Happy Meals & Happy Employees

Last week, I went to the NIU PRSSA Al Walker Lecture. Steve Levigne, Vice President of U.S. Strategy and Insights for McDonald’s* (I hadn’t heard of them either) and fellow NIU alum gave a presentation on McD’s social media strategy. He gave several case studies (I love a good case study) and gave a great overview on where their strategy has been and where it is going.

And as much as I love case studies and as much as I wanted a shamrock shake the entire time he was talking, one thing he said really stuck with me in the question and answer portion.

A PRSSA member had an interview the following morning for a social media internship. She asked him what McD’s looked for in its tweeps: the team managing the McD Twitter account. Besides a background in social media (obviously), one of the major traits was positivity. Social media is definitely a place to keep your spirits up, as a poor attitude can be reflected in what you (a company, or even just one person) post. Fans (and friends) don’t log onto Facebook or Twitter to hear snarky** or negative comments.

Taking this a step further, I think every employer looks for positivity in the interviewees. The economy isn’t at its best (when can we stop saying that?), and companies are looking to hire people who will have high morale and smiles on their faces at the end of the day. I’ve learned a lot in my three years out of school. This list includes: always make a fresh pot of coffee if you take the last cup and those in the workforce are wearing more hats than they’d initially anticipated. I am one of those people, which is something you’ll never hear me complain about because I hate being bored. And though work can be tough and even overwhelming at times (at any job, for anyone), I’ve been reminding myself how lucky I am to have a job and to have health insurance and to show off my big, white, never-braced (you’re welcome, mom) smile.

If I were to give one piece of advice to someone going into an interview to get that job and to get that health insurance, it would be to smile and show the employer that you have the will and the confidence to better yourself and the organization.

*Disclaimer: I hardly ever call McDonald’s by its full name, but have adoringly nicknamed it “McD’s.” I realize that this is hardly an original nickname. However, being a fellow “Mc,” I feel I can call the chain pretty much whatever I want.

**Unless said snarky comment is absolutely hilarious. But that takes perfect execution, otherwise the comment is mean and awkward. For all parties involved.