Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com

You've written your resume, and sent it out to what seems like hundreds of companies without any success. Perhaps it's time to look at one of the most important, and yet often neglected, parts of the resume - your career objective. If done correctly, this will show potential employers at a glance that you are serious about the job in question and know what you want to do. A poorly executed objective, however, may disqualify you from the position altogether.

Follow these simple steps to write a winning career objective every time.

1. Be pithy. Generally, an objective should be limited to a sentence or two. It's all about saying as much as needed in as small a space as possible. Remember, this is only the first thing that a potential employer sees, and the goal is to write so that he or she wants to continue reading the rest of your resume.
2. Begin with 'To' not 'I.' The career objective on your resume should tell what you can do for the company, and not what you expect to get from the company. When you're competing with hundreds of other applicants, the employer's focus is on which one of you can benefit them the most. Here is an example of a quality resume objective: "To work for a small graphics company using my graphic design, layout, and drafting skills." This shows what you can do for them instead of saying, "I want to work for a small graphics company to improve my graphic design and layout skills."
3. Convey facts. Words such as challenging, useful, educational, helpful, etc. mean different things to each person, and therefore do not convey specific messages to a possible employer. Instead, explain how you want to use your English degree and editing skills to work for a book publisher.
4. Use action verbs. It is tempting to try to stand out with your objective by starting it with something other than 'to' such as: my goal is, I hope to, my plan is, etc. Not only does this show employers that you are more concerned with helping yourself than with helping his or her company, but the passive voice makes the sentence wordy and weak. Phrases such as to work, to promote, and to advance show that you know what your career goal is and how you can help your prospective employer.
5. Decide how specific you need to be. This is by far the trickiest part of writing a career objective for your resume. If you know exactly what job you want within a company and understand what type of skills that job requires, then your objective can be written like this, "To work as an office production assistant with a small film company specializing in television using my clerical skills and Communications degree." Unless you understand what the job requires and have specific skills, however, you will probably want to write something a bit broader such as "To work in an advertising agency using my experience in graphic design, layout, and copywriting." This does not mention what position you seek, but includes a varied list of qualifications that would make you an attractive candidate to work in graphics or ad copy.
6. Use what experience you have. If you're a recent college graduate, you may not have many practical, real world skills that you can list in your objective. Don't worry. Consider what you were good at in college (editing, researching, memorizing facts) and re-word it for a corporate environment. If you were good at gathering data for essays then you have skills as a researcher. Similarly, if you have a photographic memory then that can be a marketable quality.

Since you have such a short space to make a good impression, be careful in selecting the skills to list. Choose ones that will be the most advantageous to each individual company. You may have to re-write your objective several times for different jobs, but a well-written objective will help put you ahead of your competition.

Bethany Stringer is a graduate of Texas A&M University (class of '08) and has her B.A. in English Literature with minors in History and Psychology. Writing her first story at the age of 5 (with help from Mom), Bethany still enjoys writing and researching about everything from business and history to travel and fiction. Enamored with languages, she plans to teach English in Russia in 2010 as a CELTA certified teacher. She owned her own business working horses when she was 17, and still loves riding her horse Romeo. Always appreciating a challenge, she loves sea kayaking and prefers Rachmaninov to Bach.

Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 30, 2009 at 6:58 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Less than two hours south of Denver, located in the northeast of Pueblo, is Colorado State University - Pueblo. The campus sits on 275 acres, on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Students will find opportunities for biking, skiing, and snowboarding, and experience many days of sunshine during the year. CSU Pueblo enrolls nearly 5,000 students and is one of the most diverse universities in Colorado, with students representing all continents except Antarctica and Australia.

For admission into Colorado State University - Pueblo, students need to have an 86 index, which is the combination of their high school GPAs and test scores. As a growing school, students may find it more challenging to enter certain programs at CSU Pueblo. Most students on campus receive scholarships, grants, and other financial aid; students who don't live on campus may get their tuitions discounted. CSU Pueblo offers 26 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees; some popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are mass communications, business, nursing, teacher education, and psychology. In addition, the school is the only one in the U.S. to offer a degree program in meccatronics, which combines electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. There are over 375 faculty members at CSU Pueblo, with 54% of them working full-time and 74% of them holding their terminal degrees.

Athletes at Colorado State University - Pueblo compete in the NCAA double division two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 15 sports. Depending on certain criteria, some freshmen are required to live on campus, and obtain a campus meal plan. CSU Pueblo offers more than 70 clubs and organizations, including outdoor adventures at the intramural league, and events like video game tournaments, dodgeball, and even checkers. Some students who are in CSU Pueblo's exercise science program have completed internships at the Olympic Training Center, not far from campus.

So, if you're looking for a place that reminds you of the comforts of home, with great academics and bundles of outdoor activities, then watch a college video tour of Colorado State University - Pueblo, http://www.youniversitytv.com/colorado_state_university_pueblo.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 29, 2009 at 2:20 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Denver is the capital of Colorado and also the home of a four year public school, known as Colorado Denver University. The downtown Denver area is about five minutes from campus, offering students professional, recreational, and cultural opportunities. In addition to having a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, UCD covers 126 acres, next to Cherry Creek, where the gold rush started in the Rocky Mountain area. There are also tree-lined walkways and green spaces on campus; plus, the school has a priority on green sustainability, with wind producing much of its energy. The Anschutz Medical Campus houses UCD's health sciences school, graduate program, and research enterprise. UCD's downtown campus has about 12,700 students.

Admission into Colorado Denver University will depend on students' GPAs and test scores, according to Student Ambassador, Dylan Johnson. Students can also take advantage of a program that allows them to attend a community college before attending UCD. There are more than 80 degree programs at the university; some of the most popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs include business, psychology, biology, and pre-health professions. About four out of five UCD faculty members hold their PhDs or the highest degrees in their fields.

Colorado Denver University offers fully furnished apartment-style housing for around 700 students at Campus Village. Students can participate in 60 clubs and organizations, as well as other activities like ski trips, film festivals, and poetry readings. UCD also has a unique program, which focuses on recording arts and the music business.

So, if you're looking for a great college experience on an environmentally conscious campus in a progressive city, offering lots of great activities and beautiful scenery, then check out a college video tour of Colorado Denver University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/colorado_denver_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 28, 2009 at 1:57 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Even if you don't like the job you're doing right now do it properly and with full enthusiasm as long as you're continuing with it.

-- Submitted by M. K. from Irvine, California, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.

Posted by Facebook Career Blog on October 28, 2009 at 1:15 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

My first job was selling flower seeds for the Burpee seed company; I would go into the garden with my grandfather to do chores and I asked him if I could contact Burpee for a sales job.

-- Submitted by A. T. from Oakland, California, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.

Posted by Facebook Career Blog on October 28, 2009 at 10:56 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Every day, an increasing number of job applicants get hired through social media rather than the traditional apply-blind-with-a-resume route. Over 83% of employers go online to get more information about potential applicants, so it's essential to have a strong web presence and social networking skills. It was no surprise when I found out that Doug Haslam in my Personal Branding Group on BrazeenCareerist was hired via twitter. I took the opportunity to interview him to give you the inside scoop on how he used Twitter to get a job.

1. How did you get started with social media?

Back in 2003/4 I was starting to see the rise of blogs, and contemplating from the outside how they might affect my work (as a marketing manager at a small research company at the time). I ended up leaving and getting back into PR agency life before I could act on it, other than a tentative start at my own blog in early 2005.

2. What were your first impressions of Twitter, and why did you start to use it?

Very first impressions? I don't need to know what my friends are doing at every given moment- this was October 2006. In Late February 2007, I started to see some of these friends get some real utility out of twitter (see this post for a very brief description)

I finally gave in on on March 1, and still was skeptical of the noise, and wrote this post but followed only a week later with this one.

3. How did you create a job opportunity through Twitter?

What I did to create opportunity was to network with other PR people. One of those was SHIFT Communications principal Todd Defren. We were actually direct-messaging back and forth about some industry questions we had for each other (I would often come and comment on his blog, even though we were technically competitors), and at one point he flat out asked me if I would consider putting myself up for a position that was opening.

4. What is your current job, and do you use Twitter for it?

I am an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, overseeing an account team and working with clients at the program strategy level. I do use twitter- I'll promote news for clients and the agency on my own account (with disclosure), but more importantly advise clients on their own use of twitter (among other tools).

5. Now that you're a Twitter success story, what would you recommend our readers do to follow in your footsteps?

Find people to network with - people who are in your industry as well as people in your clients' industries. The conversations you start and take part in will enhance your standing as an engaged careerist, and a plugged in worker.

Conclusion

Doug notes, "If people you need or want to reach on Twitter aren't on Twitter, go where they are - that's most important." That could be LinkedIn, blogs, Facebook, or anywhere else they're active online.

Doug's story is an inspiration to job seekers everywhere, demonstrating that you can get a job through social media if you use it properly. There is a lot of clutter and noise on the web, so make sure you connect with the right people and turn that connection into something real.

If you know anyone else who has had success via social media to get a job, let us know so that we can feature them!

Article by, Trace Cohen and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Interviewing is something that is going to take practice and preparation no matter how experienced you are in the job search process. When you are in the interview you never know what type of interview it will be or what off the wall questions a potential employer might ask you.

It is important to realize the position of the person across the table from you when you are in an interview. The potential employer is looking to find insight into how you act on your feet, how well you can think through problems and all in all how well you would work within the company.

After that initial realization of everyone's expectations here are 5 tips to help you figure out how to interview well.

How to interview well

1. Don't launch into your answers. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts then give a good answer rather than a fast answer.
2. Practice practice practice. I cannot emphasize how important it is to get comfortable being asked questions and having to respond. You do not want the interview to be the place you are being asked your first questions on the spot.
3. Know your strengths. It is important to show off in the interview what you are good at. This helps you control the conversation a bit more and makes sure that you cover the important topics.
4. Stay calm. No matter what happens it is important that you stay calm. You are in a tough position, you want to stay relaxed and roll with the punches.
5. Know your employer. This is probably one of the most important aspects of how to interview well. You need to know something about your employer. If you can't do the research up front they will think you don't care. It should only take 15 minutes on the web to discover some important news.

Interviewing well is not something that is going to come easy. It is important that you figure out how to interview well early on so that you do not miss job opportunities.

Article by, RJ Sherman and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 27, 2009 at 3:12 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Located in Riverdale, New York, (about 12 miles from Manhattan) you will find the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The 70 acre campus features rolling lawns and wooded hills, with historic buildings and amazing facilities. In addition, the school provides a tranquil setting, overlooking the Hudson River. CMSV has over 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students from 22 states and five countries; about 59% of students are of diverse backgrounds.

The Director of Admissions at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Roland Pinzon, says CMSV is a small, private Catholic school, but has a student body composed of different religious faiths. Admission requirements for students will depend on their GPAs, as well as having a combined SAT math and critical reading score of 1,030. Over 95% of all students at CMSV receive financial aid. The College of Mount Saint Vincent offers 20 majors, four minors, two graduate majors, seven pre-professional programs, and a teacher education program. Some of the most popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are nursing, education, business, and communication. CMSV is also known for offering internship opportunities to students at companies and institutions like Sloan-Kettering Hospital and the New York Stock Exchange. There are 73 full-time faculty members and 112 part-time faculty members at CMSV, with about 78% of them holding terminal degrees.

Athletes at the College of Mount Saint Vincent compete in division three athletics, and the school has seven men's teams and eight women's teams. Many students live in the new or recently renovated five residence halls on campus, which feature traditional and suite style rooms. CMSV also has its own student run television and radio station, along with volunteer services and campus ministry for students.

So, if you're interested in getting a taste of what you're about to commit to before you even earn your degree, by taking advantage of internship opportunities, then watch a college video tour of the College of Mount Saint Vincent, http://www.youniversitytv.com/college_mount_st_vincent.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 27, 2009 at 1:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Are you getting close to graduation? Do you have any idea what career after college you would like? There are some lucky college students who have it all figured out and know exactly what they want to do in their career. Then there are others who think they know what to do after college (but will change later). And there are those who have no idea what to do in their career after college.

For the lucky few that know exactly what career you are going to pursue, good for you and I wish you nothing but the best of luck after college. For any others in either the "I think I know" or the "I have no idea" category, then I hope you find this a bit helpful.

Social media and social networking have opened the doors for you to get greater insight to almost any career you choose after college. You are able to read blogs, review articles, connect with "friends" or follow others on any number of sites. But here are a few actionable items that may help you better understand your choices for a career after college.

5 ways to become to become more hirable for your career after college

1. Use Twitter to follow people in industries you think you are interested in entering. Follow targeted people to expand and enhance your knowledge and contribute to the conversation. Interaction can open doors!
2. Use LinkedIn to cold call and do a quick interview of people in companies or positions you find interesting. Find target companies and people within departments of interest to call and introduce yourself. Do not make it a pressure call, explain your strong interest in the company and you wanted to gain insight as to what makes a great hire for the team.
3. Join Groups and Fan Pages on Facebook to expand your insight to a topic or career. Network, plain and simple. The more people you connect with and share ideas with, the higher the chance that someone will begin to take an interest in you.
4. Read Wiki's to see who subject matter experts are in a particular field and gain their knowledge. Add value to wiki's which will help you to introduce yourself to other subject matter exerts. Add value to important topics and you will also be able to find out those that are "experts" within the industry.
5. Read blogs on topics of interest. The more you read and find out who is also passionate about a particular topic will allow you to begin to leverage a wider network and reference new points of view in your conversations.

Then, after you have gained some insight to what it is you are either interested in or might be interested in after college, then you may begin to focus on the how of getting into that career.

I will elaborate on the "how" in my next post but hopefully this will provide you with some thoughts to stimulate your thinking on landing that career after college.

Keith McIlvaine is a Social Media Strategist within HR and Recruiting for a Fortune 500 company. When he is not focused on leveraging social media and networking, Keith is also a personal branding coach and social media mentor. He is passionate about his family and is a major soccer fanatic. The statements I have posted on this site are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 22, 2009 at 12:25 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

About 45 minutes away from Syracuse, in Hamilton, New York, is Colgate University. The 515 acre campus has more than 50 laboratories and a one of a kind visualization lab; the area is also ideal for bike riding. Colgate enrolls about 2,800 undergraduates from 46 states and 35 countries. The university calls Friday the thirteenth Colgate Day because CU was started with 13 men, 13 dollars, and 13 prayers.

Admission requirements are highly selective at Colgate University. The average incoming student has a 3.7 GPA, and a SAT score of 1403 or an ACT score of 31. According to the Dean of Admissions, Gary Ross, a student's impact on the community is also a factor for admission. Students should also know that the average financial aid package is around $38,000. Colgate offers 51 majors and 12 minors; some popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are biology, economics, English, and history. In addition, there's an outdoor education program for students, which includes courses such as sea kayaking, outdoor cooking, and winter camping. CU employs 258 full-time faculty members, with 90% of them having their PhDs or terminal degrees.

The makeup of housing at Colgate University features residence halls, apartments, townhouses, and common interest accommodations. About 90% of students occupy nine residence halls. There are approximately 165 cultural organizations at CU. Around 30% of students are involved in Greek life, which offers six fraternities and four sororities. Colgate also has the oldest college weekly in the U.S., The Maroon News.

So, if you're looking for a small, liberal arts university with strong traditions and school spirit, then check out a college video tour of Colgate University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/colgate_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 22, 2009 at 12:17 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

In the foothills of South Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find Clemson University. Located in the city of Clemson, the 295 acre campus features a botanical garden with a lush background of mountains and forests. Over at Lake Hartwell, students can enjoy outdoor activities like boating, kayaking, and rafting. Clemson enrolls about 17,000 students, which include students from 89 countries. The university was once a military college where students were encouraged to be model cadets.

Clemson University's Director of Admissions, Robert Barkley, says admission at the school is primarily based upon a student's credentials that are submitted along with his or her application. About 52% of incoming freshmen are in the top ten percent of their high school senior classes. On average, the middle 50% of Clemson students have SAT scores between 1140-1290 and ACT scores between 24-29. CU offers students 70 undergraduate and 100 graduate degree programs. If you qualify for the Clemson National Scholars Program Scholarship, you could receive full tuition and fees, a laptop computer, and more; only about 15 of these scholarships are awarded each year. The Scientist Magazine ranks Clemson number one for places to work in academia. CU has 1,086 full-time faculty members, with 86% of them holding their PhDs or equivalent degrees. One student says the university has prepared him for the future, including an internship with a Fortune 500 company that could lead to an entry level job opportunity.

There are 19 varsity men's and women's teams at Clemson University competing at the NCAA Division 1 level; a total of 18 students have went on to become Olympic medalists. Around 41% of CU students call campus home, residing in traditional style living areas or apartment housing. Students can choose from 315 clubs and organizations at Clemson such as sports and intramural clubs, as well as eight student run media organizations. They can also sample food from local restaurants at the Welcome Back Festival over on College Avenue.

So, if you're looking for a top tier, research university that offers big time science, engineering, and technology programs without sacrificing the social environment of a small college, then watch a college video tour of Clemson University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/clemson.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

About 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, in Morrow, Georgia, you will find Clayton State University. Filled with lakeside views and spacious surroundings, the 163 acre campus has a park like setting where students can study or relax. There are about 6,000 students enrolled at Clayton State, representing over 25 countries.

According to Admissions Counselor, Candace Henry, Clayton State University requires students to have a 3.0 GPA, and a verbal SAT score of 430 and a math SAT score of 400, or an ACT English and math score of at least 17. CSU offers over 40 bachelor degree programs; some popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are business, nursing, psychology, and human services and biology. The university features a state of the art simulation lab, which allows nursing students to practice patient care such as childbirth, according to the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing, Dr. Lisa Eichelberger. Clayton State is home to Spivey Hall, one of the most renowned music halls in the United States; it's known for having great acoustics, concert performances, and music education programs. There are 197 full-time faculty members at CSU. About three-fourths of the faculty members who teach bachelor degree programs hold the highest degrees in their fields.

Clayton State University has 12 teams, which compete at the NCAA Division 2 level. The women's basketball team once advanced to the final four, making it the most successful athletic team in school history. Clayton State will soon have its first residence hall that will be home to around 432 full-time freshmen. Students can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, including leadership societies, and cultural and religious organizations. Students should also know that CSU is only the third public university to require that each student have access to a notebook computer.

So, if you're looking for a small to medium sized school with a rural feel, but is close to a major metro, then check out a college video tour of Clayton State University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/clayton_state_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

With the incredible advances in medical and computer technology, the field of biomedical engineering is experiencing tremendous growth. What used to be a sub-specialty in some engineering programs has now grown to include its own department and degree program at many large colleges and universities.

A bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering is so cutting edge and relevant to the field of medicine today that some students are using it as a pre-med major. Significant medical advancements such as pacemakers, PET and CAT scans, ultrasound, and heart-lung and dialysis machines, are typical of the advances made possible by past biomedical engineers. As the knowledge base of computer and medical technology, the possibilities for biomedical engineering advancement may be limited only by the imaginations of future students.

College graduates with a degree in biomedical engineeringcan find positions in a wide variety of medical technology fields including imaging technology, artificial organs, genetic engineering, prostheses advancement, micro-implants, and bio-pharmaceuticals. With such a wide range of sub-specialty choices, college students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field may wish to complete an internship in biomedical engineering to try and narrow down their field of interest. An online site such as CollegeRecruiter.com can provide a variety of relevant internship opportunities that allow students to refine their interests to a chosen sub-field. This will help in planning the remainder of their coursework. Internships can be a great way to establish a relationship with a company that is producing exactly the type of medical advancement that interests a student most.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, a student may wish to look for an entry level job while furthering his education. Pursuing an advanced degree or further internships in a chosen sub-field provides a student valuable experience and future career contacts. Students frequently pursue higher degrees while simultaneously beginning work with a biomedical engineering firm. An entry level job can help further narrow a student's interest and refine the type of advanced degree best pursued. Advanced degrees are available that allow involvement in a wide variety of medical branches including imaging, drug delivery, genetic testing, nanotechnology, and gene specific drug therapies.

The enormous growth potential in biomedical engineering makes it an excellent career choice for any student who has interests in technology and medicine. Careers in biomedical engineering provide a wide range of sub-specialties relating to a number of medical, technology and engineering fields. Students interested in this field may find both internships and entry level jobs helpful in defining the field of biomedical engineering that best suits them.

Article by a freelance writer

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 20, 2009 at 11:50 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Doing the same task without any new innovation everyday

-- Submitted by S. K. from through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.

Posted by Facebook Career Blog on October 20, 2009 at 9:44 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Applying for jobs is not only time consuming, it is probably one of the most nerve-racking experiences ever. You've spent hours if not days compiling materials just to put into your resume, you now have to move on to the cover letter, then after you've probably stressed yourself beyond reason you have to write them an e-mail! Now the question is, are you just creating carbon copy replicas of each of the priors or are you creating a written masterpiece? Each one building off of the last, creating the perfect picture of who you are.

The Resume

Your resume is the base layer, the primer of this portrait. It is what everything else is built on. Your resume will have the essentials, who you are, how to get a hold of you, where you've work, what you've done and various skills you possess. This is not the time to try and focus on who you are. Granted you can show pieces of your personality through layout and design, there's time for that later. The resume is just meant to give the base structure but definitely don't be afraid to have a little fun with it, because it could definitely help with getting it (and you) noticed.

The Cover Letter

You've laid the base now you can start working on the big picture. Don't just repeat the same things you did in your resume. Take what you had in your resume and elaborate, bring it to life. Give stunning visuals of what you've done and don't forget to say how it can benefit the company - they like it when you do that. Here is where you really get to shine and show who you are and what you bring to the table so truly don't hold back, create something that is awe-inspiring and will land you the job of the century.

The E-Mail

By now you're probably worn out, brain is toast and you're out of inspiration. Don't fret. Just stick it out a little longer and finish this masterpiece. The e-mail is where you will put all the finishing touches on all of the main points you've worked so hard to create. Give a quick reason as to why they should open your attachments and continue reading, what is it that makes you so appealing? Don't forget to thank them in advance and once again, provide all of your contact information, you can never have that in too many places. What good would it be if you did all this work and they couldn't contact you? Now, click send.

The Portrait as a Whole

When you've constructed your resume, cover letter and e-mail to the company you're applying to it is truly a time for admiration. You need to check, recheck and triple check every detail of this process to ensure its perfection. Like all art, it takes practice to be perfect but when you add your own personal flare to it and maintain optimism - you will succeed!

Article by, Jeffrey Marriott and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 19, 2009 at 12:49 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

In the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, in the city of Clarion, you will find Clarion University. The Clarion River and its surroundings offer ideal settings for outdoor recreation; the school is also close to large, metropolitan areas such as Pittsburgh. Clarion's 128 acre campus has been renovated and transformed into one of the most up-to-date universities in Pennsylvania, while still maintaining its original buildings and preserving the university's historical beauty. There are over 6,700 students who attend CU, representing 45 states and 31 countries.

Students who attend Clarion University typically have graduated in the top two-fifths of their high school classes. Other admission requirments include having a 3.2 GPA, an average SAT score between 950-1,000 (a combined critical thinking and math score), or an ACT score of 21. In addition, the Dean of Enrollment, Bill Bailey, reviews applicants' transcripts, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and community service. About 75% of applicants are admitted to CU each year.

Clarion University offers 90 degree programs, with 27 of them being nationally accredited, mostly in the Pennsylvania State system. Some of the most popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are business, mass media arts, sciences, and elementary and secondary education. Clarion is known for its nationally accredited speech pathology program; students work with patients in the community at the public clinic on campus. CU has 228 full-time faculty members who are tenured, and 86% of them have their PhDs or terminal degrees.

Athletes at Clarion University compete in NCAA Division 2 intercollegiate sports and division 1 in wrestling. There are five residence halls, as well as apartment style living for CU students; in addition, they can choose from 130 organizations on campus to participate in. Students can also get a good workout in the school's recreation center, which features weight rooms, a cardio track, and a climbing wall. Plus, each year, CU has an autumn leaf festival with carnivals, a craft fair, and a big parade.

So, if you crave intellectual stimulation and enjoy the outdoors, then watch a college video tour of Clarion University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/clarion_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 15, 2009 at 3:54 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Interviews are a big step in the job search process that I don't think most job applicants put in the right amount of effort for how important they actually are in a hiring manager's eyes.

To start off my guide of personal interview tips I first want to emphasize what an interview is. An interview is a chance for a hiring manager to put a face with the qualifications on the page. The person has been handed your resume, looked over it, and they want to now find holes in it. They want to find where you may have exaggerated, they want to find where your strengths and weaknesses are. Most of all, they are looking to answer one basic question, "By bringing you on board are you helping or hurting the organization?"

5 Personal Interview Tips

1. Do your homework. When you get in front of a hiring manager make sure that you can talk her ear off with details about the company. Now it is unrealistic to expect that you will know everything about the company, but it is obvious within 10 seconds if you have done your research. Know the general idea of the company and if you can, try to use their products for more than 15 seconds before walking into the interview.

2. Look the part. If you want to be taken seriously you need to dress seriously. This goes far beyond just the clothes that you wear. You need to look your best that means brushed teeth, limited facial hair, clean hands, and no stains. It is not that hard and it goes a long ways.

3. Think before you speak. The questions being asked of you are not meant to be easy. A hiring manager doesn't expect you to have an answer in ground breaking speed. In fact it is better if you take a second to relax, take a breath and collect your thoughts. A coherent answer is better than one that jumps around and hits on some of the points. I consider this one of the most important personal interview tips that I can give. A good answer is worth the wait.

4. Ask yourself "what is the question really asking". If you are given a scenario, most likely the person is not looking for the perfect answer, they want to see your process. No one cares if you can come up with the right answer once in a while, but if you can think through a problem, even if you don't get to the right answer all the time, the interviewer will know that you have a good head on your shoulders. An interviewer does not want to be lied to, but they do want their main question and their underlying question answered. With that being said, answer their direct question always.

5. Be passionate but not over the top. It is great to show enthusiasm. You have to show that you are interested in the position, but repeating on and on about how you would really like the job and how you love the company sounds like you are begging. You want to be confident, you want to show interest - leave it at that.

These personal interview tips are important regardless of the interview or the position.
In my opinion before you want into any type of interview you should first put yourself on the other side of the table. You should think to yourself "Why are they interviewing me? What sort of information are they looking for? Do I fit with what they are looking for? " If you can bring those questions up in your own mind and come up with some answers then you will be much more prepared for the interview than anything else.

Understanding expectations is a huge part of the job search process. It is all too often that someone is hired into a position and they do not do well because they lead the hiring manager on during an interview or the job is below them because they were over qualified for the position. Making sure you are a good fit with the job is an important step before the interview even starts.

You want to make sure that you are always putting your best foot forward. Some of the best personal interview tips that I can give are mostly common sense.

Article by, RJ Sherman and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 15, 2009 at 6:27 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Located in Orange, California, Chapman University is the second oldest university in the state, founded in 1861. The campus has 100 tree-lined acres, and features a mixture of landmark, historic buildings and state of the art facilities; it is two blocks from the historic, old town district of Orange. Chapman enrolls about 6,000 students, from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 37 countries.

Chapman University is a selective institution, where about half of the 5,200 students who apply annually are admitted, and just under 1,200 are enrolled. Admission requirements for incoming freshmen include having a GPA of 3.61 and an average SAT score of 1825; an estimated 86% of freshmen who attend Chapman are also in the top 25% of their high school classes. The Vice Chancellor of Enrollment, Mike Pelly, says the school reviews essays and recommendations, a student's major, and even a student's talents. About 79% of CU students receive financial aid, with the average package around $20,800.

There are 45 majors in over 60 areas of study at Chapman University. Some of the most popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs include business administration, theatre, psychology, music, dance, public relations, and advertising. Film and television is another popular major; students can take advantage of CU's very own studio, as a start to their potential careers in the field. Chapman employs 581 full-time faculty members, with 89% of them holding their PhDs or terminal degrees.

Chapman University has 18 men's and women's athletic teams, which compete at the NCAA Division 3 level. The school has won six NCAA championships in baseball, softball, and tennis. Roughly 37% of undergraduates live in one of CU's five residence halls or one of its five apartment buildings on campus. Students can choose from over 70 clubs and organizations such as social, religious, and pre-professional organizations at the school.

So, if you're looking for a university with exciting majors taught by highly qualified professors, all at a sunny California location featuring lots of activities, then watch a college video tour of Chapman University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/chapman_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 14, 2009 at 3:29 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Chaminade University is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It rests on the hillside of the historic Kaimuki District, two miles from Waikiki Beach. The major buildings on campus are known for their distinctive red roofs, Mediterranean styles, and corridors that display art ways. Sugarcane is one example of the plentiful, indigenous plant life in Hawaii, which has average temperatures in the low to middle eighties. Chaminade was named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top three most diverse colleges. The school enrolls about 3,000 students each year.

For admission into Chaminade University, students need a minimum GPA of 2.25 and a SAT score of at least 900, or an ACT score of 19. CU offers three bachelor's degrees and twenty-two undergraduate majors, five graduate degree programs, and several professional certificate programs. Some popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are forensic science, criminal justice, pre-health science, and environmental studies. There are 82 full-time faculty members at Chaminade University; they work side-by-side with students to create connections with people in the community.

Chaminade University's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division 2 level; it is the only division 2 school in the Maui Invitational Men's Basketball Tournament, which CU also hosts. Students can participate in many organizations and activities like casino night, barbeques, cultural dance and music events, and even ping-pong. In addition, there is a Pacific Island Review, where all pacific island clubs are invited to perform their songs and dances. CU students can take part in a luau, which gives them a chance to experience various pacific island cultures.

So, if you're looking for a school that offers a rich, learning enviroment with a dedicated, involved faculty, and small class sizes in a safe and beautiful campus, then check out a college video tour of Chaminade University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/chaminade_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 13, 2009 at 3:05 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

Here are five tips from me and four fellow career experts that I compiled to share with you on how to more effectively stand out in your interviews:

1) Brand Yourself: Be sure to have your personal brand and supporting pitch ready to communicate to your interviewer(s). Having a one-to-three-word personal brand and follow-up pitch not only makes you look more professional, but also makes you more memorable when answering questions like, "Tell me about yourself," and/or "Why should we pick you?" It provides you the opportunity to more concisely present your unique and differentiating value and more importantly to be remembered for it. Your interviewers aren't going to remember everything you say in your interview, but they are much more likely to remember a strongly-communicated personal brand and how well everything else you said reinforced and supported it. - Chris Perry, CareerRocketeer.com

2) Come Prepared: Did you know that getting a job today is based on 70% presentation and only 30% skills and abilities? In order to help applicants stand out from the hundreds they are competing against for that ONE POSITION, I always coach my clients to a "First Impressions Binder" to the interview. This binder showcases your resume, awards, letters of recommendation, bio, any articles or white papers you have written and the research that you did on the prospective company. The binder with "view thru" cover allows you to slip a custom cover into the binder with the company's logo, your name, date, and person with which you are interviewing. It shows that you can focus on detail, you have supporting documentation and you did the research before showing up for the interview. - Angie Maizlish, WordsImpress.com

3) Make a Personal Connection: Interviewees need to connect with their interviewers in order to instill trust. There are three behaviors that can help interviewees instill trust almost instantly:

• (1) make eye contact and try to smile with your eyes,
• (2) be sincere and, if appropriate, offer a compliment you really mean about the company, why you want to work there, etc., and
• (3) be a person with whom a conversation is easy (i.e., even though you are possibly nervous, try to avoid looking overly anxious in your body language and speech).

Remember that an interview is still a conversation, an interactive communication between two people and, as humans, trust is critical. - Paula Caligiuri, PaulaCaligiuri.com

4) Tell a Good Story: My tip is to use stories. Every human being, including hiring managers, loves a good story. People who tell good stories are memorable and compelling. So if the interviewer asks, "What is your greatest strength (or weakness)?" or "Why did you get into this line of work?", answer in the form of a short, one-minute-or-less, story. In fact, aim for three sentences.

• Sentence #1 is the set-up, usually a problem of some kind ("my company was losing money on inventory").
• Sentence #2 is the action or what you did to solve the problem ("I designed a new system to track incoming and outgoing shipments").
• Sentence #3 is the happy ending with you as hero ("after a year our inventory costs went down 50%"). Your story can be longer than three sentences, but strive for short!

Practice your stories until you can tell them quickly and clearly. - Karen Burns, KarenBurnsWorkingGirl.com

5) Be Creative: When interviewing with multiple people from the same company separately, do not ask the same questions of each person. They will talk and it will look very unimaginative that you asked the same question as well looking like you can't think on your feet or make a connection with each individual interviewer. Make each interviewer feel special by asking specific questions to their position or what topic they are talking to you about. Also, come prepared with questions! Sounds basic but so many people don't do it! At the end of an interview if they ask you if you have any questions, that's still an interview question. Look smart, ask insightful questions. It will make you look like you are really processing what the interviewer has said and are internalizing this information to determine whether it's a good fit for you and them. - Jennifer Spencer, Spencer-Group.com

Chris Perry is a Gen Y Brand and Marketing Generator, a Career Search and Personal Branding Expert and the Founder of Career Rocketeer, the Career Search and Personal Branding Blog.

Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 8, 2009 at 1:10 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Ellensburg, Washington is about an hour and forty-five minutes away from Seattle. There are many outdoor activities in the city, including hiking, fishing, camping, and mountain biking. Ellensburg is also where you will find Central Washington University. The 360 acre campus has lush, green lawns and a stream running through the middle, which makes for a peaceful and serene college setting. There's also a Japanese Yen garden that serves as a peaceful escape from campus. CWU is the fastest growing university in Washington, with about 10,000 students.

According to the Senior Admissions Counselor and Visitation Supervisor, Matthew Cziske, admission requirements at Central Washington University are based on core requirments set by the head court, and the admission index, which is based on students' GPAs and test scores. The average GPA is 3.26, the average ACT score is 21, and the average SAT score is 1,010 (excluding the writing portion) for students who attend CWU. There are over 100 different programs and 11 different pre-professional programs offered at Central Washington University, where students will want to find entry level jobs. Some degree programs include music education and music business, performance and composition, and a unique program, known as the primate behavior in ecology program. It works in conjunction with the university and research program in China. Central Washington has nearly 400 full-time faculty members; about 85% of them have their PhDs or terminal degrees.

Central Washington University has 11 teams that compete at the NCAA Division 2 level. There are 20 on campus residence halls, housing about 3,100 students. From fencing to rodeo, to dance to climbing, students will find over 100 clubs on campus to take part in. They can also enjoy listening to music from the school's radio station. CWU also has the ninth largest teacher preparation program in the U.S.; it produces 20% of all pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade teachers in Washington.

By the way, students should visit the goat of knowledge, and rub his goatee for good luck on their tests.

So, if you're looking for a university that's interwined with nature and offers a great education, then watch a college video tour of Central Washington University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/central_washington_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 8, 2009 at 12:09 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

One of the best resources I have to learn about a company is from their employees over social networks. I try making a search of Facebook and LinkedIn, since many people list their work experience on those sites. I also find Twitter searches to be especially useful in connecting with employees already working for a company I'm interested in, who can help get my application to the right people.

-- Submitted by M. H. from Washington, District of Columbia, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.

Posted by Facebook Career Blog on October 7, 2009 at 3:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Located in the countryside of the Appalachian Plateau (an area of rolling hills) in Pennsylvania is the California University of Pennsylvania. The school is close to Pittsburgh, about 30 or 40 minutes from campus. Spread out over 92 acres, you'll find facilities with both traditional and contemporary architecture, as well as historic buildings and new, high-tech academic and residence halls. There are around 8,200 students on campus.

The admission requirements for the California University of Pennsylvania are based on a student's high school transcripts, having a 2.9 GPA or higher, having a SAT score of 910 or higher, and high school rank; this is according to the Dean of Admissions, Williams Edmonds. The California University of Pennsylvania offers over 100 programs of study. Education is the most popular major at the school; Cal U's teacher education program at the undergraduate and graduate levels has been renowned for more than 150 years. Other strong programs where students want to find entry level jobs are science and technology, and liberal arts. The faculty includes 414 educators, with 308 full-time faculty instructors. About 78% of the faculty members have their terminal degrees and 279 are on the tenure track.

The California University of Pennsylvania has had successful NCAA Division 2 teams, inclulding five men's and women's regional championship teams and one national championship in men's hockey. Student housing features a lower campus, with smoke free, co-ed residence halls in the center of campus; there's also an upper campus that has a garden-style apartment complex, which is located one and a half miles from the main campus. Here, the units are more spacious than your average residence hall; they feature individual climate control, free local phone service, and personal mailboxes. Students can also participate in over 100 clubs and organizations available to them.

So, if you're looking for academics, sports, and endless opportunities, then watch a college video tour of California University of Pennsylvania, http://www.youniversitytv.com/california_university_pennsylvania.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 7, 2009 at 11:37 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Pasadena, California is the home of the California Institute of Technology. The 124 acre campus features lush, open lawns, cool ponds, and winding pathways. About an hour away from campus, students can enjoy the beach, or even ski in the mountains. Cal Tech is one of the most selective schools in the U.S.; about 99% of the students who are accepted rank in the top tenth of their high school graduating classes.

For admission into the California Institute of Technology, students need a SAT score between 1480-1570 or an ACT score between 34-36. The Associate Director of Admissions, Ray Prado, says that students who apply should be engaged in both math and science. Cal Tech offers 25 majors and programs that are organized into strict academic divisions. Some of the most popular majors include engineering, physical sciences, biology, math and astronomy, computer and information sciences, and social sciences. Twice a year, Cal Tech holds job fairs to give students a chance to meet with company representatives about entry level job opportunities during the summer; a few of the companies include Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Cal Tech also tries to engage students with opportunities like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, or SURF, which gives students a chance to do research with a professor over the summer.

There are around 300 full-time faculty members at the California Institute of Technology, with the majority of them holding their doctorate degrees. In addition, there are 31 Nobel Prize winners among the school's faculty and alumni.

Cal Tech has 18 NCAA Division 3 teams, including men's and women's fencing. When it comes to housing, freshmen are required to live on campus in co-ed, double, or suite style dorms. Single unit houses or apartments are available for students who are disabled. There are over 90 organizations to choose from, like the vegetarian club. Students may also want to try the two dollar Cal Tech specials at Burger Continental.

So, if you're interested in cutting edge scientific research as part of your education, then check out a college video tour of the California Institute of Technology, http://www.youniversitytv.com/california_institute_technology.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 7, 2009 at 11:02 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

A senior-level executive recently told me he was so impressed with a resume sample of mine that he was tempted to copy some of it. Instead, he decided to work with me to create one capturing his own unique promise of value and written for his career target.

You probably know that thousands of good resumes are readily available online and thousands of resume books are full of thousands more.

Because strategic resume writing is always changing to meet the needs of hiring decision makers, it's a good idea to take a look at up-to-date samples by top resume writers to get a handle on new trends in formatting and what kind of relevant key words and content to include.

But it's not okay to actually use the content. Why?

• A great resume uniquely brands that specific job seeker. What you read in a sample may sort of sound like you, but it isn't really you.

Don't you want hiring decision makers to clearly know what differentiates you from everyone else and why your value proposition and ROI make you the best hiring choice? You can only do that by differentiating your resume with your own personal brand message crystallizing your own unique combination of key attributes, pivotal strengths, and passions.

• The achievements on the sample couldn't possible be the same as yours. The situations, people involved, numbers, and facts are all different.

Your own approach to solving the problem that led to the achievement will provide the evidence to back up your personal brand promise. Don't settle for some generic achievement that sounds good, but doesn't specifically brand how you make things happen.

• Your resume needs to target the specific kind of job you're seeking and resonate with hiring decision makers assessing people for that job.

The sample that's tantalizing you can't possibly align what you have to offer with the stated qualifications for the job(s) you're seeking. You HAVE to determine the key functional areas required for the job and pump your resume with your expertise and contributions in those specific areas.

• The formatting of your resume depends upon the compelling content you're working with and how best to position your value promise.

Create the content first and then decide on the format. Don't just choose a template and fill in the blanks.

• Even though the resume samples you see probably have fictionalized names and other identifying information, they're most likely real resumes written for real people who may still be actively job searching.

The resume sample that you copy may be in circulation right now for the same jobs you're interested in. It may be hitting the computer screens or desks of the same recruiters and hiring decision makers you're trying to impress.

How do you think it will impact your chances, if someone reviewing your resume realizes it's suspiciously similar to another one they've got in their files?

• "Using" published content is stealing and violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

ANYTHING published online is automatically copyrighted to the author, whether or not they clearly state the copyright. Integrity is a critical attribute for any business leader worth her or his salt. Certainly, your ethics should dissuade you from plagiarizing.

If that doesn't stop you, do you really want to risk a law suit that could possibly tarnish your online and offline brand reputation?

There's just no way around it -- you have to invest the time and do the work yourself or hire a professional (and still expect to do some hard work), if you want to make your mark in today's overly-competitive executive job search landscape.

Article by, Meg Guiseppi and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 6, 2009 at 8:49 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

It's okay to think about the future. In fact, you have to think about the future if you want to accomplish your goals. Many people are discouraged by the noise of statistics, the news, and flat out lies the media wants to feed recent college graduates. The truth lies in their ability to focus on their goals. You can ask anyone whom wanted to accomplish certain goals, but decided to give up.

What was their reason (or excuse)?
Why did they allow failure to control their hearts?
How would you feel if you were in their position?

You never know the answer to your problems until you face them head on. I, personally, can vouch for personal failure because it happens.

It happens to everyone.

What do you do after you see your dreams crumble before your eyes?

.. You get ready to fight for your dreams.
.. You search for an answer to your problems.
.. You plan, get ready, and focus on the next step.

Nothing can stand in your way when you decide to focus on achieving your goals. I've stumbled, crawled, rolled, and even dived through my troubles to find answers. I've taken each encounter into consideration in order to make a better decision. I've cried...

Success is standing right in front of you... are you ready to take a stand?

If you are, you have to start today.

Stop waiting for tomorrow to come.. stop dwelling on yesterday's failures.

You are the only one responsible for reaching your goals. You have to take control of yourself before you can take control of your situation. Own up to your responsibilities and let everything fall in place - it only happens when you focus.

Posted by Tahjia Chapman on October 6, 2009 at 1:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

According to a recent article, the job market may be improving, slowly but surely. In fact, a couple of companies conducted a survey of employers, in which half of them said they expect to hire new workers for full-time jobs. That sounds like good news for entry level job seekers. However, these and other job seekers should expect some changes in the workplace.

For example, job seekers may have to find positions in different industries than the ones they want to enter or return to. The reason is because companies are deciding to do things differently, which may reduce job opportunities in certain areas. Another change has to do with the workers themselves. People who are considering other careers or who want to achieve work/life balance may not want jobs that don't work for them. As a result, some people may only want jobs that match their needs with a potential employer's needs.

No matter what changes occur in the workplace, job seekers must continue to do what is necessary to find entry level jobs and other positions. This means learning new skills, networking, and researching companies, as parts of their job searches. Most importantly, don't give up on finding a job!

Information provided by Mercedes M. Caronda.

Source
The Morning News

Posted by William F on October 5, 2009 at 4:34 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

A long time ago, in a world seemingly forgotten, there was mystery to be had about one's self. Long gone are the days when we didn't know a thing about you and now here in full force are the days where, though I've never met you, I know how tall you are, when your birthday is, how many pets you own and what you like to top your ice cream with. Who are we to thank for this? Well, ourselves, but social media creators are the big ones here. Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily.

With outlets such as Facebook, we create elaborate profiles detailing just about every little aspect of our personal brand in order for our peers to know us better. Outlets such as Twitter keep us updated on what everyone is doing every second of the day. However, what was originally created to keep us in touch with friends, businesses have capitalized on as major screening sources for potential employees. This may sound pretty crappy but I assure you it can be played to your advantage, but then again it can also turn around and nip you in the butt.

The largest advantage of this lack of mystery is that you control it. I'm not talking privacy settings here because there's about a billion ways around those. It's all about what you post. You've heard it all before I'm sure, but I really do reiterate the notion of avoiding those party pictures where in every one you are holding another alcoholic beverage or the one where you're running from the cops, I can't even begin to tell you how much is wrong with that scenario. Are you posting just anything random just for the sake of doing it? Although, that is not always the best approach. It might work for you, but it's not something I highly recommend. Utilize every field, every moment and every update, all to your advantage.

When you are the master of your content, you know all of its ins and outs. So, when you head into that interview, just remember, the mystery may be gone, but your control reigns supreme.

Article by, Jeffrey Marriott and courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 5, 2009 at 7:38 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Article provided by Brand-Yourself.com

When the internship is over, make sure employees know that you are not only appreciative of the experience you gained but you also wish to be remembered. Leave your mark at the place where you interned by writing a thank-you note to the people you worked with and everyone you learned from. Below is an example of a thank-you note written by an intern who worked for his local newspaper:

"To the newsroom:

Thanks again to everyone. Keep in touch."

This letter, though written professionally, was written with an added personal touch. The intern connected with each employee he addressed on a more personal level and has thanked each for all he has learned by developing specific relationships with them. Here are a few benefits of writing a thank-you note after your internship experience has ended:

• You're more likely to be remembered. By thanking everyone for the experience, you show that the internship meant something to you. The chance to work among career men and women was important and you want them to know just how much in writing. Writing a passionate thank-you note will cause your presence to stick around for a while. It will also pave the way for a stronger recommendation if you ask for one down the road.
• It will help you network. The sample letter I included above demonstrates an intern's true desire to connect with people in the journalism field as well as his appreciation for having done so. In your thank-you note, be sure to include specific reasons why you are so appreciative and address specific people or departments. That way, your thank-you letter is more likely to be shared with multiple departments so others can read it and less likely to be viewed by one person and then thrown away.
• You will appear a more passionate person. Passionate people get the job done! Thanking the company for all your opportunities is the best way for them to know you really cared about the job and that you weren't just getting through it for the school credit.
• You can improve your communication skills. By getting in the habit of giving gratitude where due, you strengthen your ability to make the most of your work relationships. No matter how extensive or brief you make your note, a thank-you will show that you got a lot out of working with their team; doing so habitually will show everyone you work with in the future the same thing.

It feels good to be thanked, and to know that you helped someone achieve their goals and broaden their horizon. Keep in mind that by making a good impression at your internship, you lay the groundwork for future successes - who knows, maybe the boss at your internship winds up being your boss at a completely different company down the road!

Adrienne is a Syracuse University student from Danbury, CT majoring in Writing and Rhetoric with a Leadership Communication minor. She is a big fan of impressionist art, ocean views and classic rock. She hopes to one day have her name in the credits of a hit film whether behind the scenes or in front of the camera.

Article courtesy of Brand-Yourself.com for actionable tips to put you in a position of power in the job market

Posted by Candice Arnold on October 2, 2009 at 8:57 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

In Indiana, Indianapolis is the thirteenth largest city in the U.S. The Hoosier capital is also the home of Butler University, located about five miles from downtown Indianapolis. The 290 acre campus is made up of wooded parks, gardens, fountains, and historic Indiana limestone buildings. There are nearly 4,000 undergraduates at the school, who represent 47 states and 69 countries; about 57% of these students come from Indiana.

To attend Butler University, students need a GPA between 3.4-3.9, and a SAT score between 1600-1870, or an ACT score between 24-29. In the past, 49% of students at Butler have been within the top ten percent of their high school graduating classes. Senior Admissions Counselor, Aaron Mooney, encourages students to toot their own horns during the admission process to improve their chances for admission. In addition, over 85% of students receive financial aid at BU.

Butler University offers around 60 majors and pre-professional programs for students interested in attending a professional or graduate school. Some of the most popular majors where students want to find entry level jobs are biology, business, exploratory studies, and pharmacy; BU actually offers a unique, six-year auto-advance pharmacy program to students. The school's job placement rate is excellent, with about 96% of graduates obtaining jobs within six months of graduation. Butler employs 302 full-time faculty members; around 82% of them have their terminal degrees, while 77% of them are tenured or on the tenure track.

When it comes to sports, Butler's basketball team is known across the country. BU students don't need to worry about the cost of attending sporting events; they are free. BU housing includes two traditional residences, one suite-style hall, and two apartment style halls. Students can get involved in over 115 organizations, from religion and service to athletics and politics.

So, if you're looking for a university that makes a commitment to lifelong learning and community service, watch a college video tour of Butler University, http://www.youniversitytv.com/butler_university.html, and learn more today.

Posted by William F on October 1, 2009 at 2:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)