Tag Archives: tips

May 9, 2011 · 9:49 pm

Ten Tips for PR Applicants

Helpful tips
Three times a year I go through dozens of graduate applications for the Taylor Bennett Foundation PR programme.  Each time, I am dazzled by the research and care that have gone into filling in some of these forms.  However, I am also dreadfully disappointed and frustrated with others.

So, to help others not to make the same mistakes, here are my ten tips on what do when applying for a PR role.

1)      Don’t address your application to the wrong company.  Attention to detail is important to PR.  Addressing it to “Taylor Herring” instead of “Taylor Bennett” cost one graduate a place this time.

2)      Be polite.  If the company you have applied to bother to reply (and believe me, lots don’t) then take it on the chin and thank them for considering you.  Manners cost nothing.  Writing to tell them that they are WRONG and are making a HUGE mistake by not taking you on will make sure they remember you for all the wrong reasons.

3)      Avoid clichés.  If I had a pound for every time I have read an application with “I like to think out of the box” written on it, I’d be a very rich woman.

4)      If a form asks you to list your skills then saying “I’m punctual, honest and reliable” is both dull, and not particularly informative.   Surely no one would admit to be habitually late, dishonest and unreliable?

5)      If you are asked “Why does a career in PR appeal to you?” do not reply with;

  1. I hear the money’s good
  2. I really wanted to be a teacher/surgeon/porn star but couldn’t get the job I wanted so this is the next best thing
  3. Max Clifford is MY GOD
  4. I LOVE those Guinness Adverts and want to be able to create stuff like that
  5. I really want to be a journalist and think this might be an easy way in

6)      Don’t ignore the “name” box on an application form, seriously.

7)      Read the application instructions carefully.  If they ask for a CV and covering letter, then send a CV and covering letter.  If they ask for a completed application form, then send a completed application form.  If they ask for 400 words on why you’d be a great PR, then send 400 words on why you’d be a great PR.  Instructions are there for a reason so follow them.

8)      Ignore word counts at your peril.  If an application for asks for 100 – 200 words on a particular subject then make sure you write a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 200.  Being able to follow such basic instructions is a good indication of whether you’ll be able to follow instructions once you have the job.

9)      Don’t submit your application after the deadline.   And if your application is rejected because it’s late, don’t send a begging email asking them to consider it anyway.  If you want it to be considered, get it in on time.  There is no excuse.

10)   Avoid saying “I work well in a team, but also on my own”.  Yawn. 

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September 29, 2010 · 11:32 am

25 Things to Avoid Doing at Work

Want to know how to avoid winding up your colleagues?  Discover your irritating work habits and make work life easier for everyone.  Here’s my quick and easy guide to what not to do:

1)      Don’t eat smelly food in the office.

2)      Don’t shout into your phone.

3)      Don’t worry about other’s people’s time keeping.  Make sure you get to work and meetings on time, let other people’s bosses worry about them getting there.

4)      Don’t use your mobile/Blackberry/smart phone in meetings.

5)      Don’t take credit for other people’s work.

6)      Don’t come into the office when you’re sick, spreading your germs won’t make you popular

7)      Don’t blame others for your mistakes.

8)      Don’t sit on a task all day then ask a member of your team to do it five minutes before the end of the day.

9)      If you’ve set a deadline for a piece of work, don’t ask for it repeatedly BEFORE the deadline.  What’s the point of a deadline if you’re going to nag for it earlier anyway?

10)   Don’t miss a deadline.

11)   Don’t interrupt.  Give others a chance to speak.  Don’t speak over other people or ignore them completely.  You may like the sound of your own voice but your colleagues will find it pretty grating.

12)   Don’t use endless management speak.  Thinking outside the box is SO last year.

13)   Don’t  allow your parents, friends or partner to call you endlessly at work – particularly if you work in an office where there are no direct lines.  It’s irritating having to take messages from your husband every fifteen minutes.

14)   Don’t be consistently late.  A one off is a one off – everyone oversleeps or gets stuck on a defective train now and then.  But five minutes late EVERY morning is disrespectful and annoying.

15)   Don’t shout across the office at people.

16)   Don’t belittle colleagues and if you have to tell someone in your team off, do it in private.

17)   Don’t talk on the phone with your mouth full of food.

18)   Don’t expect other people to make you cups of coffee if you’re not willing to return the favour.

19)   Don’t leave the printer jammed with paper for someone else to sort out.

20)   Don’t put the empty milk carton back in the fridge.

21)   Don’t say you understand something when you don’t.

22)   Don’t expect everyone to drop what they’re doing to do something for you, unless it’s an absolute emergency (and then be nice about it).

23)   Don’t make a mess in the staff kitchen and leave it for someone else to tidy up.

24)   Don’t leave the toilet roll holder empty.

25)   Don’t send unnecessary emails.  Pick up the phone, or talk face-to-face, once in a while.

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