Get 10 Tips for a Standout Resume or discover 3 Sites That Could Score You a Job--check out Lindsey Pollak's collection of videos. They're free--and this girl has some fab advice!
And if you haven't checked out her Gen Y podcast, definitely give it a listen.
Speaking of videos for Gen Y, you'll also want to check out Why Gen Y Wants to Work With You, Not for You: A session at SXSW that was led by Ben Smithee, Elysa Rice, Nisha Chittal, Ryan Paugh, and Sydney Owen. More fabulous videos covering in-depth topics are at http://www.sxgeny.com.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Blog Finds for 20-somethings
This blog made the list of "100 Blogs That Should Be Required Reading In College" over at OnlineDegrees.net. Here are some of the other great finds on this valuable list:
- 20 Something Finance: Read this blog for posts about the worth of your degree, managing credit and debt, investment tips, and even retirement, so that you can start thinking about how you'll save after college.
- Grad Money Matters: This blog understands that you're well-educated but that you might need some extra help when it comes to PF.
- Lindsey Pollak: Lindsey Pollak is a career and workplace expert for Generation Y, and her site features videos, articles and more resources to help you establish yourself in the workforce.
- My Path: This career networking site also features a blog and videos about getting a job, retaining your edge, and more.
- On the Job: This is the blog for Anita Bruzzese's syndicated column. Recent posts include "How to Move from Temporary Work to a Full-Time Gig" and "5 Ways to Avoid Freaking Out About Networking."
- The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: If you're thinking about freelancing or managing your own creative career after college, read this blog from expert Michelle Goodman.
- Newly Corporate: Read Newly Corporate to get an idea of what your first entry-level job may be like.
- College Student Blog: This blog has information about growing careers, planning your job search, and living frugally.
- Sweet Careers: Read this blog for all kinds of tips about job search etiquette, career planning, interviewing, researching successful companies, and more.
- Career Rocketeer: Find practical and conceptual job advice on this blog.
- Entry Level Living: Learn about all kinds of entry-level work, including nonprofit jobs, entry-level jobs in New York City, and more.
- Career Rookie: Get advice for finding and landing jobs and internships here.
- College health guide: This resource on Revolution Health includes mental and sexual health tips and healthy living guides.
- Em & Lo: Sex, Love and Everything in Between: This blog for women has dating advice, sexual health news, funny stories, an advice column, and an ask the guys section.
- Life Optimizer: Find study tips, advice for staying positive and improving your focus here.
- You Already Know This Stuff: Get practical advice for finding success professionally and in your personal life.
- Imagine, Connect, Act: This is the blog for Idealist.org, the international volunteer project network.
- Hack College: Find lost Word documents, be productive during Spring Break and learn fun drinking games on this blog.
- The College Solution Blog: This blog covers a range of topics, from budgeting to college life, to doing better in class.
- My College Guide: Incoming freshmen and college students will find helpful tips for preparing for interviews, remembering your notes, dealing with stress and more.
- Say Campus Life: Recent posts here feature a guide to college majors, tips for spotting a scam school, and career tips.
- College and University Blog: Get higher education news, relationship advice, fitness tips and more.
- College Guide: Washington Monthly's blog keeps tabs on what's going on at schools around the country, and new trends in higher ed.
- Campus Grotto: Find money tips, job search information, campus trivia and more.
- ONE Campus Challenge: This blog tracks the competition between universities to see which student body "has the most effective global poverty-fighting campaign."
- College Candy: Find real-life stories, quizzes, relationship tips, money advice and more from this hilarious — and sometimes raunchy — blog.
- Life Without Pants: Learn effective, productive ways to live life according to your own rules.
- Quarterlives: Head to Quaterlives for entertainment, health, personal development and career news geared towards 20-somethings.
- Gradspot: Turn to Gradspot when you want to learn how to cook, move into a new home, write a resume or start a new workout routine.
- The Lemon Life: The Lemon Life is another post-grad website full of articles and resources about dating, working, and living on your own.
- Think Simple Now: In addition to some personal life stories, this blog has tips for reading faster, improving focus and more.
- The Happiness Project: Read this blog everyday to remind yourself of all the reasons to be calm, confident and happy.
- Graduated Learning: Life after college: Find tips on buying a house, saving money, using social media, and more.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tips for Acing Phone Interviews
If you've been offered a phone interview, there are a whole new set of rules to prepare for the interview. Here are a few tips for recent grads to ace their phone interviews.
It still counts as an interview. A phone inty is not any less important than a regular, in-person interview, so make sure you're on the ball. The interviewer is likely very busy and is using the convenience of a phone interview to quickly screen applicants. No reason not to shine! And when they can't see you, you may have some advantages.
Keep your resume in front of you. Just as you would bring your resume to a job interview with extra copies, you should have the same resume that the interviewer has. This will help you quickly refer to important highlights and keep the conversation moving. If the prospective employer references the "third bullet down" you'll know exactly what he or she is talking about.
Use a cheat sheet. You know how you are trying to visualize the bullet points of an interview response when you're in person? Now you don't have to! Keep a sheet with basic interview questions and some key points to compile your response. I would shy away from having a paragraph written and re-reading it, but if you jot down some key points of your answer (say, three strengths) you can save time and respond with a meaningful answer.
Sit in front of your computer. Let's say that the interviewer brings up something online--you'll be at the ready to check it out. I've had this happen (mostly in client meetings) when the other person wants to guide me through something or have me peek at their website. It may come in handy, so if you can have a computer ready that may be a good idea. Otherwise, be sure to jot down the URL so you can check out the site after you hang up.
Keep water close. In addition to having your resume available and some interview answers handy, it's good to keep a bottle of water close by. If your voice gets scratchy, just take a sip. I advise against a super hot beverage because you don't want to scald your tongue during an interview (imagine what that may sound like!) Also, tissues are a good thing to have handy, because if you sneeze, you can either pinch your nose to avoid it (yes, this works) or turn your head into the tissue. I also keep one or two pens handy, as well as a blank notepad so I can jot down any relevant details.
Get comfortable. Some people may still want to be dressed up so they feel more professional, but if you think you can hack the interview in jeans and sneaks, go for it. I like this option because you feel like you're getting away with something and you may be more comfortable--hence, a better interview. I always enjoy when I can be comfortable because after all of those uncomfortable interview moments, it's nice to hide behind the phone. Just make sure you sit upright and are serious about the interview. (Pink fuzz slippers or boxers are still okay though. After all, you won't get many opportunities like this!)
Don't mute. I know it's common to want to mute while the interviewer blabs on and on, but I've had this happen where I forget to un-mute the person, begin responding and then the interviewer is questioning where I've gone. Best to just listen, keep quiet and bide your time. Interviews on the phone are usually shorter than in-person interviews, anyway. The only reason to mute is to cover up a sneeze....and even if you don't cover up an ah-choo, it's good that the other person knows you're human anyway.
Eliminate distractions. You know to go into a quiet room and not to do the interview in the middle of the morning hustle at Starbucks, right? Be on a land line and shut the door to noisy kids, family members, roommates, pets, and other distractions. Turn the TV off and turn your cell phone off.
Be polite. I always like to re-iterate the interviewer's name at the end of the interview. "Thank you again, Susan, I appreciate your time." This shows that you're listening to what he or she has to say and incorporating his or her name shows you've paid attention. So when you get on the call, be sure to note the interviewer's name so you can thank him or her at the end. What about following up? Still write a note or an email to thank the interviewer yet again--and use his or her name in that communication as well.
It still counts as an interview. A phone inty is not any less important than a regular, in-person interview, so make sure you're on the ball. The interviewer is likely very busy and is using the convenience of a phone interview to quickly screen applicants. No reason not to shine! And when they can't see you, you may have some advantages.
Keep your resume in front of you. Just as you would bring your resume to a job interview with extra copies, you should have the same resume that the interviewer has. This will help you quickly refer to important highlights and keep the conversation moving. If the prospective employer references the "third bullet down" you'll know exactly what he or she is talking about.
Use a cheat sheet. You know how you are trying to visualize the bullet points of an interview response when you're in person? Now you don't have to! Keep a sheet with basic interview questions and some key points to compile your response. I would shy away from having a paragraph written and re-reading it, but if you jot down some key points of your answer (say, three strengths) you can save time and respond with a meaningful answer.
Sit in front of your computer. Let's say that the interviewer brings up something online--you'll be at the ready to check it out. I've had this happen (mostly in client meetings) when the other person wants to guide me through something or have me peek at their website. It may come in handy, so if you can have a computer ready that may be a good idea. Otherwise, be sure to jot down the URL so you can check out the site after you hang up.
Keep water close. In addition to having your resume available and some interview answers handy, it's good to keep a bottle of water close by. If your voice gets scratchy, just take a sip. I advise against a super hot beverage because you don't want to scald your tongue during an interview (imagine what that may sound like!) Also, tissues are a good thing to have handy, because if you sneeze, you can either pinch your nose to avoid it (yes, this works) or turn your head into the tissue. I also keep one or two pens handy, as well as a blank notepad so I can jot down any relevant details.
Get comfortable. Some people may still want to be dressed up so they feel more professional, but if you think you can hack the interview in jeans and sneaks, go for it. I like this option because you feel like you're getting away with something and you may be more comfortable--hence, a better interview. I always enjoy when I can be comfortable because after all of those uncomfortable interview moments, it's nice to hide behind the phone. Just make sure you sit upright and are serious about the interview. (Pink fuzz slippers or boxers are still okay though. After all, you won't get many opportunities like this!)
Don't mute. I know it's common to want to mute while the interviewer blabs on and on, but I've had this happen where I forget to un-mute the person, begin responding and then the interviewer is questioning where I've gone. Best to just listen, keep quiet and bide your time. Interviews on the phone are usually shorter than in-person interviews, anyway. The only reason to mute is to cover up a sneeze....and even if you don't cover up an ah-choo, it's good that the other person knows you're human anyway.
Eliminate distractions. You know to go into a quiet room and not to do the interview in the middle of the morning hustle at Starbucks, right? Be on a land line and shut the door to noisy kids, family members, roommates, pets, and other distractions. Turn the TV off and turn your cell phone off.
Be polite. I always like to re-iterate the interviewer's name at the end of the interview. "Thank you again, Susan, I appreciate your time." This shows that you're listening to what he or she has to say and incorporating his or her name shows you've paid attention. So when you get on the call, be sure to note the interviewer's name so you can thank him or her at the end. What about following up? Still write a note or an email to thank the interviewer yet again--and use his or her name in that communication as well.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Go Broke or Skip School?
So many recent grads struggle with the financial burden of a college degree--but does that mean that a college degree isn't worth it? This guy, James Altucher, thinks so.
Why? Because of that whole story about a student (Michelle Bisutti) that owed $500,000 in debt from schooling. Why? Deferred payments and accumulated charges associated with that (in my opinion, as a result of not understanding her loans and obligations).
Anyway, the point is that avoiding college is now being seen as an alternative. But you have to wonder if there's an alternative to that--perhaps choosing a more affordable college. Hitting up community college for a few years to take basic courses and then transferring--or *gasp* going to a state school. While there can still be burdens from less-expensive schools, it may be more practical to go to a school you can afford, just like you need to live within your means long after you get out of school. Essentially, choosing a school with a pricetag that's beyond your means can be seen as irresponsible.
James claims that students simply need to be motivated to get far in life. Network. Build connections.
Really? That's it? Maybe in some cases, but before you get your foot in the door to motivate someone to give you a job or make connections (things he suggests are all you need), most people look at resumes and want to see a degree on the bottom. Not in all cases, of course, but in most. No degree? No interview. Many more doors closing before they can open, eh? Not the position I would want to be in.
Before all the "you don't need a degree" people start raving, I'm not saying you have to have a degree. But not getting one when you want it but are afraid of debt seems self-limiting. Instead, I say choose a practical school and be responsible about your college loan payments.
So what you do you think? Is the answer to simply skip school? Or are there ways to make it less of an all-or-nothing situation?
Why? Because of that whole story about a student (Michelle Bisutti) that owed $500,000 in debt from schooling. Why? Deferred payments and accumulated charges associated with that (in my opinion, as a result of not understanding her loans and obligations).
Anyway, the point is that avoiding college is now being seen as an alternative. But you have to wonder if there's an alternative to that--perhaps choosing a more affordable college. Hitting up community college for a few years to take basic courses and then transferring--or *gasp* going to a state school. While there can still be burdens from less-expensive schools, it may be more practical to go to a school you can afford, just like you need to live within your means long after you get out of school. Essentially, choosing a school with a pricetag that's beyond your means can be seen as irresponsible.
James claims that students simply need to be motivated to get far in life. Network. Build connections.
Really? That's it? Maybe in some cases, but before you get your foot in the door to motivate someone to give you a job or make connections (things he suggests are all you need), most people look at resumes and want to see a degree on the bottom. Not in all cases, of course, but in most. No degree? No interview. Many more doors closing before they can open, eh? Not the position I would want to be in.
Before all the "you don't need a degree" people start raving, I'm not saying you have to have a degree. But not getting one when you want it but are afraid of debt seems self-limiting. Instead, I say choose a practical school and be responsible about your college loan payments.
So what you do you think? Is the answer to simply skip school? Or are there ways to make it less of an all-or-nothing situation?
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