WhipperSnaPR

OurStage is constantly updating the features on the website: improving the user interface, increasing the ways fans can promote their favorite artists, building the OurStage online community, etc. The latest offering includes an embeddable music player. Right now, the player is too big for my sidebar (I’m going to have to get someone to do something about that ). In the meantime, thought, here’s a taste of what it looks like and who my favorite artists are….

While I was in the process of getting this new job, I heard one question more than any other: “Why so many jobs in so little time?” If you check out my LinkedIn profile you’ll see I’ve had 3 jobs in 3 years… this new one is my fourth. That’s as many jobs as some people have in 10 years or even an entire lifetime. From the whippersnapr position of a young professional, this can be a huge hindrance from finding the perfect job. So, how did I avoid the stigma often associated with such a resume?

I had a few things working in my favor:

1. I’m a specialist: I have a master’s degree in PR and I conducted independent research on blogging and its effect on the PR industry; I have a tangible, quantitative record in viral marketing; I was looking for a job that matched my specialty. In other words, I wasn’t looking for a major career change and specialists get a little more leeway in the “length of time on a job” department.
2. I recognized this as a weakness early on, anticipated the sorts of questions it might stir up and developed bullet proof answers to each and every potential inquiry. Furthermore, those answers were genuine and honest. I didn’t try to fluff the truth and I definitely didn’t try to deny the severity of the situation.

I went into the process of finding a new job with a major weakness and came out stronger (and with a stronger job) in the end. I wouldn’t recommend my career trajectory to just anybody; it takes a lot of special circumstances to make my chosen path realistic and successful. I would however offer a few pieces of advice:

1. If you don’t like a job, get out ASAP. There is no justifiable reason to stay in a job that does not give you enjoyment and fulfillment. The worst reason to stay is that you don’t want to look like you are uncommitted. Leave the job and if asked about it down the road, simply and honestly explain why the job made you unhappy (without divulging too many dramatic details) and what you learned about yourself through that experience. Then, explain what you are looking for, what will make you happy.
2. Honesty is the best policy. Recognize your weaknesses and don’t try to hide from them! Most weaknesses will directly correlate to one of your best strengths… that is where your focus should be. Own up to the weaknesses, but always be ready to point out the strengths that keep you balanced.

These are a few lessons I’ve learned over the past few months and they’ve definitely helped me gain insight into myself and my own career trajectory. I hope they can be helpful to other whippersnaprs out there as well!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity:

• We bought a car - I’ll take pictures tonight!
  
• We spent a week walking around Wales with Josh’s Dad - pictures and my own day-by-day thoughts to come soon)
• I started a new job as Marketing Communications Manager at OurStage

So, while I get organized on the car and post-vacation fronts, let me tell you about the new, exciting job:

Formally, Ourstage positions itself as “the only 100% democratic online competition that lets the fans decide who’s best in emerging film and music.” So far, when I try to explain it to people I get an, “Ohh! It’s like American Idol!” and I wince and say well, sort of. I need to work on a better response. I suppose that’s what my boss means when she says she wants me to work on their messaging.

My role here right now is to define what my role will be. They know what they want and what they need and I have to figure out how I can help. I’ll be doing a little bit of PR planning and managing, a little bit of strategy and messaging and a whole lot of online communication. I’ll be recruiting artists and fans alike and encouraging them to participate in the ourstage community… the community that I have to build. This is going to be fun! It is a lot of work and I’m going to have a very busy summer, but it is all work that I am absolutely confident I can do and I can’t wait to see the results!