new product launches and company news.

As an innovative and fast-growing industry, social media offers great opportunities to represent a brand. In order to do that well, “It’s important to be able to wear many different hats and be really scrappy,” Juliette explains. By having a clear idea of what to expect in the role, you’ll be able to position yourself to land a job at a great brand like Birchbox. And when you’re ready to prepare for the interview, we have some great interview advice to help you put your best foot forward.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 5 Things You Must Do to Prepare for Your Video Interview and find answers to common interview questions such as Are You Willing to Relocate?

Common First Job Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Landing your first job is an exciting moment because it marks the beginning of your professional career. But although it may seem like the hard part is over once you have your offer letter in hand, it’s important to be aware of the challenges you’ll face when starting a new job and to avoid the mistakes that can come along with it.

Here are three common mistakes that many people make in their first jobs.

1. Relying on yourself for guidance

You’re not expected to be perfect in your role from the get-go, especially at such an early stage of your career, so don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask for help from your managers and peers when you need it. Although it’s important to develop knowledge on your own, learning from higher-ups who have more experience is a great way to build your skills and knowledge effectively.

Fostering a mentorship with a trusted work colleague can also prove to be extraordinarily beneficial to your development. The best way to do this is by finding a co-worker (ideally someone who’s been in the same role or a similar role to yours) and asking them to go out for a mid-day coffee or after-work drinks. Learn about how this person came into the company, pick their brain on how they approach their work and get a good sense of your expected work-life balance. As your relationship grows and develops, rely on your new mentor for advice during challenging times or when navigating uncharted territory.

2. Underestimating the importance of grunt work

Your new career is likely to start in an entry-level position, which unfortunately comes with “grunt work” such as number-crunching, running reports and other tasks that your superiors don’t have the time or bandwidth to take on. While grunt work isn’t anything you can brag about to your friends, it’s an incredible opportunity to dive deeper into learning about your company while proving to your manager that you’re reliable and trustworthy. The best way to approach grunt work is to take what you can from it and use those tasks to grow your skill set. For example, if you’re building and running reports, it’s important to get an understanding of why the reports are important and gain as many insights as you can from them.

Pro Tip: Although it may seem like senior members of the team focus only on the most important tasks, the truth is that every position (including your manager’s position) involves some level of grunt work. By accepting this as a reality of professional life and making the most of it, you’ll be sure to impress your manager and to really grow into your role.

3. Expecting praise and promotions to come easily

Although being praised for a job well done is something we all aspire to, the reality is that much of what you’ll do in your first job (or any job) is about being patient and proving yourself. This means accepting new tasks enthusiastically, asking for feedback and not getting discouraged if your first attempt at a project doesn’t go as planned. By approaching your new job with a growth mindset and accepting praise graciously when it is given, you’ll be showing your manager that you’re there to learn and add value to the team, something that is much more likely to lead to a rewarding experience and a promotion down the line.

First job mistakes are a natural part of getting used to the professional world and chances are that you’ll make some mistakes no matter how careful you are. However, by anticipating common mistakes before they happen and learning how to resolve them, you’re likely to succeed in your new role and to impress your manager.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Tell if an Interview Went Well and find answers to common interview questions such as Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

The Ultimate Guide to Interviewing for an Ad Sales Job

Whether you’ve studied advertising throughout your time in college or it’s a field that you’ve recently discovered, if you’re trying to get involved in ad sales you may be looking for advice on how to nail your interview. We recently sat down with Snapchat Creative Strategist Sam Goodman to film a mock interview and get the inside scoop on impressing hiring managers and ensuring that you come across as knowledgeable and confident during your interview.

Here are his top tips for what to do in an ad sales interview.

1. Dress for the company you’re interviewing for

“In any interview situation and especially in ad sales, it can be nerve-wracking to figure out what to wear,” Sam explains. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. “It’s totally normal to email the recruiter and ask them what the dress code for the office is and then get a feel from there,” he assures us. One key thing to note is that ad sales is a casual environment so wearing a suit will automatically make you stand out (and not in a good way). Instead, focus on wearing something that fits into the business casual category such as slacks and a button-down shirt for men or nice pants and a blouse for women.

2. Keep your resume to one page

The second key thing Sam suggests is keeping your resume to one page. “I recommend optimizing the experience you have towards the interview you’re going in for and keeping it within a page maximum,” he says. This is especially important for recent grads who don’t often have significant professional experience. By keeping your resume short and focused, you’ll be helping hiring managers see both your skills and your potential.

3. Keep your “About Me” to under 60 seconds

Being able to give a concise description of your background is a great way to engage the interviewer and give them a sense of who you are both personally and professionally. In addition to telling the hiring manager where you’re from and what you’re studying in school, be sure to offer solid examples and to focus on facts that relate to the industry or to your previous academic and internship experiences.

4. Relate your experiences back to the role you’re interviewing for

Few things are as important during an interview as being able to relate your experiences back to the position you’re interviewing for. This important for two reasons: 1) It lets hiring managers know that you understand the role and have a good sense of how your skills will match the company’s needs 2) It shows that you’re engaged in the interview process and able to talk about your experience in a relevant, articulate way.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions

Asking clarifying questions is another key factor of a successful interview. These types of questions will help you understand exactly what the interviewer is asking and to give answers that will resonate with them. Although asking clarifying questions might seem a bit intimidating, you shouldn’t be afraid to do it. In fact, hiring managers really appreciate it when you clarify the question because it shows that you care about answering the question well.

6. Give examples of how you can manage big personalities

Whether you’re working for an agency or a publisher, one of the main day-to-day challenges of ad sales is being able to manage lots of competing needs and personalities. This is something that Sam asks about when interviewing candidates at Snapchat and a skill he emphasizes as being key to any ad sales job.

7. Make sure your passion shines through

Passion is important for any position, especially a client-facing one where you’ll be serving as the face of the brand. A great way to show this passion is by giving specific examples of things you’ve done to turn one of your visions into a reality. For example, have you developed a specific program at your school to benefit students or led your sorority in fundraising for a charity? This is the time to mention that.

8. If you need more time, repeat the question before answering

Repeating the question back is a great way to buy yourself some time during an interview, particularly if you encounter a question you weren’t prepared to answer. Added bonus: Framing the question clearly in your mind will help you come up with a more targeted, focused answer.

9. Be honest when talking about your passion and excitement for the company

Showing sincere excitement about a company is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a position and to show that you’re a cultural fit for the role. “Whether you’re interviewing at a brand, an agency or at a publisher, make sure you understand how it works so that you can speak confidently,” Sam advises. This will ensure that your passion shines through and that the interviewer knows how excited you are about the role.

10. Do your research and find examples to reference

Doing your research is key when interviewing for any position but it’s especially important for something like ad sales where you’ll likely be asked about specific ads that you think are working well. “If you’re interviewing for an advertising role at any company, you should really be doing a lot of research on the app to take note of advertising,” Sam explains. Another key piece of advice: “You should make note of going into each part of the app and trying to identify advertisements that you can speak to as examples.”

11. Pick a relevant brand and give specific examples of what they do well

If you’re asked to give an example of a company that is doing great things in the digital space, focus on one that is developing innovative campaigns while also building a strong community around their brand.

Pro Tip: Although you may be tempted to offer the brand you’re interviewing with as an example, don’t. This will come across as insincere and also show that you’re not fully up to speed on what’s going on in the digital landscape.

12. Be yourself and show your personality

Being yourself is key in any interaction with a potential co-worker or manager, but it’s especially important during your interview where you’re trying to assess whether the role will be a good fit for you. On the interviewer side, Sam emphasizes that when he interviews candidates for Snapchat, he wants to make sure that he looks for people who will be a good fit for the company culture as well as for the role. “You want to check that this person is going to fit well on your team, that they’re going to meld into the culture nicely,” he explains.

13. Ask questions! Have a few prepared so you don’t get stuck

“Anytime you go into any interview, and especially in advertising, it’s super important to come prepared with a few questions,” Sam says. “Whether it’s about what the daily role will look like or what the interviewer thinks of his or her current role, you need to have a few questions to prompt further conversation and to show that you’re engaged.” When preparing your questions, think about what you’d most like to know about the position or the company and lead with that.

Pro Tip: If you really want to end the interview on a high note, ask the hiring manager about their best moment at the company. This is a great way to get them to reflect on what they love about their job and a perfect way to wrap up the interview.

14. Ask for contact information and send a thank you email

“Thank you notes are probably one of the most key pieces of follow-up to any interview,” Sam says. In fact, thank you notes are a great way to remind hiring managers about your good qualities and to let them know that you appreciate their time. Best of all, thank you notes will make you stand out. “A lot of interviewers and a lot of hiring managers especially focus a lot on the thank you note,” Sam emphasizes. So be sure to send one as soon as possible, preferably the same day.

Interviewing for a position in ad sales is a great way to test out the waters and see whether a career in advertising would be a good fit for you. Although it may seem a bit intimidating at first, by doing your research, knowing what other brands are doing and being confident in your answers, you’ll be sure to nail your interview and maybe even land a job at a great company like Snapchat. One final piece of advice from Sam: Be yourself. “Because that’s who you are and that’s what sets you apart in any interview.”

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 6 Things to Do in Your First Week at a New Job and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do you Want to Leave Your Current Job Or Internship?

How to Get a Job at an Auction House

Working with rare pieces of art is a dream for many people, but for those who work at an auction house, it’s also a reality. If you’re an arts or design major, or just someone who’s interested in learning more about the art world, you might be wondering about the types of career opportunities you can find at an auction house and what you need to do to be considered for those opportunities.

To find more about how auction houses operate and how you can land a job at one, we spoke with Alexa Mendez, a post sale coordinator at Christie’s.

What are the different types of auction house positions?

Like most other fields, the art world involves a variety of different positions including roles like marketing, operations, sales and business development. And because not all of these roles require an art background, it’s entirely possible to find a position you like and that also matches your skill set. Alexa’s advice? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. “It’s about what you can do in the industry that you want to be in,” she says, explaining that her own academic background in finance and international business seems far removed from the world of art. However, by leveraging her business skills she was able to find an opportunity on the finance team at Christie’s and has since advanced to be a more senior role as a post sale coordinator.

What types of skills do you need to work at an auction house?

Even with so many opportunities for different careers, most jobs within an auction house setting require two things: 1) A strong knowledge of the art industry and 2) The ability to work as part of a cross-functional team.

Some of the skills that are crucial for any type of auction house position are:

Knowledge of the art industry

Although you don’t need to be an arts major to work in the art industry, having strong knowledge of the field is a key requirement of working at an auction house. In order to develop this knowledge, you can either take some art electives in college, or you can do your own research on the industry by reading relevant publications and following your favorite artists on social media.

Communication skills

Because of the cross-functional nature of the art world (and of auction houses in particular), being able to communicate in a clear and timely fashion is a crucial part of being successful in this field.

Organizational skills

Due to the many steps involved in organizing and hosting an auction (such as sourcing the pieces, planning the event and generating publicity around it), having strong organizational skills is extremely important for anyone working in an auction house setting. This will ensure that auctions and sales are well coordinated and that clients are happy with the way their purchases are handled.

How do you get your foot in the door for a job at an auction house?

One of the biggest misconceptions about auction houses is that you have to have a certain artistic or personal background to work there. In fact, when applying for her job at Christie’s, Alexa was prepared to do pretty much anything to get her foot in the door. “I will scrub the floors if that’s what it takes to start here,” she remembers saying after she reached out to them through a cold call. But she didn’t have to. Instead, she was able to demonstrate her talents in business operations and finance and prove that she could bring a lot of value to the organization. “I started off as a finance assistant and now it’s almost four years and three positions later,” she says, emphasizing that her finance background not only helped her get her foot in the door but also helped her advance within the organization. Her biggest tip: Figure out what you can bring to the table and show the employer what you can do for them.

Working at an auction house is a great opportunity for those who are interested in the business side of the art world. To find out if this type of career is right for you, we suggest doing an internship and getting some first-hand exposure to what it’s like to work at an auction house.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Get a Mentor at Work and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?

Common Tools for Social Media Managers

If you’ve already found out tips on how to become a social media manager from Birchbox’s Juliette Dallas-Feeney, you know that working with social media involves more than just a knack for posting funny memes. It also requires an understanding of the social media landscape and an analytical mind. Whether you’re applying for a paid or unpaid internship or an entry-level job, there are several tools that can help you measure stats accurately and consistently in the fast-moving world of social media. These tools can also help you maximize engagement across different channels and get the best results for your campaigns.

If you’re thinking about applying for a social media role, familiarizing yourself with these tools will help you demonstrate knowledge of the field during the interview.

Here are some of the most common tools you’ll need when entering this field.

1. Google Analytics

One of the best and easiest ways to track the performance of your social campaigns is Google Analytics. This free analytics service is easy to integrate into any website and offers comprehensive reporting for website traffic, including audience insights and geographic breakdowns of where your traffic is coming from.

Why it’s important: Social media managers use Google Analytics to keep track of which pieces of content are performing well on various social channels and how those channels are driving traffic to their websites. The service (which has a paid component with even more in-depth insights) is one the best ways to stay up-to-date on how your site and social media accounts are performing, making it easy to test different strategies and track results.

2. Hootsuite

One of the most established tools for social media management, Hootsuite makes it easy to create, schedule and track social posts across different platforms. Hootsuite is most commonly used with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn although it has the ability to connect with a total of 35 social networks. This makes it a one-stop shop for social media management, letting you manage all of your accounts in one place.

Why it’s important: Hootsuite allows you to schedule and analyze your social posts as well as create custom reports that you can use to track campaign performance. In addition to making it easy to see all of your social accounts in one place, the tool also acts a social-listening device, offering you real-time information on trending topics that you can leverage to boost engagement.

3. Facebook Insights

A great tool for any social media manager, Facebook Insights makes it easy to measure things like reach, engagement, clicks and shares. The interface also lets you generate reports for individual time periods so that you can get an accurate idea of trends for a specific month or quarter. As an added bonus, Insights shows you pages similar to yours, making it easy to capitalize on new social trends in your specific field.

Why it’s important: Since Facebook is the single-highest traffic driver for websites across almost every industry, social media managers rely on Facebook insights to understand how audiences are engaging with their content and create strategies for maximizing the impact of their campaigns.

4. Facebook Ads Manager

Facebook Ads Manager is one of the most important tools in any social media manager’s toolbox. This service makes it easy to create, run and track ads on Facebook, ensuring maximum engagement with your target audience.

Why it’s important: Social media managers use Facebook Ads Manager to increase engagement and boost traffic to the company’s website. This can be done by boosting existing posts or creating sponsored ones to engage new users and increase visibility. Best of all, Facebook offers tools to manage spending and track ad performance.

4. Buffer

Like Hootsuite, Buffer is a social media tool that allows you to schedule, publish and analyze posts on multiple social platforms at once. Another freemium service (that offers additional services for a premium fee), this is a wonderful alternative to Hootsuite, offering increased flexibility with scheduling and the ability to manage your social channels from one place. Buffer also has an innovative creative tool that lets you turn quotes into images, driving more engagement to your posts.

Why it’s important: Every expert has their preferred tools and some social media managers prefer Buffer’s interface and analytics tracking platform to the one offered by Hootsuite. The only way to know which one is right for you is to try both and see what fits your needs.

Pro Tip: Since different companies use different scheduling and tracking tools, having in-depth knowledge of several social media management services is likely to impress hiring managers and get you noticed as a serious candidate.

5. TweetDeck

While Hootsuite and Buffer offer a multi-channel solution for social media management, TweetDeck offers a specialist solution specifically for Twitter. This is an awesome tool if you’re focused on your brand’s Twitter presence since it allows you track trends, measure engagement and post from multiple Twitter accounts at once.

Why it’s important: Owned directly by Twitter, TweetDeck offers a seamless way to manage Twitter accounts on a large scale while also providing the most accurate analytics for this channel.

6. Canva

Over the course of the past two years, images have become increasingly important on social media. Posts with images currently drive 94% more traffic than posts without images. As a result, many social media managers are finding themselves learning graphic design with services like Canva.

Why it’s important: Canva takes the guesswork out of creating great graphics by offering templates that are easy to customize and share. It’s also a wonderful first step to learning more complicated design programs like Photoshop and InDesign. Added bonus: Knowing the basics of design will give you an edge over other candidates.

Working in social media involves a unique blend creativity and metrics-driven strategy. In order to maximize the impact of your campaigns, and land a job of your own, it helps to have the best tools at your disposal.

 

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Take an Exit Interview and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Weaknesses?

Top Locations for a Social Media Job

You’ve decided that you want to become a social media manager and you’ve researched interview tips to help you land the job. Whether you’re looking for a paid or unpaid internship or an entry-level job, the next step is to consider the top locations for this industry and find one that suits you.

Here are the top locations for a social media job.

1. New York, NY

New York is considered the hub of digital media for a good reason. It has more than double the number of social media jobs of any other city in the country. This includes everything from digital strategists to copywriters and social media managers. With so many available jobs, there’s a lot of opportunity to advance quickly in the field, making it a great place to start your career.

Average salary: The average salary for an entry-level social media job in New York is $49,000, 15% higher than the national average.

2. San Francisco, CA

With its bustling tech startup scene, the Golden City comes in second when it comes to social media jobs. Like its East coast counterpart, San Francisco offers great opportunities for those just beginning their careers. The increased demand for social media positions in the city also ensures that you’ll be able to find more advanced roles as you advance in the field. Added bonus: San Francisco has the highest paid social media jobs in the country.

Average salary: The average salary for an entry-level social media job in San Francisco is $55,000, 33% higher than the national average.

3. Chicago, IL

Another city with a thriving digital media industry, Chicago has plenty of opportunities for college students and recent grads who are interested in helping brands manage their social media presence. If you’re interested in combining your social media skills with a passion for other industries, this city also has opportunities for social media managers in the financial and medical fields.

Average salary: The average salary for an entry-level social media job in Chicago is $43,000, 3% higher than the national average.

4. Los Angeles, CA

Known as the birthplace of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is one of the best places to be if you’re interested in social media marketing for news outlets, celebrity magazines and luxury brands. The city also has an emerging startup scene, meaning that there is a lot of opportunity to manage social channels for innovative tech companies too.

Average salary: The average salary for an entry-level social media job in Los Angeles is $44,000, 6% higher than the national average.

5. Washington, DC

If you’re interested in politics, chances are you’ve already thought about moving to Washington D.C. after graduation. And that’s great news because the city has plenty of social media jobs available, especially for news outlets and political organizations.

Average salary: The average salary for an entry-level social media job in Washington D.C is $48,000, 15% higher than the national average.

Landing a great social media job or internship doesn’t just involve building your personal brand and preparing for the interview. It’s also about knowing what kind of lifestyle you want and where you want to live. By knowing which locations offer the best jobs, you can ensure that you’ll find a role that’s right for you in a great location.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Networking Offline and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Different Types of Public Relations Jobs?.

How to Become a Communications Specialist

An intriguing field with plenty of career opportunities, the field of communications has a lot to offer recent grads. If you’re interested in becoming a communications specialist, you might be wondering about the best way to get started. Should you look for an internship or attend networking events? Ideally, you’ll want to do both with a few other things mixed in.

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to become a communications specialist.

1. Decide what area of communications you’re interested in

Like the field of public relations, communications focuses on building and maintaining relationships between a company and the public (including customers, the media and industry thought leaders). However, unlike public relations, communications is a broader field which also includes creating internal communication strategies and training programs for specific companies. In order to give yourself the best chance of success in the field, it’s important to research the different type of communications you’re most interested in. For example, if the idea of being the public face of a company appeals to you, then a role on an external communications team could be a good fit. On the other hand, if you think you’d rather work to build communications policies within the company, then an internal communications role might be a better choice.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what each type of role entails, reach out to people who work in the industry — either from your own network or from your school’s alumni network — and ask to set up a 15 minute chat so that you can find out more about the roles and decide which one is most appealing to you.

2. Develop your skill set by taking relevant classes

In addition to learning about the field itself, it’s also important to develop your skill set by taking relevant classes and working on independent projects. Good classes to take include those that fall under the umbrella of a communications major — such as marketing, sociology and business classes. These will give you a better understanding of the field as well as helping you to develop useful skills like crafting press releases.

Pro Tip: If you’re interested in more than one subject, consider taking on a double major or minor to help you learn about communications while also giving you the chance to explore other subjects.

3. Intern with a communications agency

Internships are another great way to learn new skills and get hands-on experience and interning with a communications agency is a great way to gain exposure to all the different aspects of a communications position. During your internship, you’ll attend strategy meetings, create materials for distribution and learn how to handle media enquiries. Best of all, you’ll get a sense of how all of these different tasks fit together to create an integrated communications plan.

4. Grow your professional network

One of the best things to do in any industry is to grow your professional network. When it comes to communications, this is especially important since you’ll frequently liaise with journalists and customers, as well as working closely with other communications professionals. The best way to do this is by reaching out to your network of friends, professors and peers and identifying those people who have direct experience in the field. Beyond that, it’s also a great idea to stay in touch with former co-workers and managers from your previous jobs. Since communications is a tight-knit field, they’re likely to know about new opportunities as they come up and they can help connect you with hiring managers for those roles.

Working in communications is an exciting opportunity to be both the public face and internal core of a company. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 5 Tips for Getting an Entry-Level Job Unrelated to Your Major and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?

How to Grow Your Professional Network

Growing your professional network as a student or recent grad is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for long-term professional success. What’s the best way to do this? By reaching out to people in your personal network and connecting with alumni of your college or university who are working in a field you’d like to work in.

Here are some things to keep in mind when growing your professional network.

1. Reach out to people within your social and alumni networks

Although you may not have much (or any) professional experience, you likely already know plenty of people who can be part of your professional network. The key is to identify them. The best way to do this is by taking some time to make a list of everyone in your social and academic circles. When compiling your list, include everyone from family friends to professors and peers, and don’t limit yourself to a specific industry. Instead, focus on making your list as broad and inclusive as possible to ensure that you’re building a strong network. Once you have your list, identify 2-3 people who can help you develop your career goals. Then, reach out to them and ask to set up a time to chat (either in person or over the phone), and use your time to talk to them about your career goals and to get their advice on steps you can take to achieve them.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to reach out to people within your school’s alumni network. Many alumni are actively involved with mentoring students and recent grads from their alma maters and even those who aren’t are likely to be flattered that you reached out to ask for their advice.

2. Stay in touch with co-workers and managers from previous jobs and internships

Once you have some professional experience under your belt (such as an internship or part-time job), make it a priority to stay in touch with former managers and co-workers. This will ensure that you’re building long-lasting relationships and leaving the door open for new opportunities that may arise in the future. The best way to do this is by reaching out a couple of months after the internship has ended to let your former manager know how you’re doing and to ask them about any updates on their end.

Pro Tip: Be specific. Instead of sending a vague email asking how they’re doing, ask about the outcome of a project you worked on together or about a trip they were planning to take. This will show them that you’re interested in establishing a genuine relationship and that you care about the work you produced while you were with the organization.

3. Make use of your social media accounts

Although social media is more often seen as a personal space rather than a professional one, using it as a networking tool is a great way to connect with people in an organic way while showing off a bit of your personality. This can be as simple as “liking” the Facebook page of a particular brand you admire or tweeting at an influencer about something they’re working on. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to be respectful in your interactions and to put your best foot forward.

4. Be genuine and helpful in your interactions

When done right, networking can be a powerful tool for advancing your career and creating the kinds of relationships that will stick with you throughout your professional life. And if you want to ensure that those relationships are authentic and long lasting, it’s important to approach networking opportunities with a genuine interest in getting to know the other person and being as helpful to them as possible. By demonstrating your desire to create a strong professional bond, you’re likely to develop the kinds of relationships that will be mutually beneficial to everyone involved.

Although growing your professional network might seem a bit intimidating at first, by approaching it in a thoughtful and strategic way, you’ll be able to set yourself up for long-term success.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Be a Team Player and find answers to common interview questions such as What Are Your Strengths?