4 Interview Tips for Recent Grads

4 Interview Tips for Recent GradsYouve spent countless hours updating and refining your resume. Youve written the perfect, keyhundertprozentig-optimized cover letter. Now you sit back and wait for the calls to start coming in, right? Not so fast. One more thing stands in the way of you and the perfect job? The interview. But do you even know where to begin when it comes to preparing for an interview? Lets break down a few four tips designed to help recent grads gain an inside edge. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Practice Makes PerfectGoing into an interview blind is a recipe for disaster. Even if you skate through without any major catastrophes, its still a missed opportunity. Rather than winging it, take time in advance to research frequently asked questions in your area, and to prepare a rough outline of your response.Avoid writing down answers word for word this can result in a canned delivery. Instead, jot down key ideas and con cepts. Then, enlist a family member or friend to practice with you.If possible, record your practice sessions. Understanding how you look and sound during the interview can help you take corrective action, if necessary.2. Do Your ResearchIn an era in which data is literally at your fingertips, the rules have changed when it comes to understanding an organization. Its no longer considered merely advantageous to demonstrate knowledge of a company and its mission, products and services. Its a necessity. In short, theres no quicker way to tell employers that you simply dont care than by walking into an interview without this easily obtainable information.Working this knowledge into the conversation can take some skill after all, the goal is not the simple regurgitation of facts but the results can have significant payoffs in demonstrating your capacity to make a contribution.3. Be Prepared to Be SpecificCompetency-based questions are increasingly popular with hiring managers. Why? Bec ause any candidate can lay claim to desirable skills, talent and experience on a resume. Of more importance to todays employers? The demonstrated ability to use these attributes in meaningful ways.Expect to be asked to share examples of times when youve exemplified time management, problem solving, and other sought-after soft skills. Be prepared to respond with detailed examples which serve as concrete evidence of these competencies.4. Have Questions of Your OwnToo many interviewees respond to the interviewers question of, Do you have any questions for me? with the unsatisfying response of, No, I think Im good.Interviews work both ways not only is the interview an opportunity for the employer to get a better sense of a potential candidate, but its also an opportunity for you to get a better sense of potential employers. Dont waste it. Instead, go into the interview with a list of questions which can help you further understand what its like to work for the company and/or if the job is a good fit. Asking smart, tailored questions also helps you stand out to hiring managers.With countless candidates looking to land the best jobs, its essential for new grads to position themselves for success. Rather than thinking of the interview process as an afterthought, leverage it into an opportunity to show employers why youre the right one for the position.

Natural Remedies for Anxiety You Can Try Today

Natural Remedies for Anxiety You Can Try Today There are 40 million adults in the United States suffering from stress, panic attacks or a panic disorder, anxiety attacks, and depression according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. These conditions may be debilitating and disruptive to home and work life. If you are suffering from a panic disorder, anxiety disorder or any anxiety symptoms, its important to know the symptoms and how to manage your condition, since it may bedrngnis only hold you back, but can also contribute to or aggravate to other chronic diseases.Your doctor can prescribe anti-anxiety medications, which are helpful to many people. If youre concerned about your anxiety and depression and want to know if an antidepressant or other anti-anxiety medications can help ease your anxiety symptoms, consult a mental health professional to discuss your options.There are also natural remedies for anxiety that you can try without a prescription. Many of them ha ve no or minimal side effects. Plus, many of behauptung remedies are easy to have at your fingertips, if an anxiety attack strikes at the office.One thing to note While you may be able to use natural remedies for anxiety alongside prescription medication, it is critical for you to consult with your doctor before you try any of these herbal supplements and other natural remedies to ensure that they will not cause a negative interaction with other anti-anxiety drugs.Herbal remediesHerbal supplements are popular and natural alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. In fact, 25 percentof drugs worldwide come from herbs or plants of some kind. Many of the herbal remedies for anxiety can be easily incorporated into your diet. Lemon balm is an herb thats a member of the mint family that was traditionally used to treat anxiety and insomnia. The balm can be taken orally in your tea or in a capsulate, but beware that some studies have shown that too much lemon balm can make your more anxio us. St. Johns wort is another plant that is traditionally used to treat ADHD, anxiety and depression. Although not FDA approved for OTC or prescription use in the United States, there is some evidence that it is effective in soothing anxiety. Chamomile tea contains apigenin and luteolin, both of which are herbs that promote relaxation. You can take it orally in a supplement or aromatically using essential oils. And, of course, you can drink chamomile tea as a beverage. Similarly, green tea contains L-theanine, which curbs rising heart rate and blood pressure. This can also help reduce your anxiety. Like chamomile, green tea can be taken orally.Essential oilsEssential oils are made by distilling the natural oils from plantswhich means they are highly concentrated and powerfuland have been used therapeutically for centuries. Certain oils, which can be purchased at health food stores or through subscription services such as Young Living and DoTERRA, can help lower anxiety. They can be applied topically, inhaled through a diffuser and used as part of aromatherapand you can mix and match them to create your own unique scent. Lavender has a calming effect and considered a nervous system restorative, helping sleep patterns, reducing general tension, and a soothing a nervous stomach. Rose relieves depression and helps balance. Vetiver hilfes the amygdaloid nucleus, which is the area of the brain stem that is responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and other functions in response to emotions. Ylang Ylang reduces stress by promoting positive emotions and fighting insomnia. Bergamot is a natural remedy for anxiety and depression and can support metabolic rates by helping balance hormones. Chamomile, as described earlier in herbal supplement form, helps reduce anxiety by lowering the bodys stress response. Frankincense can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, as well as negative emotions that come with mental health disorders and problems.Acupressure and a cupunctureAcupressure and acupuncture are both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices that treat a wide variety of conditions, including as a remedy for anxiety. Acupuncture, performed by trained professionals, involves stimulating specific points using thin needles and is a (mostly) painless procedure. It works by working to restore Qi, a metaphor for metabolic functions, in the body.For the needle-averse crowd, acupressure, like acupuncture, involves stimulating specific points on the body, but without the needles. Acupressure can be performed by a professional, or you can perform it on yourself by applying pressure or gently massaging to each point for one to two minutes. The pressure points that relieve stress are Between your eyebrows Three fingers below the wrist on your forearm The center of your torso where your ribs meet The top side if your foot, between your big and second toes The inside of your arm where it bends Under your collarbone, where there is a small gap n ear the breastbone Exercise and meditationAs little as 21 minutes of exercise can help reduce anxiety, whether you have an anxiety disorder or occasionally feel anxious. Exercises such as running, cycling, weightlifting and really any exercise you enjoy, helps to improve your mood by burning off lactic acid and producing mood-boosting endorphins. Yoga and tai chi are also two common exercises recommended to help anxiety because they connect breath to movement, which can reduce feelings of anxiety. In addition, regular exercise improves your self-esteem and can eliminate anxiety about health issues.While exercise focuses on burning off lactic acid and producing endorphins, meditation uses focused breathing and mind exercises to reduce cortisol levels, thereby lowering stress and anxiety. You can meditate a number ofdifferent ways, including with sound and images, or byusing breathing techniques. There are many mobile apps are available for free download to guide you through the pract ice, and it can be done in the comfort of your own home or in the car before you head into the office.Vitamins and supplementsThough not anti-anxiety herbs per se, vitamins and other supplements can fill in gapsleft by your diet and help you make up for any deficiencies. If you struggle with stress and anxiety, you may be lacking in one of these nutrients Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B complex are three nutrients that are critical to ensuring your nervous system is functioning correctly. Make sure your multi-vitamin includes them, and consider taking individual supplements. GABA, short for gamma-aminobutyic acid, is a brain transmitter that counteracts the effects of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that increases your excitability. L-lysine is another type of amino acid thats vital to the health of neurotransmitters and is found in meat and fish as well as in oral supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower stress chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol, according to some studie s.DietThere are a number of factors that connect anxiety to your diet. A poor diet resulting from eating the wrong foods, not enough of the right ones, or too many or too few calories, can causeanxiety, moodiness, fatigue, and general nervousness. In addition to the supplements recommended above, an anti-anxiety dietlimits caffeine, alcohol, excess sugar, and processed foods, while increasing the intake of anti-inflammatory foods. These foods are important to keeping your neurotransmitters healthy, so they can create and balance mood and stress response.Anti-inflammatory foods include Wild-caught fish, such as salmon, tuna and herring Grass-fed beef Organic chicken Eggs Yogurt Leafy greens like spinach and kale Fresh fruits and vegetables Legumes, nuts and seeds Health fats, like coconut oil, olive oil and avocado (Pass that extra guac, please)--Samantha Smoak is a journalist turnedPR professionalbased in Nashville, Tennessee. For sports jokes and dog pictures, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at samanthaksmoak.