Help A PR Pro Out

Posts Tagged ‘happo help a pr pro out’

by Katie Wall

On February 19 I was on an airplane. I was not at a computer and I do not have a smart phone. I don’t have my own blog and I didn’t know of any prospective employers. But what I did have that #HAPPO Friday was a link to a video and an incredible network of people who were willing to advocate for me.

Just over a week ago I started a new job at 360i (which I am loving so far!) and it’s all thanks to #HAPPO and my Twitter community. While I was on that airplane my video link was being re-tweeted by dozens of people using the #HAPPO hashtag and ended up being seen over 100 times on that Friday alone.

Thanks to my friend and Atlanta HAPPO Champion, Kellye Crane, I was connected with a number of local employers and was invited to interview at a handful of places before finding a perfect fit at 360i.

I consider myself very fortunate for finding my HAPPO ending (Get it? Haha!), but beyond just reaching that end goal of employment, I cannot even begin to tell you how valuable continued conversation with the HAPPO community has been. These people are brilliant – from my local champions Kellye and Jeremy, whom I was lucky enough to have met prior to the February HAPPO event; to the incredible Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon whom I have since met – and you should really take the time to be in conversation with them and pick their brains!

So my advice? Do it. Put yourself out there and be genuine. Start conversations early and have them often. You will be absolutely floored by the support of your community, I know I was! And don’t even be afraid to ask for help – you’ll be amazed by how much people truly want you to succeed.

Not sure how to #HAPPO? Click here for details to help you make the most of the April 30th event!

As promised in last Friday’s announcement this week we’re starting the first in a series of ongoing weekly hash tag conversations around topics relevant to today’s PR job seeker.

We’d like to start by throwing out the following question: What was the best career advice you were ever given?

Weigh with your thoughts throughout the week and track the conversation using the hash tag (easiest way is to set up a column in Tweetdeck or similar approach with other Twitter desktop apps).

We’re planning to summarize the conversation at the end of the week on the HAPPO blog, so if you miss it, you can always check there for the highlights.

Side note: HAPPO champion and supporter Deirdre Breakenridge also took time to create a social media release for HAPPO. A great tool for champions and other HAPPO supporters to use in promoting the next HAPPO event on April 30, 2010.

Any questions, just ask Valerie or I or one of the local champions.

@arikhanson