Work vs. School

Trying to juggle work and school is a big issue for many students. In many cases, students must work in order to pay for their higher education. According to Working Students: What Higher Education Needs to Know, “Working at least part time is a reality for most of the new majority students, who make up 75 percent of the undergraduate population at U.S. colleges and universities”. There is also the large percentage of students reentering college after being a part of the business world for quite some time. California State University says that 20% of their students are 25 years old or older. For that large percentage, they may not be able to give up their job or are in fear of not being able to get it back once their higher education is accomplished. For all of you working and going to school, there are a few tips that might help you get through it. Hopefully these will help you get through this hectic time in your life!

• Don't try to do both full-time.
  -This one is hard for a lot of us, especially those coming back into the college world. It is true that one of the two is going to suffer when you try to do everything, because, unfortunately time is limited. Looking into scholarships might be the solution to cutting down the work hours; or if you must work full-time to keep your job, go to school part-time. This may take longer, but you'll learn and retain more when you have time to study.
• Manage your time wisely.
  -It's amazing how much you can fit into one day when you plan it out in advance. Often, time is wasted merely because you didn't plan on having any left over at the end of the day. One way to avoid wasting precious extra time is to get a day planner or palm pilot to keep your day organized. Bring your homework to certain appointments that may end earlier than planned; that extra time is great for getting a little more homework done.
• Inform you employer.
  -If you're going to commit to going to school, you need to let your boss know. In many cases, employers will encourage you to go to school and some assist you with tuition reimbursement. According to the article, America’s Smartest Companies, “A 2004 report found that 85 percent of companies with 20 or more employees offer some sort of reimbursement for educational pursuits. The journal Workforce Management estimated that employers spent $10 billion on such programs in 2003 in the United States alone.” With those statistics, it’s more than likely that your company does offer some type of assistance, and you should take advantage of that. In addition, you may have times when school is overwhelming and your work may be suffering. If this is ever the case, your boss should know why.


• Stay committed.
  -Going to school and getting a degree is the best thing you can do for yourself. It can open many doors of opportunity. In Oregon in 2006, 22.8% of jobs were only available to those with an Associates degree or higher. Of course, in many cases, the higher paying jobs require more education and experience. Nothing worthwhile is easy, and a little hard work will take you a long way!

While your situation may seem dreaded from the start, this is just one chaotic part of you life that will soon be over. While taking classes full-time generally takes 4 years, you can earn your bachelors degree part-time within 5 years. So, if time is an issue, only one additional year will allow you to focus a little more time on work. Either way you decide is best for you, if you follow through and commit yourself you will receive plenty of reward in the end.

Hopefully these tips can help you get through this period in your life.

Comment on this blog! We want to hear what you think or share your experiences with us.

by Emily Martin

The Business Shrink

Dressing for the Job You Want

Everyone has heard the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Unfortunately, no one seems to listen to those words of wisdom. Because of this, what you wear each day can be closely related to how you feel about yourself, as well as how others see you. Each day, you should look through your wardrobe, and find clothes the show how you want to be seen by others. There are a few dressing stereotypes you should always try to stay away from at work. Hopefully, if you steer away from these styles you will be seen solely for your talents and personality, instead of what you are wearing.

The Sloppy Dresser: Those who wear stained, wrinkled, or mismatched clothing give people the impression they don't care about their appearance or impression on anyone.

The Skimpy Dresser: We all know them, those girls that wear the shortest, tightest, and most revealing clothes they can find. The biggest thing those clothes represent is a lack of self-confidence, and you definitely want to steer clear of these outfits, especially at work.

The Athletic Dresser: Those wearing sweat pants and work-out gear all the time, whether they're working out or going to work. While sweats may be comfortable, they are not the proper attire for every-day life, and not the workplace either.

The Goth Dresser: People who wear a lot of black, fishnets, and/or spike jewelry. A lot of different stereotypes can come with wearing this type of clothing, and they are just about all negative.

Those are the main styles to avoid for work attire. While drab or casual dressing isn't appropriate for every day at work, once in a while shouldn't hurt. Casual Fridays are implemented in some companies to allow their employees an appropriate time for casual style. We know everyone has their days when they want to stay in the background, and drab dressing is appropriate occasionally. However, you do not want to slow your career path by falling too far into the background. As long as you follow these dressing guidelines you should be able to focus on your career without worrying about unfair impressions causing roadblocks.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions about dressing for work, feel free to leave a comment.

by Emily Martin

The Business Shrink

Dealing with stress in college

College life is stressful. Midterms, finals, class projects, and papers tend to stress students out. The stress also comes from the “millions” of things that students do outside college life such as work and hanging out with friends or family. Dr. Sara Maggitti, the Cabrini College director of Counseling Services said, "There are many sources of stress for college students. Some of the most common sources of stress are academics, financial strain, and interpersonal relationships among many others."

In many case it’s hard to define stress, Hans Selye, a doctor in endocrinology, defined stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change".

American Institute of Stress (AIS) reports that “75 to 90 percent of the visits made to primary care physicians result from stress or stress related disorders.” The AIS list 50 common signs and symptoms of stress, here the top 10 of that list:

1.  Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or
     pain

2.  Gritting, grinding teeth

3.  Stuttering or stammering

4.  Tremors, trembling of lips, hands

5.  Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms

6.  Light headedness, faintness, dizziness

7.  Ringing, buzzing or popping sounds

8.  Frequent blushing, sweating

9.  Cold or sweaty hands, feet

10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing

Here are some tips for coping with stress:

• Manage your time
• Get organized
• Find a good, stressless environment where you can go to relax
• Get plenty of sleep
• Find distraction between tasks
• Find a balance between your social life and academic demand
• Exercise
• Listen music
• Eat healthy
• Talk to a health professional

When you feel like you are stressed, you need to think about changing one of your habits in order to overcome the stress, either sleep more, exercising or getting more organized. Taking a breather between tasks is always a good stress reliever, especially if you can find that non-threatening environment.

If you have any suggestions about coping with stress any questions feel free to leave a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Topics you shouldn’t talk about at work.

Some issues cannot be discussing at work simply because they don’t belong in the work environment. That doesn’t mean it’s forbidden to talk about those topics at all, merely that work is not the time or place for certain topics. On one hand, it depends on your work environment. Some workplaces are more flexible than others. On the other hand it depends on your co-workers, because some are sensitive to certain issues, and it’s better to avoid those. Here is the topic you shouldn’t discuss at work:

Personal Problems

Talking about your family is a good start when you try to build friendship with your co-workers; however, family problems shouldn’t be talked about. This includes problems with your family, significant others, or your health problems. Remember, it’s not your co-workers responsibility to support you with your personal issues. Your problems can have an impact at your workplace and your productivity. Your manager could think that your personal problem is affecting your work. Down the road this can definitely affect the way you advance in your career.

Sexuality

Your sex life should be private, you shouldn’t be talking about it at work. It’s no one else’s business, and many people don’t want to hear about it. Sexuality is another topic that can make someone uncomfortable.

Religion

Faith is very personal, at your workplace you may not necessary find people who have the same faith you do. In most companies you can find people from many different religions. This topic can be controversial, because some people will disagree with your religious beliefs and that can create unnecessary tension in the office. That’s why it is important to comprehend and respect others workmates’ religion. The article in Moster.com, “Understand Different Religions at Work” by Dan Woog gives some facts to understand your workmates’ religion.

Politics

Socializing with your workmate involve talking about other things than work. Politics is another topic that should be avoided in discussions mainly during the election period. Work is not a place where you have to win your co-worker in your party. Politics can cause division among workmates because people support different political parties or candidates. Lewis Maltby, president of the National Work Rights Institute in Princeton, N.J. said “You can be fired for political expression off-duty or on-duty.” There are some limits concerning politics at work.

Personal problems, sexuality, religion and politics are the main topics that you shouldn’t talk about at work, mainly to avoid uncomfortable situations or disagreements. At work we develop relationships with others, most of the time it happens with people we have some common connections with, and perhaps it will be better to talk about some of these topics with these. If you don’t know someone avoid discussing personal problems, sexuality, religion or politics; you’ll just be asking for issues.

If you have any suggestions about issues avoid discussing at work, feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Single mother in college: managing family, school and work.

 

Being a full-time student and mother is not the easiest task for a student. The mother has to face different responsibilities than most students, including balancing school, family, and work with the goal of finishing school while keeping up with everything.In order to make it and get the degree, these women must fight against the odds.

Therefore, single mothers have to:

• Set goals
• Be organized
• Have an excellent time management
• Good Childcare

Some problems and difficulties single mothers may face are:

• Money, which is the main problem
• They can’t be involve in the different activities on campus
• They don’t socialize with other because of a lack of time
• They may have to miss work or school if their child is sick

Money is the main problem for single mothers; in fact, they have to manage their time for work and school. Most often they can’t work at all or only work part time to pay school and take care of the family. Some of the solutions to face the economic problem are to find financial aids available for single mothers at the college or university they are attending. They can also do a free scholarship search online at www.fastweb.com or check with their public list of local scholarship available for single mothers in college.

Some of the grants and work study available are:

• The Pell Grant,
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity (SEO) Grant,
• Federal Work Study,

Some of the student loan programs are:

• Perkins Loan Program,
• Stafford Loan Program,

To apply for any of those grants or loans you need consult a counselor and your school to make sure that you meet all the requirements for the application. For some mothers, those scholarships, grants or loans are solutions to help pay for their education without relying on private loans with much higher interest.

If you have any additional solutions for single mothers in college handling family, school and work, or if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Benefits of Internships

There are some obvious advantages to obtaining an internship in your career field. Not only do they provide necessary experience in your chosen field while you're in school, they also allow you to keep your school schedule at the top of your priorities. In addition to those obvious advantages, there are several others to consider when deciding whether to look into getting a job, work study, or internship. The following are the main advantages of internships:

Apply new class materials to work situations.

Build more knowledge about general work functions in your specific field.

Realize whether particular field is right for you.

Investigate organizational cultures.

Learn career-related skills.

Enable you to work alongside a professional in your chosen career area.

Give you the opportunity to practice your communication and teamwork skills.

Identify transferable skills.

Strengthen written and oral skills.

Find out what it's like to work in a business environment.

Enhance and strengthen your resume.

Start networking.

Connect college and work experience.

Stimulate new interest in academic course work and frequently develop an interdisciplinary perspective.

Gain an increased awareness of skills, attributes, personal qualities and values.

Develop confidence in your particular field.

Provide evidence that you have initiative, are reliable and have a sense of responsibility.

Possibility of full-time job offer once internship is over.

Example from: http://content.monstertrak.monster.com/resources/archive/internships/matter/

"Eugenia Sozzi, a 21-year-old senior at the Catholic University of America, majoring in human resource management, says her recently completed internship at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, DC, "Gave me many opportunities to test and refine my skills." She spent her summer creating, implementing and managing a new internship program for the organization.

As a visionary, she says, 'I had to create a program from scratch, setting down its foundations through a mission and vision statement and creating the core aspects of the program accompanied by the supporting details. As a saleswoman, I needed to sell this program to the supervisors and directors who had better things to be doing than supporting this program and even allocating resources to it.'

Now, Sozzi says she can demonstrate her leadership talents to future employers, her ability to work well with different types of people and her skills in seeing projects through from start to finish."

The experience and skills that Sozzi developed during her internship will be vital to her continuation in this career path, and she will have a step up above those who were not able to benefit from internships. As you can see, there are many advantages to utilizing the internship system while it's available to you. I applied and obtained an internship position during my Junior in college and was offered a full time job once the internship was over. So, I know from experience that internships are definitely worth your time if you get the opportunity.

If you have any questions or concerns about the benefits of internships feel free to comment.

Emily Martin, Intern at The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

The different types of job interviews

The hiring process consists of more than the one-on-one interview. Here is a list of all the different types of interviews and what they consist of.

1) The screening interview:

A method used by employers to select the candidates with the minimal skills and experience requirement for the job position. The Human Resources will go over resumes and cover letter to find contradicted exaggerated information. At this stage the recruiters will decide which candidates are going to be contacted.

2) The phone interview:

Another type of screening interview, human resources calls potential candidates to check the resume and cover letter information. The interview will be judging the interest of the candidate for the position. At the end of the conversation the recruiter may conclude the conversation with scheduling a one-on-one interview. The goal of the phone interview is to get that face to face interview. The site collegegrad.com gives tips for the telephone interview preparation such as “Keep all of your employer research materials within easy reach of your phone. Have a notepad available to take notes.”

3) One-on-one interview:

At this point the main goal of recruiter during the one-on-one interview is to make sure that you fit in the organization. You are going to present or sell yourself to a company’s and show how you can fulfill their needs. At the interview you need to assure the company that you have the skills and motivation to be the right candidate. During the interview process there are some Do’s and Don’ts you need to be aware of. For example, “arrive 10 minutes early at your interview” and “don't act as though you would take any job or you are desperate for employment.”

4) Lunch Interview

This process is merely a one-on-one interview which takes place during lunch. You should apply the same rules for an office interview to the lunch interview. The only difference with the office interview you are in a more causal environment for the interview. “Choose a small, light meal” and “do not drink alcohol during your lunch interview” are tips for the job interview.

5) Stress interview

This is when recruiters do everything to stress out the candidate during the interview by asking many questions or with the non verbal strategy (such as long silence). Employers want to see how you hold yourself around stress by trying to demoralize you. In a stress interview it’s important for the candidate to remain calm.

6) Committee interview

The candidate will have the interview not only with one person in the company but with several people who will take part in the hiring decision. The rule of this type of interview the same even if you have to speak more than one person. The Ten Interviewing Rules by Monster.com can be applicable to the committee interview.

7) Group interview

Employers conduct an interview in groups. Recruiters attempt in a group interview to discover the leadership abilities of some candidates as well as see how they react in public. The group interview is done in an open discussion with the candidate. Employers will be watching how candidates act and stand out among the others.

No matter what type of job interview a candidate has, either phone, one-on-one, lunch or group, you should respect the main rules of any interview “be prepared” “listen” “answer the question asked” “ask questions” and “follow up.” Remember, your final goal is to get the job first. If you have any experience or suggestions about the different types of job interviews feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Illegal questions asked at a job interview

There are questions that employers should not ask at the job interview, because they are illegal. Those questions are related to:

• Age
• Race
• Birthplace
• Sex
• Religion
• Disability
• Nationality
• Family and marital status

If you are asked about any of these subjects during an interview, with the intention to discriminate, you can file a claim of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Some recruiters ask illegal questions in innocence, because they are unaware of the laws regarding unrelated interview questions. Therefore, just because you are asked a question about one of the above subjects does not necessarily mean the employer’s intention is to discriminate. Also, you need to make sure the “illegal” question asked was not related to the job before you file a claim with the EEOC.

The hiring decisions made by an employer should not be based on anything personal that is not directly job-related, but in many cases employers will avoid the illegal interview questions by using legal alternative questions. For example, instead of asking “How old are you?” recruiters may ask “Are you over the age of 18?”, or instead of “Are you a US citizen?” they may inquire “Are you authorized to work in the United States?” Instead of asking “Are you married or how many children do you have?” they may ask “Do you have responsibilities or commitments that will prevent you from meeting specified work schedules?” As you can see, employers have tricky ways to get around the illegal questions, and you should be ready to answer these questions.

What should you do if you are asked an illegal question?

There are three ways to approach these questions:

• Answer the question. You can simply answer the question, but be aware that you are giving information probably not related to your job.
• Refuse to answer the question. You may notify the recruiter that the question is not related to the job. If you really want the job, it may not be in your best interest to tell the employer straight, “That question is illegal”, but you may simply say, "I'm sorry, but with all due respect, I don't see how that question is relevant to the position for which I am interviewing.”
• Do not answer the question straight, but answer indirectly to the meaning behind the question. Do this with tact and in a smart way. Ronald L. Krannich Ph.D, in his article, 38 Illegal, Sensitive, and Stupid Interview Questions...and How to Respond, said, “Do not be afraid to inject humor into your replies; it can sometimes relax the formality of the situation. Also, don't be afraid of a little confrontation, especially when you know you are correct. You might respond: "That's a (great) (strange) (different) question. No one has ever asked me that before. Why did you?”

One thing you should remember in a job interview is that the questions asked must be related to the job you are applying. In fact, the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states, “Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.”

If you have any suggestions about handling illegal questions asked at a job interview or if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Tips for Your First Job

So you just graduated college and you're about to start your first job. You don't really know what to expect, and, of course, you're nervous, excited, overwhelmed or maybe a little bit of everything. Everyone has to go through this step and there are ways to make it a terrible first day, and there are definitely ways to make it a great first day. Let's try to help you achieve the latter. Remember, you only get one first impression; so you want to be your best on your first day! Here's a few tips that might help you enjoy your first day of your new job.

1. Be on time. Timeliness is very important in the business world, and it looks very irresponsible to be late on your first day.
   -"If you have any attendance/punctuality issues in the first few days or weeks, you've already lost a significant battle -- their confidence in you." says Russell, a 2001 psychology grad from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.


2. Dress conservatively and according to company policy. No flashy or revealing clothing should be worn at work. It can give you the wrong reputation and it's just not the time or place for trendier clothing.


3. Watch what you say and do. As said above, first impressions last, don't make yours a negative one.


4. Be a team player. You're a beginning, so don't try to be a "know-it-all", and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.


5. Try to learn coworkers' names quickly. There's nothing more uncomfortable than having to ask for their names over and over again. Write them down if you have to, because it shows that you care.


6. Take initiative. If you finish the work you are given, ask what else you can do. You want to show you're hardworking and motivated; they're trying to see how much you can handle, so impress them.


7. Steer away from gossip. You don't want to be associated with the office gossip if at all possible.
   -Magennis agrees: "Stay out of the office politics for as long as possible," he says. "It's inevitable that you will be exposed to them sooner or later, and you will most likely participate in them as well as it's human nature. But stay out of the game for the first few months."


8. Personal problems are not for work. Don't make personal problems work problems; try to keep them separate to avoid additional conflict.

If you keep these tips in mind once you start your first job you should have a better chance at making a great first impression. Just use common sense while interacting with your boss and coworkers and you should do just fine.

If you have any additional tips or questions feel free to leave a comment!

Emily Martin, Intern at The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

Conflict resolutions at work

Conflicts with friends, relatives, coworkers and classmates are to be expected. If your job requires you to work with a team, you are more likely to face conflict. In general, conflict at work is inevitable if you deal with difficult managers, coworkers or clients who drive you crazy. Judith A. Cook, PhD and Carol A. Petersen, M.Ed define conflict in the article Managing Conflict with Customers and Co-workers as “a state of disagreement or opposition between two or more person regarding ideas, interests, needs, values, or wishes.” Dealing with difficult people at work tends to generate more tension and contribute to conflicts. No matter the nature of the conflict, it is important to find a solution to resolve it. Here are some crucial points to fix issues that arise at work:

1. Handle the conflict when it’s still hot. Do it as soon as possible.
2. Identify the consequences of the conflict for you, your coworkers and the company.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask your co-workers if you have done something that made them angry. Discuss the issue in order to understand each other’s point of view.
4. Don’t communicate by the phone or through emails. If you want to solve a problem it is better to talk about it face to face.
5. Apologize for what you have done wrong.

The website cooping.org notes some behaviors to manage conflict such as “Use ``I'' statements” in order to express your feeling to you co-worker, or “Speak calmly, coolly and rationally and be honest.”

What if all of this doesn’t work? To answer this question Alexander Kjerulf an expert on happiness at work said, “There is no guarantee that the method described here will resolve your conflict at work. It may or it may not. But even if it doesn’t work you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve tried. You have risen above the conflict for a while and tried to address it positively and constructively. No one can ask more of you.” There is nothing wrong with having different opinions from your managers or coworkers; it’s most important to resolve the problem diplomatically, and to find a compromise.

If you have any solution about resolving conflict at work or if you have any questions feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Work Study

While scholarships and loans are the best known ways of paying for your education, there is a very popular third option for students to consider, work study. Work study is a financial aid program where the student can work and earn money toward their college education. Similar to scholarships and some loans, you do have to qualify for work study, and, at most schools, just because you are awarded work study does not mean you will automatically have a work study job available to you. Once you have been awarded work study you must then apply for the jobs that you feel best suit your talents. Most jobs will be located on campus; however, some schools do have contracts or understandings with certain employers off-campus.

If you are interested in pursuing a work study job as a way of paying for your education there are a few things you should know. Like any financial aid program, there are both benefits and deterrents to work study.

Benefits

• Flexible hours


• Understanding employers, school is always a priority


• Experience in your career field


• Income does not effect your financial aid eligibility in future years


• Employer becomes possible reference


• Earn money while learning


• Develop work ethic


• Begin networking


• In most cases, low commute time

Deterrents

• Usually low pay, for example click here.


• You cannot earn above your Work Study award amount


• Work study positions don't always allow you to work during breaks


• You may not be able to find a job


• You have to go through a general interview process


• You have less time for social or academic activities

When you compare the benefits and deterrents it seems that utilizing work study would be more beneficial than not. However, if you already have a job it's another story. Because most work study jobs aren't paying the "big bucks", if you currently have a good paying job, you should probably stick with what you've got. The main advantage work study has over better paying jobs would be that it provides experience in your field. If that experience is worth the pay cut then the work study option would be worth trying; it all depends on your current priorities.

I had a work study job for a short time, when I was planning to go into theatre. I worked on building the set for the next play, Underpants. While I did learn some valuable skills for that field, I felt like my time was being wasted. Because I had a much better paying job at the time, I was losing money by taking the work study job. When paying for college, work study is a helpful, but slow process, and sometimes you can't afford it.

If you have any questions or additional information to share about work study feel free to leave a comment!

Emily Martin, Intern at The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

Dealing with difficult people

In order to communicate with tact and skill with difficult people, you need to know what type of person they are. Here are the most commonly known difficult people types and tips on how to deal with them.

• The Know-It Alls: They have to know everything about everything and nine out ten times they are right. When they’re wrong, they get defensive. Tom Terez, an international consultant and frequent speaker on organizational performance suggests “Avoid directly challenging a know-it-all's facts or interpretation of the facts. Instead, try posing a question that can open her thinking.”

• The Passives: Passive behavior is illustrated by the desire to avoid conflict and please everyone. The passives don’t like to face problems; they are most of the time too pleasant or too eager. Dr Tony Fiore, a psychologist gives tips to cope with passive behavior, “Be on guard and don't trust what the person says or commits to. Use assertive communication skills to let a person know how what they do affect you and makes you feel.”

• The Complainers: Things are never right for them, they complain about everything. In the article, How to deal with a complainer?, Tristan Loo, an expert in conflict resolution, says “Listen to their concerns, empathize with them, and ask them what they would like you to do.”

• The "Yes" People: They want to satisfy everyone so that they never say no. The “yes” people are pleaser who promise and never deliver. They want to be loved, and that is why they agree to anything. You cannot really trust the “yes” people.

Remember when you deal with these people, either the know it-alls, passives, complainer or yes people, you need to be zen, take a break from them. If these people get on your nerves just let your anger go. As well, don’t try to change them, because you will just spend your time for nothing.

If you have any suggestions about dealing with difficult people feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Educational Loans

School is a very expensive investment, and not everyone qualifies for grants or scholarships to pay for it. If you find yourself in that dilemma, Educational loans might be the direction you need to go. Unfortunately, student loans have to be repaid after graduation, with interest. If so, there are a few things you should know, in order to make the right decision about which loan you should apply for, as well as the loan process in general.

First of all, there are three major types of educational loans with different advantages and disadvantages, as well as a fourth which helps you simplify all your loan payments into one.

1. Student loans are federal government loans with low interest rates and don't require a credit check.
   
   -The Stafford loan is the main government student loan. Can be either subsidized, which means the government pays interest while you're in school, or unsubsidized, which means the student has to pay back everything including interest after graduation. For new Stafford loans disbursed after July 1, 2006, the current interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. For Stafford loans disbursed between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 2006 the interest is 6.62% in-school and 7.22% after graduation. The repayment period begins 6 months after graduation and is generally spread out over a 10 year pay-period.
   
   -The Perkins loan is for those with exceptional financial needs, and is the best loan offered. The government pays interest while the student is in school, as well as a 9-month grace period after graduation. There are no additional fees and the interest rate is fixed at 5%.
   
   
2. Parent loans, now called Plus loans, are available to parents who's student's financial aid package was not enough to cover school. It is an unsubsidized loan with a 8.5% fixed interest rate, as well as 4% loan fees which are deducted from each disbursement. Repayment begins 60 days after full disbursement and it has 10 year payment terms as well.
   
   
3. Private Education loans or Alternative Education loans are somewhat of a last resort if student loans do not cover your education costs. Qualification for The Private Education loan is based on your credit score. It tends to cost more than those the federal governments offers, because the interest rates are variable and usually much higher.
   
   
4. Consolidation loans basically help you put all previous loans into one more simplified payment plan. If you have a mix of student, parent, or private loans, a consolidation loan lets you consolidate all those loans into one payment to one lender. In some cases you can lower your interest rates as well.
   

As you can see, if loans are a resource you must use, the student loans are the best available, specifically the Perkins loans. If you can manage to pay through student loans and other resources, it is much more beneficial than utilizing Parent and Private loans because of the higher interest rates and inconvenient repayment terms. Scholarships and grants should definitely be considered before resorting to loans for educational costs.

If you have any additional tips or resources to share, or if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comments.

Emily Martin, Intern at The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

What are the dos and don’ts at a workplace?

The way you behave or interact with you boss and other employees reflects how others think and feel about you. Here are some important do and don’t you should be aware of at a workplace.

Dos at work:

• Arrive on time at meetings to show your consideration and respect for other people
• If someone has an appointment with you, and you are running late, you need to inform the person that you will be late
• Be nice and polite when meeting and greeting people.
• Use your colleagues name in conversations that demonstrate you’re interested in them.
• Listen effectively. Pay attention to what is said, and remember the important points.
• Join a conversation only if you have been invites and if you have something to contribute.
• Dress professionally and appropriately when you are at work. Remember to be treated like a professional; you must look like a professional.
• Be careful about what you say.
• Respect other people’s privacy in the workplace. Knock before you enter a work area, and ask whether it is a convenient time to talk. If the other person is on the phone when you arrive, you can leave a note saying you need to talk when his or her time permits.
• Take responsibility when problems arise that are your fault—the mark of an honest person.
• Respect the deadlines given by your boss, also when you say that you will do something try to honor your words.
• Return messages quickly. Return phone calls and e-mail within 24 hours.
• Use “Please” and “Thank you” when you need something.

Don’ts at work:

• Talk about your problem to others, you are not the only to have problems. Work is not where you should talk about what is going on in your life.

• Leave your cell phone on, at least leave it on silence.
• Brag about your accomplishments. The workplace requires you to stand up for yourself without appearing self-centered
• Dress too casual, dressy or revealing, avoid trendy or flashy clothes, just remain conservative
• Speak too loud, soft or rapid. Don’t be annoying.
• Spread gossip, avoid gossipers. My coach used to say: “Those who talk to you about others will also talk about you to others."
• Call in Sick if you are not.
• Steal Office Supplies or anything else from your workplace

Your behavior at work can explain why your colleague may give you “etiquette.” Those examples of dos and don’ts vary from place to place, but most of them are applicable to all types of work environments.

If you had additional tips or thoughts on workplace dos and don’ts, feel free to leave a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

The best way to learn a foreign language

 Everyone tends to take a foreign language class in college, use language software like Rosetta Stone, or even listen to Language CD-ROMs, but online language courses are not strongly recommended if you want to learn another language. Besides these techniques, the best ways to learn a foreign language would be: get a tutor, become an exchange student in that country, be an “au pair” or teach English in a foreign country.

1 - Craigslist is a great source of information to look for tutoring in your area. Get on Craigslist and post an ad looking for a tutor. It is so easy to find one or post your ad.

2 - “Au Pair” is to live with a host family in a foreign country. This is difference from being an exchange student, because the “au pair” helps the family with housework or childcare and, most of the time, he or she receives a small allowance.  The International Au Pair Association lists on their website, www.iapa.org, 152 au pair agencies, which works with 40 counties around the world.

3 -  Becoming an exchange student is another good possibility to assist you in learning a foreign language. Some universities offer studying abroad for a semester. If that is not available to you, there are a couple of student exchange organizations to look into, such as ASSE, and International Students Exchange Programs (ISEP), “a network of 275 colleges and universities in 39 countries cooperating to provide affordable access to international education for a diverse student population.”

4 - Teaching English abroad or volunteering abroad are great opportunities to learn the host country’s language while you are working or volunteering. www.globaltesol.com and Transitions Abroad propose teaching, volunteering or internships overseas.

Learning a foreign language is better when you are in contact or immerged with native speakers. You can learn the language either with a tutor, being an exchange student or an “au pair” and teach English in a foreign country.

If you have tried one of these solutions, tell us which one works the best for you and why, or if you have additional techniques for learning any foreign language, feel free to make comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Dealing with Dorming Dilemmas

Going to college is a new and exciting experience, but there are some issues that every student living on-campus will have to deal with. Learning to live with someone new is definitely at the top of that list, because everyone has a certain way of doing things. In order to make transitions from home more comfortable, there are certain precautions that students can take.

• First of all, most schools have different dorms to satisfy different students’ wants and needs. You should get information about each in order to find out which best suits you. Going with whatever dorm they assign you can cause a lot of issues once you move in.


• Get informed about your dorm's rules and regulations before you get there. Don't just assume you can bring everything that will make you feel more at home.


• Get to know your roommates beforehand. Try to find out about them, what they like and dislike, to make sure the match will work out before you move in.


• You no longer have a "maid" (mother) to take care of your laundry and food; therefore, you will need to set responsibilities. For example, one person agrees to clean the bathroom as long as the other person will keep the kitchen clean; or you will alternate grocery buying every week. (These responsibilities will vary depending on how much space you have.)


• Everyone needs to have boundaries. Even if you're dorming with your best friend, you will need to set space and personal boundaries. No one likes a "snoop" or a "space hog". Also, let your roomies know what they can borrow and what's "hands-off". The more communication the better.

Even when you "lay down the law" problems are bound to come up. Miscommunication is usually the cause of most dorming problems; that's why you must make responsibilities and boundaries clear to one another from the beginning. One college grad shares a good example of how roommates can miscommunicate:

When Allison went to college, a bunch of girls decided to get a house together. They were all friends, and it seemed everything would work out fine. One of the girl's parents paid for all of her share, and this is where the problem began. Because she didn't have to pay for anything, she wanted to get the best of everything. She wanted the heat on high when it was cold, the best food brands, the best toiletries, etc. Of course, because everyone's "sharing,” she wants everyone else to pay an equal share of everything she "needs.” Since everyone else was paying for their own school and living expenses, they obviously couldn't afford everything she wanted.

Now that we have the problem, there are a few different ways to deal with it.

1. They could tell her to find somewhere else to live, because they can't afford her high priced "necessities".


2. They could sit down with her and explain how they feel about the situation; figure out a reasonable compromise.


3. They could complain amongst themselves about how ridiculous she is.

In Allison’s situation, they utilized the second solution by talking with her about the problem. They made it clear to her they could not afford to spend like she wanted to, and they came to the understanding that she would buy non-necessities on her one, while they continued to share the responsibility of buying all house necessities.

What do you think they should've done?

If you are, or ever have been, in a situation like this one, or if you have any additional tips or comments about dorming, feel free to leave us a comment!

Emily Martin, Intern at
The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

The best websites to find a job when you are a college graduate

Everyone knows the Internet is a great resource to look for jobs. . Now, the question is which websites are the best. Most of the search engines require signing up, then you have the opportunity to post your resume and apply for the jobs online. You may find information, tips and tools about interviews or information about companies.

• There are popular web sites such as www.monster.com. Millions of people visit their website, because Monster has thousands of national and international employment opportunities.

• Another popular website is yahoo hot jobs, which has a college jobs browser http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-College

• Career builder has a link on its website dedicated to college students, http://www.careerbuildercollege.com. You can look for full or part time jobs and internships.

• http://www.collegerecruiter.com proposes internships for college students and entry level jobs for recent grads.

• www.indeed.com is a search engine for jobs where you can access jobs from different websites. On indeed.com you find jobs from monster, Diversity-Jobs, or even jobs from companies or organizations’ websites.

• Craigslist can be a great source to find a job, because you can search by location and category.

• The social networking websites, such as LinkedIn or Viadeo, are another way to find a job. These sites are not job searches, but by networking and making connection with people you can create job opportunities. You never know!

• Your local Chamber of Commerce could be great resources to find a job as well.

CNN recently posted the list of the 100 best companies to work for, and that information could be helpful to you, in finding a first job. Check out the websites of these good companies, and see what jobs they offer.

Are you a college student or recent grads, if you find a job through any of these resources or have additional resources to add feel free to make a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Choosing a College

Once you’ve decided to go to college, the next big step is finding which one is right for you. There are a lot of things to consider when trying to find the right college, including: degrees offered, location, cost, size, as well as the percentage of students that actually complete their education at each school. If the percentage is low, there's a good chance they're doing something wrong, and they're probably not the best choice for you. There are a few good online sites that can help you search for the "perfect" school, and they include:

• CollegeBoard
  
  
• CollegeView
  


• Peterson's
  


• CollegeNet
  


• AnyCollege.com
  


• US College Search

Once you have narrowed your search to a few possible schools it is best to go to each school website to find additional information. Most schools have a lot of tools for prospective students on their site including: online applications and information request links, scholarship and tuition information, campus visit information, online tours, etc. Each school wants you to choose them, so utilize the tools they offer.

While all these tools are helpful, there are two ways to get all the information you need. The first is visiting the campus, because you can see if the school is really like the brochures tell it. While this may be helpful, it can be expensive and sometimes unrealistic, especially if you are planning going to school a long way from home. For example, if you live in California and are thinking about Harvard it would be very difficult to go and check the school out in person. The second way is by talking with current or former students. In most cases, students will be honest with you about their opinion of their school, with their likes and dislikes, class sizes, quality of professors, etc. Sometimes the schools will give you the option of getting in touch with a current student, and when that opportunity is presented you should definitely take it!

If you have any thoughts on how to find the right college, or have other college resources you'd like to share, please leave us a comment!

Emily Martin, Intern at
The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

The fundamentals before, during and after the interview

Contrary to what many people think, the job interview process is not just what happens during the interview. There are some guidelines to respect before and after the interview.

Before the Interview

• Rule number one; put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. In order to have a good interview, it is important to know what the interviewer thinks and have an idea about the questions the interviewer might ask. The goal of the interviewer is to hire the best candidate, which means the person who will fit into the organization and stay in the company for a long period of time. Don’t forget, the interviewer will judge the applicant’s capacity to do the work.

• Take the time to prepare an answer to the most common interview questions, such as “tell me more about you,” “Why should I hire you?” or “what are you strengths and weaknesses?”

• Before the interview you need to conduct research to find information about the company. www.vault.com is a great website where jobseekers can find information about companies.

• Take the time to prepare informed and intelligent questions you will ask during the interview. That will show that you research the company.

During the interview

• Use specific examples from your past job experience or from your academic achievements to demonstrate your accomplishments.

• As a rule, the interviewer will ask at the conclusion of the interview “do you have any questions?” Use this opportunity to ask questions to find out more information about the company and the position. The questions you should ask the interviewer could be “What are the company’s values?” or “What can you tell me about the individual to whom I would report?”

• During the interview process there are some Do’s and Don’ts you need to be aware of. For Examples, arrive 10 minutes early at your interview or “Don't act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.”

After the interview (“follow up”)

• It is recommended to send a thank you letter or note. Write the interviewer a letter expressing your appreciation and interests in the position.
• Do not forget to notify your references about the interview, so they will be prepared if the company contacts them.

If you have any suggestions about what should be done, before, during, and after, the job interview or if you have any additional tips for the interview process feel free to leave a comment.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Finding Scholarships

You’ve decided to go to college, you’ve picked your school, and you’re ready to go. There’s only one remaining detail. How are you going to pay for school? Most of you may not realize how many scholarships are available, if only you would apply for them. There are many helpful resources online, as well, that can narrow your search to what you are looking for. Some of the better scholarships searching sites include:

-FastWeb!

-Scholarships.com

-CareerandColleges.com

-FindingTuition.com

If you’re not very savvy with the internet, here are a few more ways to find the right scholarship:

-Visit your high school counselor or college resource center to research any local or school-specific scholarships
-Check out scholarship reference books in a library or bookstore; make sure you locate the most current edition.
-If you attend or are thinking of attending a specific college, visit that school's website or call their admission's office to determine if they offer any scholarships.
-Be community-minded: does your church, bank, or other civic organization offer scholarships?

If you’re a senior in high school, you should start applying for scholarships as soon as possible after January 1st. The biggest mistake you can make is waiting too long to get started. If you don’t have your scholarship applications ready at the deadlines, there’s a pretty good chance hundreds or even thousands of other students’ applications ARE ready. Most scholarships require the following materials:

-Scholarship Application—Basic biographical information, and sometimes responses to short-answer questions. Follow the instructions given on the sheet; therefore, do not write in green ink if black ink is requested.

-Personal Statement—Possibly the most important part of your application, you must set yourself apart from other applicants and show the selector why you are the perfect candidate for their scholarship. It is called a “personal” statement; therefore, you should not rewrite information they already have. Show them who you are and what you want to do with your life. Make them want to give you an opportunity.

-Letters of Recommendation—Letters should come from professors who are familiar not only with your academic abilities, but also with your personal interests and background, and how those relate to your potential success. According to one foundation, "Letters from people who know you well are far more valuable than letters from well-known people who know you less well and who might write, at best, a form-like letter."

-Transcripts—In the academic world, there are two types of transcripts: unofficial and official. An unofficial transcript is a listing of coursework and grades similar to the printout available from facts. Unofficial transcripts are normally acceptable only for campus-based scholarships and awards. An official transcript is printed by the Office of the Registrar on official paper and includes the seal of the university and the signature of the Registrar. DO NOT SEND AN UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT IF AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT IS REQUESTED.

-Resume—Briefly describe activities that are not self-explanatory, and (where appropriate)describe the impact you made in each role. Your activities should represent your varied talents and passions outside the classroom.

It is best to apply for as many scholarships as possible, because every little bit counts. Do not count on one scholarship to be “the one”, because chances are you’re not the only “perfect” candidate for that scholarship. If you prepare all the necessary materials correctly, and take time to apply for A LOT of appropriate scholarships, you’ll be on your way to paying for college in no time.

If you have any thoughts on how to write a successful college application or have other scholarship resources you'd like to share, please leave us a comment!

Emily Martin, Intern at
The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

Coping with Culture

You do not have to be from another country to feel the cultural differences at school, but those feelings of cultural disassociation are even more apparent for international students. If you are an international student, you will find some obvious differences between your home and the new place you find yourself in, such as: the climate, the language, the food, the education system and even relationships. Nothing seems the same.

“Extreme homesickness”, “depression” or “losses of ability to work or study effectively” are just some of the symptoms of culture shock. It is the realization that your familiar and “safe” surroundings are no longer that; and if these symptoms persist, your problems could become much more than suffering grades or an unwillingness to participate in your new surroundings.

In order to cope with the culture shock. at school, it is important to:
- Get involved in the different activities proposed by the University such as becoming a member of a club offered through the university. These clubs feature other students with the same interests you have, create a social atmosphere for you to explore new friendships, and provide an alternative to simply going back and forth from your dorm room or apartment to the campus. Remain active while you are at school.

- Make some new friends. As an international student, American friends are beneficial because they will allow you to further develop your English skills while learning more about American culture. You can also make friends with other international students who are experiencing the same difficulties and problems you are going through.

- Be open. In fact, many things will be different from your culture. Don’t judge and label things as “right,” “wrong,” “good,” or “bad” too quickly. For example, before judging that a certain food will taste bad because of the way it looks, be curious and give it a try. You might like it.

- Be Patient in everything that you do. With time you will get use to the culture and find yourself assimilating, relating and understanding.

- Respect the golden rule: Treat Others as You Would like to Be Treated. Put yourself into other people shoes and accept the idea that they may also be misunderstanding you.





If you face a culture shock feel free to tell us what your symptoms are and tell us what other strategies you use to handle the cultural differences.


Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

College: The Management Side of Socializing

Moving into a new place, state, or even country, can create immediate social interaction withdrawals. Also known as college life. Relocation is not for everybody, it’s mentally and emotionally draining. Leaving your parents and friends is a huge step for a young adult. But if you can persevere and make the move; get settled, and start meeting people.

Almost everyone around you has relocated to some extent (unless they have always lived on campus, or are commuting), so don’t feel like you’re alone. Campuses offer organizations and clubs to assist you in meeting people. Take advantage of this.

Although this article seems to be about meeting new people, it isn’t. The focus of the article is how to manage your time once you’ve established yourself in groups, clubs, and organizations. If you haven’t done it yet, this might seem irrelevant. If you have done it, you know what I’m talking about.


Sabrina Youmans, a learning specialist at UCLA stated, "I remember being really angry at my high school for leaving me so under-prepared for the demands of college. Then if you look at the student athlete profile, there are so many time demands. Personal time is squashed down into almost nothing, and it puts that really oppressive schedule on somebody who has increased academic demands. It means a difficult transition."

(This quote comes from a very similar article posted in The Princeton Review focuses mainly on the rigors of college-athletes. The idea is the same.)

My experience in collegiate involvement is from a sports background. I played football in the fall, baseball in the winter/spring. This was tough. When I had free time, I wanted to relax. But…when I relaxed, I needed to study. Hence, I developed time management skills.

Time management sounds tedious and restricting. It is. Here’s a tip for you: the rest of your successful life will revolve around time management. Learn it and master it.

Set a schedule and stay with it. However, when you set this schedule, you need to set some ‘relaxing’ time for yourself. If you do this, you can get things done with the intentions of getting to your ‘relax’ time. (If I study for one hour, I will finish right in time for my favorite show).

When you’re involved in the college life, time management seems to be difficult because of your ever-changing schedule. Keep your priorities a priority, and enjoy yourself in the extra time.

Clubs and organizations tend to be time consuming at the most inopportune times (finals week, 3 tests in one day, etc). If you take care of your ‘school’ side of college when it’s convenient (early), it’s easier to enjoy your extra-curricular activities.

All of this probably sounds like a familiar lecture from your family and friends but there is a reason… Everyone that has told you this has experienced both sides of time management. It is easier to learn from others, rather than learn it for yourself (especially when you’re investing thousands of dollars in your education).

To wrap it up, schedules are boring but necessary. Learn how to take care of yourself, so you can have time to spend with others. What are some stories of bad time management, a.k.a. procrastination that you have learned from? What are some of the ways you cope with managing your personal time and social life.

Intern #1
Knowledge is power

Are Online Classes for You?

So you have a busy schedule, but you want to get ahead. You may have seen plenty of commercials or online ads telling you how easy and convenient online classes are. And while you’re tempted to follow the hype, you know they are just trying to sell a product, just like a box of cereal or a car insurance plan. How do you know if online classes will work for you? Here are some of my personal and researched experiences, both negative and positive, with campus classes and online classes. While personal schedules and interests may guide your decision, these facts may shed some light on which program is right for YOU.

First of all, online classes are not for everyone; they are best suited for self-motivated people. If you lack motivation to get into your online classroom to do your work, it may not be the best choice for you. Let’s look at some personal experiences along with researched pros and cons. Please note that the personal observations will vary from student to student.



Additional Views of Online Programs





A comparison of the two shows that online programs have what campus programs lack, and vice versa. If you want to have personal relationships with fellow students, and want to have conversations with your teacher, campus programs are probably the best fit. However, if you have a full-time job, and just want to get to a better place in your career, online programs might work better.

Personally, I like the convenience of online classes, because I have a full-time job With two online courses, I feel like I’m learning a lot. Also, the personal side of campus classes is appealing, so I take a night course at a Park University campus to fulfill that need. The discussion and lectures really help me understand the topics we’re learning.

Both options of learning provide benefits to the student. The only question is, what is right for you?

If you have an opinion about online or campus programs, feel free to tell us what you think or share your own experiences.

Emily Martin, Intern at
The Business Shrink: Understanding the psychology of business and money.

Choosing a major in College

Before we graduate from college we all have to think about what we are going to do. College is about getting an education and choosing a major to prepare you for your future career path. Thinking about a major is an important step that all students have to go through.

Choosing a major when you start college doesn’t mean you will stick with it. The reality is that a lot of students change majors several times when they are in college; and others have one or two majors or even minors.

To know what you are going to major in, you need to think about your general interests, what you like and don’t like. If you have no idea, there are some Career Assessment tests available either online or at school to help guide you in your choice.

Here are some resources where you can find information about your major:
- The school catalogue always contains great information about each major and the classes required.
- The career department of your school can give you information about the major that best fits your needs for most careers.
- Alumnae can be a great a resource. Talking with someone who graduated with the major you are interested in gives you a better understanding of what you can do and what opportunities are available after you graduate.
- The Professors and advisors, even classmates of upperclassmen can guide you in the choice of your major.
- Parents can be another valuable resource.
- Professional Associations may be a great place to find information about the industry and field you want to get in. For example, a communication major could visit the Web site for the National Communication Association.


All these resources will help you gather information and think about what you really want to major in. There are many resources available. It just takes a little creativity and outgoing attitude on your part to find them. If you have others suggestions or have found some great resources to share, feel free to make some comments.

Aigline, The Business Shrink Intern
The Business Shrink: Understanding the Psychology of Business and Money

Interviewing: The First Impression, Lasts

Interviewing: The First Impression, Lasts
Written By: Intern 1

If you are unfortunate enough to have gone through a professional interview, I’m sure you remember every detail. You remember how worried you were about your posture, your sweating, “Can he see that I’m sweating? Am I talking too much?”

Here’s your first tip: It’s only as bad as you make it.

I believe that you can take the stress out of interview through mental preparation. Here’s the mindset you need to have when you approach the interview-- The interviewer has interviewed a dozen times. He understands my pressure. He was actually, at one time, in the exact same position that I’m in right now. He’s another person, not a super-human. I’m going to show him that I’m qualified, and then it’s his decision to hire me or not!

Tip number 2: Show confidence and Enthusiasm (regardless if you’re faking it).

Show your “future employer” that you’re ready to go with a firm handshake confident eye contact (but don’t give him a death-stare). This concept is re-iterated in the Ten Interviewing Rules by Monster.com. Approach the situation with a win-win attitude. "If he doesn’t hire me, it’s his loss. If he does hire me, it is my obligation to show that I deserved the spot." Picture this mock interview in your head.

Job Description- Communication

Candidate #1- College degree in the related field with a prior internship in the related field. She meekly knocks on the door, and enters with her head down. She doesn’t say anything, approaches the interviewer, gives a limp handshake, and sits down.

Candidate #2- One year of college experience, with a prior job in manual labor. He approaches the door and gives a firm knock. As the interviewer gives permission to enter, he walks in, stands tall, and offers his hand before the interviewer can stand up. He makes eye contact, smiles, and introduces himself.

So if you’re picturing this interview, who do you hire? Please post your comments, and share some of your personal experiences.

Intern #1
Knowledge is Power
http://www.thebusinessshrink.com/

Interview: Follow Up and Stand Out

Interview: Follow Up and Stand Out
Written By: Intern #1

So, you just left the interview of a lifetime. You shake the interviewers hand, smile, and walk out confidently. As you’re leaving the building, you notice the never-ending line waiting to get a shot at YOUR perfect job…and it hits you. You realize regardless of your impression on the boss, he’s jumping right into another interview, and then another. You continue to think, ‘There’s no way he will remember me’. What do you do? What do, you do??

Go home, take out the business card from the employer (remember to ask for one, this shows your interest level in the company), and start your follow up letter.

Professional recruiter and sales trainer, David Nassief, states, “Following up after the interview separates the amateurs from the pros. The amateurs don't do it the pros do. How do you follow up like a pro? http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/intfollowup.htm” First you decide how to send the follow up letter. E-mail, snail mail, or fax. My suggestion is e-mail. You know how fast the letter will get to him, and it will give him an easy option to respond to you.


What to include in the follow up:
- First you want to thank him/her for their time. Their time is valuable, recognize it.
- Explain your interest in the company; let them know that they are important. Also explain how you will be a good fit within their company.
- Include another copy of your resume’ and contact information to allow them quick access to your info.
- Close the letter by letting him/her know that you look forward to their call or response. (Make sure this doesn’t come off too pushy)

--What the follow up does--
1. It reiterates your interest and your professionalism.
2. It gives you a chance to show your education level through proper grammar and verbiage.
3. It shows that you’re prompt. Don’t wait two days to show interest in a job you interviewed for today.

After this is all said and done, you’re still not finished. If you haven’t received a response within 5-7 days, it is acceptable to make a follow up call. Through this call, continue to express your interest in the job, but you can also ask how the process is coming along. The business has the responsibility to inform you where they stand.

This process has worked well for me, but what are some suggestions and tips that you may have. ( I won’t suggest this to anyone…but I have heard a story of someone sending a new shoe to a employer with a note that read “This is the only way I could get my foot in the door) Any other good stories?

Intern #1
Knowledge is Power
http://www.thebusinessshrink.com/

College: To Attend or not Attend- That is the Question

College: To attend or not attend- That is the Question




Looking at this, you’re probably thinking you’re about to get drilled (or applauded) on your decision to attend college.

…but, instead this is intended to provoke some success stories, as well as inform each other on the big decision that is… GOING TO COLLEGE.

If you’re like me, you went to college because you are supposed to, not because you want to. You just escape high school and you want to be done with note-taking and homework. But, if you ARE like me, you have seen the benefits of the decision. Yes, I’ve graduated college and I’m in debt, big time. BUT…it’s starting to pay off already.


You hear all the time about people that were successful that didn’t attend a higher learning institute. This is very possible, and we applaud those who do. From my knowledge, this is what you need if you want to skip college and make money.

You need a plan. Setting goals for yourself is the only way to measure your success. You also have to be devoted to your plan. As in all facets of life, things never happen like they’re supposed to. Deal with it and move on. You may have to change your approach to stay on track, but stay with it.

“You can do anything if you put your mind to it.” We’ve all heard it, and we’ve all questioned it. It’s true to an extent. I can’t jump high enough to touch the moon, but I can work harder, to jump higher. Be prepared, for the best and the worst, because times could get rough and you need a plan to stay on track.

Now for my thoughts on attending a college and/or a trade school.

Get your money’s worth. When you graduate, even if you don’t, you have a lot of money that you owe somebody: make it worth it. You don’t always use what you’ve learned in your post-education job, but there are several things you can take from college, instead of formulas and procedures.

Be social. Meet as many people as you can, and try to maintain that relationship. You may need them some day. This is a huge benefit of going to college. Use it.

Go to class. It’s difficult to wake up for that early class, but it’s a great practice for your post-education job. It also shows you’re devoted. It could change your grade from a C to a B if the professor sees your shiny face every day.

To wrap up my thoughts, I’ll start with this. Not everyone attends college, and that’s ok. Work hard at what you do, and you will see the results that you want. If you want to attend college, but don’t have the finances, there is financial aid available almost everywhere. Once again, work hard to find the money. As the graph above shows, it will eventually work hard for you.

Unless you have natural talent (musician, athlete, etc.), you will have to find a job and work the majority of your life. One way or another, you must be prepared.

Everyone’s experiences are different, what are some stories about your decision?

Intern #1
Knowledge is power

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