Interviewing & not becoming a robot...

With two interviews down and a few more to go, I thought it was ample time to write a blog post on interviews. My CCPR classmates and I are going on tons of interviews trying to score a great internship.


The night before my first interview I spent hours trying to prep myself for any question they might throw my way. I practiced my answers for questions like "How do you deal with conflict?" and "Tell me about a time you took initiative." After talking to myself for a few hours, I started to get really frustrated with my answers. I sounded like a robot, regurgitating planned answers based on what I thought they would want to hear.

My answers were contrived and forced. As I focused intently on how I could answer the question to best show my skills, I was losing my personality. Of course it is important to answer questions in the best way possible, but I also think it is really important to let your personality shine through. I'm sure interviewers get sick of hearing typical answers, memorized in the hopes of attaining the job.

I think if you give someone a taste of who you really are, this will capture them more than any answer searched on google. If they don't appreciate it, chances are it wasn't the right job for you anyway.

I'm not saying tell your interviewer about the party you went to on the weekend, or the new shoes you just bought. Keep it professional, just don't focus so much on the words you're saying that you forget who you are and the traits which make you a great candidate for the job.

Let's give interviewers a little more than robot clones.

- JS

Overwhelmed? Five tips for Coping with Stress

It's placement time at CCPR. This means everyone in the program (almost 80 of us), are applying for the same internships and going on countless interviews trying to score their first choice agency or organization. On top of this, we also have our normal classes and a client project. It's intense, but no one knows how to cope with stress better than us.

Here are a few things I've learned over four years at university and half of a post-graduate program to help me cope with stress. 

1. START. Things always seem more daunting before you've started them. Throughout university there were many a paper I was so worried about and had no idea how to start until I sat down and began typing. Once I've got a good start on something I always start to feel better. Many times, things which I thought would be very difficult, ended up being much easier than I imagined. 

2. EXERCISE. When I'm frustrated and stressed, nothing beats taking it out on the gym. Exercising releases endorphins in your brain which trigger a positive feeling, similar to morphine. I can not give you one time where I left the gym feeling worse than when I first got there. Working out also helps me feel like I'm doing something for myself and not just spending every waking second working. 

3. BREAKS. As much as we would love to keep trucking away for hours on end, it isn't possible. Brains need downtime to process the insane amount of information we process everyday. If you want to remember or understand anything you are reading, listening to or doing, your brain needs breaks every 45 minutes, according to The Huffington Post. 

4. EYE ON THE PRIZE. When I get overwhelmed, it always helps to remind myself of the end goal and why I'm working so hard. For me this might mean reading an inspirational book or visiting the website of a place I would like to work someday. It is easy to lose sight of your goals when you have a lot on your plate so taking the time to remind yourself will most likely reignite your motivation. 

5. SMILE. Ever hear of "Fake it till you make it"? It is one of my favourite mottos and it comes in handy very often. So even if you feel not so great and like your brain is about to explode, forcing yourself to smile will trick yourself into thinking your happy (even if you actually aren't) and has shown to relieve stress. 

For everyone feeling stressed this time of year, especially my fellow classmates, hang in there, there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. 

- JS

"New Year, Better You"

I'm sure everyone has heard this quote before. "New Year, New You." Well I don't really like this quote. It's not a new me, it'll never be a completely "new" me. Everything that has happened to me and I have experienced have created this person, why would I want to start all over again? I think we should change this quote, "New Year, Better You."

I think we should all be striving to be the best we can be, but New Years gives you a great reason to start. If you need some inspiration for your New Years resolutions, or goals, take a look at my list.

1. Don't doubt yourself. 
I can't even imagine all the things people could accomplish if they believed they could do it. You think you're saving yourself from the possibility of failing, but to me, not knowing what could have been is a much worse feeling. Aim high, and sometimes it'll work out and sometimes it won't, that's just life.

2. Compete with yourself, not others. 
Healthy competition can be a good thing, but competing with others on a daily basis is a waste of time and energy. I compete with who I was yesterday, not with anyone else. If you keep pushing yourself to be better than you were, who knows where you'll end up?

3. Be healthier. 
Even though looking good is a great goal, this year I want to focus more on living an all around healthier lifestyle, not just working out. You can look amazing on the outside, but this doesn't mean much if your insides are rotten. Looking good is a great motivator but working out is a lot more than that, it gives you energy, improves your mood and increases your longevity. I want to focus more on what I'm putting into my body, time to delete the Dominoes app off my iPhone (oops). 

4. Put down my phone. 
I'll admit, I'm one of the worst for this. I'm constantly checking texts, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. In PR, monitoring social media will be part of my job. Till then, I need to put the phone down and enjoy the moment and people I'm with, not the latest tweets. 

5. Stop wasting energy on things that don't matter. 
I can definitely get worked up over things, even issues which aren't even mine to fuss over. A good thing to ask yourself is "Will this matter in ten years?", chances are the answer will be no. Even things which seem life and death at the time are probably not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. So let's save that precious energy for something more important. 

I wish you all the best in 2014 and working towards a better you, if that's even possible right?

- JS

Holiday Packing Essentials

My dad always reminds me, "remember to pack light!" Does this ever happen? No. Every time I show up at the airport, my dad almost breaks his back trying to pick up my suitcase. In my defense, I also have to tote home all of the christmas gifts for my family. This doesn't leave me a lot of room for my own things. After having to pack to fly home so many times, I've narrowed it down to the things I really need, and those which can be left.

I always like to bring home a black dress for any occasions I might have not prepared for. A black dress can also come in handy for Christmas day if you don't have anything else planned. 

Even though I would love to bring all my jewellery home, it is just too heavy. I usually steer towards my simple gold necklaces that can be worn with any outfit. 

You also need to be prepared for any weather, including freezing cold! Make sure you bring a warm scarf and gloves. 

As essential as the black dress, is a pair of black heels. Need I say more?

Your hometown may not be as wet as mine (Halifax), but where I'm from a lot of winter boots won't last in the rain and slush. Instead of trying to cram multiple kinds of boots into my suitcase, basic rain boots do the trick for any kind of winter weather.

Lastly, a large make-up bag is critical. You don't want to open your suitcase once you reach your destination to find a hairspray or nail polish has exploded all over your clothes. All of your cosmetics and hair products must be safely stored in a bag, away from your clothes. 

No matter where your holidays take you, this list is a great starting point!

-JS

Cacharel circle skirt
nelly.com

Hunter tall boots
usa.hunter-boot.com

Zara black shoes
zara.com

Sparkling Sage charm chain necklace
6pm.com

Topshop loop scarf
nordstrom.com

MARC BY MARC JACOBS cosmetic bag
farfetch.com

When life hands you a snowstorm...

I was so EXCITED to go home to Halifax this Saturday night. I only get to see my family two or three times a year, so when I do get to go home, it's a pretty big deal.

Looking out my window during the storm, no flying for me!

Now let me give you a little background. Toronto has not had a speck of snow so far this winter. However, Saturday was the day. Toronto got a huge snowstorm and my precious flight was cancelled. To make matters worse, the storm was hitting Halifax the next day so I can't fly out till Monday morning.

That sucks. Really sucks. But what can you do? There was a point in my life where if things didn't go as I planned it turned into a major meltdown. As much as it would be great if things always went as we planned, they very rarely do. After having to deal with some things I never ever expected, I quickly learned there were two choices when you're handed crap you don't want to deal with.

Get upset or angry and waste your energy on those emotions, OR my personal favourite, accept what has gone on, and try, no matter how horrible it is, to make the best out of it and turn it into a positive experience.

Since I'm stuck in Toronto for another two days, I've gone to the gym and organized my life here. That way, when I get back to Toronto, I'll be ready to jump back into things. As much as I wish I was with my family now, I'll get there eventually. For now, I'm going to try and appreciate another day to get ready for my Christmas vacation.

I wish you all the best during the holidays and if life hands you a snowstorm, make...a snowman?

- JS

I'm a Christmas Shopping Pro

I adore something a lot of people can't stand. Christmas shopping.

But here's the thing. I don't step foot into crowded malls and fight over the last pair of leather gloves for my darling mother. For the past few years, I have done all of my shopping online. 

When people tell me they are too worried to shop online, worried something won't come as expected or won't fit properly, I can't believe my ears. Part of me wishes I didn't shop online, my bank account would be a lot less... empty. 

My sister, the EASIEST person to shop for on my  list. And yes, that is me!

But seriously who wants to get pushed and prodded by a bunch of strangers when you can stay at home in your pjs and do all your shopping with a few clicks? If you're worried about something not fitting or not living up to your expectations, the majority of stores offer easy returns at any of their locations. I have ordered from a large number of stores (oops) and rarely have had any issues. 

I am already done my Christmas shopping and it feels great. All of my presents have arrived in tip top condition and they are ready to be wrapped and put under the tree. 

Here a few of my top places for buying gifts:

Hudson's Bay (literally something for EVERYONE)

Indigo/Chapters (there are books about EVERYTHING)

HauteLook, Gilt & Beyond the Rack (even though you can't return at a store, they have many new things at extremely reduced prices everyday) 

Where do you do your Christmas shopping?

Wishing you the best of luck finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

- JS

Phony Party: My One True Love

I have been seriously slacking when it comes to my blog. Between my event, school and work I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I thought I should probably let you know how the event went, especially for those who weren't in Toronto and couldn't make it.

Let's start from the beginning.

One of my Phony Party teammates! 

We spent the entire day at our venue, LoftRaum, getting ready for the event. We fill swag bags, set up prizes, organized the layout of the room and ran around picking up everything from ice to henna for tattoos.

We were preparing until the second before people started arriving. Dressed in our "Phony Party" t-shirts, we were ready to host the event we had put our blood, sweat and tears into.

We stuck with a blue theme for our decor, since blue is Kids Help Phone's colour. Our signature cocktails were blue, as well as the lighting all around the event space.

LoftRaum is a "raw event space" so we literally built the event from the ground up. We rented tables, glassware and created the bar. Even though this was a challenge, it makes me that much more proud of what we pulled together.

We filled the space with a tarot card reader, henna tattoo artist, caricaturist and a "Phony" photo booth with lots of props. Guests also bid on tons of silent auction items and tried their luck in our raffle.

When we were first told we had to plan a charity event with NO budget, my stomach dropped. How were we going to pull off an amazing event with zero dollars?!

The Phony Party team with our event management teacher and program co-ordinator!

We were so lucky to get some amazing sponsors like Iceberg Vodka, Wellington Brewery, Quiksilver, Goodlife and many more. Their generosity means the world to us.

The event exceeded my expectations and we were the ones who planned it! Standing in the room filled with our family, friends and classmates who were there to support us was surreal. Even with all the stress and pressure, I would do it ten times over.

- JS