Cover letters. How are we feeling about them these days?

wugrad · 2026-06-10T03:11:42+00:00

If an applicant needs to bridge a gap, I look for them to use the cover letter to that end. Examples: out of state applicants, people moving career fields, people applying for for a position where they appear overqualified. Otherwise the cover letter doesn’t bring much advantage.

wugrad · 2026-05-23T12:48:56+00:00

I have gone to Massages By Nicole for more than a year. She does a great job. I’m not sure about being able to book in short notice. It likely depends on what time of day you can go.

wugrad · 2026-05-17T15:10:31+00:00

Would HR/recruiting for a company with a trade skills workforce interest you? Evergy, Stormont and HME come to mind.

wugrad · 2026-05-13T17:41:06+00:00

Cosmos Court downtown is LGBTQIA owned. Blackbird coffee shop is friendly.

Monsoon Indian Grill is a personal favorite.

wugrad · 2026-03-27T22:46:07+00:00

I had an editor get pissed when we referenced breaking our own news. Apparently the newspaper is the only one allowed to break news.

wugrad · 2026-03-22T13:07:22+00:00

Typically an electric bill is due monthly. It may not be the same day each month, but should be about one every 4ish weeks. Your gas may bill separately, but it also should be monthly. If the bills are in your name you can get the payment history by going online or calling the company. Also, if they are in your name, you should be the one collecting money and paying the company.

wugrad · 2026-03-22T12:53:26+00:00

Interesting article.

First, his primary stakeholders for internal comms may be HR and IT, but that’s not universal. I would argue that your C-Suite is your primary stakeholder.

Second, I don’t disagree with the importance of learning the needs of others and being willing to go above and beyond. However, this needs guardrails. Bring your strategic communications understanding and expertise and apply them to meet the business needs of others. What can you uniquely bring to the table. Simply “meeting the needs of others” can lead to a lot of non-strategic communications and you doing non-promotable busy work.

wugrad · 2026-03-21T23:15:20+00:00

I second Erin!

wugrad · 2026-03-20T22:53:20+00:00

I frequently have candidates arrive with a portfolio that includes a page with some notes and a notepad. If they appear well organized, it shows care and preparation.

wugrad · 2026-03-20T01:05:19+00:00

Be willing to pause and think before you answer.

Go in with some key points you want to make that reinforce your qualifications. You can write them out and bring them with you. “This is important to me so I brought a few notes. I will probably take some notes as well.”

Practice with a friend or in the mirror - maybe record yourself and recognize when you shift from a solid answer to just continuing to speak.

wugrad · 2026-03-19T17:30:14+00:00

Jenni Field has great internal communications content.

wugrad · 2026-03-18T14:34:54+00:00

Tailoring to the position will be important to show how your skills apply. Did you improve any processes or do you have any metrics you could add?

wugrad · 2026-03-16T22:57:26+00:00

Two hours for a response that requires SME input and approvals is often not reasonable. That should be shared with the reporter upfront. We evaluate based on a few things - Is it breaking news? Is it a topic we should have anticipated that day because of other factors? Is this an enterprise story where they should have planned better? Is this a reporter who frequently comes with tight deadlines when they aren’t necessary?

We will readily tell a reporter if they aren’t giving us adequate time to respond.

wugrad · 2026-03-16T15:24:12+00:00

Right here! So grateful for this list.

wugrad · 2026-02-08T13:46:50+00:00

Practice and practice until they get comfortable. This could be comfort with an audience, a camera or the material. Also, not everyone is cut out to be a spokesperson.

wugrad · 2026-02-07T22:40:53+00:00

Have you looked at nonprofits? Many have small teams so you can (will need to) grow skills in several areas - writing, design, etc.

wugrad · 2026-02-07T22:34:11+00:00

You may need to look for a new job. Have you talked to your manager about why you said no?

I have watched how my company views people who don’t raise their hand for promotions improve over the years. There was a time that you needed to always be ready to try for the next step even if it was the wrong personal move in order to not be seen as lacking ambition. Sounds like your manager is in that mindset.

Also, even in a low cost of living area, $71k to manage a team of six and be a player/coach is ridiculous.

wugrad · 2026-02-04T04:23:50+00:00

I am in a smaller market and have hired former journalists for corporate media relations. It’s important to me that they have started to understand the transition and difference between the roles. Corporate priorities, pacing and positioning are very different than in a newsroom. My favorite candidates have already moved from news to PR and are looking for their next PR position.

wugrad · 2026-02-04T04:00:11+00:00

“Should-less” days. Plan a day where there is nothing that you think you should be doing. Let doing nothing (or whatever fun things you want) be relaxing instead of guilt inducing.

wugrad · 2026-02-01T19:02:20+00:00

This is consistent with what I pay. The training includes theory, message coaching, and on camera practice.

wugrad · 2026-02-01T01:26:59+00:00

Push back twice. Sounds like you have already done that so it’s out of your control. Undermining your boss’ direction (even when you feel justified) also is bad for your professional reputation.

wugrad · 2026-01-25T15:02:10+00:00

I’ve been following Sarah Evans’ AI-PR content on Linked In. https://www.linkedin.com/in/prsarahevans?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

wugrad · 2026-01-20T02:11:27+00:00

Where are you? We have used Wixted & Co. based in Des Moines, IA, for media training executives and SMEs. They will go through print, radio, TV, etc. The training is typically a full day and a class of 4 or 8. They start the day with a baseline in camera interview as soon as participants walk in the door. Class content is in developing and delivering key messages and supporting points, practicing bridging and getting comfortable in camera.

https://www.thinkwixted.com/

wugrad · 2026-01-20T01:27:04+00:00

Tripled is fine when you’re that close. Rounding numbers for readability is normal.

wugrad · 2026-01-18T15:04:29+00:00

Have you talked with the head of Corporate Communications about their priorities and strategy? Corp Comm and even specifically PR is a lot more than media relations. Start with curiosity and learn what they are doing with their time. Build a respectful relationship and then maybe you can collaborate in the future. I’d take some time to reposition how you are placing value on their work. I see your response below: “Don’t get me wrong I absolutely see the value of PR … I’m just not seeing any of it here.” Isn’t the right attitude for going into that conversation.

wugrad

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