Home Is Where The Mouse Is… Maybe
A few days ago, Pew Research’s “Daily Number” was 38%: the percentage of Americans who, having lived in more than one place, don’t consider their current community home. Given that this is a country of immigrants, that isn’t surprising, and a feeling I (a naturalized American of East Indian origin) can relate to.
A couple of days later, we had a friend over for lunch. Canadian-born, he’s worked all over the world, including in several African countries, and now calls Liverpool, U.K., home. At one point he asked, “Where do you feel at home?” Initially, my answer was, “In this country, California” – because that’s where my husband is from, that was my first experience of the U.S., that’s where many of our good friends and family still live.
“Home” Is…
I kept thinking about that question, though. Where does one really feel at home? What is it that defines “home” from “away”? Can one feel at home in several places… or none?
… Where The Heart Is?
Filed under Communication, Networking, Public Relations, Shonali Burke, Social Media, Twitter | Tags: facebook, Internet, Pew Research, pr, Public Relations, Shannon Paul, Social Media, Twitter | Comments (4)Recruiters: PR Also Means “People Relations”
Yesterday I received one of the most unusual calls in recent memory. It was from a recruiter with Profiles, who’d presented me for a position here in DC several months ago. Times are bad, hiring is slow; still, the process with this particular position has been dragging on for several months now.
When my path first crossed that of this recruiter, I made it clear to her that I didn’t expect her to “get me” this job; but what I did ask for was for whatever the final decision was to be communicated to me. I’ve encountered some recruiters who don’t do that, and there is nothing more off-putting than not knowing where you stand. As Rachel a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston said, “That, my friend, is what they call ‘closure’.”
Well, this recruiter walks the talk. While I have no idea whether we’re anywhere near the finish line, she has consistently kept in touch with me to try to keep me engaged. She follows up regularly with the hiring organization, and lets me know what their response has been. And when they do make their final decision, I know she will communicate it – whatever it is – to me.
For someone who’s not working for me, as Lindsay Olson explains in this excellent post, I call that pretty good “people relations.” Good people relations is something that not just PR professionals, but everyone, should aspire to – including recruiters.
Filed under Career, Communication, Public Relations, Shonali Burke | Tags: Career, communications, friends, jason buck, jobs, karen russell, lindsay olson, pr, profiles, Public Relations, recruiters | Comments (11)Five Ways to Show Twitter Love
It’s a cliché. A “Hallmark holiday.” “Every day should be Valentine’s Day.”
Ever heard – or made – any of those remarks?
I confess; I have, and I think they have a ring of truth. But cliché or not, Valentine’s Day is a way – admitted, perhaps born of artifice and over-commercialized – to show one’s appreciation and affection to those who make your life better.
To me, that includes my Twitterverse. So, for those of you who have fallen in love with Twitter, here are five ways to show your Twitter love on Valentine’s Day:
1. Mr. Tweet is a great way to find interesting people to follow, depending on what your interests are. I like to follow those in my profession (public relations), writers, social media savants, IABC members and, sometimes, folks who are just downright interesting, funny and who would probably rear up at being categorized in any way.
Take it one step further and give back to those you follow by giving them a recommendation on Mr. Tweet; this will help others find them. It won’t cost you more than a click, and there are more than enough of those to go around.
Filed under Communication, Networking, Shonali Burke, Twitter | Tags: followfriday, mr tweet, paisano, TweetDeck, tweetup, Twhirl, Twitter, valentine's day | Comments (6)
