Goodbye Corporate Communications

Yesterday marked my final day of internship with Corporate Communications. It was also Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2014. It was a fun-filled day, and I was exhausted from running around with a camera taking videos for Corporate Communications to use as promotional material.

Filming during Curtin Sarawak Open Day 2014

Sitting at home now I can’t help but reflect on my experience being a Public Relations Intern. I learnt more about how PR tactics are applied in the corporate world. I could link whatever I have learnt in class to what I experience or witnessed at work. Such as the importance of media clippings (at least my fingers will be ink free now), stakeholder management, media relations, communication plans, media kits and being professional at all times.

It has been a fun and educational journey that seem to end a little too soon. I’ll miss the daily jokes and laughs in the office but since I will still be on campus I’m told to just pop in anytime I am free, as they would love the extra help. I’ll also be assisting Marcella for the Curtin Media Appreciation Night 2014 to be held in November. Planning for that starts in October. Such excitement! For all those still doing your internship, have fun while you’re doing it and for those who completed and are struggling with the report, I feel your pain! Hahaha. 

For those finishing this semester, Happy Graduating! For the rest, hang in there.

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna

It’s time to think, Hire me!

Dear reader, we know that a resume is an important part of getting a job. But what makes a good resume? What does a good resume consist of? Well after a workshop I attended recently in campus, I now know and am happy to share with all of you.

Firstly, the two most commonly used terms for the document we submit to potential employers in hopes of securing a job. Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Resume, what is the difference? Well nothing really, it is just that CV is the term used for more accomplished professionals with years and years of experience and Resume is the term used for fresh graduates and professionals with less experience. Aside from that, it is the exact same thing. There is no exact format or design for resumes and it would actually be better if yours looks unique. Rule no. 1, NEVER follow an online template! Human Resource managers will know just by looking at it. Here are the dos and don’ts on good resume writing.

Dos:

• Be Honest
• Current achievements and awards only
• Clean design, clear headings and straightforward writing.
• Use active words
• Be result oriented and give only highlights of roles, responsibilities and tasks
• State, qualify and quantify actions. Eg: produced a communications plan that generated an outreach increase of over 50% for the company.
• Is easy to read
• Use bullets and bolds
• Standardise everything
• Proof read and ensure zero errors.
• Have a few referees if possible
• Ideally one page but a maximum of two pages.

Don’ts:

• Put Private Details such as your passport number, ID number, height, weight, religion, marital status, race or gender.
• Attach a photo (you will be judged on your looks)
• Add irrelevant information
• Use all CAPITALS
• Use passive words
• Use clichés such as “team player”, “born leader”, “highly motivated”, “Able to multitask”, “think creatively”. Rephrase instead to what you did and its outcomes
• Share everything under the sun like your hobbies or favourite food
• Have more than two pages
• State Referees upon request (it sound pompous, so either provide referees or leave it out)
• Lie, overstate values or oversell yourself.

Hope this post will help any of you who don’t know where to begin when writing a resume. I knew I didn’t. Also don’t forget to attach your resume in the appendix section of your report, just saying. *cough* 

All the best dear PR393 mates, in finishing up this unit and job hunting.

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna

Garnering Social Media Interest

Everyone here knows the importance of social media I’m sure. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are the best way to get attention and promote. Social media is fast, its current, it reaches hundreds of thousands of people in way less than an hour.  What makes an interesting post though? Is it the writing or the photograph that catches the eye? Is posting every few hours daily too much?

In my opinion, a post is made interesting by its writing style. No doubt a corporate representative should always be formal and professional, but on Facebook would you click on something that sounds like a formal report? I highly doubt it. The trick is to keep the professionalism but it is ok to be a little informal at times. What catches the eye and leads to people clicking on the post, or the link in the first place is not the writing but the title and the photograph attached. Limit social media posts to one post every two days at minimum but 5 spaced out posts a day at maximum. This is to avoid your followers from getting fed up but keeping them notified and reminded of your existence.

I have been one of the Corporate Communications official photographer for campus events for a while now and have been enjoying the task immensely. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to contribute to the workplace via something I am passionate about is definitely a win for me. Also seeing my photos being posted on Curtin Sarawak’s official Website and Facebook page brings me joy. One of my best photographs, and my absolute favourite to date, was taken during the Curtin International Cook Off which was held on the 11^th of September 2014. It was of one of the contestants doing a fire trick as he stir-fried the meat in his wok.

Phoenix Rising: The photograph that I took during the Curtin International Cook Off

Within 4 hours after posting the photographs on Curtin Sarawak’s official Facebook page, Ian, who is in charge of branding and advertising called out to me from his desk, “Wow! Congratulations Jo. Good job, your ‘Phoenix Rising’ photograph has garnered the most hits ever in such a short time 50 over likes”. Everyone in the office clapped and cheered for me and told me that is the most hits in a short time and that they loved the picture as well. It will make for a great outreach they said. Here is the link for the original post: Curtin International Cook Off

So to all my fellow PR393 mates, always keep in mind the powers of social media and use them wisely. It’s not just for posting banters and share Buzzfeed or YouTube links, as future PR professionals it’s a tool of the trade. Useful as well to keep in mind how PR professionals in the industry are using social media. Therefore I’ve looked up a couple of links for your further reference if you would like dear readers.

1. How PR Pros Are Using Social Media for Real Results

2. 6 Ways Social Media Has Changed Public Relations

3. Why IHOP's 'Tumblr-speak' tweets work

4. Social Media as a Public Relations Platform

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna

Ooh Corporate Invitation - Asia Music Festival Press Conference

I was lucky enough to join fellow colleague, Lilian to the Asia Music Festival Press Conference on September 3, 2014. It was an interesting experience definitely. We were invited as special guests because of the University’s ties with Miri City Council and Sarawak Tourism Board. Also in my opinion, because a good chunk of their volunteers are students of Curtin Sarawak. They made us feel special and treated us real nice. Stakeholder Relations 101 right there!

Asia Music Festival launching gimmick.

It was an experience to see how a press conference is held in Sarawak. Thought was definitely put into how the information was to be presented, the decorations and the launching gimmick. The mingling session before the press conference started was fun as we went around shaking hands, getting to know people and passing around Lilian’s business cards. It was interesting as well when a few of the representatives of the Press and Sarawak Tourism Board asked me for my business card after talking to the both of us. Lilian with a grin on her face told them that I’m an Intern which they were surprised at. I’m very glad that I don’t give off the “Intern” aura which is usually associated with being nervous, shy and unconfident. Way to go me! Pat on the Back!

Well from this experience I gathered how a press conference is executed in Malaysia. In general however, this is a summary checklist for holding a successful press conference to introduce a new product or event.

• Prepare a good Press Release and distribute them on the day. Or a whole media kit gift bag instead of just a press release.

• Invite the press earlier and follow up at least a week before the press conference.

• Decorations should be appropriate and compliment what is important like banners, buntings, backdrop, etc.

• Launching gimmick should be appropriate to the product or event and stand out as the best Photo opportunity. (This photo is most likely to be used to accompany the printed news).

• Prepare the press conference hall appropriately make sure you have everything you need, such as a speech podium, adequate mics, tables, sign in pad for attendance, etc.

• Be prepared to answer any question that might be asked by the Press

• Serve refreshments! (A must especially if you are in Malaysia as food is a big part of our culture)

With that I hope that my post is informative enough to help jolt memories of what we have learnt on Press Conferences and Event Launching plans during our study of Public Relations theories. In addition, here is a link to a website that goes into more detail on arranging Press Conferences, for your further reading :Arranging a Press Conference

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna

Hark! The Phone it Rings - Keep in Mind Proper Phone Etiquette

There’s always something daunting about answering someone else’s phone and I’m sure you, dear readers have felt this before. Some of you might think, it’s just a telephone, answer it no big deal. However, I’ve realised something through telephone conversations with various telemarketers and corporations as well as listening to my colleagues answering their phones for the past two weeks. I realised that the way you handle the telephone reflects on you and the company that you work for. The key I realise is to place importance on the caller, to be professional and to always be courteous and helpful so the caller will feel good about calling. The tone of your voice and pronunciation makes a big difference as well.

It was a slow morning for me until the office had its weekly meeting and my colleagues left me in charge of manning the phones. All I had to do is to inform callers that everyone is in a meeting and to take down messages. Just 2 minutes after everyone stepped out of the office for their meeting, the phones started ringing. The office phones here carries the same number but with each having its own extension, so while answering one it is possible for the others to still ring when a call comes in. I picked up the nearest one and as I opened my mouth to speak, I found myself saying a confident and jovial “Hello, Corporate Comm Office how may I help you?” despite my jittery nerves. I then explained that person the caller was looking for is in a meeting and I took down the message to be passed on. I kept in mind to keep my tone polite and cheerful but not to the extent of sounding perky.

A call which happened approximately 20 minutes later was a longer one. I informed that Ms. Nadea was in a meeting as the rest and the caller asked me who I was and my position in the office which I answered politely. He then proceeded to explain to me his situation, of which I made a mental note of, and he asked me questions to which I don’t know the answer to as an intern. I politely answered, “I’m sorry, I’m not very sure about that, but I will inform her about this and to get back to you as soon as possible. The caller replied with a jovial “Ok that’s good. Thank you. I will shoot her an email as well I suppose. Thank you.” I said “thank you, have a nice day” as the other phones in the office started ringing. When the call ended I drew in a deep breath and hurried to answer the next call.

Half an hour later and everyone came back to the office signalling the end to my phone answering stint at the office, but leaving me with thoughts for this blog post. People often disregard the importance of phone etiquette but think of it, how annoyed would you be if someone you called wasn’t polite to you. Public Relations is about being the middle man between the company and stakeholders. If one is not able to be courteous and professional via telephone call what more in person? Did you know that a smile can be heard through the phone? Try it the next time someone calls you dear reader. You might be surprised how your tone changes when you are smiling.

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna

Show Them What You're Made Of

Hello fellow interns, my name is Josephine Joeyna Ak Joseph Jantan,  I’m in my final semester of my Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications degree, majoring in Public Relations and I’m interning full-time with… *drumroll please* Curtin University Sarawak’s Corporate Communications Department.

A lot of my friends were surprised when I told them that I will be interning with Corporate Communications and some seniors even told me that interning in the university will be a bore as I will probably only be given newspapers to read and to do media clippings.

After the end of my first week here, I can say that there has not been a boring day in the office. The office is always bustling, colleagues are nice and friendly and are always eager to share their knowledge of the corporate world with me. After the first three days, I actually look forward to my early mornings (though I am not much of a morning person) when I get to walk into the office, greet everyone good morning, make myself a steaming cup of coffee and then sit at my desk reading the day’s newspapers and updating the rest on current news every once in a while.

A week in and I already feel like I am part of the Corporate Communications family. When it gets too quiet in the office, Ian or Flynn would pipe up with a funny or witty comment on something they stumbled upon on their Facebook newsfeed or they would ask me if I read anything interesting to which will lead to short interesting discussions.

Whenever I am done with the media clippings I would ask around to see if anyone had anything for me do. My colleagues were more than happy to pass some work on to me, especially if it includes walking all the way to the other end of the campus to take a group photograph for a press release, and I did not mind doing it. In summary of what I have done this week, I've taken photographs of 3 events and they were used to accompany media releases sent out to the press, I've drafted a media release and a press conference invitation to the press, done a week’s worth of media clippings and kept the Monthly Activity Report updated with the week’s media analysis.

It felt amazing to see the picture I took printed on one of the first few pages of the local section and it was printed in colour! I am sure I was grinning like a Cheshire cat while filing that media clipping away.

In conclusion though, my advice is don’t believe in everything people tell you about their experience of interning. Everyone walks away with knowledge but not everyone’s journey will be the same. Just be yourself, keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to step up and ask for something to do if you end up just sitting there at your desk doing absolutely nothing important. In this case all I really did was to take the initiative and opportunities came my way. So I say, to all fellow PR393 students, head out there and show them what you’re made of!

Cheers,

Josephine Joeyna