Tag Archives: freelance PR

Fairness on the Job?

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If you had to downsize staff-would you let go Mary or Ted?

(Readers: This is a post I just wrote for www.JobWorkTeam.com and I thought it would be applicable to to the PR and freelancing world. I’d love your thoughts!)

We’ve discussed appearing desperate in interviews.  We’ve addressed how one shouldn’t talk about grievances about past employers and employees during the job interview and today, I’m going to talk about fairness on the job or better yet the lack of it.

This is a difficult post to write for I would like to say that companies treat employees fairly.  If I’m living in a glass is half full world, then I would say that I believe most companies try their best to be fair to their employees.  But, at the end of the day, every employee knows that the HR department is there to protect the company and not the employee. There’s just no way around that fact.  It’s written into the DNA of business.

If you have worked for any period of time, I’m sure you have witnessed some things that just made no sense and thus, you had to internally process it and move forward the best you could for there are some things that just aren’t fair like…

  • When you hear that a job/promotion you were up for and should have gotten, ultimately went to a friend of the boss who had no prior experience.
  • Or you’ve conducted several interviews for a position and then hear they’ve put the job on hold.
  • Or you’ve worked your tail end off and you’ve been promised a promotion that ultimately goes to the worker that you’ve been cleaning up after.
  • Or the company is downsizing by 3 percent, so they let you go and kept your boss who knows barely nothing.
  • Or when they change your shift and suddenly, you the one with tenure, has to work nights again.

I was talking to a friend about this phenomenon today…the phenomenon of when good people are let go and weaker ones get to stay.  And as such, he reminded me of the last episode of the 70′s hit TV show “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” where new management takes over the WJM-TV station.  The new executives fire the entire staff, except the klutzy, tongue-tied, vain, buffoonish newscaster Ted Baxter.  I thought how true that episode was.  How many times have you seen great people be let go and the better “sweet talkers,” less experienced people get to stay. It’s just the way of life.

In another side note, I had a different discussion with a fellow freelancer and he made another astute point that I never really thought of before. He recently spoke to a class of freelancers and he gave some great sage advice.  He told them the truth.  He said that we all have competition in our fields and usually it isn’t the best one who gets hired…it’s the one that the boss (client) wants to hang out with. He emphasized the fact that if the client is comfortable with you, then they will keep hiring you.  And you know what there is some truth to that.

So, when you’re on the job, expect that some unfairness will come your way and quickly learn how to brush that off.  Remember who you are and what you bring to the table and forget about that issue as best you can.  One tip that will help you stay at the job longer is my second point today – have a comfortable relationship with your boss. Be the go-to person when things are topsy turvy in his life. Help alleviate stress – be there for him/her as a support.  It will go a long way and if she/he loses their job, then they will want to hire you at their next position.  Why? Because that’s the fair thing to do.

Great advice for everyone

Freelance Freedom

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Hop on the Carousel of Freelance Life - You'll Love it. Credit: Flickr: Link576

Today I am speaking at a breakfast event held at the Publicists Guild in partnership with the Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (EPPS). The topic of the panel is freelance public relations.  And as such, the point that I hope that I am able to convey to those in attendance is the great need for them to allow themselves to work and think in entirely new ways about their work and their individual lives.

I do think that the statement “out of the box thinking” is over-used, but its meaning is spot on and not trite, trendy nor part of yesterday’s news.  It’s relevant for today, in fact, its mandatory. For if you haven’t noticed…things are not the same (job-wise or economy-wise) as it was say three years ago.  Things have changed and we, as PR professionals, must hop on that merry go around and learn how to enjoy the ride.

Facebook. twitter. Foursquare. Groupon. Blogs.  They’re here. They are real. And they are here to stay. And they are a major component of our communication tools.

Not only is social media a reality, but so are the manners in which we work.  With reductions of full-time positions, PR executives who were downsized are forced to become freelancers/consultants until something permanent does come around again.  And this can be an exhilarating experience and not one to be dreaded if you allow yourself to dream, think differently, and diligently break from traditional work practices.

As a freelancer, you finally are not shackled with promoting one company or touting a company line – you have FREEDOM to explore deep within yourself what would make you happy and finally Do what you’ve always wanted to do….like work for a non-profit that you are passionate about or take culinary classes and start your own cupcake business or open up your shingle and promote a wide range of services. You can do anything that you want…you are the boss of your own company. So who do you want to be?

Don’t let panic or desperation seep in.  Allow yourself the ability to dream.  Don’t stop working on landing a full time gig, but do that six hours in the day.  Spend  a couple hours each day to work on the job you would love to have and develop it.  You can create anything that you want.  Drop down the sides of your box and stand in the middle of it with your head raised skyward and  your hands held high…and enjoy your new found freedom.

I allowed myself to lead a job search work team and created a website.

Who am I to write such statements?

Well, I’m living this at the moment.  And I’m lovin’ it. My hands are no longer held tightly onto the carousel horses, but I’m hanging from the outside of the merry go round.  I’m smiling as it goes round and round and I’m letting the wind and sun shine on my face.  My clients and directions make no sense in the traditional world and I’m glad. I’m living in the social media world where we can create the things that make a difference in the world and matter.  And you know as you make a difference in the world, you are making a difference in your own life. It’s a win-win for all involved.  Let yourself serve wherever you can.

So, what am I doing?  I have a couple clients that are from my career experience, but now I’ve expanded my box to include teaching job search skills to those who are living in transitional housing facilities. I’m showing seniors how to use Facebook.  I’m speaking at colleges and churches. I’m learning how to code CSS and I have my own voice now on several platforms.  I could have never invented this crazy path, traditionally, but I allowed it to take its course and I’m working with nature and not against it anymore.

My box does not have walls…my office is virtual…and I’m free to create.

Freelance-Fear=Freedom

I love this quote that I stumbled upon on twitter from the eschelon2010 conference and I wish I could credit the writer. I hope it inspires you as it did me.  “If you want to make a successful start up, you need a huge vision, not something small.”

Let yourself think. As Seth Godin always reminds us – we are all artists…so allow yourself to create. Grab a paintbrush and put some paint on it.

If you need a little more inspiration….I’m including my favorite clip of all time regarding transitions…The Lemonade Movie.  Please watch it below and become inspired.

Here to serve,

Cindy

So now my question for you is…what would you write on your lemon? If you could what would want to do? Be sure to let me know, I’d love to hear.