7 tactics for new grads seeking to break into PR

I recently spoke to a slew of PR classes and the PRSSA chapter at my alma mater. The school had asked me to talk about job search strategies for senior and juniors.

I spent weeks thinking about creative and effective job searching tips for today’s college senior. Here’s what I came up with:

1. Don’t just look for a job—look for the job.

One huge mistake I made coming out of school was that I just looked for “a job.” I just wanted to break in and didn’t care how I did it.

At the time, jobs were tough to come by, so I really just wanted to get that first job in communications. I wish instead that I had identified and pursued the job I really wanted.

2. Polish the areas of your LinkedIn profile that your friends are neglecting.

Most students will be polishing up—or just creating—a LinkedIn profile by their junior or senior year. That’s mere table stakes in today’s social media and job-searching environment. Why not focus on polishing those areas of your LinkedIn profile that your competitors might not be addressing, such as:

3. Use the “new grad” label to your networking advantage.