A big, giant HAPPO thank you
HAPPO Community,
What a day!
Thank you to our incredible champions–all veritable PR rock stars, whose time, commitment, creativity and efforts, made today such a special day. And thank you to the more than 1,000 fans and followers, along with everyone who demonstrated their commitment to Help a PR Pro Out on Twitter, both publicly and through private DMs.
We hope that today provided you with an opportunity to begin building new relationships. While we all know that relationships require a serious investment of time and energy, it seems that some of the new connections are already giving way to opportunity. A big congratulations to Christian Betancourt who tweeted “I just set up an interview w an agency I’ve had my eye on for a while b/c of #Happo today.” We look forward to the many stories that we believe will emerge from today’s event and ask that you share them with us here.
On that note, if you have time today or over the next few days, please take a moment to leave a comment below. Let us know about your #HAPPO experience and whether you made some new connections or found a “HAPPO Hero.” As we review the tweets and posts from today, we’d also like your input on what HAPPO looks and feels like going forward. After all, HAPPO Is really all about YOU!
Thank you again for taking the time to help a PR pro out.
Sincerely,
Arik and Valerie
Congrats on the success of the first HAPPO. I’m not a job seeker nor an employer… so I featured a friend on my blog that is looking for an opportunity.
This experience, even being partially involved, really made the PR community across the nation feel less intimidating and like a family. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
Had the pleasure of co-hosting with Boston HAPPO Champion Doug Haslam/Voce (@dough) the pizza lunch to bring Boston-area HAPPO fans together. Great roomful of people with mixed backgrounds, years of experience, varied interests – and shared enthusiasm for the profession. Our agency’s hiring and at least one PR pro who came today fits our spec. Thanks HAPPO for making it happen. Cheers. Chris C. (@crcarleton)
Today’s HAPPO was fantastic! As a job seeker, it let me connect with so many professionals I would have never had the opportunity to communicate with or follow on Twitter.
It’s also so refreshing to see PR pros paying it forward and trying to help out their fellow man. I was surprised to hear that many participating in HAPPO didn’t know it was Random Acts of Kindness Week. If you’re unaware of my all-time favorite feel-good week, here’s a link from the foundation with more details http://www.actsofkindness.org/kindness-days
I hope that the connections I made today turn into productive relationships and, with any luck, maybe a job offer later. Thanks to those who made HAPPO happen–you’re the best!
I thought this was a great idea. I came in late, and I still got a lot out of it. I posted about five jobs I saw in HAPPO to a PR list associated with the NABJ. They weren’t in my area, but sometimes its about paying it forward.
Kudos to the HAPPO team! This is an excellent concept, and as we can all see by the response, a very well-received one too. I made some great connections and look forward to networking with each of them. Thanks!!!
Good job! I think this was a great effort to get the PR community to join as one. No matter the outcome I appreciated the effort of all. I am proud of my fellow PR practitioners
I just wanted to personally thank Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon for setting up an amazing PR networking opportunity. Awesome idea! Another round of applause for all the #HAPPO champions around the nation for which this event could not have been accomplished without. It is truly inspiring to see professionals extend their hands out to help another individual in need. Admirable deed in paying it forward! Thanks again! We truly appreciate it!
Happo was an amazing thing that my friend told me about. I just wish there was more tweeting about it through Canada!
I LOVED THE ENERGY!
Let’s see…my #HAPPO success story?
I got to actually talking with about twenty or so people, some who were other job seekers like me and others who were employers. We shared tips, frustrations, and some laughs, too. Beyond that, I now have a #HAPPO list of thirty or so acquaintances that I’m hoping to stay in contact with. Networking success = check.
I had more than one person reach out to me via email to say that if I needed anything, they’d be happy to be a mentor to me (which was just awesome…in a gooey, awe-shucks kind of way!) Mentoring success = check.
I have an insane list of new blogs to follow. Reading list update success = check.
I got a lot of free feedback on my website and some great tips from other job-seekers and employers, which was great. Website advice success= check.
I made some connections in cities that I’m hoping to relocate to, which I probably wouldn’t have made otherwise. Relocation networking success= check.
And…I also had the opportunity to apply for a great internship in my area, after an employer saw me #HAPPO-ing and asked if I’d like to apply. That was pretty great, to see the whole thing work in action. Potential employment opportunity = check.
Yeah, I’d say the whole event was a success. So thanks, Arik & Valerie, and everyone else who participated!
As a recent graduate searching for contacts through HAPPO, I had a great experience. I connected with both local recent PR graduates and senior public relations professionals. My most helpful contact was Mary Barber who not only posted my HAPPO blurb on her blog but also connected me with experienced senior level public relations professionals in my area. I am very excited to connect with these individuals and it would not have happened without HAPPO. Thank you!
[...] read Aubrey Mondi’s comment if you want to see the full effect HAPPO had for one job seeker last [...]
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