In PRweek (13th January 2010) there is an article discussing the increased importance of PR agents expanding their knowledge with regards to social medias role in PR. It is highlighted within this article the lack of social media that is registered on CVs. Perhaps this is done because the applicant is really more used to using sites like Facebook and Twitter to talk about themselves and the antics that they get up to. They have failed to see how it can be of use to those in the PR world, can lead to debates and highlight general knowledge. As is highlighted within the PRweek article employers want to see a level of social media knowledge, they will not regard you as a slacker, someone playing on the computer in company time, but as proactive and driven in this new technologically advanced world.
A prime reason for my enrolment in my Digital Media class was that I was under the impression I was rather computer literate...this notion was rapidly altered after my first day. If it wasn’t for the information I have received in this class I too would be unaware of the importance of highlighting social media and blog use on my CV. If I was asked in an interview whether I used Facebook etc I would have previously been quick to state only recreationally, unbeknownst to me that that was the wrong kind of answer. For those working in PR who don’t realise the importance of social media perhaps they would benefit to undertake the same sort of media training course.
Online PR using Twitter, Facebook and co has become a reality PR pros have to face. Media outlets move online, budgets are allocated for the online medium, stakeholders want two-way communication etc. Looking around I suppose you are right when you say that "for the under 25s this cyber world and chat comes naturally however perhaps for an older member of the PR community this social networking idea is slightly alien." Personally I am under 25 I am submitting some efforts to keep up with technology:) And I do see senior pros facing problems in dealing with technology PR as well...
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ReplyDeleteI had to smile to myself at the thought of being asked if I use Facebook or Twitter by a potential employer. If that happened to me I would be on my guard, thinking that they were trying to see if I was some sort of time waster, idling away my day laughing at photos of the previous night out.
ReplyDeleteI know that some companies have a rule whereby you can use Facebook etc at work, but the time you spend on there cuts into your lunch break. Perhaps a clever PR department would recommend that employees be allowed to tweet and the like so long as they produced evidence that they helped to contribute to the positive image of the company. Surely 100 employees positively tweeting and Facebook-ing is better than one PR person.