“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Whether we like to admit it or not, the cliché is true.
While studying and learning the fundamentals of public relations is the backbone of your career, networking will be the most important factor for “getting your feet wet” in this crazy and hectic world of PR.
Connections matter and networking is the name of the game in public relations.
It is not unfair either to say this either. Think about it as if if you were a prospective employer: would you rather hire someone you are familiar with them and their work or take a chance on a total stranger?
When in doubt, people will go with the people they know.
Companies are being flooded with resumes. After awhile, each resume begins to look the same. It is not easily done to stand out on paper either.
Plus, people embellish, exaggerate and will even lie on their resumes. Possible employees want to eliminate as much uncertainty as possible.
It becomes easy to see why knowing people is such an important factor, especially in public relations.
“Without the connections I made in Nashville, I would not have found the internship I got,” said Ragan Gibson, Auburn University senior.
So, if you do not have any connections in the world of PR—go out and build your network.
College internships provide a great way to start building your network.
Internships allow you to start making contacts with future employers, clients and other connections that can help you get your “foot in the door”.
Make it a point to meet as many people as possible. Remembering little details about people can be as valuable as knowing what his or her job entitles.
After meeting someone, it is a good idea to take notes on them so you can remember them in the future.
Social gatherings with co-workers, after hours or on weekends, are another way to network because you are building relationships outside of the work place.
By getting to know your associates, you might discover new connections that could be useful to find a job. For example, an associate might have a friend that works for a company where you wish to work in the future.
Always be aware and conscious of the people around you. Just by talking to people, at a restaurant or a store for example, you never know where a connection might lye.
Blogging can also be a great way to begin your networking skills.
Blogging lets you get your name out and your voice heard. It allows people to begin to understand you, your work and your thoughts.
Tony Pierce, head of blogging at The Los Angeles Times, said that his blogging is the reason he is working for the Times right now, according to the journalist iconoclast, www.patthorntonfiles.com.
Start a blog about your profession or industry.
“The concept is simple, said Tara Weiss, Forbes.com. Keep your blog entries short and conversational. Anywhere from a few brief sentences to about 500 words commenting on industry news or trends is enough. Post at least three or four times a week, more if you like.”
This will show future employers that you are enthusiastic and engaged with your industry, according to Weiss.
Whether it is an internship, a blog or talking to someone in a store, find a way to start expanding your networks. Get out there and mingle—build your networks.
Maybe the old cliché should have a new spin added to it— “it’s not what you know, it’s who you get to know.”
Networking will always be a key ingredient to public relations, no matter how long you have been in the field. The more connections we can build the better.