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Online Job Hunting Isn't a Magic Bullet

9/2/2010 5:29:40 PM

Social networking is extremely popular these days, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Younger generations of job hunters have moved beyond online search engines to creatively utilize a wealth of other Internet-based resources.

There is a lot of great information out there on how to use everything from Twitter to blogging to LinkedIn, all of which can help you network and market yourself. These can be valuable supplemental tools when looking for a new job.

Are we right to embrace these pieces of advice? Of course! With unemployment remaining a serious problem today, recent and soon-to-be grads should be doing everything you can to get your names out there.

Be careful, however, not to get too caught up in this craze. We members of Generation Y like using our Internet savvy so much that we’re in danger of forgetting the basics, maybe even of growing lazy. Unlike older generations, who never had such conveniences, we are accustomed to instant gratification. Unfortunately, starting and maintaining a career aren’t that easy. There is no quick fix, and you will have to work hard at both.

In order to stave off the lazy Internet mentality and stay focused, keep the following job hunting advice in mind:

Competition is Fiercer Online

There is nothing wrong with applying for a job online; in fact, it is becoming employers’ preferred method for posting an opening. Realize, however, that competition for these positions is going to be fierce. It takes such a minimal effort that people who might not ordinarily apply will do so. If you do apply for a job this way, be sure to include a cover letter that addresses all the requirements in the listing.

Some employers who use sites like Monster can also require you to answer interview-type questions prior to submitting your application. It is very important that you do not skip these, thinking your resume is good enough to get you the job. Employers can get thousands of resumes for just a single listing; if you put little or no effort into answering their questions, no one will even look at your credentials.

Get Offline for a Day or Two

If applying online isn’t getting you anywhere, do it the old-fashioned way – ask around. Talk to former classmates, professors, or colleagues to find out who is hiring. You can also throw on a suit, print out a bunch of resumes, and head to your local business district; I’ve had several people make rounds like this in my office building, dropping off their resumes so that we’ll already have them on file when something opens up. Don’t be intimidated by this idea! It shows you’re proactive, and, unlike an online job application, it puts a friendly, human face behind your impressive accomplishments.

You’re Not “Above” Any Offer

Don’t be “above” anything, any internship, full time position, or temporary gig. Just because want ads are plentiful on the Internet doesn’t mean offers are easy to come by. I spent three months answering online ads before I got a single call back. Why? Most likely because of what I mentioned before – applying online is so easy that employers receive many responses. Because of this, I was thrilled when I was offered my job, and yet I still had friends who told me to hold out for something else. People forget, however, that times have changed; a college degree no longer guarantees you work, especially these days, when more experienced individuals have been laid off and are applying for some of the same jobs you are. I’m not saying you need to settle, but make sure you don’t undervalue any opportunities that come your way. You never know where they might take you.

Sanitize Your Online Profiles

Finally, I know you’ve heard this before, but please get anything even slightly controversial off of your Facebook, Twitter, blog, or any site that appears when your name is Googled. This goes beyond the pictures from your 21^st birthday. Think of the Internet as an extension of the workplace; if you wouldn’t say something at work, don’t say it on your blog, especially if it’s public or you’re actively using that blog to market yourself. Things like excessive profanity and complaining about your boss don’t “give you character” – they make you seem unprofessional.

Combine Your Tech-Savvy with a Strong Work Ethic

Perhaps the most important tip to keep in mind is that the people hiring you did not grow up in the computer-obsessed generation you did; these individuals, especially those of older generations, value motivated individuals who are willing to work from the bottom up. But they also need people who can keep up with changing trends in technology – and that’s where you come in.

Find a way to satisfy both of these needs, and you’ll be a star employee.

Christine Savoia recently graduated from Marist College with a degree in English/Writing. She is currently sharing her experience and experiments with food, nutrition, and health in general on her blog, The Mini Muncher.

Finding "Free" Money for College

9/2/2010 5:18:46 PM

If you don’t play your cards correctly, going to college can be one of the most costly investments you make in life. There’s significant evidence, however, that college grads make more money over their lifetime than their peers who don’t pursue at least a four-year degree.

And we all know that employers prefer or even require a Bachelor’s degree for many entry-level jobs.

Still, college is a big up-front cost, and it’s important to think about managing that cost well. After you fill out the FAFSA and exhaust your federal aid options, it’s time to think about “free” money: scholarships!

Don’t Assume Scholarships Are Only for Valedictorians

Yes, there are scholarships earmarked for exceptional students with flawless academic records. But more often than not, an organization that gives scholarships is looking for something beyond a strong GPA: they’re looking for students who embody the values they espouse.

That might mean that your role as editor of the student newspaper could make or break your application; it might mean that your ethnicity will be a factor in a successful scholarship application. Other factors that can influence where scholarship money goes are athletic ability, creative talent, and community service.

The best way to find the right scholarship for you is to search for scholarships and grants that match your interests, academics, and intentions (some also reward planned courses of study). Visit iGrad’s scholarship resource page to find websites that help you find the awards that are right for you.

Good Scholarships Are Hiding Everywhere

There are other ways to find scholarships that might be easier for you to nab directly if you just take a good look around.

If you aren’t already, become involved in your local community – deeply involved, if you can. Commitment to community service, causes, and organizations shapes character, but it also leads to lifelong connections and networking opportunities that can help you get a leg up in work and in school.

The people you live and work alongside during high school and college can become mentors who form part of a broader professional or social network that influences how you find jobs, scholarships, and other opportunities.

Here are a few sources to find leads on good scholarships that you might not have thought about:

Employers (yours or your parents’)
Minority groups or organizations
Essay contests (local or national)
Churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious groups or clubs
Hobbyist and special interest groups
Community service organizations
Fraternal organizations and even unions
Education lenders and other education-related businesses
And finally, don’t forget about the university or school itself, depending on your major or program

Other Ways to Finance Higher Ed

Some students have exhausted their federal financial aid options and have already explored scholarships. If that’s your situation, and you still need more cash to help out, read our article about financing college when federal aid isn’t available to you.

It’s important to remember that graduate students have other options that might not be available to undergraduates, like fellowships, assistantships, and more. One graduate student and resume professional dishes on how grad students can get more money for school (without taking on too much loan debt).

Parents and students can benefit from planning their time and their financial investment wisely. Read our tips on staying organized when applying to school to keep you on track. If you’re actually the parent of a student, you might want to read an article by financial planner Justin Krane about getting value for your investment in your child’s higher education.

And once you’re out of school, you may have student loan repayment to contend with – it’s something to consider planning for in advance! Our Money Editor gives you the down low on true alternative repayment plans – loan forgiveness in one of her feature stories.

Did you use scholarship money to fund your tuition in college? How did you find the scholarship that was right for you?

Get Your Green Grill on This Labor Day

9/2/2010 4:03:01 PM

Three days of fun, sun and lots of food and drink. Labor Day weekend is the last hurrah before the three month span to holiday season. Impress your friends, co-workers and family members by organizing a clean, green party machine this weekend. Think eco-friendly is out of your budget? You are incorrect my friend. Going green for your Labor Day barbecue will help you save money, and possibly the headache of clean up (usually during your hangover the next morning).

Potluck Party!

Nothing makes a shindig easier than having your party members chip in. You can kill two birds with one stone by asking them to contribute a dish, and bring their dishes. Organizing a potluck-style BBQ also gives you more control in steering the party into an eco-friendly direction. For example, if you offer to provide the meat, you will then be able to purchase “happy meat” and control the portion amounts being served. Your guests can then contribute veggies, side dishes, desert, and (of course) libations.

Party Tip: Make life easy for larger gatherings by organizing “what to bring” by last names. For example: assign “sweet” dishes for last names A-L, and “savory” dishes for M-Z, including an accompanying beverage to share for 3-4 people.

Customized Serving Ware

No matter if you are organizing Labor Day festivities for a backyard party, or for a little beach action - having people “BYOB” for food and serving ware (including glasses) is a no-brainer for clean-up. When party guests are responsible only for their own eating ware, that frees you from the kitchen detail, and they just simply bring their dishware back home post-party. If you absolutely want to bring something more “portable,” World Market offers a great deal on attractive bamboo dishes, which you can pick up at your local store. And don’t forget the cloth napkins!

Entertaining Tip: Have an old tablecloth that you never use because of the huge red wine stain in the middle? Cut the tablecloth into 13” squares (use the stain part for clean ups around the house), iron edges .5” with “no sew” fusible webbing (if sewing isn’t an option) for reusable cloth napkins.

Happy Meat is Tasty Meat

Upgrade in consciousness and taste with free-range, organically fed meats. For a few dollars more, you will be supporting the sustainable organic farming community. Not to mention happy meat tastes better. When cattle, poultry, pig and lamb are organically fed (sans hormones; cattle should be grass fed), and then allowed to exercise in a field outside with lots of sunshine and fresh air…well, who wouldn’t taste better? Nationwide stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes offer many (well-marked) variations of our favorite grilling meats. Local farmer markets, and butchers are also still a great resource for buying locally.

Budget tip: think quality, not quantity. Veggies are cheaper, healthier and should be consumed in a much larger quantity than meat. You will limit your exposure to undercooking and will be less likely to be infected with bacteria.

Flame Up “Au Natural”

Gas grills come out on top for clean grilling since propane and natural gas are the most energy efficient clean burners, that leaving less waste behind. Charcoal grills are the dirtiest with burned briquettes containing carbon monoxide and other harsh chemicals. So save your stomach, taste buds and the environment by going gas, or eco-friendly charcoal. Eco-friendly coal includes lump charcoal harvested from sustainably managed forests or pillow-shaped briquettes made without coal dust or unhealthy additives. Brands such as Lazzari Fuel Company (mesquite lump charcoal), Cowboy Charcoal (natural lump charcoal), and Wicked Good (natural hardwood briquettes) can be found at local garden supply stores, Whole Foods and some grocery stores (if they have a well-stocked organic food section).

Great Grilling Tip: Grill with the lid down, it’s more energy efficient, and helps distribute heat thoroughly. Big grills take a while to heat up - expending more energy, so know your headcount beforehand and buy an appropriate amount of food.

Make Clean Up a Cinch

A little pre-party preparation will help you enjoy the end of your soiree just as much as your guests. The trick is to have a well-planned “exit” strategy that includes strong communication with your guests, and a few little tasks throughout the party.

Before the party starts, put out accessible recycle bins (separate glass, plastic, and metal recyclable containers) and let your guests know you want them to recycle all cans, bottles, and recyclable paper ware.
Start cleaning your grill while it’s still hot, with baking soda and a wire brush.
Box up your leftovers in reusable storage containers.
Gather the compostables and bring them to a compost heap or bin—you can compost natural charcoal remnants too.

Seriously, eco-friendly party planning does not have to complicated, or expensive. Just as all things eco-minded, it takes a little thought, some elbow grease, and a willingness to try a new approach in life. Sharing this event with your friends and family will help them see a new way to “party” as well!

So Why Don't I Have a Job Yet?

9/2/2010 3:07:37 PM

In the quest to market myself in order to get a career in this marvelous economy I have read blog after blog on personal branding, joined the necessary social media spaces (LinkedIn, Brazen Careerist, Twitter), and even worked to build a community with the Twitter chat, #genychat.

I do all of this because I am genuinely passionate about helping people who feel underserved in society. I would do everything I do on a daily basis even without being paid for it. I do it now without being paid, and I love it.

However, I do acknowledge the need to move away from my mother’s house, live on my own, and support myself as the adult I like to think that I am. There is also the terrible stigma associated with all of Generation Y boomerang kids. I deeply despise this label for its faulty method of drawing its conclusions. Still, it’s difficult to fight the naysayers when you, if even partially, fit the stereotype.

Consequently, the question I’ve been asking myself lately is, what am I doing wrong that others are doing right? And in the question, I found my answer.

Envy

I discovered that in my quest to establish a career I had become envious of those around me who were achieving success. Having to leave college early due to financial difficulties will put anyone in a funk. Watching your former roommates announce their graduation on Facebook, going to your younger relatives’ graduations, and seeing avatar after avatar of graduation-capped, beaming Twitter friends is enough to make you a wee bit annoyed.

The emotion that makes you want to throw your laptop out the window is exactly what serves to motivate you, though. Envy is like an internal compass that guides you in the direction of your passions. It tells you that this is where you want to be and what you want to be doing. Have you ever heard or read someone mention that they went hiking on their vacation? If you were unmoved, you had no inner desire to go hiking or take a vacation. Grumbled to yourself bitterly? Get some hiking shoes, or start saving for a vacation. Can’t save for a vacation? Well, then you fall into the next category that I moved into.

Self-Doubt

After attempting to work through the envious feelings, the next step was to doubt the entire process. Of course I was doing something wrong, right? Everyone else around me was succeeding. Wasn’t it only natural that I should be able to find a job? My mom didn’t go to college, and I’m living in her house. This is where I would stare into the camera, blink a couple times, breaking the unseen “fourth wall.” Really??

What was so wrong with me that I, who was only a year away from a degree, couldn’t get a job? Am I really not good at anything besides retail? This is what the job boards will have you believe.

Conduct a targeted job search; sift through the listings that require a degree. What’s left: hostess at the local restaurant, or part time cashier? Even the receptionist jobs require a degree. I believed in myself, though. Wasn’t that enough? That’s what everyone says is the key to getting yourself on the right path. Is all of that useless wisdom from people who never went through these problems? On to the next emotion.

Bitterness

The next stage is, inevitably, the inability to complete any tasks. What’s the point? No one is going to read it because it’s not from an established icon. It’s not long until days pass where no work is completed and you just sit clicking and typing aimlessly, devoid of passion.

The question is what do you do? Where do you move on to from here? Have you ever been in this position or know someone who has? What advice finally worked?

Chanelle Schneider is founder and co-host of #GenYChat and manages her own site, There From Here, where she writes career and life advice for Generation Y.

Full Time Happiness with a Part Time Job

8/26/2010 5:34:33 PM

The very first thing on my mind while walking out of my graduation ceremony was money. Hungry for fame and fortune, I searched relentlessly for the dream job that would grant me both. In the end I found there was no such thing.

So the delimia arises within: Am I more motivated by money, or creative freedom? Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned – you cannot have both when you’re first starting out. As an artist (i.e. creative professional), you need to pay your bills without sacrificing your creative will. Is that really possible?

Yes, but you need to think outside of the box.

My parents were already less than thrilled when I announced my junior year in college that I would be changing majors. Business school and I were no longer enthralled with each other. It had started to feel like writing for “the man” was somewhat short of writing for Diablo himself. Plus, I had this knack for design and there’s really not much room for creative “tweaking” when you’re running a sales and marketing show. Bye-bye project management (with the extra dollar signs), and hello to a lifetime of minimal paychecks, long hours and trying to find time for personal projects.

It seemed simple after college: get a full time job, pay off student loans, buy a house, have a family…retire. So I managed the first step before losing my mind. Fearing that the second step would never happen (if I didn’t remain employed full time) kept me paralyzed from making any sort of change for some time.

Finally I decided to step outside of the conventional box and ask myself this: “What is it going to take to make me happy?” At that moment I took a hard look back at my first entry-level job. Was it the people, the place, or the position that made me so unhappy? It turns out it was all of the above. I am not cut out for office culture, I knew it, my friends knew it and my family knew it (but didn’t want to say it). So what, go back to flipping burgers with a four year degree? Yes, something like that.

Once my epiphany hit - I immediately started to examine my options outside of a full-time position. Part of my lack of love for the office is that I couldn’t do the hum-drum of restricted hours, and having to wait around for projects or information to be given in order to continue to the next task. It seemed ubsurd that our manager would make us wait for these necessities, and then have IT spy on us to monitor our internet usage. But yet we were requested to be the company’s “brand ambassadors,” for the few hours we were not in the office. A bit ironic to be asked to give a glowing review for a firm most of the “newbies” considered a personal hell.

I’m sure I could have tried a few other full time gigs before throwing all caution to the wind and trying a new route – but I didn’t. If my parents are correct in saying “it’s the same no matter where you go”, then why do I want to repeat my painful office experience?

The bills still need to be paid, and my creative thirst needs to be squelched – why not live my life in “doses?”

Enter part-time employment, freelance and contractual gigs. I need a steady paycheck, but don’t want a repeat of office drama. Part-time fits the bill. A constant gig without a full-time commitment – the perfect situation for working with companies who need the help but can’t afford a full-time position. I then have flexibility with choosing freelance and contractual gigs, while picking up a paycheck, and improving my professional skills. Not to mention if I’m knee deep in writing the great American novel, I won’t have the hassle of asking for a month off.

For some reading this, my diverse approach to making a buck (or two) may seem a bit unrealistic. After all, it’s common knowledge that part-time/contractual gigs don’t have insurance, benefits or even the same dollar amount as a full-time position. My defense to that is I have freedom – lots of it. And while I took a hit on pay when I was first starting out, I started to build a great professional portfolio that’s filled with happy clients willing to recommend me. As my portfolio increases, so does my hourly rate. This also buys me more time for my own projects. I’m halfway through my novel, and I plan on finishing it on a hot sandy beach in Costa Rica next month!

Don't Take Career Advice from Steven Slater

8/26/2010 4:56:29 PM

Ever let a moment pass and later think back on what you should have said? Or wondered what would have happened if only you’d had the nerve to just react the way they do in the movies?

We often hold our tongue, or try to anyway, to avoid confrontation, repercussions, embarrassment, etc. I still remember when I first learned that sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to—I certainly did not want to have my tonsils removed, but at least I was relieved of the continuous sore throats.

Well, newsflash: life isn’t like the movies. Sometimes the decision to react dramatically, like telling off your boss and quitting in a blaze of glory, would make a great story—but rarely is it also the best solution to the problem.

Recently, two people made big news for doing and saying things that I would love to do at one point or another. Steven Slater literally jumped out of a plane when he quit his job with JetBlue after having suffered one too many pushy, selfish, inconsiderate passengers. In short, Slater cussed out a passenger, grabbed a beer for the road, and slid down the emergency slide. (The plane was still on the tarmac.)

“Jenny,” another disgruntled worker bee, sent her entire office a farewell photo sequence that shed light on her insufferable boss’s time-wasting habits. Total double standard to monitor your employee’s internet usage, while playing around on Facebook’s Farmville for at least half of your work week!

Turns out this last one was a hoax. “Jenny” didn’t actually quit her job as a broker’s assistant this way. But until that truth surfaced, both she and Slater were the working man’s heroes! Who doesn’t love a good story of “take this job and shove it!”? (Even People magazine, it seems.)

Sadly, it’s not usually such a good idea to actually act on such impulses.

No matter how ticked off a customer, client, or coworker can make you, there is always a professional way to handle a moment of stress, anger, or miscommunication. This is a lesson you continue to learn as you grow in your chosen career.

Looking back at when (and how) I left my first real job, there are a number of things I’d have done differently.

I would have insisted that job recruiters call after business hours or during a designated time—it’s not good to try to talk to a potential employer while your coworkers are sitting in the next cubicle.
I would have stayed away from browsing job search sites and submitting resumes on my work computer, while at work—many companies have an HR department tasked with monitoring where employees are spending time online and job sites can be an immediate red flag. Not to mention the issue of trying to hide your browser window when someone walks by…
I would have asked to talk to my boss about the situation that was causing me stress. It is extremely uncomfortable to say you’re frustrated or unhappy, but an awkward 20 minute conversation is certainly easier to stomach than an awkward four more months of living through it—if you can make it that long!
I would have also asked for a lot more advice from my mentors, family members, even teachers and professors about how to communicate certain businessy things. Having never had to ask for a raise before, it would have been really helpful to get some advice before saying to my boss “I work hard and have a lot of bills and deserve a raise.” (Note: that was not a successful tactic).

And from another angle, while these office heroes were great for news stories, would you hire them if they applied for a job with you? Sure, their stories are all over the internet, making them celebrities for 15 minutes, but don’t think a potential employer isn’t reviewing your Facebook profile and Googling your name, too. And how might Slater answer the standard interview question: “How are you able to cope with difficult clients and stressful situations?”

So take care: If you have any crazy skeletons in your closet, they’ll speak much louder than anything you actually say. Quit accordingly!

Have you ever quit a job dramatically? Share your story in the comments!

An Apple a Day Keeps Health Costs Away

8/26/2010 4:54:50 PM

Looking to save a few bucks on your health insurance plan? Look no further, the following tips can help give a healthy bottom line on improving your monthly premium. Not to mention, a few of these tips will help you look fitter and feel better. Now what was that old adage about an apple a day…

Stay healthy

Easier said than done, right?! Staying healthy goes a long way toward controlling health insurance costs. If you're buying an individual health plan, you'll be charged based on your health, including weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and other pre-existing health conditions. Many insurance plans cover 100 percent of wellness care for routine checkups, immunizations and diagnostic tests.

Stop smoking

You've heard all the reasons why you should quit smoking, but it's also bad for your health insurance premium.

Quitting can result in savings in your health insurance after a period of time, generally a year, depending on the insurance company. Health insurers also may pay for smoking-cessation programs. At renewal time, having quit smoking can amount to substantial savings.

Increase your deductible

Whether you are enrolled in a group or individual plan, the more you pay out of pocket, the less you will have to pay in premiums. You may want to think of your insurance as a safety net for major health disasters rather than a payer of all routine medical costs.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the lower your deductible, the more likely you will make a claim with the health insurance company. Health insurance companies compensate for this by increasing the premium on low-deductible plans. In order to get more bang for your buck, set your deductible at $1,000 or higher.

Consider a Consumer-Driven Health Plan (CDHP) or a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). These plans have high deductibles. Employers also often offer a HDHP option at open enrollment time.

Change your co-insurance ratio

Your co-insurance ratio is how much you will pay after you have met your deductible. A common ratio is 80/20. This means that after you pay your deductible toward healthcare expenses, your insurer pays 80 percent of the bill and you pay 20 percent. Changing this ratio so you pay more will mean a lower health insurance premium. Just as with raising your deductible, you have to weigh the costs versus risks.

Pair a high-deductible health plan with an HSA (Health Savings Account)

Often high-deductible plans are paired with a health savings account. Pre-tax contributions can be rolled into your plan each year. Employers and their employees may contribute to this account. Then you pay healthcare expenses from your HSA until it’s exhausted – not to mention gives you more power as a consumer (more on HSAs here).

Consider a major medical health plan as an option

Major medical health plans, sometimes called catastrophic health insurance, offer limited insurance coverage with a high deductible, typically $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family. Premiums are low because the insurance is intended for medical emergencies. It does not pay for regular doctor visits but will cover major hospital and medical expenses including hospital stays, X-rays and surgery.

Avoid idolizing Dan Cortez

Unless you have a closet filled with bags of money, it’s a good idea to abandon dangerous recreational activities such as skydiving, mountain climbing or NASCAR. Anything that poses a significant injury risk will super-charge your insurance premiums (obviously!).

Is your doctor a good “networker?”

If the doctor you like is already in-network, and the lab is also in-network, an HMO can be as adequate as a PPO and offer lower premiums. So try to do business with an insurance company that has a strong national network. Networks provide substantial savings on health care because they negotiate lower rates that can result in substantial savings on your health care, even before you meet your deductible.

Trade up group insurance plans

If both you and your spouse have group health insurance plans available through work, calculate which one will cover both your needs at the lowest cost.

Lobby for an updated group plan at work

If you buy a group health plan through work, you may think you're stuck with whatever is offered every year. Employees can rally for better coverage options. If you and your co-workers agree that some coverage options are unnecessary (for instance, infertility treatment, mental health treatment and even dental), ask your employer to drop them at renewal time.

But first and foremost, you need to understand what you are signing up for when you first start your coverage. Sometimes people end up with the wrong plan for their individual needs. Read an insurance policy thoroughly before commiting to a plan. Knowledge is key - and apples definitely help!

Become a Hero at Work

8/26/2010 4:40:17 PM

During difficult economic times, when companies are looking to trim the fat, cut payroll, and improve their bottom line, the last thing you want to be identified as is the Dispensable Crewman. He’s the first one to get eaten by monsters on the alien planet, or submachine-gunned by Bruce Willis.

Contrary to popular belief, blending in with your coworkers is not a good way to ensure job security. You have to stand out and become a crucial asset to your employer.

There are 5 simple steps that you can take to ensure that when it comes time for the layoff consultants Bob and Bob to decide who gets the axe, you’ll be the one wearing flip flops at the office and shrugging off concern.

Always be positive. This may seem a little ambiguous or obvious, but most people who are upbeat, funny, and energetic in their personal life can become serious, negative, and quiet in the workplace. Usually this is based on a desire to be taken seriously by their coworkers. A big mistake. Nobody wants to be around negative people. Management will notice. Another good reason to avoid fraternizing with negative coworkers. When others start to complain about work, other employees, or management, change the conversation or leave. Make a conscious effort to always be upbeat, encouraging, and optimistic.
Identify problems that need solving. Always keep your eyes open for problems in the business structure or products that the company produces or sells. Problems are opportunities in disguise. Do not hesitate to mention these problems to your boss or his boss. But when you do, make sure that you have a solution or at least an intelligent suggestion as to how to solve the problem. Present the problem, followed swiftly with the potential remedy, all the while remaining upbeat and positive about the company’s soon- to-be improved product or infrastructure.
Become Underqualified. There should never be any job or task that you feel is beneath you. From writing a proposal for the largest project in company history, to vacuuming the hallways and emptying the trash cans, no task should be too large or too small. If you smile and enthusiastically tackle every assignment with zest, you’ll quickly gain a reputation as someone who gets things done. Upper management loves people like this. They could care less about what school you went to or what your GPA was, the only thing that will get you noticed is this critical trait.
Follow your gut. Don’t hesitate. If you think you should speak up about something, do it. Trust your instincts. They are usually correct. I once was unsure about firing an employee at a new job because I was afraid that the other workers who had been with the company for years and were twice my age would resent me for firing their friend. I fired him anyway. As soon as he was gone I found out that everyone at the office, including other executives in other departments, couldn’t stand the guy. He had been a bad apple. It was hard, but because I trusted my instincts and told him to go kick rocks, the work environment became much healthier.
Loosen up a little. I think that this last point is something that entry level workers andrecent grads don’t understand. Entry level employees tend to take themselves and their new jobs extremely seriously. It’s rather cute. Probably 90% of entry level jobs (no matter what the pay) are basically glorified paper-pushers. It’s just the way the world works. Everyone has to start out somewhere. That being said, try to take your position in the company in stride. Don’t let yourself become stressed out over what amounts to very minor problems or deadlines in the grand scheme of things. Keep a big picture view of the company’s mission and apply that to your job. If you can show your bosses during that big presentation that you take the company’s mission seriously, but not yourself (too much), you’ll become an asset and become truly indispensable.

Working from Home is Not a Day at the Beach

8/24/2010 5:25:29 PM

As a consultant, I am expected to be able to work from any location on any given day, whether it is another one of my company’s offices, a client’s office, or home (my favorite). The first few times I worked from home I felt like I was given a free day. I soon realized that I had to be more structured in order to be as productive as possible, all while still enjoying the freedom of a day free of heels, commuting, and a cubicle.

Here are a few things that have worked for me on my quest for productivity when working within a few feet of my pillow top mattress:

Find Your Productive Space

If you are anything like me – a young professional who only recently made her way into the “real world” - you have a small apartment or studio. While I would love to think I can work productively while sitting in bed, the coziness of the mattress and the warmth of the sheets always win me over. When working from home, I always force myself to sit at my desk. Since I can’t work well if I’m surrounded by clutter, I try to keep it as organized as possible at all times.

Sometimes, though, the work I need to get done requires long periods of focused attention. I know myself well enough to know that I need to escape to a local coffee shop to get it done. Starbucks has always been my go-to study spot to do work since college because of the balance between regular activity and the relaxed atmosphere. Be honest with yourself, and decide what works best for you.

Remain Connected to Your Colleagues

Whether you work in a highly collaborative environment like I do, or you work much more independently, you should not fall off the grid. Your colleagues (and managers, of course!) should be able to access you during the day. Companies usually offer many ways for you to do this, ranging from internal instant messaging to Blackberries for instant email access.

Bottom line: working from home shouldn’t make you any less responsive than when you are working in the office.

Take “Smoke Breaks”

A colleague and I would take breaks to go grab a snack or go outside for a walk during the workday. We jokingly called these breaks our smoke breaks because of the number of breaks we often saw other coworkers take during the day to smoke a cigarette.

Ridiculous name aside, breaks are definitely necessary for productivity. This applies to study habits in college just as much as it does in the workplace. When working from home, you might either find yourself getting so wrapped up in what you are doing that you don't take breaks or you find yourself so distracted that you keep yourself focused by rewarding yourself with predetermined breaks. Whatever your work habits, make sure that you don’t leave out the breaks!

Eat Your Meals

Time often goes by differently for me when I'm working from home than when I'm in the office. And despite my love for food and steadfast daily observance of lunchtime no later than 1 pm every day, my body doesn't always remind me that I haven't eaten when I'm home. Make sure to pay attention to and reenergize your body so you can continue to be productive throughout the day.

Remember that You Don’t Have the Day Off

This piece of advice is particularly for young professionals because I'd like to believe that seasoned professionals would never be so irresponsible as to ignore responsibilities just because others aren’t watching. I have had peers who considered working from home to be a day off. While you may sometime have less intense days than others, it is important that you work diligently toward your assignments when working from home.

I'm still building this list and would love to hear what has worked for you. Have you had any experience working from home yet? Did I miss anything?

Proud alumna of Howard University, Nikita works for a large professional services firm in Washington DC. She’s an avid reader, an advocate for young women and girls, and a Twitter addict. Most importantly, she’s your typical twenty-something trying to leave her footprint in this world.

Hate Banks? Get Loans from Your Friends Instead

8/24/2010 2:02:57 PM

Remember Kazaa?

Hopefully you didn’t get arrested because of it, but if you’re over the age of 19 you probably remember how it works. People upload files and share them with you – be it video, music, or whatever.

There’s a new craze in lending that’s more or less the same thing: peer to peer lending. This type of lending is exactly what it sounds like: if you need a loan, you place a profile on websites such as LendingClub.com or Prosper.com asking for a loan.

A profile includes such information as credit score, location, and even your educational level. Then, ‘investors’ (your peers, not banks) are given the opportunity to look over different profiles and choose which borrowers they would like to invest in. The riskier the borrower’s profile, the higher interest rate the borrower will pay. Likewise, the investor will earn more interest on riskier loans.

It’s neat, right? Instead of bank executives reaping the profits from your loans, normal people – just like you – are the ones who profit off of your loan. Of course, the peer to peer lending sites takes their cut, but the actual financing is done directly by… well, your peers.

But before you try to pay for your entire college education with these loans, be aware of their limitations. The amount of the loan is usually small – a ceiling of $25,000 is typical – and interest rates hover around 12 percent. And don’t try to start out your credit history with a peer to peer loan. Getting a loan on such sites isn’t easy – LendingClub, for example, approves only around 10 percent of loans and Prosper requires a credit score of over 640 to be eligible for a loan through their sites.

Still, there are plenty of qualified young adults who could benefit from peer to peer lending, for all ranges of things – furnishing an apartment, buying a car, or paying off high-interest credit card debt (a very popular – and smart – choice).

So what do the lending sites think about young people using these loans? They like it. I got in touch with Renaud Laplanche, CEO of Lending Club, who agreed that “for many young people, investing and borrowing can be intimidating. They are looking for an alternative to the big banks… Young investors find Lending Club attractive because they get great returns and total control and transparency as to where their money is being invested. It is a very refreshing approach compared to the big banks.”

Refreshing, indeed.

Nick Farina is a recent college graduate and writer of the Money in English blog. He has also written for AOL and CreditCards.com, and serves as a consultant to the City of Chicago Treasurer's Office.