Archive for January, 2008
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January 8, 2008
Getting a college degree online seemingly appears to be a very convenient way to gain further education without having to inconvenience your home life. An easier way to obtain an edge in the working world is by getting that online college degree that you’ve always wanted, without having to leave the comfort of your own home. All of this may very well be true, but there are a few things that a person should consider before becoming financially tethered to an online college or university.
Can you make the time?
Take a moment and evaluate how much free time you really have in your personal life. After tending to your work, house chores, possibly children, and making time just to relax, how much time do you have left to study and work on assignments? This involves hours reading which can be very time consuming.
How comfortable is “the comfort of your own home”?
Do you have the peace and quiet necessary to read and study? Are the people in your house (spouse, children, friends, etc.) willing to give you the time and space you need? More times than none, this is the biggest problem. Everyone around you might not be willing to put there life on hold for your betterment. This is a hard reality, but when you are at home, people will be tempted to confront you with home issues that will interfere with your studies. If you were in a classroom setting, this would not be a problem. Unless you are one of those individuals you can’t turn their cell phone off.
How credible is the online college degree you are pursuing?
There are now several online colleges to choose from, but how credible are they once earned? Will the college degree earned online hold any weight in the working world, or did I just put all this time and effort into a worthless piece of paper? You may want to research via online bulletin boards or websites. Even word of mouth to some extent. It’s not my place to tell you which online college is worthy, but rather to advise you to take the time to see if the college you select will get you the job that you want.
Can I afford the loan to get my education?
Certain online universities have government loan programs set up where you don’t have to pay back your loan if you complete your schooling. These sound great in theory, but what if you don’t complete your schooling and have to pay it back? They are usually very expensive and here’s the catch: Once you get the loan, the school gets paid in full. So they get their money no matter what, and you get stuck paying the government back the remainder of your loan for nothing in return. The online colleges are making a fortune off students under these circumstances. From information I gathered off of different online studies, the freshman dropout rate is over 25% higher for online students. The overall dropout rate is nearly equal that number.
What are the “pros” to online college degree courses?
Under most circumstances, people who say they don’t have the time to attend traditional college classes do so mainly because of family issues. Children involved and no sitter available. Unfortunately like I said earlier, the children can make it difficult to concentrate at home. I am not trying to discourage any parent in getting further education, but trying to prevent them in finding themselves in a hard financial situation because they couldn’t make it work for them. More than half the time, if you don’t have time to go to classes, you probably won’t have time to do them at home either. There have been many parents as well as other individuals who have made this work successfully though. These are just things to consider. A big convenience for most to online class is not having to partake in the social aspect of college. If you are an aging adult, sitting in class with pimple faced kids can be annoying. It can also be distracting hearing about all the parties and other gatherings that take place at school. If you have any health issues that make it difficult to leave the house, online college is a fantastic option.
I hope this knowledge has helped some of you in your decision making process. I have been fortunate enough to have an insider’s look at online colleges classes and ultimately I believe any education is good education. Your knowledge is the one thing nobody can take from you, I just want you to be sure that your newly acquired knowledge can be put to good use and benefit you and your future.
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January 8, 2008
Chances are you are pursuing an online degree to reap benefits in the workplace. For this reason, you may be interested in accelerating your progress to get your degree faster. This article will explain seven ways to finish your degree faster. Keep in mind that you will work harder to finish faster and must be willing to make this commitment.
Check with an admissions counselor to see if you qualify for the Credit for Life Experience Program (CLEP). Experience in the business world can translate into college credits with this program. You will have to show documentation of your work experience. The school will verify this experience to determine how it fits into your degree program in terms of college credit. The credits you receive from this program can shorten the time you spend earning your degree. This program isn’t offered at all schools or for all degree programs.
The Proficiency Exam Program (PEP) is similar to CLEP. This program allows students to earn college credit for independent study or other training received without college credit. You may have learned the subject matter in another forum and not need to take the class. You will have to show documentation and pass an exam to qualify for credits with PEP.
Many online universities offer shorter semesters. Some will give you the choice between six, eight and ten week semesters. Shorter semesters allow you to take more classes throughout the year. Keep in mind that these shorter semesters still carry the same requirements. The work load will be more intense, but the time period will be shorter. Be sure you have the time to devote before you choose shorter semesters. The pace is faster and you will need to work faster to keep up.
You can take more classes each semester. Even taking one additional class each semester can take a year off the time you will spend in school. You will have to make time for an additional class each semester, but you’ll finish faster. When you plan your classes, schedule a mixture of subjects you find easy with more difficult courses. This way, you won’t end up with all the subjects you find difficult at the end of your program.
Some online universities don’t require students take general education classes. Your program will focus entirely on your field of study. Often, this structure results in a shorter time spent earning the degree. If you plan to transfer your credits to another university, check before enrolling in the program to make sure the credits are transferable.
Saturday Scholars Programs are offered at many large universities. Students entering this program should hold an Associates degree before applying to the program. You travel to the university on Saturdays, usually from eight in the morning until five in the evening. These programs allow you to finish your degree in two years of Saturdays.
Self paced programs are offered through some online colleges. These classes can be started at any time and finished at your own pace. You can work through the material more quickly than is possible in the typical college semester. Quite a few of these programs set a minimum time you must take the course. Usually they require a six week minimum time frame for completion.
Katie Robbins a freelance writer for degreeclick.com, a web resource where she regularly publishes informative articles about online education. Some of the topics she covers include online universities, education master degrees and criminal justice degrees.
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January 8, 2008
Most of scholarship programs are opened for both genders, but there are many scholarships reserved exclusively for either male or female students. In fact, far more scholarships are available just for women than just for men. If you are a female student, don’t miss your chance to apply these scholarships which dedicated exclusive for you. Here are 5 resources to help you find these “Female only” scholarship programs.
Resource #1: America’s Junior Miss Scholarship (ajm.org)
This is a unique scholarship program which awards the scholarships as prizes and it is offered exclusive for female students. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a female student who have never married and must be a legal U.S citizen. There are over 200 colleges and universities offer this scholarship program, which award prizes with amount $1,000 to $40,000 to the winners.
Resource #2: AWIS Graduate Awards (fis.ncsu.edu)
Association for women in Science (AWIS) Education Foundation is the sponsor of this award. If you have enrolled into any Ph.D program in the fields of behavioral, engineering, life, physical or social science, and you are a female student who pursues your degree in United State’s university or college, then you are qualified to apply it. This scholarship will award you $300 to $1,000 if you manage to win it.
Resource #3: BPW Scholarship (bpwusa.org)
This scholarship is for women who returning to higher education for an undergraduate or graduate degree and demonstrated the need of financial assistance. You must be 25 years old or older to be eligible to apply this scholarship. This BPW scholarship money is sponsored by Business and Professional Women (BPW) Foundation. There are more than 200 awards allocated for this scholarship, you stay a good chance to win this scholarship if you meet all the eligibility criteria.
Resource #4: Pennsylvania Outstanding Young Woman Scholarships (poyw.com)
The scholarships are especially dedicated for Pennsylvania resident’s female high school students. Beside that, you must be a U.S citizen and never been married in order to qualify for application of this scholarship. The website provides a good and detail information that guide you on how to become the contestant. Remember to read the eligibility criteria and make sure you follow all the instructions to ensure you have the maximum chances of winning.
Resource #5: Society of Women Engineers Scholarships (swe.org)
For those female students who pursue computer science engineering degrees, don’t miss the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. It’s opened for high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students. But before you decide to apply, check whether your college is one of SWE approved colleges because only female students from the SWE approved colleges are eligible to apply. There are about 90 awards with scholarship money of $200 to $5,000 available for competition, so if you are qualified and follow the instruction and application requirement, you should stay a good chance to win this scholarship.
Summary
There are many scholarships dedicated for female students, if you are a female and looking for financial assistance to support your college study, above 5 resources can help to get started, but remember there are still many scholarships available for you to apply, you just need to put some efforts to search and find the scholarships that you have the best chance to win.
About the Author: Amelia Turner, an educational article writer for http://www.your-online-degree.info You can find more details information and free resources about online education, financial aids and other online degree
Published by
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January 7, 2008
The bad news about attending college is that it costs more than ever to attend. The College Board estimates the average four-year public college costs almost $5,000 per year to attend and a two-year public college is almost $2000. And that’s not counting the skyrocketing cost of textbooks or other class fees. The good news is there is more than $105 billion dollars available in student financial aid. Some of this money is available for free?in the form of college grants.
While there are many options to consider financing your college education, this article will discuss specifically grants for college.
The most common form of Federal grant money is the Pell Grant. The amount awarded is based on your financial need and it is for undergraduate study only. Pell Grants can be awarded to part-time students. The maximum amount of a Pell Grant is $3000 per year and it can be combined with other grants or financial aid.
Another common federal grant is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or SEOG. Like the Pell Grant, the SEOG is awarded based on financial need and is for undergraduate study. This grant can be combined with other school grants or financial aid, but the cap is $1000 per year.
Colleges and Universities often provide their own grants for students. The amount of the school grant varies, but they do take into consideration a number of factors in issuing these types of grants including: financial need, grades, merit or program of study. Please check with the college you’ve been accepted to for more information.
To be considered for any of these types of grants for college, you must complete a financial aid form known as the FAFSA. Your college will help you with this process and you can get information online. There are time deadlines in completing this application, so be sure to take that into consideration when planning your education.
Even though college costs are trending upward, there are many financial aid options for students. College grants are one of the best options since they don’t need to be repaid, however, not everyone qualifies for them. Complete a FAFSA application to determine whether you can qualify for a college grant.
www.top-colleges.com
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
About The Author: Max Stein is a freelance writer who writes about business, education and marketing. Contact him at maxstein_9@hotmail.com
Published by
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January 6, 2008
It is important to prepare thoroughly for your telephone interview.
Begin by studying the job description and the candidate profile. This will enable you to identify the company’s particular needs and demonstrate that you possess the skills required to meet them.
Find out all you can about the company’s products, services, history, and culture. Make a special effort to identify any areas where your skills and experience may be of particular value.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s website and be prepared to comment constructively upon it if asked.
Prepare a list matching your accomplishments to the company’s stated requirements. Keep this list in front of you during the interview and refer to it at every opportunity.
Specify and quantify your accomplishments, e.g. ‘increased sales by 35%’ or ‘reduced overheads by 27%’.
Interviewers are keen to hear about relevant challenges or problems you faced in the workplace, the specific actions you took, and the measurable results you achieved. They seek to identify key competencies such as communication skills, analytical skills, teamwork, drive and initiative. Be prepared to give examples of how and when you have demonstrated these key competencies.
To get the feel of being interviewed over the phone, compile a list of probable questions and ask a friend use them in a simulated phone interview. Prepare your answers carefully, using key words and phrases from the job description and candidate profile. Do not attempt to write out your answers in full or they will sound wooden and scripted.
Select a quiet place where you will not be disturbed during the phone call. Keep your resume and cover letter, a copy of the job advertisement, and your notes in front of you. Jot down key points throughout the course of the interview.
It is a good idea to stand during a telephone interview as this makes you sound more confident and helps project a positive and professional image.
Matching your speaking rate and pitch to that of the interviewer will help you to establish rapport.
Professional radio broadcasters can vouch for the fact that smiling creates a friendly and enthusiastic impression. So make an effort to smile appropriately during the call.
Since it is important to convey the impression that you are genuinely interested in the company and eager to make a contribution, refer to salient information you discovered during the course of your research.
Listen attentively to the interviewer’s questions and comments. Respond appropriately to verbal or tonal cues. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. Provide well-developed, balanced, and analytical answers. Avoid monosyllabic ‘yes’ and ‘no’ replies.
If asked to explain your reasons for leaving your previous job, make sure to have positive reasons prepared. Under no circumstances should you criticize your previous employers or colleagues. Having researched the company and analyzed the job description as suggested, you should find it easy to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer when afforded the opportunity.
At the end of the phone call, emphasize your interest in the job and the company and reiterate your qualifications. Stress that you would welcome the opportunity of a face-to-face interview.
After the interview, write a short thank-you letter.
Visit the author’s website at: http://www.assignmentsplus.com. Gerard McLoughlin, author of ‘Four Minutes To Interview Success’, has contributed career-related articles to hundreds of recruitment companies, websites and publications throughout the world, including: USA Today, JobBankUSA.com, US-Recruiters.com, etc.
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January 6, 2008
If only there were no questions involved in getting a job!
If you’ve been following NBC’s “The Apprentice,” you know who Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is. She’s had the honor of being fired by Donald Trump (and others, according to “People” magazine).
A while back, Omarosa claimed that one of the other contestants made a racial slur against her.
According to website opinion polls, only 10% of viewers believed Omarosa’s claim; 90% thought she was lying.
These poll results were showing BEFORE viewers of the April 15, 2004 episode saw Omarosa lie to members of her team, including her “boss.” It wasn’t a little white lie, it was a biggy.
And it had nothing to do with trying to win the game, because she’d already been fired from the competition. I won’t go into the details… talking about Omarosa could keep me busy for about 50 pages.
I believe that, despite Omarosa’s obvious intelligence, talent and skills, her decision to tell lies rather than take responsibility for her actions (or inactions) is going to ruin her career. It’s a real shame, because she has so much going for her. But her lying will be her undoing. And when she fails, she’s going to blame others. She reminds me of… uh-oh, I’m starting to get off on a tangent. Back to my point… don’t lie to employers… or potential employers!
Telling a little white lie when you “call in sick,” is one thing. Lying about your qualifications on your resume or during a job interview is quite another… do not do this, no matter how tempted you are! It will come back to haunt you!
When you’ve been struggling to find a new job, have you ever thought about:
Putting a friend’s name as your previous boss on the application?
Making something up about your experience so you’ll match the desired qualifications?
Exaggerating your education?
Saying you resigned from a job when you were really fired?
Failing to mention a little felony conviction from couple of years back?
Maybe the company in question is trusting, understaffed, or lazy and won’t do a background check. But are you willing to bet your career on that?
In this fiercely competitive job market, the temptation to lie in order to boost your chances of getting a job can be pretty strong.
But BECAUSE the job market is so tough, employers are getting tough, as well. Very few are now taking resumes and applications at face value.
Trust is nice, but when it comes to their hard-won personnel budget, ever-increasing demands for better customer service, and their sometimes-fragile reputations, companies are taking no chances with the people they hire.
No matter how desperate you are for work, lying is a bad idea.
Most employers will check your references (carefully), do a thorough background check, and find out about your “inaccuracies.”
Let’s say you “exaggerate” your qualifications on your resume. The employer is impressed and calls you in for an interview. She asks about your qualifications, and you must lie to back up your resume claims. She falls for it, fails to verify your references or background, and hires you.
Can you breathe a big sigh of relief? Nope. Now you have to back up your claims with your job performance. If you start to struggle, chances are good that you’ll start to lie again. Eventually people will get suspicious, and the background check will finally be done. You are busted!
But the sad story doesn’t end there. You lose your job and vow to never lie again. You correct your resume… but wait… what about that job you were just fired from? It only lasted a few months. Would leaving it off be lying? If you leave it off and are asked during an interview about that employment gap, what would you say? So you decide to include it on your resume. Then you’re asked in the interview why you left your previous job. Oh no! You tell them you left because it wasn’t the right fit. This company does check you out, and get the truth from your previous employer. Now they know you were fired. But worse, they know you lied about it. There go your chances for THAT job.
See the nasty snowball effect that lying can cause?
Don’t do it!
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
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January 6, 2008
Most job seekers know that an unprofessional appearance will count against them at an interview. Here are six MORE factors that can help you remain in the unemployment line:
(1) Being unprepared for the interview. Prepare, plan, and practice! In today’s tough job market, you MUST do everything you can to give yourself an edge… preparation is the key.
(2) Not being able to communicate clearly and effectively. This is important during the interview and on the job. Being nervous can really mess up your communication skills, so being well prepared and practicing what you’re going to say are always your best bet.
(3) Being aggressive, arrogant, or acting in a superior way. No one wants to hire or work with people who think they’re better than everyone else. Be careful with your attitude, even if you think you’re surrounded by incompetent fools. Being confident is good. Being an arrogant jerk is bad.
(4) Making excuses for failings. Your teacher never bought “The dog ate my homework!” and your boss isn’t going to buy “The finance department gave me the wrong figures!” In the grown-up world, you have to take responsibility for what you are responsible for! You’ll never earn respect by blaming others when things go wrong.
(5) Saying unfavorable things about previous employers. Even if you left a job because the boss was an egomaniac who took credit for all of your hard work, verbally abused you in front of others, and poisoned the plant on your desk, don’t say anything bad about him/her during an interview. When asked “Why did you leave your last job?” say something like “My manager and I both agreed that my advancement opportunities were limited there and obtaining another position was the best option for me and my career goals.”
(6) Having a poor/limp handshake. Why do people think you’ll be a lousy employee if you have a lousy handshake? That’s not really logical, is it? Doesn’t matter. It just turns people off and gives them a bad impression of you. So make your handshake firm and confident but not bone-crushing. (It’s not a competition to see who winces first!)
If you DON’T want to be unemployed, don’t let any of those traits apply to you!
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
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January 6, 2008
I received the following questions from a visitor to my website recently: “How should I respond to inappropriate questions such as: (1) Do you have a stable home life? (2) Tell me about your personal situation. Are these inappropriate questions? It has been so long since I interviewed for a job, your suggestions about the most helpful responses would be appreciated!”
Those are, indeed, inappropriate questions that should NOT be asked at an interview.
Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the questions a prospective employer can ask you. An employer’s questions - on the job application, in the interview, or during the testing process - must be related to the job for which you are applying.
That does not mean, however, that you will never be asked inappropriate questions. Some companies have poor HR support, some interviewers are untrained and unaware of inappropriate or illegal questions, and some even ask them knowing they should not.
You won’t have much chance of getting the job if you respond to such questions by saying, “Hey, that’s an inappropriate question. You can’t ask me that!”
So you have a few options. First, you can answer the question. Even if it’s inappropriate to ask, there’s nothing that says you can’t answer it. If you choose to do so, realize that you are giving information that is not job-related. You could harm your chances by giving the “wrong” answer.
Or you could respond with something like, “How would my answer to that question directly relate to my ability to perform in this position?” If you keep your tone non-confrontational, courteous and upbeat, they may realize they’ve goofed by asking such a question without getting upset at you for pointing out their mistake. Depending on how they respond, you may feel more comfortable answering.
The best strategy, I believe, is to figure out and address their TRUE CONCERN. When they ask something like, “Do you have a stable personal life?” they may be trying to protect themselves from a bad situation that they’ve had to deal with in the past (former employee whose personal problems interfered with his/her ability to do the job). So what they really want to know is, will YOU be a reliable employee who can be counted upon to show up and do your job effectively, regardless of any personal problems you may have.
So without directly answering their question, try to address their underlying concern. In this instance you might say, “My career is very important to me. I’m fully committed to performing at my highest level at all times, and don’t allow any kind of distractions to interfere with that. I’ll deliver the results you’re looking for.”
If you’re not sure what their true concern is, ask something like “Could you please rephrase or elaborate on your question? I want to make sure I address your concern.”
Please realize that many interviewers are untrained and therefore unaware that a question they might ask to break the ice — such as “Do you have any kids?” — is inappropriate. Yes, this question may be an attempt to determine if you have child-care issues that could interfere with your job… but it’s MORE likely that the interviewer is innocently trying to find something he/she has in common with you.
In the end, it’s basically a judgment call on your part. If you feel the interviewer has no legitimate reason to ask an inappropriate question, and you do not want to answer it, say “I’m sorry, but I don’t see how that has any relevance to my ability to do this job.” You might run the risk of losing the job, but if your gut instinct is telling you there’s something amiss, you wouldn’t want to work for that person anyway.
Here’s a list of some questions — the wrong way, and the right way, to obtain legitimate information:
Inappropriate: Are you a U.S. citizen?
OK: Are you authorized to work in the United States?
Inappropriate: How old are you?
OK: Are you over the age of 18?
Inappropriate: What’s your marital status? Do you have children?
OK: Would you be able and willing to work overtime as necessary?
Inappropriate: How much do you weigh? Do you have any disabilities?
OK: Are you able to perform the physical duties required in this job, with or without reasonable accommodations?
Inappropriate: Have you ever been arrested?
OK: Have you ever been convicted of _____? (The crime should be reasonably related to the performance of the job in question.)
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
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January 6, 2008
Maryann is so focused she’s blind. She’s slipped over the edge of responsibility and forgot the real reason she is working so hard. It’s for her daughter.
Being a single parent isn’t easy. Between working, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and homework, there isn’t much time left in the day. It’s a heavy burden to be the sole supporter of a young child. But when pressures and tensions are so great that harmful words spill out like bitter pills, isn’t it time to stop and take inventory?
“Clean your room or I’m gonna kill you!” “If you don’t do your homework right now, I’ll break your neck!” “Just leave me alone, I’ve had a rough day.”
These statements came from a woman who loves her daughter and she’s working hard to provide for her. If you asked Maryann, she’d say she would do anything in the world for her child. But why can’t she see that respectful communication conveys love more than a new pair of shoes ever will? And why does she have to be reminded to treat her child with respect?
Maryann isn’t alone. Life is frustrating. We’ve all heard parents, married, single or otherwise, speak to their children in anger. As adults, we’ve all rolled our eyes at the dramatic threats, knowing full well they have no intention of being carried out. But does a child know these are simply dumb words spoken in frustration? Does a child know that the violent threats of bodily harm are hollow?
Whether over the top displays of drama are blurted in anger, or merely used to snap a child to attention, the results are unhealthy and damaging.
When little Billy tells a classmate he is going to kill him over a broken crayon, where do you think he learned that response from? And in today’s climate, do you think anyone would consider it just an innocent statement from an innocent child? Billy would be sent to the principal’s office on the spot. And if not, he would certainty be called down after the victim of his harsh words went home and told his parents and they reported it to the school.
What happens when your child gets a little older and has a real problem? What if he needs to talk about drugs or alcohol? Or she has a problem in school, or a question about boys? Repeatedly belittling your child with angry words and intimidation will break down the barriers of communication long before you even reach this point. If you threaten to “kill” your child over a messy room, what would you do if she told you she was having sex?
Anger has a way of creating very colorful and exaggerated statements. Parents and caregivers need to make a concerted effort to remove these damaging phrases from their vocabulary by controlling anger. Save the drama for a time when it is really needed. On occasion, shocking statements do have a place in parenting, but used on a daily basis, they will only sever to create fear or simply numb your child to your words.
Search your vocabulary; are you unintentionally damaging the relationship you have with your child? Here are some steps to help you take control when you feel frustration and anger rise.
Take a deep breath, not from your chest, but pulling from your diaphragm. Slowly exhale. As you do this, picture your words evaporate into the air.
Lift your hand, palm out, in a stopping motion. This will indicate to your child that you need a moment and serve to remind you that you are stopping yourself from anger.
Calmly tell yourself to relax as you continue to breathe deeply.
Wait until you feel in control. When you speak, intentionally bring your voice down, not to a whisper, but to a soft, paced level.
Then logically explain the reason for your anger to your child, voiding threats and harsh criticism.
It’s okay to say you are disappointed or upset about a messy room or a bad grade, but focus on the problem and offer a solution or deliver a fair ultimatum.
If punishment is necessary, make it realistic. I don’t know of a single parent that took away television privileges from their child for the rest of their life.
Follow through on your words.
If you do get angry, offer your child an apology, not an excuse. Take blame for your actions.
Closely examine the situation that triggered your anger. Was it really your child? Is there an underlying factor? If so, what can you do to correct the situation or avoid it in the future?
Anger is a natural emotion. It can’t be completely controlled or removed from our lives, but you can change the way you handle things. In doing so, you gain an invaluable gift, a respectful relationship with your child. Healthy communication is a parent’s weapon against the outside world. A child should turn to his parent in times of trouble, not run away in fear.
About The Author: Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON’S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy’s magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children’s rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com pgatto@ptd.net
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January 6, 2008
These days, interviews don’t come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time — and go for it!
1. Investigate the company’s culture, markets, and finances. But resist the temptation to show off what you’ve researched: “I just read that you’re about to embark on a new product line”) unless you have a question directly related to your career.
2. Look like you belong. Learn the company’s dress code and err on the side of conservatism. When you’re seeking a senior position based on industry experience, you’ll be expected to know the rules without being told.
3. Take charge of the interview! The most successful interviews feel like friendly conversations. When your interviewer has an agenda (such as the infamous “stress interview”) stay relaxed. Think of playing a game.
4. Assume everyone you meet will provide feedback to the decision-maker. Some companies hand out comment forms to receptionists, security guards and potential peers who take you to lunch.
5. Communicate interest and enthusiasm, even if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit. You’ll rarely have all the facts until you’re looking at an offer.
6. Bring extra copies of your correspondence from this company as well as your resume, references, writing samples, portfolio and current business cards. Interviewers lose documents and conversations move in unexpected directions.
7. Create a relaxed, positive attitude by devising a realistic game plan. When your career isn’t riding on a single interview, you’ll have fun and make a confident, relaxed impression.
8. Write a thank you letter within forty-eight hours. Create a low-key sales letter, emphasizing how your qualifications match the company’s needs. Present yourself as a resource, not a supplicant.
9. After you write the letter, forget about the interview. Email or phone only if you’ve received a competing offer with a deadline.
Occasionally you may make points with follow-up mailings. A sports team public relations applicant sent puzzles, games and press releases — and she got the job. Use your intuition.
10. Keep notes of what you learned from the process. What worked? What would you do differently?
As soon as you begin your new job, develop a career plan and a safety net before you need one.
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., wrote Making the Big Move (New Harbinger 1999). She works with professionals who have seen the light and are ready to ditch their current career and start a second one. Website: http://www.cathygoodwin.com
