Interviewing Tips

Here's a few tips for interviewing:
-Know where you're going. Research how to get there.
-Arrive early
-Be nice to everyone you meet
-After the interview, send a hand written thank you note to everyone you met with. Reiterate what you all talked about and how specifically you're a good fit for the position.
-Bring extra copies of your resume.
-Also, bring your references.
-A side note on references: You should have 3-5. They can be employers, professors, and anyone who can speak about your work and who knows you personally. I would avoid having a friend serve as a reference. Ask them ahead of time if they'd be willing to serve as a reference. Send them your resume, so they can better speak about your experience. Also, once you've set an interview, send your references a copy of the job description. This way, if they're called they can know specifics on your skills and speak to them.
-Prepare questions to ask your interviewers. This is a chance for you to see if this is a company you'd like to work for. I would prepare a minimum or 3-5 questions.
-Sample questions I've used: 1) What do you like most about working here, 2) What would a typical day be like in this role, 3) What will some of the challenges be for a person in this role, 4) What characteristics are most needed for the person in this role.
-If taken out to eat as part of the interview, order in the low to mid-range of meal prices. If everyone orders an alcoholic beverage, you can have one tops.
-Always be courteous to the waitstaff.

If you have any specific questions, let me know. I've worked in professional development for 7.5 years now and would love to share what I've learned along the way. :)

Career Tips, Part 2

Things to know:
-At a career fair, you have to be bold. If you're not feeling bold, fake it.
-Also, smile; it lightens the mood
-A good, firm handshake is a must. Practice and ask people how it felt to them.
-Wear professional, but comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in. Limping doesn't look confident.
-A pop of color is good, but stick to classic, conservative suits and colors.
-Have a leather or fake leather padfolio to keep your resumes and notes in. It looks classier than a folder.

Career Fairs Tips, Part One

I work in professional development. Sometimes, I assume things are common sense, but they're not.
If you're looking for a job here are some tips:
-Use resume paper. It's a little thicker and nicer, which gives your resume a more professional feel; literally.
-Before going to a career fair, research the companies. Know a stat about them or an award they just received. Most hosts of career fairs will have a list of companies attending.
-Once you get to a career fair, get the map of the booth layout, find a seat and chart what order you'll visit companies in. This saves you some time.
-Have an elevator pitch. Know what you're looking for and be able to articulate that to companies. It should include: your major (if you're still in school), what your job background is or what you're looking for. Also, talk about what skills you bring to the table.
-Email recruiters that you talk with. In my time as a recruiter, less than 1% of people who took my business card would actually write me. When you write, include what you all talked about to help them remember you.
-Don't talk to your dream company as soon as you get there, warm up talking to a few other companies first.
-If you want an interview ask about one. "I hear that you all are offering next day interviews. How would one get an interview?"

Maybe I Watch a Lot of Movies...

Recently, while looking to rent Paul Walker's latest movie, Brick Mansions, I saw one I didn't even know he starred in, Vehicle 19. I rented and watched it with my parents. It was really suspenseful; he's a convict who is traveling to Africa to see his estranged wife. He rents a car at the airport and all the trouble starts. He finds a ringing cell phone and answers it. Soon he realizes the car wasn't meant for him and someone really wants that car. The whole movie is literally him being chased in a car. Soon he finds a kidnapped women in the car. She's been drugged. For awhile, she thinks he's one of the bad guys. She uncovered a corrupt police chief and they're out for her now. Paul's character just wanted the patch things up with his wife. Now he's in a bad situation, trying to get him and the kidnapped lady out alive. It was a really different movie from anything else I've seen him in, but I liked it. He was the only famous actor in the movie. Check it out:

Don't judge me, but before last weekend, I'd never seen the Breakfast Club. Not sure how I've missed it all these years. It's from 1985, with Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy. They're five teens from very different backgrounds that end up in detention together on a Saturday morning. Though interesting, the movie seems a little far-fetched with all the stuff those five get into. They all end up leaving friends and two couples form; which seems improbable. The 80's feel so far removed from where we're at now. Thoughts on the movie?

I've also been looking forward to seeing Liam Neeson's, newer movie, Non-Stop. My parent's and I have enjoyed his other movies, like Taken and Taken 2. So, the premise of this is that he's an Air Marshall abroad an international flight. It seems he has a drinking problem. He's flying first class and seems generally pretty grumpy. During the flight, he get a text message threatening the life of a passenger if the sender doesn't receive $150 million wired to their account. There's another Air Marshall aboard and soon it seems that the other Marshall is in on the money. The threat is that a passenger will be killed every 30 minutes unless the money is wired. As the 30 minute deadline approaches, Liam's character, Bill gets into a tussle with the dirty Air Marshall and kills him. He gets a text acknowledging that he's killed the guy and another 30 minute count down begins. Bill gets the help of his seatmate played by Julianne Moore and a flight attendant to help him figure out who is texting. He's a little gruff with the people he suspects. Most of the passengers are sleeping. He talks with the pilots about the situation, but they don't want to divert and land the plane. As the next 30 minutes expires, a passenger who gets framed at being the texter dies. As Bill questions him, suddenly he can't breathe. As they trace the account the ransom is to be wired to, they realize it's in Bill's name. He's being framed, but the pilot's and airline think that Bill is the hijacker. Next thing you know, 30 more minutes pass and the pilot dies. Slowly, the passengers turn on Bill as it seems that he is the hijacker and he's harsh with passengers. Somehow, news sources catch what's happening and report that he's the hijacker.Now the passengers watch the news about this and it fuels into the passengers' fears. They beat and try to subdue Bill. I won't give away the movie yet, but you should see it. :)

Fears

Most of my fears revolve around loss of family and dreams.

I want to see more of the world and am scared I never will.

I want to fall in love, but fear I never will again.

I fear I'll get my heart broken again.

I fear I won't get married and have kids

I fear being an awful spouse and mother.

I fear life without my parents and grandma.

I fear being alone.

I fear losing more of my health.

I fear failing.

I fear running into the guy who broke my heart.

I fear public speech.

I fear living an ordinary life.

I'm working to conquer my fears, pray about my fears, and not let them control me. I take comfort in knowing that God has great plans for my life and He will be there through every struggle life may bring. I find a sense of peace in that I never have to handle my fears alone. God walks with me and comforts my heart. So, I give God my fears and let Him hold them.

Franky, Part 1

The reason I love dogs is because of my very first dog, Franky. I grew up as an only child, kind of lonely. I'd always wanted a dog and somehow came up with the name, Franky despite having a relative with that name. :)

Mom researched dogs at the library; this was long before the internet. She decided we needed a golden retriever since they were great family dogs. My dad adamantly did not want a dog, especially in the house. Mom and I went out to the country to look at some puppies. I remember out of the woods came the mama dog and all these gorgeous puppies. We picked up several by the scruff of the neck to see if they had good dispositions. Somehow, we settled on one, paid the money, and put a collar on him. He wasn't old enough to come home with us, so we had to wait a few weeks.

Dad kept saying that dogs don't belong in the house. Before bringing Franky home, we'd hoped that dad would warm up to the idea of a dog, but he didn't. However, when we brought home Franky Golden Konza we were all goners. That dog changed us all so much.

We got Franky when I was roughly 8. I remember, the first night, we penned him up the kitchen since he wasn't housebroken yet and he cried for his mom and siblings. I slept outside the kitchen and talked to him. He was such a cute puppy.

We had such a learning curve with that poor puppy. Mom and I had never had a dog before. We taught him to sit, come, and stay. He loved chewing on things. I talked to him a lot and I really felt like he understood me. He would chase me around the kitchen and nip at my heels. He'd eat any morsel of fallen food with thanks. He'd bark when someone would come to the door. He made friends quickly and loved licking people. We played out in the snow together.

Soon after we got him, mom found what she thought were tumors all over our sweet, new puppy. She ran and got my dad and it turned out to be lots of deer ticks from his hikes with his mom and siblings in the woods.

Franky was responsible for most of the great memories I have of my childhood.
Via Pinterest:

Dance

I've always loved a good dance. Recently, I realized a friend knew nothing of all the great dance songs, so I thought I'd share them with you too.



(Super easy version)



Copperhead Road Dance:

Ones I want to learn: thriller, hustle, and lastly to twerk (though that one won't be done in public). What else should I learn?

Via Pinterest:

Sometimes You Need a Break

Spring semester was hard. I struggled with school, sleep, insurance issues, my rheumatoid arthritis, ending a negative friendship, I got my heart broken, and I gained weight. On top of that, I turned 30. The stress of everything had me feeling ill on a continual basis. I was nauseous every morning for months. I was tired of feeling awful. As soon as the semester ended, I hopped a plane for Ireland. In Ireland, from day 1, I felt amazing. My nausea went away. In Ireland, I felt like a brand-new me. My complexion cleared up and my hair looked amazing. With sights like these and wonderful fresh air; how could I not feel better?




I got home from my trip and after months of not being able to lose any weight; I lost 8 pounds in June! Let me be clear, the weight didn't just fall off. I watched my diet and worked incredibly hard; increasing my time in the gym. I mainly did cardio (zumba, rowing, and the elliptical) and ab class. In July, I traveled to Colorado Springs, CO and Lake of the Ozarks, MO. So, I definitely didn't lose any weight in July. :) In August, I lost 3 pounds. Though my battle with my weight will be a life-long one; I'll continue to work hard and try to stay healthy.

To brighten your day; how can one not smile when watching golden retriever puppies?! Yes, I have puppy fever! Can't have one at my apartment. :(