USE CAUTION: Avoiding These PR & Marketing Scams on Your Job Hunt

As a young professional, particularly in Marketing or PR, we all have those aspirations of working at glamorous agency, putting our newly obtained degrees and skills to good use! While this is very attainable, we just have to be careful not to fall for some of the classic job scams in the process. After submitting hundreds of resumes, it can be easy to want to pounce on the first opportunity that comes along! Beware of this! Below are some tips to keep in mind, so you don't go from thinking a door has been opened, to having one slammed in your face!

There are numerous companies, that will market themselves as a Marketing, Advertising, or PR Firms, when in reality you will likely end up doing door to door sales, for some type of product they are looking to sell. Some are privately owned, but will also fall under the umbrella of a major company that specializes in these type of sales/scams! When job hunting, look out for these words:

1. ENTRY LEVEL POSITION-  These scam companies know that many young professionals, fresh out of college, will be searching for this listing. Therefore, they post it because it makes you feel as though you will get the job you are looking for, with little experience. Even though there are some legitimate companies that will post this, alot most legit businesses won't blatantly advertise the position as entry level. This can be concluded from looking at the job description and experience necessary.

2. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY- Speaking of experience, this is also targeted towards those looking to transition into the PR/Marketing field, or those fresh off campus! It's meant to make you think that you can find this fulfilling job, even though you have no experience.Yes entry level jobs do exist, and they don't require much experience. However, what type of employer do you think would give a call for people without any experience? This would create a stampede of all kinds of people! Most employers in this field are looking for a specific type of person, with certain qualifications, and wouldn't just want anybody to work for them.

3. Completing Profiles- There are numerous databases and websites that will ask you to complete a job profile before you apply for a certain job. Be sure to research the database itself, and be sure that it's credible. Otherwise, you are likely to end up spammed with numerous emails you have no interest in.

4. Multiple Postings- When visiting certain job hunting websites, such as Monster, Indeed, and Career Builder, be sure to look at how many times a  company, particularly PR or Marketing, posts a position. Chances are, if the same "PR Agency" has posted openings for multiple jobs in the same position, it will be something involving door to door sales, or a potential scam. Again, think about it. How often does a credible PR Agency have 7 entry level positions with no experience necessary?

Ways to Avoid These Scams?

• Be sure to research any company that has claimed to be a PR, Marketing, or Advertising Agency. Also check reviews. If people have been scammed, they will let you know!
• If you aren't sure about the position, consult an older professional before submitting resumes or committing to any interview.
• Try to look for jobs under an organization's website. This will add credibility. So for example, if you are interested in PR. Look up PR agencies in the area, and search for postings on their website. If you're dying to work for Target, visit their career website...and so on!
• BEWARE THESE WORDS
• Face to Face Sales-For an entry level position, this could  mean door to door.
• Fortune 500 Companies- This can mean anything. Often times, they mean selling something like a coupon book. These include plenty of Fortune 500 companies. ;)
• Managing Territory- Covering a specific region of homes or businesses to target for sales
• New Customer Acquisition- This is fancy words for finding new people to sell to, which includes knocking on somebody's door asking for their interest in a coupon book.
• Represent Clients with a personalized and direct approach- Face to Face a.k.a. door to door

See where I'm going with this? Again, there are some legitimate postings for jobs that could include this same language, but there are also others that use this language to convince you that the job and company is more official than it actually is! Take notice of all of the context clues.

As a young professional, you are probably looking for a job that will be fulfilling and worth your time, while also helping you grow into your career! You want to avoid things like this that will have you walking outside all day long, for little pay, and most importantly, will probably discourage your outlook on a career! Keep those eyes peeled!

Redefining Your Image

Although writing has always been my passion, I chose a degree in Public Relations. Not only does this encompass writing, but it also involves fostering positive relationships, and promoting a positive and healthy image. I've decided to re-define my blog, and focus it on using the skills and knowledge I have in PR, to advise people on how to be the best they can be! I have realized that my purpose is in motivating others to achieve their goals and be the best, most fulfilled individual they can be, and PR is the perfect career to do that.

I wanted this first post to be about image. This is something that has been weighing heavy on my mind, and I'm noticing that people are focusing their energy on the wrong things, worried about maintaining an image.

While yes, it is very important for you to represent yourself in a presentable and respectable way, your outside image is nothing if it's not based on reality. If you are projecting a personality that isn't true to what's inside, there is no point. All the energy spent on impressing people, and trying to create an idea of who you are, could really be spent improving, so that you won't have to fake greatness.

We live a time where social media has lead people to create a facade of who they are, and what their lives are like. With pictures, statuses, tweets,and comments, we are able to fake beauty, knowledge, and even happiness. If the extent to which you focus on improving your image involves updating a social network profile, then your headed in the wrong direction.

I never claim to be a perfect person, but I always want it to be " what you see is what you get". You may misunderstand me, but it's not because I projected a false image onto you, it's simply because you haven't had the chance to get to know me. Public Relations and image is closely connected, so as a new PR professional,  I just advise people to truly focus on internal progress. Stop trying to impress people who you a. barely know or b. barely like. This progress will make itself known, and the real improvement of your image will show through.

Lastly, I'll just say that there appears to be a huge misunderstanding when it comes to confidence! I say it all the time, confidence is silent. You don't have to tell people how amazing you are, what you have, all the positive traits you exhibit. A confident woman knows her worth, her positive characteristics, and the image that she shares with the world, and therefore doesn't need to speak on them (all the time). An arrogant person is loud and boastful, and feels the need to tell everybody how amazing they are, instead of letting it be shown. Mostly because they aren't really confident that it will exist otherwise. Here is where you need to be careful, because while you are busy trying to convince people of your greatness, they are actually becoming turned off, and more aware of insecurity. We all have insecurity, but don't make yours obviously known by screaming your greatness from the rooftops each and everyday. Let it speak for itself in everything you do!

I'm just your typical young, black, female, upcoming professional! I want to grow and increase both personally and professionally, and I want to help everybody else around me do the same! It's never too late.