culpwrit

 
One of my favorite idiomatic expressions before offering a point of view is “here’s my two cents worth.”  For me, it’s a self-effacing way to offer up ideas and suggestions without sounding overly authoritative.
I was told by a regular reader last week that she often wants to add a comment, but is reluctant to do so for fear […]

[Read more →]

 
Q.  After a long, stressful search, I received a job offer yesterday and need to accept by Friday.  It’s not exactly the job I wanted since it’s with a small, fairly new company that no one has ever heard of.  What do I need to know or ask before accepting the offer?  -BR
A.  Congratulations, maybe.  Despite your eagerness […]

[Read more →]

 
Q.  I was relieved to read the Wall Street Journal column about office romances.  “Relieved” because an agency co-worker and I have been secretly dating for nearly a year.  My parents advised us to hide the fact we’re dating since someone in my dad’s office was fired for dating a co-worker.  I’m thinking that we’re being overly […]

[Read more →]

I often suggest that people do as I say, not as I do.   I encourage others to take their birthdays off and focus on themselves.  So, what am I doing on my birthday today–working all day, including a business dinner.  But I rationalize that I’m at the point of my career that this must be fun […]

[Read more →]

I’m amazed when I hear stories about how people potentially affect their careers via online indiscretions.  I’m also impressed with how many people positively impact their job searches thanks to their online presence. 
In past posts, I’ve urged readers to fully engage in social media, but remain vigilant about the need to project an appropriate personal […]

[Read more →]

I’ve spoken at a few PRSSA National Conferences in the past dozen years, but yesterday’s meeting in San Diego totally surprised me. 
Colleague Kevin Saghy and I had just started speaking when my Blackberry began vibrating with “tweets” — from many of the 400+ audience members.  If I had the time to read the comments as they […]

[Read more →]

A 27-year-old graduate of Monroe College in New York is suing her alma mater for the $70,000 tuition she spent in earning a bachelor’s degree because she can’t find a job. 
According to today’s New York Post, Trina Thompson’s suit contends she has not been able to find a job since she got her information technology degree in April.  […]

[Read more →]

It was a tough call, but I blocked God from following me on Twitter yesterday. 
Over the past few weeks, I have talked with more than a dozen people who are reluctant to engage in social media.  Most have Twitter and Facebook accounts, but they don’t want to engage.  They cite the number of “Friend” requests from […]

[Read more →]

 
Traditional news outlets are scrambling for survival–and losing the fight.  This is sad for those of us who began our careers in newsrooms with upright typewriters and saw our stories literally hand set into metal type.  However, the changing news environment is opening opportunities for PR practitioners, especially for those who are digitally savvy. 
As PR professionals, we need […]

[Read more →]

 
The informational interview had only just begun when my guest’s cell phone began blaring a rock song signaling an incoming call.  She paused, dug the phone out of her purse and sheepishly pushed the “ignore” button.  That worked for 30 seconds until the song returned.  This time, the phone was turned off. 
We’re all guilty of […]

[Read more →]