Career Rookie

8/3/2019 Career Rookie

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How To Get Fired In A Hurry

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Just because you were hired for a job doesn't mean it's yours forever. If that's cool with you, hereare 10 easy way to lose that gig in a hurry, no real effort required!

1. Hook up at work

Here's a rule of thumb to carry with you throughout your career: The office supply closet is notsoundproof. Some companies are cooler than others when it comes to romance in the workplace,

but NO company condones getting it on when you're on the clock. So keep it in your pants, man! Atleast while you're on company property.


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2. Show up drunk, hungover or under the influence

Honestly, duh. But if you're on drugs or underage, you might also find yourself arrested.

3. Download illegally at work

Now's not the time to pirate the last five seasons of "Breaking Bad," no matter how good yourcoworkers insist it is. This is not only because of the copyright infringement issues, but because

you'll be eating up company bandwidth while you download, and potentially exposing its networkto viruses and other bad download-y things.

4. Leaking confidential information

Whether about a client, a project or something personal, such as your salary, this information isconfidential for a reason. And in the corporate world, there's only one way to plug a leak: fire it.

5. Be late-all the time

The only thing unreliable people can rely on is getting canned.

6. Talk smack where people can hear you

And we're broadening the term "hear" to its new millennial applications in the world of socialnetworking. If you choose to bad mouth a co-worker, your boss or your company in any publicforum, be it the water cooler or the Internet (and don't think your "private" online account is anyfarther from prying eyes than the office cafeteria), expect a pink slip in no time.

7. Pull too many pranks

Sure, it was hilarious when Jim fossilized Dwight's stapler in a Jell-O mold on "The Office" thatone time. But that's fake life. Your job is real life. Build a reputation as the office prankster - alsoknown as the office pain-in-the-a** -- and the only person you'll be pranking is your cat. (And catsdon't have great senses of humor.)

8. Be "difficult"

No one is expected to get along with everybody at work. But you are expected to be nice andrespectful and accommodating of others. Which is to say, a team player.

9. Steal

Petty cash, office equipment, even office supplies like pens, pencils and toilet paper. Didn't yourmother teach you that stealing is wrong? Bernie Madoff learned this lesson the hard way.

10. Cross the line between "funny" to "offensive"

No matter how buddy-buddy you may be with a co-worker, you never know who may be within

earshot. Keep your blue material outside the office and office-related functions that may be takingplace offsite.

posted by: mtvU

How To Find A Career Mentor

As you embark on a career path, it's helpful to have a wise Sherpa to guide your journey. Careermentors come in all shapes and sizes; you may find them in university professors, managers, co-workers, and acquaintances in your industry and networks. No matter where you meet them, acareer mentor uses their knowledge and experience in your chosen field to offer you advice and

support you as you make your way through your career. Read on for tips on how to find the rightmentor for you and how to make the most of the mentor-mentee relationship.


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Where do you find a mentor?

Many companies, universities and professional organizations offer formal mentoring programs thatmatch mentors and mentees based on their personalities. Find out if a program like this is availableat your job or school.

If not, you can dip into your personal network for a mentor. Did you have a great university

professor whom you really respected, or a manager who taught you so much? Start with a politeemail explaining how much you value that person's experience and insights, then ask if he or shewould be interested in being your mentor. It may sound like an awkward thing to ask, but it'sactually very flattering!

What to expect from your mentor?

A mentor can help you in many ways, including listening to your career goals, concerns andquestions; reviewing your work, projects and activities and providing honest and constructivefeedback; advising you on decisions related to your job and job search; directing you to helpfulresources; and serving as an empathetic confidant.

The mentor-mentee relationship is both personal and professional. You should feel comfortabletalking to your mentor, as he or she is a person who you should trust and you is genuinely interestedin seeing you succeed.

How to be a good mentee?

Your mentor is giving you their time and support, so you need to do your part in the relationshiptoo. That means:

1. Be on time for your meetings and come prepared with questions and concerns so you bestutilize your time together.

2. Always be professional when you're dealing with your mentor. You'll be forming a close,personal relationship, but a mentor is there principally to help you with your career. Show him orher that their advice and time is being put to good use!

3. Let your personality shine through. By getting to know the "real" you, not just the "business"you, your mentor will be better able to direct you in a way that is fulfilling and suited to yourinterests.

posted by: mtvU


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Relocating For A Job: Are You Ready To Make The Move?

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Even when the job market is bad-which it is right now-there are still thousands of jobs out there.Unfortunately, sometimes those jobs aren't in your hometown. Some types of careers you can doanywhere. For example, doctors, lawyers, teachers and chef are needed in every city. Some careers,however, are centralized in cities: Media, publishing and finance jobs are most plentiful in NewYork City, while technology and web development jobs are found on the West Coast, around Palo

Alto and Silicon Valley in California.

So should you move to one of these career hubs before you've actually landed a job? Here's what toknow before you go.

1. For entry-level positions, some companies will only consider local candidates.

Many jobs do cover relocation expenses for certain positions. But if you're just starting out in yourcareer and going for assistant-level work, chances are a company is not going to invest in someone(and all their stuff!) they have to fly cross-country-especially if there are comparable candidatesalready in the area. In fact, some recruiters won't even grant interviews to applicants who list a non-local address on their resumes. Which makes sense, doesn't it? Why should they ask someone to

travel a long way for one or two interviews for a job they may not even get.

If you see an opening at your dream job, but it's a long ways away, there is a way around this,however. In your cover letter, include a sentence or two about how excited you are for theopportunity and your willingness to relocate. You might even mention that you were planning torelocate before you saw the job posted (whether or not that's actually true).

2. You're more likely to find a job if you already have some experience in your chosen field.

Fresh out of college, you'll probably be saddled with student loan debt, a bunch of new bills to pay,and without a job, you probably won't have much to your name. Even if your dream job is locatedhalfway across the world, you may still be able to find internships or entry-level jobs in your localarea. Having one or two on your resume before you move blindly to a new city will certainly makeyou a more attractive candidate once you get there.


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3. Moving is expensive. Big cities are too.

Sure, it's romantic to fantasize about packing up a suitcase, hopping on a bus, and landing in thecenter of Times Square. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere! The reality of thatsituation, though, is that the cost of living in most major cities greatly exceeds the cost of living issuburban and rural areas. And that's just once you get there. Moving all your stuff from one state tothe next can cost thousands of dollars, and that's before you factor in a plane ticket. Landlords

usually require first and last month's rent plus a security deposit before they'll let you move in. Thenthere's the cost of day-to-day transportation. Will you need a car?

Do a rough tally of all the costs you will incur by moving, and if you find that at the end you'll beleft with very little to live on-or enough to cover you for six months while you continue to look fora job-you may want to postpone your Big City plans and continue to save your pennies.

4. It helps to know people where you plan to move.

This is where networking comes in handy! You'll have more luck tracking down job and apartmentleads if you already know someone in the biz. During your pre-move research, reach out to yourconnections and let them know that you're thinking of coming their way. Ask them for tips on where

to look for apartments, which neighborhoods are good to live in, the best places to check for jobleads and, related that, have they heard about any openings at their company lately? Tell them you'll

prepare a delicious home-cooked meal to thank them for their advice.

posted by: mtvU

5 Big Resume Mistakes You're Making Right Now


Hey, no one's perfect, but at least your resume can be. Check out these five deadly sins of resumewriting, then run and scrub them off your resume immediately! We totally won't tell anyone wehelped.

Big Mistake #1: Your Resume Is Two PagesHey, if you're still in or just out of college, you probably don't have a heck of a lot of jobexperience. And that's what a resume is, right? A list of the relevant skills, qualifications and


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experience you have. So what in Gaga's name are you putting on that thing to make it two pageslong?! Maybe one day when you're CEO of a major corporation you'll have the background towarrant a two-pager, but until then, fudge with the margins, font size, and header and footer spaceto get that puppy down to one.

Big Mistake #2: You Used Too Many Bulletpoints

If your resume looks like the Scantron form of a kid who answered "A" to every question on a test,you're doing it wrong-for two reasons. First, too many bulletpoints and someone's going to get shot!Okay, just kidding. But all those little black dots are hard on the eyes after a while, making yourresume a chore to read, let alone look at. Second, bulletpoints usually indicate that you've gone thelazy route and just listed your tasks and responsibilities at your last job or internship. Boring! Useshort, impactful sentences to contextualize the work you did, highlighting your achievements thereinstead of your daily to-do list.

Big Mistake #3: You Wrote An "Objective"For as long as resume "templates" and "wizards" have existed, so has that dreaded "objective" line.And it's pretty stupid, if you think about it: Isn't everyone's objective to get a job? And that's pretty

obvious by virtue of the fact that you've just given someone your resume. You totally don't need towrack your brain coming up with a business-y way of saying, "My objective is to be employed." Soscrap it! (P.S. This will also help solve Big Mistake #1.)

Big Mistake #4: You Attached It As a Word DocumentRight now, you're thinking, "CareerRookie is about to tell me that I shouldn't include resume as ane-mail attachment, I should copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail." Ha! Wrong! You shouldalways attach that bad boy. But you should attach it as a PDF. Here's why: Everyone has a differentversion of Microsoft Office on their computer, or no version at all. That means all those carefullychosen fonts and line decorations will display differently than you designed, and may perhaps pushyour resume to-gasp!-two pages. But PDFs are image files and will look the same on everyone'scomputer. You don't need special software to convert your resume to a PDF. In most versions ofWord, you simply go to "Save As" and select "PDF."

Big Mistake #5: You Included Your GPAHey, it's a rookie mistake. We know you're super proud of your perfect 4.0, but on a resume it justcomes off as juvenile, especially if you're out of college more than six months. (You'll be surprisedwhen you eventually learn how little your college GPA impacts your future career.) Here's what toinclude instead: Coursework relevant to your chosen career; university honors or awards;extracurricular activities and Greek affiliations; degrees or certifications earned.

posted by: mtvUIf I'm Not Qualified, Should I Still Apply For The Job?

So there you were browsing the job board when you stumbled across the Perfect Job For You.Everything about it fits you to a "T": the job title is impressive, the day-to-day responsibilities arewell within your capabilities, and you know you could bring passion to the job. You read down alittle further and there it is: the company wants five years experience but you only have two. Orthey're looking for a candidate with a Masters degree, but you only have your Bachelors. You knowdeep down that you'd be perfect for the job, but without those qualifications would submitting yourresume be a waste of time?

"Some hiring managers won't consider any applicant who doesn't meet the minimum requirements,even if they are a perfect fit save for having one too few years of experience," writes RosemaryHaefner, vice president of human resources for Careerbuilder. But, she says, others may look past


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those missing couple years of school if the candidate has comparable on-the-job experience or otherskills that makes up the difference.

Start by taking an honest look at yourself and how close of a match you are for the position.Remember, wanting a job is different than being qualified for one. Like, there are tons of people outthere that want to be rock stars, but not everyone has a set of pipes like Adele.

Your cover letter is a great place to demonstrate to the hiring manager how well you would fit thejob, even if you're a few years short of experience. Give concrete examples of similar work you'vedone that demonstrate that you could hit the ground running at this job-that means specific statisticsor accomplishments, not broad statements about being a "fast learner" or "enthusiastic team player."

"Imagine yourself sitting on the other side of the desk and look at your rsum and cover letter fromthe boss' perspective," Haefner writes. "If you were choosing from the pool of applicants, wouldyou pick your application out of the pile or would it go in the waste bin?"

If you think it'd land in the trash, then skip hitting the send button for now. Spamming HR's inboxwith applications to jobs you're clearly not qualified for could get you flagged as a nuisance. Yes,they do that.

posted by: mtvU

How To Be A Rock-Star Intern


Internships are a great way to gain experience in the workplace before you're actually, you know,hired by a workplace. They're also a great way to get your foot in the door at a company you hopeto someday work for. Here's how to put your best foot forward as your shoving it in their doorjamb.

1. When they say, "be on time," they mean, "be early."Show your boss that you take your internship seriously by being in the office when you're supposedto be-and then some. If the day starts at 9 a.m., show up by 8:55 a.m. so you can put down your


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coat, grab your coffee, run to the bathroom if need be, and be prepared to start work on time.

2. Be present.

That means not only showing up on days you're scheduled to work-calling out "sick' to finish up aterm paper is just not cool-it means returning on time after your lunch break, forgoing middaycigarette breaks, and holding off personal phone calls or running errands till you're off the clock.

3. Always take notes.

Carry a pen and paper with you to take notes whenever you're assigned a task. Jot down specialinstructions, the date the assignment is due and any other important details. The only thing worsethan an intern who needs to have an assignment re-explained to them is an intern who hands in anassignment and didn't follow the directions.

4. Ask questions.

There is such a thing as a stupid question, but it still doesn't hurt to ask them when you have them.An internship, after all, is about learning. Plus, it's better to be clear on what your boss expectsrather than hand in an assignment that's just wrong. (Yes, we mentioned this twice, because it's

really annoying to bosses!)

5. Turn off your phone, unplug from Facebook.

This is probably a no-brainer, but when you're at work you're expected to do work. It's not the timeto take personal calls, or text, or change your status on Facebook. That is, unless you work forFacebook.

6. Accept assignments graciously, if not enthusiastically.

...which is not to say you need to do cartwheels every time someone asks you to fax something.Look, we know interns don't always get the most exciting projects to work on-hello, coffee runs!--

but it's definitely not cool to be grumpy about a job you're asked (ahem, make that told) to work on.Yes, an internship is supposed to be a learning experience, and you're probably not going to learnmuch restocking the copy machine with paper, but them's the breaks, kid. Just remember, youweren't the only one to apply for the job, and the company gave it to you not them. And for that youshould be grateful.

7. Turn in assignments on time.

And if, mid project, it seems like you won't be able to meet your deadline, tell your manager soonerthan later that you'll need extra time, or some help to finish.

8. Be a self-starter.

Offices can be busy places, and your manager isn't a babysitter. If you haven't been assigned a task,then ask for one. If he or she hasn't heard from you, your manager will assume you're busy workingon, well, something. If there isn't a project for you to start on, ask if you can offer your help inanother department, or come up with a project of your own. That stack of unfiled papers clutteringthe copy room? File them! That messy office supply closet? Organize it! But sitting quietly at yourcomputer checking Facebook until someone assigns you something? Also not cool.

9. Be neat.

We're not suggesting you become the volunteer janitor, but the workplace is a shared space, sokeeping your junk to yourself is just being respectful of the people around you. Tidy up your area

before you leave each day, throwing away any food or beverages left around--or else, ew, bugs.

posted by: mtvU


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Job Interview Cheat Sheet: 4 Questions They'll Definitely Ask, And How To Answer Them


Job interviews are like final exams: you have to show up on time, answer nerve-wracking questions,and are rarely graded on a curve. The good news is, just like a final exam, you can study up for a

job interview ahead of time! Here are four common job interview questions you'll probably beasked and their easily mastered answers. Read up and ace that meeting!

1. What's your biggest strength/weakness?

What they're really asking:

Does you have a positive attitude?

How to answer:

The trick here is to take your biggest strength and turn it into your biggest "weakness." If you are areally hard worker, say your biggest weakness is that you sometimes take the job too seriously andforgo a social life until your work is done. If you"re biggest strength is that you thrive in groupsettings, say that you miss the thrill of a good brainstorm when you have to work on solo projects.

Now you try!

How NOT to answer:

Candidly! It's not your job to convince the hiring manager that you're not the perfect match for thejob because sometimes you drink too much on the weekends and have a tough time getting out ofbed on Monday mornings. Keep your real weaknesses to yo'self.

2. What did you like or dislike about your last position?


Are you going to trash talk our company at their next job interview?

How to answer: Positively. Keep your gripes and criticisms to yourself. Start with a like ("Thepeople were amazing!" "I learned so much!"), and follow up with a "dislike" that applies directly tohow the work impacted you ("I felt I was ready to take on more responsibility than the company


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could offer at the time"), or that applies to how the company you're interviewing for differs fromyour last job, ("The company didn't offer the same opportunities I noticed are available in this

position.").

How NOT to answer: "My boss was such a jerk!"3. What makes you a fit for this position?


What do you know about our company?

How to answer:

Step 1 is to do your research before you ever set foot in the interview chair! You should be familiarto what the company has achieved in the past five years or so, what projects or clients they'reworking with now and have a line or two about how those two things align with what you'relooking for in a job. Step 2 is to listen carefully and ask questions when you and the recruiterdiscuss the nature of the job and the type of person they're looking for. For example, if the recruitermentions that they're looking for an organized person who pays attention to detail, mention that you

are a perfectionist and-jokingly-somewhat of neat freak.

How NOT to answer:

With vague, wishy-washy statements that could apply to any company ever. 4. What's your dreamjob?


Are you interested in this job or just having any job?

How to answer:

By naming a job you could see yourself in five to 10 years from now that having this job wouldhelp you get to because of the relevant experience you would gain.

How NOT to answer:

By being too vague ("I would like to be in finance."), naming a career that has nothing to do withthe job you're applying for, ("I am applying to be an English teacher, but I would like to start myown web analytics company!"), or worse, being vague about a career that has nothing to do with the

job you"re applying for, ("I'm applying to be an English teacher, but I would like to be in finance!")

posted by: mtvU


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Do's And Don'ts Of Writing A Great Cover Letter

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Oh, the dreaded cover letter! It's that pesky little task standing between you and your dream job. Butwriting yours doesn't have to be so stressful. These days "cover letter" is just an intimidating termfor "introductory e-mail." It's just a few short paragraphs letting the hiring manager know who youare and what skills you can bring to the table-sort of like a first date, without a check to awkwardlydivide at the end of the night.

Here are some tips to help you get through writing your first cover letter, in helpful "Do's" and"Don'ts" form!

Don't address your cover letter to "Whom it may concern." How boring and impersonal! Evenworse, how lazy! Most job listings include a contact person. Address your e-mail to them, exactly asit appears. If the name listed is John Smith, then: "To John Smith," or, "To Mr. John Smith," to bemore formal. If there's no contact name listed, a little Googling can turn up a name at the companyor a phone number to call and find out a name. When all else fails, lead with an enthusiastic"Hello!"

Do demonstrate how you're qualified for the job through a past experience or achievement. Part ofthis "Do" includes a definite "Don't": Don't copy, paste and send the same generic cover letterwithout tailoring it first! There's no faster way to communicate to a hiring manager that you don'ttake a job opportunity seriously. But that doesn't mean you have to start from scratch every time. Inthe letter, after introducing yourself and naming the job you're applying for, include a short

paragraph that addresses why you're qualified for this specific position, not just any position. Lookto the job listing for clues: Are they looking for an organized self-starter? Mention that you'restudent government treasurer, and you're responsible for keeping the budget balanced. Are theylooking for a team player? A quick sentence about your Greek affiliations would fit in well here.

Do proofread. Which doesn't mean you can just hit spell-check. Sure, that Word document may befree of pesky green and red squiggly lines, but Bill Gates didn't program his software to know theexact spelling of the hiring manager or company to whom you're sending your cover letter (well,unless it's Microsoft). Re-read each sentence for grammar and clarity. Pay careful attention to names


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and proper nouns. Here's a hint: Check them against the job listing. It may even help to read yourcover letter out loud so you can hear if sentences sound confusing or too long.

Don't write in "Businessese." Always remember, you are not an '80s-movie business stereotype.You don't say things like, "I executed the actionables to leverage the assets for positive growth,"(that doesn't even make sense), so don't write your cover letter that way. Pretend that you're talking

to the interviewer over the phone. Simply explain who you are, what you're applying for, whyyou're qualified and what you hope to bring to the company. Be friendly and conversational andresist the urge to check the Thesaurus. If that $5 word wouldn't pop into your head and out of yourmouth mid-chat, best to leave it out of your cover letter.

Do leave out that babysitting job you had when you were 14. When you're just starting out in acareer, it can seem like a challenge to come up with relevant experience to share with a jobrecruiter. And the truth is, you won't have much! But that's okay, because job recruiters understandthis and entry-level jobs are just that: for beginners! Including kind-of-relevant-but-not-actually-relevant-if-you-think-about-it job experiences, such as babysitting-which really only demonstratesthat you can watch TV while a kid sleeps in another room-will just highlight how green you are. As

a rule of thumb, leave out any high school-era work experience, unless it's directly related to the jobyou're applying for, i.e. you're applying to be a plumber and you were a plumber's apprentice inhigh school.

Don't lie. No, seriously, not even a little bit about things that you think may not matter. They checkthese things! And when the truth comes to light, your employer will not only learn that you weren'tactually the first person under 21 to top Everest, he or she will also learn that you're a liar.

posted by: mtvU

5 Ways To Clean Up Your Social Profile

So you've perfected your resume, nailed your interview, and feel like you're on the cusp of landingyour first real job. Congratulations! It's a tough market out there and you've successfully clearedone of the biggest hurtles in your early career. But before you head to the bar to celebrate-whereyou'll undoubtedly be snapped in a few beer-in-hand party photos that will make their way ontoFacebook the next day-there's one more thing to consider. Yes, you guessed it: those beer-in-hand

party photos on Facebook.

Unlike, say, 10 years ago, companies have gotten savvy about social media, especially when itcomes to their employees-past, present and future. The content found on Facebook, Twitter, photo-and video-sharing sites like Flickr, YouTube and Vimeo, your online dating profiles and anythingelse you've ever put on the Internet are now all fodder for background checks. And why not? No

business wants to invest in an employee who turns out to be a liability, so they're doing theirresearch before extending a job offer. Scary, yes, but it's not all bad news. You can clean up youronline reputation for the job search in five simple steps.

1. Make Your Profiles PrivateThe easiest way to make sure your information stays private is to, well, keep it private! This late inthe game, all social networks offer customizable levels of privacy so you can pick and choose whatcontent can be seen and by whom. When in doubt over how much you should allow others to see,go the safe route and choose the most private option.

2. Pull Down Racy PhotosThey say you should dress for the job you want. And with social media seeping further and furtherinto our everyday communication, it's important to look the part even on your social profiles. Now,no one is expecting you to don a business suit and shoulder pads 24/7, but you also don't want your


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coworkers peeping that photo of you flashing at Mardi Gras last year. If the pictures aren't yours,un-tag yourself and ask the owner to remove them. Saying "please" probably won't hurt yourchances, either.

3. Un-tag Pictures Of Illegal ActivityThat keg stand you did during your first semester at college may have guaranteed you a spot in the

best fraternity on campus, but it's not going to endear you to employers four years later. Add to thatfact that you were probably underage when the picture was taken, and you've just told the corporateworld everything they need to refuse you a job: that you're okay with breaking the law. Immediatelyremove any photos depicting underage drinking, drug use, vandalism, or committing a crime of anytype. Remember, if you wouldn't want a cop to see it, you're future boss shouldn't see it.

4. Remove Offensive, Negative or Inflammatory Content (Especially If It's About Your Boss!)Racism, hate speech and violence against another person or group are unacceptable in and out of theoffice. (Hello! That's why HR departments exist.) Immediately delete any images or remarks thatcould be considered discriminatory or disrespectful. Once you're on the job, resist ranting aboutyour boss, coworkers, clients and company when you're on the Interwebs, no matter how

boneheaded any or all of them may seem at the time. You never know who might see it and forwardit up the chain. That's one awkward conversation that's definitely to be avoided.

5. Delete Old Accounts Created By Younger YouRemember when you were 12 and you had that LiveJournal that chronicled your passion for theJonas Brothers? Oh shoot, you'd totally forgotten about it?! Good thing we reminded you. Whileadorable, those ungrammatical, emoticon-heavy declarations of undying JoBro love don't representthe serious young professional you are today. At the very least, make the account private so you canreminisce about the good old days of "Camp Rock" behind the safety of a password.

posted by: mtvU

What Do I Wear To A Job Interview?

photo credit by: Chris Mller/Getty Images

Everyone knows that people are the best versions of themselves on job interviews-or at least they'restriving to be. Your outfit and grooming not only make an impression on the person you're


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interviewing with, they also influence how you feel about yourself. For example, if you know youlook good with a new haircut and in a freshly pressed suit, you'll project more confidence thanwhen you're rocking five o'clock shadow and rumpled khakis. With that in mind, here's how to dressto impress without breaking the bank.

For men The saying goes, "Dress for the job you want." While inspirational, it's a bit of an

oversimplification: If you're just starting out in your career, it may not make sense to wear a $3,000designer suit-the kind you imagine you'll be wearing when you're CEO of the biggest corporation inthe world-for an interview for an internship at the local accountant's office. What we can take awayfrom that old adage is that you should tailor your interview outfit to the type of culture at thecompany to which you're applying.

Does the company require employees to wear business suits and ties every day of the week? If so, itmay be time to dust off the suit you wore to graduation under your cap and gown. (Better yet, take itto the dry cleaners!) Or it may be time to invest in a formal business suit. You can find affordableand stylish options at retailers such as Men's Wearhouse and many major department stores. Top offthe formal look with a crisp button-down shirt and coordinating tie. And don't forget about those

shoes! While those beat-up Converse served you well as you trekked back and forth across campus,there's no place for them at a job interview.

If the dress code is "business casual," opt for stylish separates. Start with a pair of well-fitted slacks-black, brown, gray, tan or any neutral color will do-and button-down shirt or collared polo. Alwaystucked in! A blazer or suit jacket will add a bit of polish to your look.

Make sure that any facial hair is neat (that includes nose hair!), fingernails are trimmed and clean,and you smell good! That doesn't mean pile on the Axe body spray. In fact, forgo stinky colognes infavor of good old deodorant. You never know what allergies your interviewer may have, and it

probably won't help you land a job if he or she can't stop sneezing.

For women

Unlike guys, who can just toss on a suit and tie and call it a day, women have many more optionswhen it comes to job interview outfits. Should you wear a skirt or slacks? A suit or dress? Hair up ordown? What it really boils down to, though, is what you feel best in. You will project the mostamount on confidence when you feel good in the outfit you're in.

To start, consider what the company's dress code is. If it's formal dress, such as at a bank or lawfirm, your options are already limited: A smart suit with a starched button-down shirt and modestheels will do well here. If it's more of a creative environment, where people often wear jeans, you

have many more options but should still err on the conservative side. Try a flattering day dress in agraphic but not-too-loud print, accented with a belt and tasteful jewelry. Here are some other thingsto keep in mind:

1. Skirts and dresses should hit around the knee and adhere to a "sit test." That is, when you sitdown in them, the skirt doesn't creep up so high that everyone knows your family business.2. Keep your cleavage to yourself. Low-cut and too-tight tops are inappropriate, plain and simple,unless you're applying for a job at, say, Hooters.3. Hose or no hose? If the dress code is formal, grab those tights! If you're not sure if pantyhose arerequired, you can always wear slacks.4. Skip the perfume. You don't know the perfume preferences of the person or people you are

interviewing with (they may HATE the signature scent you've warn since high school) and you don'twant to be remembered as the "smelly" job candidate.5. Nails should be freshly polished, or be trimmed with clear or no polish at all. Chipped or cracked


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nails convey a person who doesn't care much about their appearance.6. When in doubt about your hair, wear it back in a neat ponytail. Otherwise it should be clean and

brushed. You shouldn't have to fiddle with your hair-brushing it out of your eyes, tossing it overyour shoulder. It's a job interview, not a photo shoot.7. Makeup should be light and tasteful. Skip the bright blue eye shadow in favor of a neutral eye,rosy cheek and a flattering lip color. Check your teeth for lipstick right before you head into the

interview.8. You can't go wrong in a closed-toe, mid heel pump in a fairly neutral shade. Leave those sky highheels for those nights you hit da club, unless you're applying for a job at, oh, Hooters again.

posted by: mtvU

How To Network Like A Pro

photo credit by: Cultura/Zero Creatives/Getty Images

Sure, the job market isn't the best right now and student loan debt is higher than ever, but the latestgeneration of job seekers has a powerful asset on their side when it comes to job hunting: theInternet. Not just that it exists, but that they're masters of it. Just think, today's grads have been onFacebook for seven years-since they were in high school. They know how to make friends and

connections faster than any generation before them, and that's an important skill when it comes tocareers.

Making meaningful connections in your industry won't just get you friends, it can lead to jobopportunities. Having a relationship with someone at a company that's hiring can be the difference

between getting your resume on the fast track to a hiring manager or letting it sit in a recruitersemail inbox.

Of course, networking in the business world is different than online social networking. Youwouldn't "poke" your boss in the hallway, for example. But the same governing principles stillapply.

1. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself.For some, this is much easier said than done, especially in one-on-one situations where you can't


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hide behind a computer screen and a "friend request" button. In social settings, such as at work,parties, or even networking functions where the express purpose is for people to meet other people,you simply need to go up to someone, introduce yourself and then ask them about themselves. Anatural dialog should start from there. Later, take that connection online, and reach out via the socialnetworking sites to which you belong.

2. Come prepared.You never know who you're going to meet and when. And there's nothing worse than making avaluable new connection, going home and completely forgetting their name or how to contact them.So, invest in a few business cards to keep in your wallet at all times. You don't need anything superflashy. A simple white or off-white card with your name, phone number, e-mail, website or URL toa social profile will do the trick. You can have them printed for minimal cost at Kinko's or online atVistaPrint.com. And if you meet someone without their own card whose information you'd like, jotdown their deets on the back of one of your cards.

Even better, many smartphones and mobile devices are equipped with address books and record-keeping apps. When it comes time to swap information, whip out your phone and enter the person's

information, then show it to them so they can confirm that you got it right.

3. Be interested in what other people have to say.Just like you have that one annoying friend on Facebook who only has one-sided conversationsabout how amazing/awful their significant other is, no one likes a narcissist in real life. That's whyit's important to be a good listener. Conversations have two participants, and when you're swappingstories, make sure you're not the only one talking. That fastest way to do this? Ask questions that are

positive and focused, that the other person can answer easily. That will keep them talking and youtwo connecting.

4. Be nice. Always.Just like no one likes a narcissist, no one likes a pessimist. Just like you know not to spew derisivecomments about your current employer all over Facebook and Twitter, you shouldn't use yournetworking connections to vent. Be positive and upbeat.

5. Keep in touch.Think of your network as a garden. When you first reach out to people, you are planting the seedsfor future career opportunities. But before you can pluck the roses of an exciting new jobopportunity, to have to feed and water those burgeoning buds. That means responding to them whenthey reach out to you for help-it's a give and take. It also means sending an occasional email to sayhello and check in (but really to make sure their contact information is accurate), or offering to

catch up over coffee.posted by: mtvU

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