How to Decline an Offer

Written By: Danny Chesla

Most people apply to multiple internships at a time. In doing so, you might get the amazing opportunity of getting picked for multiple internships. One might think the interviewing was the hardest part, however, deciding between internships can be a whole new difficulty. Once one has decided on which internship they are going to accept, it is now time to let the other company know that you are going to decline the offer. How do you do that? One might ask. The following are a few tips from Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert.

• Be Prompt: As soon as you’ve made your decision, call the hiring manager and write your letter declining the offer. The company will need to offer the position to someone else, and you don’t want to hold up the process.
   
• Be Courteous: You may be turning down this position, but you might want to be considered for future opportunities. Savvy job seekers use every possible chance to network, so thank all the people you interviewed with and wish them and their company continued success.
   
• Be Diplomatic: If you’ve received another, more generous offer, avoid mentioning the details of the position you’re accepting. Let the hiring manager know that you were impressed by the company and carefully considered the offer, but you are accepting a position that better suits your career objectives.
   
• Be Concise: This is not the place to tout your credentials and career accomplishments. The company already realizes your value, so keep your letter short and sweet.

For more information please visit, http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/cover-letter-samples/sample-letter-declining-job-offer/article.aspx 

The Importance of Details

Written By: Danny Chesla

When looking for a job, there are many important things one has to remember. However, one of the biggest things to remember might also be some of the smallest, and those are details. Details can make or break your career. Details are everywhere, for instance, on your resume, your cover letter, and your entire interview process. Here are a few things to consider about details when applying for jobs.

1. Resume Details: Your resume is where you have to make sure you get all of your information right. Whether it's your contact information, previous job experience, or education, employers will scrutinize everything if they are comparing top candidates for the position.

2. Cover Letter Details: Your cover letter most of the time is your first point of contact when applying for a job. Grammar is everything. If you do not have proper grammar, your cover letter and your resume will be thrown into the trash even though you might be highly qualified for the position.

3. Interview Details: There are hundreds of details to keep in mind while in an interview. A lot of it however, deals with etiquette. Phone interviews are also important and have many hidden details. The most important detail while on a phone interview to remember is time zones. If you schedule your phone interview for three o'clock central time, you might have missed your interview if the company is on eastern time.

Overall, details might be small, but they account for a large part of the job searching process. If one remembers to double check and get their details correct, the job finding process will be a lot easier.

Researching a Company Before an Interview

Written By: Danny Chesla

There are many steps to take before you have an interview with a company. However, one of the most important is researching the company ahead of time. One should research the company even before applying to make sure it will be a good fit. Here are some tips brought to you by About.com Careers in order to help you gain the advantage in the interview.

Visit the Company Website
Visit the company website, review the company mission statement and company history, products and services, management, as well as information about the company culture. The information is usually available in the About Us section of the site.

Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at glance, more information on a company you're interested in. You'll be able see your connections at the company, new hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics. Take a look at your interviewer's profile to get insight into their job and their background.

Get an Interview Edge
Glassdoor's Interview Questions and Reviews section has a goldmine of information for job seekers. You can find out what candidates for the positions you are interviewing for were asked and get advice on how tough the interview was.

Use Social Media
Check Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Like or follow the company to get updates. You'll find information you may not have found otherwise.

Google and Google News
Search both Google and Google News for the company name.

Tap Your Connections
If you have a connection that will help you find inside information, use it. Do you know someone who works there? Ask them if they can help. If you're a college grad ask yourCareer Office if they can give you a list of alumni who work there. Then email, send a LinkedIn message or call and ask for assistance.

If you want to see more tips on company researching please visit, http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviews/qt/interviewtipcompany.htm

Studying For Finals

Written by: Danny Chesla

Winter break is just around the corner and there is only one thing stopping you, finals. Students build up mass amounts of stress and anxiety during dead week and finals week. Everyone has their own personal study techniques, but for those who do not the following ten tips, brought to you by the Social U, can help you get started.

1. Keep your Energy Levels High. Although it is important to leave a reasonable amount of time to study, I believe it is more important to have the energy necessary for optimizing your studies. 

2. 50-10 Rule. I learned this tactic two years ago and it has worked very well for me. The basis of it is to study 50 minutes of every hour, and keep the last 10 minutes to clear your mind. 

3. Organize a Calendar. In this calendar you should add not only the time period of each exam, but also try to separate the hours that you wish to dedicate to each subject. 

4. Create Study Guides One Week Before the Final. Many times, creating study guides are the most time-consuming part of studying. One thing I would recommend is to create these outlines or guides one week prior to the tests so you can just read the organized material and be able to answer the questions quickly and effectively. 

5. Study in Groups Only if it Benefits You. Certainly there are many cases where studying in groups can be beneficial, since many minds working together can help explain concepts better that you perhaps did not understand. 

6. Take Your Time. It is important to spend an adequate amount of time and energy to study. Recall that final exams usually last from an hour and a half to three hours and it can be difficult (if we are not prepared) to handle the concentration level for such a long period of time. Be prepared; practice. 

7. Finish Your Practice Problems. Whenever you find yourself practicing your math problems or something of this sort, don’t give up on them. Finish the problem completely so you can understand them better for the exam and leave no place for doubt. 

8.Relax. Keep your stress levels low. It’s good that you worry about your finals, but don’t let stress and anxiety take over you. 

9. Do a practice quiz. Ask your parents or your brothers and sisters to quiz you about the material you are studying. 

10.Exercise and eat healthy. Exercise and good nutrition cannot only help control your stress levels, but it can also maintain your emotions stable. 

For even more details please visit http://thesocialu101.com/10-study-tips-for-final-exams/

Developing People Skills

Written By: Danny Chesla

 When networking, interviewing, or just casually talking to a potential employer, one constantly needs to be conscious of their people skills. Effectively carrying on a conversation is a major aspect employers are looking for in a job candidate. Below you will find a few helpful tips on how to improve your people skills brought to you by Bob Weinstein.
 
1. Learn to conduct productive conversations. Comfortable people skills open the door for easygoing conversation, says Agno. Excellent rapport between people is built through conversation. Initially, conversation may be hard to start. That’s why it’s important not to think about the structure of a conversation, says Agno. “Be open to conversations that you are unprepared for. Focus on theinterests of the other person rather than your own. And look for opportunities to ask non-threatening questions.”
“It may seem awkward at first, but it sets the stage for a respectful exchange,” Agno adds. Good decisions are usually made when the right questions are asked.
And don’t let anxiety or tension stand in your way. It’s normal to be nervous when interacting with people for the first time. Most people mistakenly dwell on discomfort, failing to realize that the other person is nervous as well. So take it as a given and use small talk (the weather, the economy, sports) as a bridge to relaxed and comfortable rapport.
2. Read body language. Successful salespeople have learned how to get a reading on people based upon their facial expressions, gestures, posture and eye contact. Once they read the body signals in others, they can apply it to themselves. A relaxed expression and constant eye contact communicate a sense of self-confidence and poise that relax the person you’re dealing with, making it easier to sell a product or rally support for a position.
3. Seek feedback and criticism. It takes time and hard work to build strong people skills. Learning can only take place if you’re constantly seeking feedback and criticism. Open yourself up to the notion of lifelong learning and bettering yourself.
4. Master listening. Masterful communicators have learned that building a comfortable rapport is finding the divine balance between speaking and listening. Most people are too intent on speaking. They don’t realize that the only way to get a true reading on another person is to listen to what they have to say. It sounds obvious. But listening often involves learning how to be silent and waiting for the other person to express his viewpoint. Silence often opens the door to active, fruitful conversation. In time, you’ll learn to be an empathetic listener.

If you are interested in learning more please visit http://www.reliableplant.com/read/26406/four-tips-people-skills 

Tips for College Seniors about Jobs

Written By: Danny Chesla

Being a senior myself I am forced to come to the realization that my college career is coming to an end. With that being said it is now time for seniors to shift into high gear with job searching. Here are eight tips for college seniors brought to you by Judy Shen-Filerman.

1.    Inventory the skills you can sell to a potential employer

Evaluate all the work—part-time, full-time, and volunteer—that you have accomplished over the last four years. Volunteering and fundraising for a charity demonstrates that you have business development skills. Paying for college on your own means you have ambition and motivation. Being an RA (Resident Assistant) at college shows that you know how to manage people, are trustworthy, and reliable.

2.     Be able to communicate your passion

Know who you are and why you have chosen your path, and craft that into your ‘career story.’ If you have known since you were a child that you had the desire to help others, and can site valid volunteer or employment history, a potential employer in charity or nonprofit will recognize your aspirations and abilities.

3.     Itemize your competitive advantages as a recent graduate

Your adeptness with social media.

Your hunger to work hard to make a difference.

Your willingness to be flexible and learn on the job.

4.     Network with people you know

In this economy, word of mouth advertising is incredibly helpful. Let your family friends, professors, and relatives know the kind of job you’re looking for, what your contributory skills are, and why you’re excited to do that kind of work. Ask them if they know people you can talk to.

5.     Tap into your university alumni base

Alumni enjoy assisting recent grads, especially if you have practical skills and are willing to pay your dues. Gather your list from tips one and two above and email alums to ask for a discussion about their careers. Don’t come out and directly ask for a job at the start, learn about them, talk about your interests, and opportunities may develop.

6. Stay focused and have a thick skin

You may get more no’s, but if you stay true to your goals, keep trying, and get feedback along the way, a job opportunity will likely show up. You can’t wait for a job to land on your lap, you must hit the pavement and persist to win.

7.     Be willing to start at a lower level but be clear about skills you’ll gain

Perhaps you’ll need to “settle” for a job that isn’t your ideal. If it can provide skills that you can leverage for future career growth, go for it. After one to two years, with some proven experience, you can transition to a higher level job.

 8.   Stay positive about yourself and your capabilities

In a rebounding economy, it may be disheartening for new college graduates to apply and interview for many jobs that may never materialize. Remember to look at the big picture. Life is a long journey and you will land a job. At the same time that you plow forward and persistent look for a job, remember your talents (perhaps review a letter of recommendation) and importantly, remember to take care of yourself and focus on moving forward on a positive path.

For more articles like this please visit http://www.diversityjournal.com/10664-tips-for-college-seniors-to-secure-a-job-on-graduation/ 

Taking Essential College Classes

Written By: Danny Chesla

There are thousands of classes that one can take while attending college. Besides classes that are focused on your major, one should also branch out to try new classes. However, classes that will not be beneficial to your future should not be a first priority. Classes that will help with one’s professionalism and communication skills will always be beneficial. Communication classes can teach many essential skills that one can use in the office or wherever their career might take them. An article on CNBC stated that business and economics would be a smart choice but also theatre arts which might surprise you. Theatre arts can help with one’s improvisational skills during the surprise questions in an interview.  It can also help one realize and control nervous habits when speaking for instance excessively moving your hands. For the full list of helpful class choices visit http://www.cnbc.com/id/100928074#.  Overall, college is very important to one’s future, and by taking essential classes one can get the most out of their college career.

Mastering the On-Site Interview

Written by: Danny Chesla

The on-site interview is one of final determining processes in landing a job. One has managed to successfully peak the interest of the potential employer most likely at a career event. In order to have an impressive on-site interview one must think about these things, preliminary arrangements, preparation, informal social event/interview, meals and drinks, corporate culture and fit, and day of interviews.

Preliminary arrangements- Once you've received the invitation for the on-site visit, your first test is one of successfully dealing with the travel arrangements and arriving to the employer's office safely -- and on time. Every company handles travel arrangements differently, so make sure you clearly understand the procedures and arrangements before you leave for the visit.

Preparation- You thought you had to know a lot about the company for the initial interview? Well, you now need to become even more of an expert. Spend time researching the company by examining the company's annual reports, company Websites, and external sources of information.

Informal social event/interview- Whether it's the night before or the evening afterwards, an informal social event designed for casual conversation is almost always part of the company visit agenda. Employers see this as a time to see how well you seem to fit with their current mix of employees -- and you should take advantage of the event to see how this group fits with you.

Meals and drinks- You can usually expect one or more meals during your on-site visit. A time to relax and pig out? Hardly. These "breaks" from interviewing should be seen as just another interview, in which your manners, poise, conversation skills, and judgment may be evaluated. Make sure you know proper dining etiquette.

Corporate culture and fit-An on-site interview is also a great chance for you to really get a snapshot of the organization's corporate culture. The corporate culture is the environment or personality of an organization; it dictates acceptable business practices, the treatment of employees, and much more.

Day of interviews-Make sure you get a good night's rest before the big day of interviews. You will often meet with multiple groups of people, from potential coworkers, to managers and executives. Be prepared for different types of interviews and different style of interviewers. 

For more on-site interview tips visit http://www.quintcareers.com/mastering_onsite_interviews.html 

Fixing your Elevator Pitch

Written By: Danny Chesla

In this day in age everyone knows the importance of an elevator pitch. You need to get your point across in as little amount of time possible in a way that is creative and memorable. A task which takes a lot of planning and practice. Potential candidates get too distracted by the fact they need to have an elevator pitch and do not know how to deliver it. Your elevator pitch needs to flow and have a conversational tone behind it. It should not come out as a memorized paragraph that you are reading off of a piece of paper. Each pitch you give should be unique. Very rarely will you be able to use the same pitch for different companies. The potential candidate needs to impress the company with in depth research and fit it into the pitch. Being flexible is key as well. There will be times when you will be interrupted in the middle of your pitch in which you will need to be able to adjust. Overall, potential candidates need to realize their elevator pitch is not set in stone. One needs to be on their toes will delivering the pitch picking up on visual cues given to them by the listener. Elevator pitches are key to getting your foot in the door and on your way to your true potential.

Creating an Advertising Campaign

When introducing something new, one wants to create the best advertising campaign possible in order to have their product standout and be successful. However, with today's social media overload and major advertising corporations it is hard to be a successful standout. Creativity and planning are key to have when planning a campaign but there is much more. Julie Burmeister released the article "8 Do's and Don'ts for More Effective Ad Campaigns" and they are as follows.

1. Don't be a follower

Too many advertisers get caught up in what their competitors are doing, assuming their competitors are smarter and in the know.

2. Don't overlook your website

Too many financial institutions focus their efforts on their ad campaigns, and ignore the fact that they have an outdated website.

3. Don't jump on every bandwagon that rolls by

The advertising world is changing constantly, and there’s always some new fad. But that doesn’t mean that every new thing that comes along makes sense for you.

4. Find the benefit

People don’t buy products – they buy the benefits they derive from them.

5. Refine your understanding of your target audience

Most banks and credit unions want to generate more accounts from 18-34 year olds. But rarely do they take the time to get to know this target, and how to relate to them. To begin with, an 18-year-old is very different from a 30-year-old. Therefore, you’ll want to consider each in terms of the products you offer and where you offer them.

6. Clearly define your goals and expectations

You will always have better success with advertising campaign if everyone agrees what each campaign’s goals are from the beginning.

7. Be consistent

Some advertisers feel they have to change their tagline, or their colors, or their look-and-feel every year. Some even think they need to “mix it up” with each new campaign they run — “That’s how we keep it fresh.” But when you do this, you are simply dulling your identity’s ability to build your brand. 

8. Have the courage to stand out

In research, consumers often say that there is very little difference in banks. Imagine how successful you could be if you were different.

For a more in depth description of each "Do's and Don'ts" please visit http://thefinancialbrand.com/31471/8-tips-for-more-effective-advertising-campaigns/

Tips for a Great Presentation

When one finishes a project, design, or whatever it may be, it is a great feeling. However, the project is only as good as the presentation of it. One can have a great project but have it lose credibility with a poor presentation. Here are a few tips brought to you by Mark Suster on how to give a great presentation in order for one's project to reach its full potential.

1. Show some energy!

No great presentation can be delivered like a conversation. You're not lecturing to a college class, you're not at a cocktail party and you're not chatting with a small group in a board meeting. You're on stage! 

2. Tell a story

Every great presentation tells a story. A story has a beginning, middle, and end. They humanize issues and stir emotions. They bring your product to life, but are not buzzwords or bullet points.

3. Learn how to structure

 Telling a story is one thing, but make sure that you have structure. You need to break down your message into key components, which all follow a theme or thesis. You then need sub-themes or supporting evidence to reinforce your key theme. These are weaved through your story.

4. Know your audience 

5. Be unique and memorable

 Remember that most speaking events have a ton of other speakers--most are exceedingly boring. They all start to blend together. Make sure you do something that makes you stand out.

6. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

The goal of the presentation is just to give the audience a basic sense of what you do and why it matters. Don't confuse this with a tour-de-force education on the finer details of how your company's operates.

7. Summarize 

 The old line about presenting was, "tell us what you're going to tell us, tell us, and then tell us what you told us." If you do this it will be very boring, but the core idea is right.

8. Make it visual 

Bullet points were the worst thing ever created for group presentations. Nobody wants to read your text on a big screen. The way to capture an audience's attention is visually. Pictures set the image, your voice tells what would have been in the bullet points.

9. Practice 

You actually need to do a dry run in front of friends, colleagues, and others. There is only one way to know how your presentation will go and this is by getting real feedback from your listeners. Ask them to be harsh, it's better that you know now than when you deliver it in front of 300 people.

10. Stick to your allotted time

 If you've been given six minutes then plan a presentation that can be done in five. Trust me, whatever amount of time you've gone over in practice it will be longer when you're on stage. And if you're done a minute early, bravo!

For a more in depth description of each point visit http://www.inc.com/mark-suster/10-tips-for-a-killer-presentation.html 

The Importance of Portfolios

Portfolios are key in order to be successful when trying to take the next big leap after college. Portfolios contain everything one has worked on throughout their college career or even before. It shows potential employers the talent one has and what they have learned. However, one does not want their portfolio to bring them down whether it contains too many pieces, pieces that are out of date, or too little variation. Here are some tips from Design Sojourn that can help make one's portfolio professional.

1) A portfolio is a story about you.

A lot people say a portfolio is a selling tool. I fully agree. But a portfolio is more than that. If you think of your portfolio as a sales tool, you tend to just focus on execution skills or how many pieces of software you can use. A portfolio should instead tell an engaging story about you. It should show, through your projects, where you are in design, your passions, your goals, and your strengths. A good way to start your portfolio story is to have a 2-sentence summary about who and what you are all about.

2) Have an intro page.

This might be a no brainer, but a well-designed introduction page sets the tonality of your portfolio presentation. Many designers just have a title page at the start that says: “Jack’s portfolio.” That’s not good enough. Expanding from the first point you need to share a little about your background to give your portfolio story more depth. Keep it light though; you are summarizing your design career not writing a biography.

3) Keep the number of projects in your portfolio to between 8-10.

As time goes by, you are bound to build a drawer or a hard drive full of design projects that you have played a part in. The trick is to pick 8-10 of your very best projects for your portfolio. Any more than 10, it gets too many and most people cannot remember what they have seen. Run with less than 8 projects, and your portfolio content feels a little light.

There is one caveat to this number, and that is the number of pages per project. If your portfolio tends to have more pages for each project, you should cut the total number of projects down. If you have fewer pages per project, then you may need to bump the total number of projects up.

4) Ensure that projects in your portfolio are no older than 3 years.

To help make your selection process easier, consider removing projects that are older than 3. A big and extensive design project, could sit in your portfolio for up to 5 years as it probably took more than 2 years to complete, but try to avoid anything pass that timeframe as the work could start to look a little dated. When in doubt, prioritize commercial work over concept or schoolwork.

5) Know the purpose of each project in your portfolio.

Every project in your portfolio should have a purpose, a reason for it to exist in your portfolio. That purpose should be somehow related to highlighting your strengths and ability as a designer. Does this project show your potential employer you can deliver award-winning designs? Is this project all about your 3D rendering skills? Or does this project share a little about your design process? In many cases designers tend to double up projects, for example show a lot of 3D work and as a result unknowingly make their portfolio very 3D heavy. Try to avoid repeating skills and be ruthless in your selection criteria.

To see the full list please visit http://www.designsojourn.com/10-essential-tips-for-creating-that-killer-portfolio/