Stay one step ahead of the graduate pack
Getting your first job in communications can be hard work and now, thanks to the GFC, it can appear almost impossible.
For communications in particular, competition is fierce because a number of degrees and qualifications have the potential to feed into the industry - media, communications, marketing and journalism to name just a few.
Furthermore, media portrayals of the industry – think Sex and the City, Entourage and Absolutely Fabulous – have skewed perceptions to make a career in PR seem like every young socialite’s dream. Everyone wants a bit of the “cork popping” action.
With such high levels of competition you need get serious. Unfortunately, in today’s market, a degree does not make you immediately eligible for a job. While it demonstrates you have certain abilities to meet deadlines, write effectively and work your socks off, there are plenty of other people out there who can do this just as well as you - and being one step ahead of the pack is vital.
The best thing you can do? Work experience.
And I’m not talking tea runs, filing and rearranging the stationery cupboard. I mean real work experience, immersing yourself in the day-to-day running of a communications consultancy or marketing department, understanding the intricacies of each project and working in collaboration with full time, experienced consultants. Not to mention developing those all important contacts, your self-confidence and credibility.
Work experience will put you well ahead of your peers in any interview, when you can talk from experience about managing a client’s expectations, understanding budgets and your ability to cope with the mayhem that can be working in a consulting environment.
Volunteering your time for work experience may seem a drag, but it will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the industry and commitment to hard work – both worthwhile attributes that will impress any potential employer.
And, speaking from my own experience of communikate et al's WEV program, working hard for free for three months will be a lot more rewarding than the stream of rejection letters that graduates receive when first trying to squeeze that all important foot in the door.
The material on this web page comprises the personal views of the author and does not represent the view or opinion of communikate et al. communikate et al accepts no liability for the content of this web page.
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