Now, I am a big Kathy fan. She’s loud and obnoxious and she knows it. She generally has great material– including my favorite, Barbara Walters admitting she prefers ‘Astroglide.’ But this little stunt seems just like a rating cry for help.

In a press release, Kathy’s publicist wrote:

On Friday, April 16, [Griffin] will receive this important test in hopes that every woman will see how easy it is to get this done..Kathy feels that this cause is so important that she has bedazzled her [private parts] so it can be as ‘va-beautiful’ as it ‘va-can’

So let me get this straight, she’s also bedazzled her lady parts? Va-Really? Poolside sparkly bits… only in LA. I guess that’s one way to get a message across. Personally, I am over this whole “shock value” thing. I don’t see how this is going to help women at all or increase pap smear awareness. This is obviously a stunt move and not really meant to be an educational tool for women.

Thanks Kathy… now paps are going to be nicknamed cannon balls or something… or marco polos because maybe the medical professional will have trouble locating your junk… BAH! Cue horrible mental image.

So what was I doing in the past 15 months? Freelancing, building my resume and contacts, working retail, cruising the internet, trying to blog, attempting a move to Los Angeles, figuring out what I wanted… and trying to do it all with a smile, but trust me, I was feeling low.

As my sister said, good thing I came equipped with good coping mechanisms because I had all the ingredients to plunge into a depression spiral. People were usually quite surprised at my upbeat attitude and lighthearted impression I generally exuded about my job hunt. My response to this? What else was I suppose to do? Sit around and mope? Go, “woe is me!” ? There were (are) hundred of thousands of other people in my position and getting down about my situation wasn’t going to get me anywhere so I had no choice but to take it one day at a time and stay positive (it was hard, and didn’t always go this way).

So now that I landed a real, fulltime, salaried position what can I say to those who are still in my recently vacated position of unemployment?

1. Looking for a job can be a fulltime gig in itself. The job hunt can be long and exhausting. It helps to set goals about how many jobs you want to apply for in a day, week. And take breaks– step back and get some perspective.

2. Take it one day at a time. No need to dwell on past rejections. If you get some constructive criticism (ie, after an interview, on your resume) take it and approve upon yourself. Each day can bring a new opportunity so keep thinking ahead.

3. Utilize all possible resources. Work every connection you have. Use alumni networks to help you get your foot in the door. Offer to take informational meetings and interviews. And since this is how I got my job, don’t be afraid to use a staffing agency– they can have access to jobs not even publicly listed and they are advocates on your behalf.

4. Think about what makes you happy. Take time to figure out what you would really like out of a job. This can help focus your job hunt and give you ideas about where you see your career going. It can also be the inspiration for a blog, twitter, youtube channel… etc… something to help build and diversify your online resume.

5. Rethink your resume. Let others look at your resume. Take suggestions. Keep your resume to 1 page, especially being a young professional. Think about it from an HR perspective– how can you make the most out of your space in terms of organization, descriptions, etc. Once I revamped my resume to a better format with targeted, meaningful bullet points, I started getting way more interviews and compliments on my resume.

6. Don’t overthink your interviews. There is such a thing as over preparing. I’ve found interviews go much better when I don’t prepare talking points beforehand but rather speak more naturally and at-the-moment. This helps make the interview flow more like a conversation and definitely made me more relaxed.

7. Follow up! Followup.followup.followup! If you liked the company and want the position, be persistent. Keep your name on their mind.

More tips? Post below. Hope they help and happy hunting!

Let me preface by saying I am a girl who has utilized Craigslist many a time. Like that time I needed a bed so I bought that $50 one from some random Russian girl in Allston/Brighton. And then that time I needed someone with a truck to help me move said bed so I made a listing on Craigslist and after unreliable responses, just said screw it and rented a U-haul…

Right so, I have been using Craigslist in my continued job search and I must say, I hate it. I do have standards when using it. For example, if the listing doesn’t give the company name, forget it. If the posting is like two sentences, forget it. If they try to provide funny copy that just sounds really dumb, forget it. It helps if they give an actual email address instead of the one supplied by Craigslist. All of these stipulations aside, I have actually used Craigslists and I have gotten some interviews. A phone interview here or response email there.

However, my use of this outlet in my job search has somewhat dwindled after I applied for one specific “Digital Communications/PR” position. So the listing didn’t really have anything written about the company (I know, I was going against my code), but I thought I would give it a shot. I did in fact receive an email from a guy in response to my “application,” he sent me a few questions as a sort of screener interview before they actually starting bringing people in to interview them. Fine. That makes sense. He stated that he had attached additional info on the company– this was not so. Naturally, I responded asking for said information. Nothing. I googled them. Barely anything.. a website that was under construction. Now, if you claim to “digital” or involved in “social media” and when I google you, there is nothing, then we have a problem. I’m sorry but one lame twitter account does not count.

Now some people, when confronted with unsatisfied job posting take to that very same platform to voice their opinions.. like so:

But Craigslist has kinda let me down on the real job front but it is AWESOME for the fake/ridiculous jobs and thus it has become my form of entertainment (see above… or below). There are just so many characters on Craigslist– and not just under the jobs section. “Gigs” is a fun and one must not overlook “Strictly Platonic.”

I like:

Craigslist, your job legitimacy is questionable but hey, I’ll let you know the next time I need a bed…

You can log on to the KFC Website and see the countdown is on for the April 12th arrival of the “sandwich” composed of two fried chicken patties enveloping two pieces of bacon, cheese and special sauce.

Have you heard of the website, this is why you’re fat? Well America, this is why you’re fat. From the makers of the 700 calorie KFC Mashed Potato Bowl.. another reason to be fat.

How is this good PR for a company.. unless you just want people to talk about you– good or bad. But with shows like Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and serious obesity issues in this country.. again I ask, KFC, how do you sleep at night?!

I do, in fact, have a Foursquare account. Every now and then I get email saying, “So and so wants to be your friend on Foursquare”. But I will never use Foursquare.

Location-based services (LBS) confuse me. I don’t understand the need for people to know my whereabouts at all times. I don’t understand the draw. Why would I care to be “mayor” of someplace?

I recently read this Read Write Web article that said LBS will bring in $12.7 bill by 2014. Really? The article brings up a few interesting points including the privacy issues. But they ask, is it hype or a hit?

In my opinion–
Twitter asked: What are you doing?
Isn’t that enough? Can’t I say I am going to this store, that restaurant on twitter and that be enough? Can’t I send you a text if I really need to tell you my EXACT location.

I do think that LBS in the context of large events, like SXSW, is pretty cool. Both Foursquare and Gowalla have introduced features to facilitate use (see techcrunch article Sidebar: I would LOVE to go to SXSW.) However, in my everyday, average life, I feel no need for this.

If someone would care to shed some light on this topic, defend their love for Foursquare, convince me to join, I would be more than happy to hear this person out. Until then, I don’t want people to see that I would be the mayor of the Crest Hill Starbucks because that’s where I go everyday because I live in the lame suburbs and am unemployed. Yeah, no thanks.

***Update (4/15/10): So much Foursquare talk in the past few weeks, my head is spinning. Can I clarify? I think Foursquare could be huge in terms of marketing possibilities. Just a few weeks ago I saw a sign outside the Scholastic Store in Soho saying, “Check in here on foursquare and receive 15% off your purchase.” That’s not the only place doing it. Still, I’m not sold on my personal use.

Then came the fateful day, March 5th, that Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien) decided to follow on person at random on Twitter, that person being, Ms. Killen.

Suddenly @LovelyButton went from having 3 followers to a current folllowing of nearly 20,000. In a Popeater interview, Killen shares her thoughts on this situation and how it has changed her life– from a wedding dress, a Mac computer, and charitable donations, Killen has gained notoriety as the solitary person Conan is following.

So here’s Conan, a respected and trusted guy; he follows this girl and people– out of interest, curiosity, hilarity– decide to follow her too. Just goes to show the sort of pull that a thought leader can hold. Maybe in a few days or weeks, people will forget about this, maybe some will unfollow her but the impact of one trusted, “famous” person (celebrity or otherwise) cannot be denied.

Here’s looking at you, Killen. Live it up, while you can.

The trend this spring (beside jade and nautical inspiration)? Would definitely have to be an interactive website. This is something new but for fashion, I would say it is a different direction.

First let’s take a look at Diesel.

Diesel’s new campaign centers around the phrase “Be Stupid.” Now, I’m no really into this whole theme; however they have created a cool feature on their landing page, basically resembling those refrigerator poetry magnets.

They scrambled up words from phrases in their promo video and the user can assemble them to create their ‘be stupid’ phrase to be read back to them.

I loved hearing the automated voice say: Regret-free Anal Risks, Stupid Hangover. (sometimes, I’m inappropriate)

I’m not sure how this is going to help Diesel sell clothes but it sure kept me on the website longer than I ever thought I would be browsing it.

Next, take a look at the Wrangler Blue Bell Collection

Now this is awesome– a way to display the designs and engage the consumer. You can unzip, disrobe, throw and drag this attractive male until your heart’s content. (See below, gradual lose of shirt).

Any other cool interactive fashion websites? Please post below!

When useless, superficial junk becomes news. Too often I find myself asking: Seriously, this is news? Is this necessary?

What triggered this post was a segment of the WGN morning news that highlighted a few excerpts from the website Texts from Last Night (TFLN).

This was not some report on TFLN; it was simply an anchor reading about 3 or 4 of the “more appropriate” posted texts on the site.

Really?! I know you’re the more “wacky and fun” morning news crews, WGN, but if I wanted to hear some TFLN, I would simply go to the website and read them myself. Are you going to read some FML posts tomorrow?

I don’t under how this stuff makes it into the news? Can someone maybe enlighten me?

It’s like this recent tweet from Roger Ebert sums up my current feeling:

@ebertchicago: Actual HuffPost headline: “Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake Wear Hats, Cuddle.” No, I won’t give you the damn link.

You know, I don’t mind celebrity news. I read it. And obviously some time this stuff has traction to be in mainstream media, not just gossip blogs. But, when the news cycle is strictly reporting the affairs of Jon and Kate Gosselin or Tiger Woods, I get pretty annoyed, and I’m sure most well-minded Americans feel the same.

I’m not asking for hard news all the time– soft pieces are needed, I understand, but please, media, don’t make me feel like my mind is turning to mush.

I think this is truly a great way to connect people and share ideas and opportunities.

So, now here I am, sharing a bit more about myself.

In the year since I’ve graduated, I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want from a career.

I learned I have to be passionate about the clients for which I work.

I actually really enjoy writing.

I thrive in creative environments. I don’t see myself sitting behind a desk for the entirety of my career.

I tried the West Coast but found out my heart belongs back East.

I have an entrepreneurial spirit.

I have undeniable energy and determination to boot.

There is always more to be learned, especially in the landscape of today’s media and technology. I am not afraid to admit I don’t know it all but am ready and willing to learn.

Like what you see? What to learn more?

Check out the PDF of my Resume:
Resume_KMWather

OR

Find me on Twitter @kmwrather or drop me a line at kmwrather[at] gmail[dot]com

This is Man. This is Woman.
Clean. Artistic. Fashionable.

Black and White Photos. Old Foreign Film-esque Video. Good Copy. I am a fan of all of these.

For a company who I once only associated with the FCUK wordplay (read: FCUK in/on/with (insert bordering risque quip)), I’m quite impressed with this new branding choice.

My one critique is that you lose some of the nice aesthetic when you switch over to the USA site, namely “The Pick” section which highlights parts of the collection.

While on the site, be sure to click on their blog Manifesto

There are some blogs which subscribing to and reading within your reader is just fine. Others, like Manifesto, deserve to be seen in their original, intended form. Forgetting its content (which I LOVE), the design of Manifesto is what grabbed my attention first. I’m crazy about the typography, the graphics. love.love.LOVE

To quote the “About”

Men have lost the ungentle art of manliness. The man in the street doesn’t know what to bring to a knife fight. He gets nervous around large fish. He can’t tie a full Windsor. It’s time to man up.

A taste of the magic to come with the posts. So, DESIGN AND CONTENT QUALITY.

Well done, French Connection.

Now please make some sort of blog for the lasses!