From PR to Eternity

Three weeks ago I started using Twitter to link to my blog posts and news stories that I found of interest. I didn't really see the point of it, but I thought I'd give it ago afterall it only took up a few minutes of my time.

Gradually I immersed myself into the 'Twittersphere' and started following other PR people and entering into conversations. I thought it was interesting but I certainly had no idea that it would further my career.

After just ten days of twittering I was contacted by Stephen Waddington of Rainier PR and invited to attend an interview the following week. A few days later I had a second interview over the phone and now today I have been offered a job with the company. I start next month and cannot wait. It's been my dream for quite some time to work in technology public relations, so to work for one of the top 10 tech PR companies in the UK is unbelievable! Plus I got a mention on their blog to boot.

Directly through twittering I have also acquired twenty-one followers or contacts. This means that I have gained a new contact for every day I have spent microblogging. Indirectly I look set to gain many, many more contacts in the form of my new work colleagues.

Not bad for a website I didn't see the point of.

Labels: formby, job, london, matthew watson, microblogging, rainier pr, stephen waddington, twitter

7 Comments:

Susan said...: Hi Matthew - congrats on your new job with Rainier. I really enjoyed reading this story and am a big believer in Twitter and social media. I am curious about one thing - Is Stephen a recruiter or a pr person with Rainier?

Best of luck in this your career adventure. Cheers! Susan

Twitter with me @TalentSynch; Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:33:00 PM
Anonymous said...: That is an awesome story and thanks for sharing!H; Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:34:00 PM
Matthew Watson said...: Thanks Susan! Stephen is the MD at Rainier :)

Thanks H!; Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:08:00 PM
Susan said...: Interesting - that would be consistent w/ my thinking about engaging in a dialogue around biz and then opening up the recruiting discussion. I'll be presenting to a group of companies on university recruitment and how to integrate social media into their strategy - any words of wisdom you would like to pass along? I always like sharing real experiences to help employers realize the value of connections/relationships.; Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:37:00 PM
Matthew Watson said...: I think you're right. Personally the companies that I've been most interested in have been the one's that are blogging and therefore appear to be knowledgable industry leaders. Also, some companies have begun posting jobs on blogs, which I think is better than on a recruitment website or in a newspaper, because the candidates applying have read the blog and are interested in the company.

Also I think it's important that employers reply to applicants. Just a short reply by email saying unfortunately we won't be asking you to an interview is much better than no reply. As is a reply following an interview, especially if employers give some constructive criticism.; Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:54:00 PM
Daryl Tay said...: Congrats Matthew! I'm a Corporate Communications student in Singapore and got an internship via my blog. So I can totally identify with social media hiring!; Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:13:00 AM
Ben Matthews said...: Congrats on the job, Matt - Rainier are a great agency so you're sure to have a great time there.

It just goes to show tha you're light years ahead of any other PR students just by having a blog and being on Twitter - tell all your fellow grads to get on it!

Cheers,

Ben

(@benrmatthews); Saturday, May 31, 2008 11:55:00 AM

Links to this post:

<$BlogBacklinkTitle$>: <$BlogBacklinkSnippet$>
<$I18NPostedByBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$>

Create a Link

<< Home


	About Me Matthew Watson is an Account Executive for Speed Communications, who blogs about his journey into the world of technology public relations. Matt's views and opinions are his own and do not represent those of his past, present or future employers. Archives My Links Facebook Flickr Linked In Twitter PR Blogs Drew Benvie Bryony Beynon Stuart Bruce Jöel Céré Simon Collister Brendan Cooper Stephen Davies Seth Godin Ian Green Jed Hallam Tom Harle Adam Lewis Tom Malcolm Ben Matthews Richard Millington Chris Norton Giles Shorthouse Natalie Smith Paul Stallard Philip Young PR Agencies Concept Communications Custard PR Lighthouse PR Mantra PR Rainier PR Loewy Group Blogs Earlin' Abuse IT PR Digital Lushes Spider Suse and the City The A to E: ePR eBook Wadds' Tech PR Other Links Caroline Rowe		MY FIRST PR JOB Three weeks ago I started using Twitter to link to my blog posts and news stories that I found of interest. I didn't really see the point of it, but I thought I'd give it ago afterall it only took up a few minutes of my time. Gradually I immersed myself into the 'Twittersphere' and started following other PR people and entering into conversations. I thought it was interesting but I certainly had no idea that it would further my career. After just ten days of twittering I was contacted by Stephen Waddington of Rainier PR and invited to attend an interview the following week. A few days later I had a second interview over the phone and now today I have been offered a job with the company. I start next month and cannot wait. It's been my dream for quite some time to work in technology public relations, so to work for one of the top 10 tech PR companies in the UK is unbelievable! Plus I got a mention on their blog to boot. Directly through twittering I have also acquired twenty-one followers or contacts. This means that I have gained a new contact for every day I have spent microblogging. Indirectly I look set to gain many, many more contacts in the form of my new work colleagues. Not bad for a website I didn't see the point of. Labels: formby, job, london, matthew watson, microblogging, rainier pr, stephen waddington, twitter Posted by Matthew Watson on 7 Comments: Susan said... Hi Matthew - congrats on your new job with Rainier. I really enjoyed reading this story and am a big believer in Twitter and social media. I am curious about one thing - Is Stephen a recruiter or a pr person with Rainier? Best of luck in this your career adventure. Cheers! Susan Twitter with me @TalentSynch Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:33:00 PM Anonymous said... That is an awesome story and thanks for sharing!H Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:34:00 PM Matthew Watson said... Thanks Susan! Stephen is the MD at Rainier :) Thanks H! Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:08:00 PM Susan said... Interesting - that would be consistent w/ my thinking about engaging in a dialogue around biz and then opening up the recruiting discussion. I'll be presenting to a group of companies on university recruitment and how to integrate social media into their strategy - any words of wisdom you would like to pass along? I always like sharing real experiences to help employers realize the value of connections/relationships. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:37:00 PM Matthew Watson said... I think you're right. Personally the companies that I've been most interested in have been the one's that are blogging and therefore appear to be knowledgable industry leaders. Also, some companies have begun posting jobs on blogs, which I think is better than on a recruitment website or in a newspaper, because the candidates applying have read the blog and are interested in the company. Also I think it's important that employers reply to applicants. Just a short reply by email saying unfortunately we won't be asking you to an interview is much better than no reply. As is a reply following an interview, especially if employers give some constructive criticism. Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:54:00 PM Daryl Tay said... Congrats Matthew! I'm a Corporate Communications student in Singapore and got an internship via my blog. So I can totally identify with social media hiring! Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:13:00 AM Ben Matthews said... Congrats on the job, Matt - Rainier are a great agency so you're sure to have a great time there. It just goes to show tha you're light years ahead of any other PR students just by having a blog and being on Twitter - tell all your fellow grads to get on it! Cheers, Ben (@benrmatthews) Saturday, May 31, 2008 11:55:00 AM Post a Comment Links to this post: <$BlogBacklinkTitle$> <$BlogBacklinkSnippet$> <$I18NPostedByBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$> Create a Link << Home

© 2008 Matthew Watson		Blog - About Me - Portfolio - Links - Contact Me - #NWFHD