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.

3 Questions to Answer Before Turning Your Hobby Into a Business

3 Questions to Answer Before Turning Your Hobby Into a Business Does your job feel like anine-to-five grind?Thatmay be a sign that you need to make a change. A career changecan be a great way to alleviate boredom and reengage yourself.The problem, however, is that making a career change often means you have to start at the very bottom and work your way up. If youve already climbed the ladder in your current career, the prospect of heading back to the entry level can be quite disheartening.There is some good news, thoughIf you want to make a career change but dont want to drop to the bottom of the pack, you can take a hobby of yours such as carpentry, gardening, cooking, etc. and turn it into a geschftlicher umgang.That being said, turning your hobby into a business isnt necessarily easy 25 percent of new businesses fail in their first year, and 44 percent fail by their third year.Even if you have all thepassion in the world, your business might bedr ngnis succeed. Thats not to say youshouldnt make a go at it rather, I only mean to say that you shouldstop and think about it before making any rash decisions.To help you determine whether or not turning your hobby into a business is right for you, I offer the following screening questions. Answer them honestly, and you may find that your business truly is a good idea.1. Is The Market Saturated? Hobby-inspired businesses are not immune to the market forces that affect other businesses.Dont let your passion blind you to the realities of the marketplace.While you may find a few friends who are prepared to buy your products and services at reduced rates initially, you cant undercut the market for ever and expect to survive or support your family that way. When you go professional, you need to be surethat there are enough clients out there wholl pay market prices.Do your research. If you have jumped on the bandwagon far too late and are joining a saturated market, your hobby might not b e the best choice for a business. You might be better off looking for an area where demand exceeds supply.2. Are You Expecting a Lot of Growth in Demand?The market around your hobby may be saturated now, but that doesnt mean it will always be that.Are there signs that the market is going to grow? For example, lets say you want to start a landscaping business, based on your love of gardening. If a new housing project is underway nearby, that may lead to increased demand for your services.Even if the market is saturated at the moment, you may find that demand for your hobby is set to growin the near future. If thats the case, this may be agood time to launch your business.3. Will You Enjoy Turning YourHobby Into a Business?Many of us use our hobbies not onlyto practice a skill, but also to wind down, stave off boredom, or escape from the daily grind.Turning a hobby into a job, however, requires a move from soft escapism to hard-nosed commercialism. Your hobby wont be about escaping th e grind any more it will be the grind. Youll need to hit deadlines, put in an average of 52 hours per week, meet exacting customer service and quality standards, correct errors, and deal with some disappointed and critical consumers.-The foregoing questions may seem gloomy and pessimistic, but thats simply the reality of the business world. If you can accept these limitations and still enjoy turning your hobby into a business, then starting a new company may be just the thing for you.If, on the other hand, youre afraid that turning your hobby into a business will spoil it, you may want to keep it as a hobby. If thats the case, you can consider starting a more viable business or simply sucking it up and making the leap into a new career even if that means starting over at the bottom.

How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job Search

How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job SearchHow to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job SearchYoure in the midst of your job hunt, and you consider yourself pretty savvy about how to approach employers that interest you. Youve even ramped up your networking and have conducted some informational interviews. However, in your research, you keep seeing the term personal branding. It seems that understanding this holy grail term is the answer to landing your dream job, and you just dont get it. What is personal branding, and why is understanding it important to job seekers?As a concept, personal branding is not new. In fact, Tom Peters first coined it in an article for um ein haar Company magazine in 1997. He admonished readers to recognize that each one of them, knowingly or unknowingly, owned his or her own brand. He remarked that we are each free agents, responsible for focusing on our skills and learning how to stand out. People often misinterpret personal branding and b elieve it is a self-centered, conceited approach and that your personal brand is all about you. While your brand represents you- its effectively your reputation- identifying and living your personal brand involves more than self-reflection.Consider these suggestions when youre identifying and marketing your personal brandIts all about you.To start, you need to look at yourself with a critical eye. What is unique and special about you? What is your story? (This is the self-reflection piece of the program. Its short lived.) What do people think about when your name comes up? Remember, your personal brand is effectively your reputation. Are you hardworking? A subject-matter expert? Unreliable? How do these perceptions fit (or not fit) your goal brand?If you do not focus on identifying your fruchtwein interesting and valuable characteristics and determine what you want people to think about you, youll miss the opportunity to influence your own personal brand.Identify what characteristic s and skills are most valuable for the jobs and organizations that interest you.For this item, you need to look beyond your own skills and interests. For example, its great if you are the absolute best pipe cleaner artist on the planet, but if your goal organizations dont value that expertise, its not an ideal part of your brand to perpetuate. Dont make a big job seeker mistake. Its up to you to investigate and determine what your audience wants to know about you and what they value in an employee. Research job descriptions and keep up with the buzz in your field to be sure you know what characteristics and accomplishments are most crucial.Develop and enhance skills you identify. Do you need to improve in any of the areas where you want to be well-known? Should you take a class or can you get involved in some self-directed study to make sure you are up to date on key subjects that matter in your field? The www is replete with opportunities to learn new things, so there are no excuse s for being left behind.Check out the competition.Dont forget, your success depends, in part, on how you stack up to everyone else who has similar skills and accomplishments. Keep an eye on your colleagues and leaders in your field. What can you do to move into their level of expertise and influence?Feature what you know online. One way to influence what people think about you is by taking your expertise online. Use social media to get the word out. Post updates to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+ that demonstrate you know whats going on in your field. Comment on the news of the day and communicate your expertise to your digital contacts.Showcase what you know in real life.Can you volunteer to help an organization overcome its obstacles or get involved in your professional organization? One of the best ways to perpetuate your personal brand is to showcase what you know by serving other people. Your colleagues will also appreciate you providing your expertise and assistance.Build relat ionships. Between your online and in-person colleagues, you have many opportunities to forge alliances and help other people. Keep in mind your personal brand isnt worth the paper its written on if people arent aware of how you can help them and what skills you provide. When you make an extra effort to extend yourself to others, youll be living your personal brand and your relationships will help enhance and promote your reputation.Readers, want to learn more about personal branding? Sign up for the webinar How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job Search, with expert tips from Miriam Salpeter

Let us end the era of the CFbrO and the She-E-O job title

Let us end the era of the CFbrO and the She-E-O job titleLet us end the era of the CFbrO and the She-E-O job titleAttention, please. Its time for a brief public service announcement.When deciding how to describe your titlein your company business cards, it can be tempting to be creative. Guru is often a popular choice, for instance, among some. But please, please, dont choose something like CFbrO.This detail came about in a long, unflattering profile ofGary Vaynerchuks chaotic, bro-tastic ad agency VaynerMedia.In a social-media-savvy company that was all about the CEOs hustle, Scott Heydt, Vayners former CFO, decided it would be cool to have a business card that identified him as aCFbrO.Thats the only detail we learn about Heydt in the whole profile, but it tells us all we need to know about him. It signals that his bro-tastic identity matters to him so much that he must feature it in his company title. This is a risk. For a client deciding whether to work with VaynerMedia, this busi ness card would signal a person who doesnt take his job seriously. Thats why job titles matter. Theyre the first impression you give a colleague or a prospective client, and as a representative of your company, yourtitle implicitly represents what values your company stands for.Is bro-iness the limiting, gendered message you want to be communicating to your employees and clients?Spoiler no.Why job titles matterVaynerMedia is not the only companyusing provocative business cards. Back when Facebook was known as The Facebook, 22-year-old CEO Mark Zuckerberg used business cards that read, Im CEOb- Its a phrase that comes off as dominant and self-centered, which is what young Zuckerberg, who modeled himself after fellow hothead Steve Jobs, was aiming for.According to early Facebook employeeAndrew Box Bosworth, the business cardswereintended as a joke for his friends and speaks to how unclear it was even in his own mind at the time that he would someday become such an important (and scru tinized) leader in our industry.It may have added to the unruly Lord of the Flies reputation that Facebook gained throughout its early years among investors, according to The Facebook Effect. Eventually, as Facebook aimed for bigger heights beyond one hackers viewpoint, the cards were phased out.SHE-E-O is a limiting titleGendered titles are also used by female executives and becoming increasingly popular. Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso branded herself as a Girlboss, a title she keeps even after she stepped down as CEOand her company filed for bankruptcy.Girlboss is a playful, irreverent title for a 22-year-old Amoruso founding a company but shes long outgrown it. As a 33-year-old grown woman, Amorusos decision to continue to identify herself as a girlboss infantilizes and diminishes her accomplishments.Its a limiting framework to describe a CEOand leader of a company because its inviting people toonly see you through one lens.But Amoruso isnt the only one to do this. Miki Agrawal , beleagured former CEO of period underwear company Thinx, is currently facingsexual harassment allegations, but before her downfall, she would call herselfSHE-E-O in external communications.Female bosses are already dealing with limiting biases and stereotypes about their competence in the workplace - no need to assign yourself one more limiting label.In this way,gendering your leadership skillsbecomes a way to sell yourself short. Even if it seems fun at first, its a great way not to be taken seriously later.

The city that has the most adults living at home

The city that has the most adults living at homeThe city that has the most adults living at homeWhat are the factors keeping so many Americans from leaving the nest? Many experts have speculated about the various economic factors, but region may additionally play a role.Thankfully, MagnifyMoney recently published a comprehensive analysis of the cities that harbor the most adults still living with their parents. These included men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 that did elend identify as active students, across 50 of the largest metros in America.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo which city has the most adults living with their parents? Riverside, California currently houses the most adults still living at home, with 28%. The authors of the study conjecture that the citys high unemployment rate is a leading factor. New York, Miami, and Los Angeles trail close behind. On e in four adult residents of these cities, currently live at home with their parents.In every city reviewed, adult men were observed to live with their parents the most frequently with the exception of Austin, Texas.Collectively about one in four adults between the ages of 25 and 40 currently living with their parents had children of their own that also lived with them, and one in five of this same group does not currently contribute to the labor market (defined as individuals that are not currently seeking work), with 8.6% merely being provisionally unemployed, (defined as individuals that wish to work but have yet to have any luck finding a new job).Minneapolis features some of the lowest instances of adults living under their parents roof out of all the cities reviewed. Just under 12% of adults between the ages of 25 and 40 currently do so, just above Seatle (11.6%) and a four-way tie between Indianapolis (12.3), Kansas City, Raliegh, and Portland.Take a look at the Top 10 cities with the highest percentages of adults aged 25-40 living with their parentsRiverside (28.1%)Miami (27.7%)Los Angeles (26.6%)New York (24.7%)San Antonio (23.2%)New Orleans (22.9%)Philadelphia (22.5%)Providence, RI (22.3%)Baltimore (22.1%)Orlando, Fla. (21.1%)The key factorsAlthough the study correctly highlights the cost of living to reliably determine rates of adults living with their parents, they additionally add that his factor does not stand alone. Many of the factors that contribute to adults prolonging their tenure in the nest pertain to adifficultyto efficiently save up money a plethora of regional roadblocks that eat up wages much quicker than theyre earned.The cites that had some of the highest numbers tended to be coastal cities, Miamiand Tampa for instance, or even San Fransico and New Orleans. These metros all share similaritiesin these key factors housing costs relative to income, prices on goods and services, income inequality and commute times.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Customize this Outstanding Internet Marketing Specialist Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Internet Marketing Specialist Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Internet Marketing Specialist Resume SampleCreate Resume Beatrice Carr100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryStrategically-minded Internet Marketing Specialist experienced in email absatzwirtschaft, SEO/SEM, PPC, affiliate marketing, remarketing, social media campaigns and other online brand development activities. Successful in delivery of measurable results with strong acclimation to metrics-based accountability. Collaborative team player with enthusiasm for emerging technologies on the business marketing landscape.Core QualificationsSalesforce.comGoogle Analytics PremiumAdobe Creative SuiteCSS and HTML5Affiliate Network DevelopmentBudget ManagementExperienceInternet Marketing Specialist, October 2009 PresentInternational Association of Fashion Buyers New Cityland, CAExecute integrated campaigns across all internet marke ting channels to ensure company growth and consistent visibility among members and prospective members.Collaboratively design campaigns according to brand marketing initiatives.Responsible for 15% member engagement improvement in 2010, 27% in 2011, 24% in 2012, 34% in 2013 and 44% in 2014.Work with and supervise copywriting interns from local colleges on major IAFB website SEO improvement project for their marketing coursework credit.Internet Marketing Specialist, April 2005 October 2009StiltsShoes.com New Cityland, CACoordinated, programmed and executed 90 email campaigns per month to daily recipients of 1.5 1000000 mined from customer lists of over 8 million subscribers.Achieved an internet sales increase of $14 million over four years.Increased website traffic by 47% with reduced web marketing costs of 28% in first two years.Education2005 Bachelors Degree, MarketingUniversity of California New Cityland, CACustomize Resume