Work v.s Play

Happy Saturday! Today's post is about the balance between work and play. It truly is a lot harder than it seems. I guarantee there will be times where you need to catch up, and your friends will try and make you go out with them. You'll give in, go out, won't get work done, and face the consequences later. I get it, friends are fun! But you need to keep your career in mind at all times, and think about how things will play out in the long-term. In order to stay balanced, try these tips!

1) Prioritize.
If you have something that has to be done soon, be responsible and do it! You can go out with your friends anytime! In PR, you really cannot slack off because there are so many people counting on you. You need to take care of your business so that your project can move forward. This might seem dramatic, but missing a deadline can cost you the job. Then, you'll get to hang out with your friends all the time...because you're unemployed.

2) Consider all outcomes.
Think about what could happen. If you want to go out and have work the next day, think about what would happen if you were so tired that night and overslept and missed work. What would happen? Your job is different than other jobs. You're in PR, and you're required to be fully coherent, focused, and ready to work everyday you step into the office.

3) Will it happen again?
I don't want to make it sound like you should only think about work forever, so here's one for the social butterflies! When your friends ask you to do something, think about the opportunity. Is it a once-in-a-lifetime chance? Will you gain something from it? This a friend sprung a trip to Aruba on me, and I took a week off of work to go. Did I gain something from it? YES! New cultural experience and hello, ARUBA.  If it truly is a rare concert or meeting someone important (potential client? seeing a new space? a date?!?!?!) I would say to go ahead and do it. Just stay organized with what you have to do before and after the fact and you should be fine.

4) The company you keep.
Consider who you will be spending your time with. Think about how hanging out with them will affect your mood. If taking care of your sloppy friend from college will make you cranky the next day, skip it. If your slightly tamer friends want to have you over for a game night and it will boost your mood if you've been having a rough week, go for it. Friends have a bigger influence on your feelings and mood than you think. Which leads me to...

NOOOOOO.

5) Be careful who you associate with.
People have different types of friends. Your best friends, your work friends, your party friends, casual friends- and all serve different purposes. Regardless, all of your friends are a reflection of you. Who you associate with can have a good and bad correlation with your image. The good: networking, of course. Knowing a lot of different people helps you meet other different people. Any good PR pro should know how to socialize and interact with people. The bad: if you associate with people who are known for less than stellar reasons, you might want to reconsider surrounding yourself with them. First impressions are hard to break, and you wouldn't want someone to know you as "the person who is friends with the girl who started a fight at the bar." No bueno. So, in a non-creepy way, do your research!
However, even more important than one's reputation is their attitude. The girl who got in the fight at the bar could be your best friend and is the only person who can cheer you up after a hard day at the office. Surround yourself with people who lift you up- that way, you'll never hit rock bottom even if everything goes wrong.

  Friends are also a huge blessing because let's face it- life is no fun alone. They can lift you up, expose you to new things and experiences, and just be great people to be around. You need to find what works for you and find your own balance between your career and your social life!

xxx

Shame on me...and Organization Tips!

I have been very, very bad. I adore writing this blog, yet have remained silent for more than a week! FOR SHAME! School just started up, I've been traveling, enjoying summer, working, etc. Excuses aside, I am back in full force! WOO.

I thought I'd write about something I, as well as anyone going back to school, am figuring out: How to get organized to make sure I have a smooth transition back to the daily grind. Having a solid system of organization helps make those hectic days a bit calmer, and allows you to see where you are spending your time. With classes, practices, rehearsals, clubs and organizations, meetings its easy to lose sight of what you are doing because you're running around everywhere! Add a job or two in there and there's a doozy. So, you ambitious, involved, over-achiever you: sit back, take a second, and take whichever tips work for you!

DO: Keep a planner.
Whether you prefer written or electronic, make sure you have somewhere you can write your entire schedule. Classes, meetings, and activities included. I've known people who had planners and only used them for meetings or homework assignments and then overbooked themselves repeatedly. So make sure you write down everything. 
DON'T: Expect to remember it all.
You won't. I love you, but you just won't.

DO: Set up your schedule ahead of time.
I like to write down all of the classes and meetings ahead of time, like the Sunday before the week starts. Sunday is (hopefully) not too hectic compared to the rest of the week, so write down what you know and fill in whatever blanks as the week progresses.
DON'T: Go day-to-day.
When you wake up in the morning and try to force yourself into remembering every appointment and obligation, you are more likely to forget something. Plus, you will feel like you are forgetting something and rack your brain trying to remember, thus adding unneeded stress to your morning! Then you'll binge on coffee and go cray cray. So, avoid that. If anything, do your schedule the night before, like when you are about to go to bed. At least you will go to bed with a clear mind.

DO: Color-code!
I am obsessed with color-coding. Put certain things, like classes, in one color, and other things in different colors. You'll be able to glance at your schedule and just know what the day has in store for you. Plus, it's pretty.
DON'T: Get an ugly planner/make your schedule ugly.
You'll resent the bland-ness of it and will probably neglect it after a while.

DO: Keep your materials in one place.
Even if your room is not clean, make sure you keep your school/work/whatever materials in tact. Set a solid place for them and try your best to keep everything in that place all year. It will save you some morning stress trying to locate that missing textbook. Or PLANNER!
DON'T: Be a sloppy mess.
Think about where you put things. Sidebar: I have not heard of one person who says they are productive in a completely messy environment.

DO: Combine&Consolidate.
If you can replace and combine things to make your life easier, do it. Apple makes it easy with things like the iPad and apps and such. There are clipboards that put little notes together, systems that combine your social media, etc. I just ordered mine so I will update this later. :)
DON'T: Angry Birds or Temple Run.
4 hours will go by and you won't know what happened. No bueno.

And finally...
DO: Take a breath.
Your schedule is packed this year! So make sure you are taking care of your personal needs. Take breaks often, grab a coffee with a friend, relax, do what you need. Stress will only hinder you.

So there are my basic tips for organization! Nothing fancy, but these work for me! Whatever you do, make sure you keep up with it through the year for when things get really crazy. So grab your planners/devices, buckle up, and get ready- the year has begun!

xxx

The Perfect Interview

Hello, all! I hope everyone has been well! Today's post is about INTERVIEWING! YAY!
Interviews are vital to getting any sort of job these days. Whether it be retail or PR, the interview is what will be what the employer truly remembers. They get to meet you, see how you interact, and just feel out your vibe. I think even if you do not have the most experience in the world on your résumé, you can redeem yourself through a slam-dunk interview. So behold, the 10 Commandments of Interviewing! WOO! Okay, as you can tell, interviewing gets me super excited. I'll simmer down, I promise.  :)

The 10 Commandments of Interviewing:

1) Thou Shalt Dress to Impress

This one is obvious. First impressions are key, and the first impression they will have of you is what you look like! You do not have to wear a ball gown, but wear something clean, simple, and in basic colors. You do not want to distract from your work or wear anything too loud, so stick to a simple color palette and styles, and add accessories to personalize the look, like jewelry or cuff links. Also, SHOWER PLEASE. Look groomed, brush your hair, shave....hygiene. Also ladies, keep the makeup simple. Do not cake it on, but cover what needs to be covered. Keep the eyes simple and bring out your natural beauty. I'm thinking neutral eyes with a flush of color on the cheeks and berry lipstain. Simple, yet effective.

4) Thou Shalt Be Early

Being on time, even on the dot, is no bueno for an interview. You should aim to be early just in case something goes awry, like getting lost in the building. Try to be a half an hour early. It sounds extreme, but being late is a horrible way to start an interview, and basically sets you up for failure. And, it is disrespectful to whoever you are interviewing for because it shows you have no regard for their time. If you are chronically late, work on it but don't you dare be late to the interview! 

3) Thou Shalt Calm Down
I have made this mistake before- walking into an interviewing and being so excited that it freaks the interviewer out. Calm down. Luckily, this has never cost me a job, but it can be a little awkward...
That being said, there is nothing wrong with showing your happiness. I doubt it will turn anyone off but just be mindful of how you look and what you are reflecting. You can be excited for the interview because that it adorable and will put the interviewer at ease, but do not give the impression you just had a jumbo coffee and a 5 Hour Energy. If you did have those things, hide it!

4) Thou Shalt Use Your Body
Not in a creepy way! What I mean is using body language to show your confidence. When you first meet your interviewer, or anyone else, shake their hand. Be firm, but not aggressive. Walk with your head up and with poise. Smile! And also, do not fidget. Don't play with your hair or squirm or look uncomfortable. Keep your composure, no matter what.

5) Thou Shalt Be Prepared
This is not just about preparing a speech about something on your résumé. You should take time before the interview to do some prep work on the company. What do they stand for? What have they accomplished? Read their mission statement. So, when they ask you why you are a good fit for their company, you can use their own words to explain. It will show that you did your homework, and that you are serious about the position. 

6) Thou Shall Not Fear the Interviewer
They are people too! Do not get so riled up and nervous that it affects your performance on the interview. What helps me is (no, not imagining them in their underwear...whoever made that tactic up is just bizarre) just thinking we are two people, just having a conversation about our goals for the future. Just talking. You do not have to build up this big bad interview scenario in your head like most people do. It's just two people talking. Have fun with it! Laugh with them, genuinely listen and converse with them. Worst case scenario- you don't get the job, but you had a great conversation with this interviewer. That in itself can make you memorable and might even set you up for another opportunity. So treat them, and whoever you meet (even the receptionist who walks you to the office) with warmth and calmness. Brighten their day just by being yourself. Which brings us to...

7) To Thine Own Self Be True
Be yourself! Now, in a setting like an interview, it will be tempting for you to add some details here and there to spin your experiences in your favor. It's all to promote yourself. I believe this is okay. Don't make up crazy details, but fluffing up your stories and making them pretty are not the worst thing you could do. However, downright lying is not good. Don't make up complete lies and think you will get ahead because these stories will probably come back to bite you. Try lying and saying you organized the biggest blood drive in your hometown- law of the universe says your boss will ask you to use one of those contacts for something. Whoops. And your employers aren't dumb. They have practice interviewing people and have been in their field for quite some time- they will know a lie when they see one. Just don't do it!

Also, stay true to your personality. Do not claim to be a leader when you are much better at following and executing plans. It will help you both find a better fit for you in the job. Plus, if you claim you are something and turn out not to be that, you'll only be one thing: a disappointment. 

8) Thou Shall Not be a Douche
You can be proud of your accomplishments. Fine. But do not get cocky or arrogant, even beyond your interview! I have heard of people going into interviews and trying to act too cool for school. It might be a defense mechanism for nerves, or it could be someone who genuinely thinks the company needs them. Whatever the reason, acting cocky will turn everyone off and will not help your case, no matter what you have accomplished. Keep it cool, bro.

9) Thou Shalt Thank Them for their Time
No matter what happens next, they took the time out to see you and meet with you for this interview. Give them the same courtesy and respect back by genuinely thanking them for their time. The interviewer, anyone else you met, and even the receptionist again! Also, follow up with the thank you- write them a handwritten letter thanking them yet again. They might prefer being contacted via email, but a handwritten letter shows so much more initiative and shows your respect. Do this letter in a timely manner- no more than 48 hours after the interview. 
*Another idea! A very wise person once told me that she never went into an interview without baked goods. GENIUS. Bake the cookies, cupcakes, muffins, and cakes- everyone loves them! This may seem weird, but it is actually a great way to put yourself and your interviewer at ease. Plus, the people you feed will love you already. It will make you memorable and will make everyone's day. Do it.

10) Thou Shalt be Confident in Thyself
The ultimate, most important tip I can give you is to be confident. You landed the interview, which is an accomplishment in itself. Believe in your product, what you're promoting, yourself. If this one doesn't work out, another one will! Never lose that spark, drive, and passion that makes you who you are. 


I hope these tips will help you land the job of your dreams!

THAT'S THE SPIRIT!

xxx

Grammar Hammer

Hello, all! Today's (slightly delayed) post is about the importance of grammar and why spellcheck and punctuation are actually important!
So in today's tech-savvy digital world, it might be easier for some to type in what we call "texting words." U all kno wut I'm tlkin about. I mean, everyone does it, and I'm sure sometimes it really is easier to type 3 letters instead of 4. That last letter would just require 2 much time and effort. See what I did there?
This sort of thing generally should stay in texted conversations but lately I've been noticing the trend on Twitter, Facebook, and even email! Unless you run a page that truly is underground and not important at all, this is a huge no-no. As long as your name is on whatever page, however irrelevant and unimportant it is, it is a representation of you. You create your own branding and your own image through your actions, your personality, and these days, your social media!
It's definitely not the worst thing in the world to abbreviate and use words that are only used online. For example, LOL is seen everywhere. Those types of words aren't a problem. But when you actually need to take a minute and translate what is typed because there are so many abbreviations, then you might have a little work to do. Quick test? Read it aloud exactly how it is spelled. If it makes sense, you're probably fine. If you feel your face trying to contort to translate, take the extra minute and add the last few letters.
You never know who is looking at your pages or who is reading your emails. You want to make sure you are displaying a presentable, professional side at all times just in case an opportunity comes your way! PROFESSIONALISM 4EVER!

 xxx

BFF of the Day: Social Media

Social Media can be an amazing thing. Some see it as a waste of time (Facebook, I'm looking at you!) but it can actually be a great way to get your name out there. Nowadays there are so many types of sites to join, so there really is something for everyone. However, there are some general tips I would advise for any type of social media. And now, without further ado, here are...
Aysha's Online Do's and Dont's!

DO:
-"Like"/Follow/Pin companies you like and places you would like to work at. Staying up to date on their updates will come in handy whenever that interview rolls around.
-^^^Same goes for influential people/public figures. There is never any harm in knowing what they are doing, and if you're trying to follow in their footsteps, knowing what to expect.
-Know what is going on. Make sure to check in with news sites and know what is going on in the world. After all, if you plan on making a difference in it, you gotta know what's going on. ;)
-Post insightful thoughts. Some people search for keywords and topics. You never know who will stumble across your pages.
-Keep pictures decent. No nudity, drugs, even alcohol. Your page represents you. You don't want a stranger to see your page and think you are unprofessional.

DON'T:
-Spam celebrities/influential people/companies! Don't post every single day or harass them unless you have something substantial to say.
-Post how much you love drinking/partying/drugs/etc. Duh.
-Basically, don't do anything that will put you in a negative light. Or damage your reputation. Your name is on these pages and even if it is the Internet, mistakes can haunt you. Don't tarnish your reputation!

Social media is great for staying in the loop and can really help get your name out there. You never know who is looking at these sights for fresh ideas- it's actually more common than you think. Of course, social media is also a fabulous networking tool and you can find people who share common interests. I believe that too much of a good thing is never enough, so I'm linked through Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterst, and of course, Blogger. :) I would also like to say that BLOGS are so underrated these days and are such a great way to meet people! I've only posted three entries but I'm already getting a lot of good feedback! And also it is a great thing to refer to when you're interviewing for a field in journalism/PR/jobs that involve writing. Employers like to see that you've been working on something and it helps them get to know you a little more.

Hopefully these Do's and Don'ts helped to remind you that in the end, your sites are your name, and display you to the cyber world. Represent yourself with your image in mind!

*** I found this awesome article on PR Daily News' Twitter. Great read! Read it Here!
xxx