MY FIRST PR JOB
Three weeks ago I started using Twitter to link to my blog posts and news stories that I found of interest. I didn’t really see the point of it, but I thought I’d give it ago afterall it only took up a few minutes of my time.
Gradually I immersed myself into the ‘Twittersphere’ and started following other PR people and entering into conversations. I thought it was interesting but I certainly had no idea that it would further my career.
After just ten days of twittering I was contacted by Stephen Waddington of Rainier PR and invited to attend an interview the following week. A few days later I had a second interview over the phone and now today I have been offered a job with the company. I start next month and cannot wait. It’s been my dream for quite some time to work in technology public relations, so to work for one of the top 10 tech PR companies in the UK is unbelievable! Plus I got a mention on their blog to boot.
Directly through twittering I have also acquired twenty-one followers or contacts. This means that I have gained a new contact for every day I have spent microblogging. Indirectly I look set to gain many, many more contacts in the form of my new work colleagues.
Not bad for a website I didn’t see the point of.
Hi Matthew – congrats on your new job with Rainier. I really enjoyed reading this story and am a big believer in Twitter and social media. I am curious about one thing – Is Stephen a recruiter or a pr person with Rainier?
Best of luck in this your career adventure. Cheers! Susan
Twitter with me @TalentSynch
That is an awesome story and thanks for sharing!H
Thanks Susan! Stephen is the MD at Rainier :)
Thanks H!
Interesting – that would be consistent w/ my thinking about engaging in a dialogue around biz and then opening up the recruiting discussion. I’ll be presenting to a group of companies on university recruitment and how to integrate social media into their strategy – any words of wisdom you would like to pass along? I always like sharing real experiences to help employers realize the value of connections/relationships.
I think you’re right. Personally the companies that I’ve been most interested in have been the one’s that are blogging and therefore appear to be knowledgable industry leaders. Also, some companies have begun posting jobs on blogs, which I think is better than on a recruitment website or in a newspaper, because the candidates applying have read the blog and are interested in the company.
Also I think it’s important that employers reply to applicants. Just a short reply by email saying unfortunately we won’t be asking you to an interview is much better than no reply. As is a reply following an interview, especially if employers give some constructive criticism.
Congrats Matthew! I’m a Corporate Communications student in Singapore and got an internship via my blog. So I can totally identify with social media hiring!
Congrats on the job, Matt – Rainier are a great agency so you’re sure to have a great time there.
It just goes to show tha you’re light years ahead of any other PR students just by having a blog and being on Twitter – tell all your fellow grads to get on it!
Cheers,
Ben
(@benrmatthews)