Archive for the ‘After College’ Category
3 Not-So-Smart Job Behaviors for the College Graduate
You’ve landed your first real job! You have to dress up to go to work! You have your own desk! You have business cards with your name on it! There’s even a water cooler in the conference room! There’s a conference room!
Beginning your career can be incredibly exciting. You’re finally getting paid for your knowledge. But since this is your first real job in the adult world, check out these tips on what not to do in the office so you can ensure your experience in your entry-level position ends with you moving up and not out!
Defiling Work with Social Media
You may be dying to update your Facebook status with the latest quote the incompetent intern said. You may want to tweet about how disgusted you are with your boss for not letting you have off the days you requested. You may not like your job at all and want to rant about how the entire company is taking a nose dive. While you may be eager to share all of this information with your group of friends over drinks after work, this material is best left offline. Why is that necessary, with all of the privacy settings available? You know you’ve used someone else’s account to view a Facebook profile you couldn’t see. You know you’ve heard about the things your ex posts on their Facebook, even though they de-friended you months ago. Don’t expect your bosses to be any different.
Staying Silent
You got this job because someone values something about you. You’ve got what it takes to rule this position. You won! You were the best candidate! Just because you’re the youngest one there and the low guy on the totem pole doesn’t mean your ideas and opinions aren’t valued. If a discussion is opened during a meeting, speak up. If you have a way the company could make some extra money, let your voice be heard! When the boss knows who you are and what you’re capable of, you’re more likely to stick around and move on up!
Having a “Temporary” Attitude
Sometimes your first job isn’t what you want it to be, but you’ll take it until you find something better. Sometimes your first job is only a six-month or one-year contract, so you suspect you’ll be out job searching again in no time. Don’t let your attitude reflect a temporary situation. When you act like your job is temporary, your work isn’t as good, you don’t put forth as much effort, and you’re less likely to invest the time in getting to know your coworkers or making an impression on the boss. The truth is, what you thought was a lame job until you found a better one may end up being where you stay. Your six-month contract could end up being a permanent position. Don’t close doors on what could be hidden opportunities!
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4 Ways College Grads Can Start Their Summer Off Financially Right
You graduated!
You are hereby liberated from the late hours spent over books, lukewarm coffee, and a bag of M&Ms. As of now, you are freed from tricky multiple choice questions, complicated labs, and twenty-page papers. While it probably feels good to have that diploma in your hands, you may not feel so good when the excitement and celebrations have settled and you’re left with a sad-looking bank statement.
Let’s face it: college graduates don’t walk across a stage, shake the hand of the president of the university, and fall into the arms of a well-paying job. The transition from poor college student to successful young professional isn’t so smooth, but we’ve got some tips that can help get your financial situation on track from day one!
Size Up Your Debts
The first, and possibly hardest part of getting a good financial start to your young professional life is to figure out how much money you owe. What do you owe in student loans? How much credit card debt do you have? What do you owe your parents, your siblings, and your buddies? What’s left on your car payment? Once you’ve got a good idea on where you stand, you can begin paying off those debts as well as figuring out what you’re currently able to afford.
Evaluate Your Expenses
Consider all of the ways in which you spend your money. Literally, all the ways. Phone bills, gas, food, movie tickets, iced coffees, cover charges, car repairs, professional memberships, donations, candy bars, concerts, presents, new clothes, and everything else you can think of. What could you do without? What are you spending too much money on? What do you want that you can’t afford? By choosing one or two things you’re not going to spend money on anymore, not only will you be able to save money for something else, you’re getting your first experience with creating a budget!
Start Saving
This probably sounds like a joke! How can you save money when you have nothing to save? But even $10 from every paycheck deposited into a savings account will begin to collect interest. While it may not seem like much now, it’s the beginning to something very big. Maybe this is the start to what will eventually be the down payment on your first house. Maybe this will be your retirement fund. This could be your safety net should your car fail you.
Make the Most
Spend a year doing what you can to bring money in. Pick up a few extra shifts, take a second job, or start your own business on the side. By putting a nice dent in your debt, you’re in control, and improving your credit score! While you may not want to spend your weekends at a coffee shop or your nights cashing, it’s better to take control now than be forced to pick up a second job five years from now.
Thinking about a masters degree? Cappex is the best place to search for graduate school!
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Dinner on a College Grad Budget
When you’re a new college grad living in your first apartment with your first job’s paychecks going directly to your student loans, “what’s for dinner” can be a tough question to answer. You probably don’t have the funds to head to your nearest grocery store and stock your fridge with fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats with a list of your favorite recipes in mind. In fact, after four years of having your choice of foods already prepared and simply waiting for your selection, you may have been left with no patience for cooking! Check out these tips on how you can still eat well on a college grad budget without wasting away your wallet or your time.
Prepare Large Quantities
You may be hesitant to spend an evening making lasagna and garlic bread if you’re the only person living in your apartment. Why spend all that time making that much food when you can just go to the drive-thru? Taking the time to make dishes and storing several portions of it allows you to prepare many meals at once that you can heat up at a moment’s notice. It’s going to taste better and be better for you than the nearest fast food restaurant. It’s also going to be cheaper overall!
Utilize Your Friends
The more people who chip in for things, the cheaper things get. If all of your friends are over and it’s nearing dinner time, instead of everyone ordering their own thing from the take-out place next door, suggest that everyone go in on a pizza.
Look for Coupons
Pay attention to coupons you find in ads or online. Being able to save a few dollars might mean getting Ben and Jerry’s ice cream instead of the off-brand, or having enough extra money in your food budget to buy fresh fish instead of the frozen stuff.
Buy in Bulk
There are some things you will always, always need. If you’re buying apple juice every three days, or frozen dinners for weeks in a row, you may want to consider purchasing these things in bulk. You’ll get a lot more for a lower price than you would at your typical grocery store.
Stock Up on the Staples
You should always have a good supply of quick and easy foods, such as Ramen, cereal, granola bars, canned fruit, canned soups, tuna, peanut butter, jelly, and a few frozen personal pizzas in the back of your freezer that may not be the best, but would satisfy your hunger. There may be a week you have car trouble and the money you were planning to spend on groceries has to go to the mechanic. There may be a time you’re two days away from your next pay check and there’s nothing in your bank account. Always make sure you have a few backup meals floating around your cabinets and freezer just in case.
Call Home
If you’re lucky enough to have your parents nearby, they probably won’t mind you stopping in for a home-cooked meal!
Thinking about getting a Master’s degree? Cappex is the best place to search for graduate school!
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The College Grad’s Guide to Using a Credit Card
At some point in your college career, or perhaps a short time after, you filled out an application and received a piece of plastic in the mail with your name on it! Maybe you fell for a free gimmick your first few weeks at school, and before you knew what was happening, you had a $1,000 limit in your wallet. Perhaps you chose to open a credit card so you could begin building your credit history. Regardless of how and when you obtained your first credit card, during your first few years out of college, you may be itching to use it on an electrical bill, a move to a new city, or a first date. Before you start swiping and signing, consider these guidelines.
Don’t Assume
One of the biggest mistakes college grads make with their credit cards is they assume they’ll have the means to pay it all off later. Don’t bank on raises and promotions. Don’t assume you’ll find a good-paying job next month. If you don’t have a set-in-stone plan on how you’re going to pay back your debt, don’t assume you will later.
Have a Plan
Before you start viewing your credit card as just some extra money, have a plan for what your credit card is used for. Is it only for emergency situations, such as a flat tire? Is it for one major purchase, like a new computer or a mattress? Is it solely used to build your credit history, in which case you would use it to make purchases, and pay it all off within a month? Decide what the credit card is specifically used for, and don’t deviate from your plan.
Create a Budget
One way you can ensure that you won’t be using your credit card on every bill and every trip to the grocery store is to create a budget for yourself. When you get your first job and you have a good grasp on how much you spend on bills, loans, food, gas, rent, and entertainment, sit down and add it all up. Are you spending more than what you’re making? If you’re not ending up with money leftover when all is said and done, you’re more likely to start using your credit card for little things here and there. Work on making cuts to your budget before you start using your credit card for purchases.
Know What Makes Your Score
The factors that make up your credit score are rather complex. It may be a good idea to familiarize yourself with all that can improve or damage your score. For example, not having a credit card at all, high balances, too many credit cards, or credit cards you maxed out too quickly can damage your credit. Having a few, responsibly managed credit cards you use every now and then and pay off quickly are good for your credit.
Thinking about getting a Master’s degree? Cappex is the best place to search for graduate school!
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How to Discuss Your Internship at an Interview
If you’ve completed an internship, you’re going to be asked about it at a job interview. But talking about it in a short amount of time may not be so easy. On the one hand, you want to be able to indicate you worked hard and achieved a lot, but on the other hand, you don’t want to ramble, or forget to mention something really great. The following is a list of tips to prepare you to discuss your internship at a job interview.
Prepare for Different Questions
Before going to an interview, consider the different questions you may be asked about your internship. Possible questions might be:
What responsibilities did you have during your internship?
What did you learn during your internship?
What did you like/dislike about your internship?
Describe a typical day at your internship.
How does this internship give you an advantage in the job market?
Why did you choose to do your internship there?
What was your greatest achievement during your internship?
How does your internship prepare you for this job?
How does this internship prepare you for your career?
Why did you decide to do an internship?
What was most challenging about your internship?
How did you handle (insert situation) during your internship?
What is the most important thing you learned at your internship?
Describe how you used leadership at your internship.
Describe how you worked with others at your internship.
Don’t try to memorize exact answers for these questions. Instead, think of a few important points you would want to cover for each. If you can remember the important points during an interview, your responses will sound fresh, but you’re still talking about what’s really important.
Stay Positive
It’s important that when discussing your time at an internship, you speak well of the company and the people who work there. For one, businesses tend to work with other businesses. People tend to switch companies. You never know what the relationship is between your interviewer and the place you did your internship. Secondly, it doesn’t typically look good when you’re bad-mouthing a former work situation. When asked to discuss any dislikes about the internship, do it in a professional light.
Bring Samples
If possible, have something that can demonstrate the work you’ve done at an internship. This could be a section in your portfolio, or a separate piece. You may want to consider bringing a letter of recommendation from your internship supervisor. Never give an interviewer the only copy of your work, or the original because you may not get it back.
Control Open-Ended Questions
You may just be asked to discuss your internship without being asked a specific question. In this case, you’ll want to mention your role as well as cover what you’ve learned, and how it’s prepared you for the position in which you’re applying. Have a few key points in mind for when this question is asked. Don’t try to cover everything. Your interviewer can ask follow up questions to get more information.
Cappex has lots of resources for college grads and post-graduate students.
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Inexpensive Ways College Grads Can Have Fun This Summer
As a recent college grad, you probably aren’t rolling in it. Maybe you’re still looking for a job. Maybe you just moved out and after first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, a non-refundable administration fee and a pet deposit, you suspect it will be months before you have the money to spend on something other than the basic necessities. Your first summer as a college graduate can be a rough one financially, so check out these inexpensive ways you can still have fun!
Easy Ways to Save:
Deals, Contests and Coupons
Instead of paying full price for amusement park and concert tickets, look for ways you can get them cheaper. If your local radio station is giving them away, try calling in. If the water park is half-off when you come after 5:00 p.m., take advantage. If your little brother volunteers at the baseball field, ask if there’s a way he can score you some free tickets. Look online for coupons. You can still do the summer activities you love, except now you’re finding ways to do them cheaper.
Make Your Meals
Instead of grabbing a few drinks at the beach’s bar, or spending $11.00 on a basket of fries at the fair, pack your own food and drinks. You can find recipes for fun summer foods online. If you’re not up to making anything, grocery stores often have prepared sandwiches and platters that still run cheaper than anything you would buy elsewhere.
Inexpensive Activities
Picnics and BBQs
Plan an afternoon for everyone to get together at someone’s backyard or at a park. Have everyone bring a dish to share so nobody is spending all of their paycheck on hot dogs, hamburgers, and paper plates. With all of your friends, lots of food, and music, you can still throw a great party without spending much money at all!
The Beach
Some beaches are free, while others pay by the vehicle. Pack a couple of coolers with a day’s worth of snacks and carpool to the sand!
Games
What games you play will depend on your group of friends. For those who want to take advantage of the sun and warm weather, you may want to start a game of kickball, volleyball, or baseball at a nearby field. For those less-outdoorsy types, grab a couple of board games and a few snacks and spend an afternoon in a circle with your friends on the porch.
Community Events
Most communities have all kinds of inexpensive or free events throughout the summer including carnivals, fairs, farmers markets, theater performances, parades, and festivals. You can find out what your town as well as other towns near you are doing by looking at local papers, town web sites, flyers, advertisements at restaurants and coffee shops, or jut by asking around.
Camping
If you have access to a couple of tents or a trailer, camping can be an inexpensive way to take a vacation. Grab your gear, a few packages of hot dogs and marshmallows, and some bug spray and head to the woods for a few days of relaxation with your best friends.
Want to search for scholarships or find your perfect college fit? Make your profile today on Cappex!
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How to Get a Job Right Now
The days of sending your resume to a posting in the paper and hoping for the best, are over. In fact, you probably never knew those days at all!
Today’s job market is cut-throat for any field, at any level. Even finding a part-time or summer job can be hard. With fewer jobs and more qualified candidates, applying for a job is a lot more work than it used to be, but it can be done!
Here’s a great list of tips that will increase your chances of getting a job right now!
Finding Places to Apply
Because employers today hire mostly by asking around, most open jobs are never posted on a job board or in the classifieds. Don’t waste too much time on Craigslist, Monster, or other job sites.
Look for businesses and companies you’d want to work for, and figure out who you’d need to speak to about open positions.
Once you’ve found a few places you’d be interested in, find the connection to someone who works there. Talk to teachers, your parents’ friends, etc. Make an account on LinkedIn. Let people know you’re looking for a job. Ask around. Tweet your skills. The more people who know what you’re looking for, the better chance someone can put you in touch with someone else.
Talk to your professors. They might have a few ideas on who might be hiring.
Your Resume and Cover Letter
Don’t follow online templates. If you’re unsure on how to write a resume and cover letter, attend a workshop, online course, or visit your college’s career development office/web site.
Focus on the results of your accomplishments and experiences, as opposed to “what you did.”
Personalize it up. Don’t send a resume to a PR firm with an objective being about journalism. Every time you apply for a job, review your resume. Are there things you could add that’s relevant for this job but wasn’t for the last one? Your resumes should be slightly different every time you apply.
If you’re emailing a potential employer, make sure your email address is professional, and that the file name for your resume is specific to that job. “My Resume” is generic and unspecific. Have the file name include your last name and the company’s name.
Make sure your references are up to date as well as relevant to the position.
Check for accuracy, spellng–and grammar mistakes.
Your Online Presence
Google your name.
View your Facebook account as a public viewer. This will show you what potential employers are seeing when they Facebook you. (They will Facebook you.)
Make sure you don’t have any online footprints that could shed negative light on your hireability.
Design a website in which you can show your work and your skills. Put the link in your resume and cover letter. Voila!
Communications
Follow up with a business after you’ve submitted your resume and after you’ve had an interview.
Send a card thanking your interviewer.
Make sure calling your cell phone is a professional experience. What is your ringback tone? What does your voicemail say? Answer your phone in a quiet location.
Make sure all emails you send to an employer are formal in nature and are free of grammatical errors.
Do not Facebook friend the person who interviewed you after the interview. Do not.
Want to search for scholarships or find your perfect college fit? Make your profile today on Cappex!
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4 Ways to Earn Extra Money as a College Grad
As a fresh college graduate, you’re probably pressed for pennies. With the economy as it is, many students leave school without a job to jump into, and with student loans looming in the distance. While moving back home after graduation can greatly assist with this burden, some students don’t have that option, making their financial situations even more stressful. If you’re in need for cash as you wait eagerly by your cell phone for a job offer, or if you need some extra money to afford your apartment, student loans, and groceries, check out these four ways college graduates can add a little more green to their wallets.
Sell Your Stuff:
Upon leaving for college, you may have looked around your bedroom fondly, thinking to yourself how much you would miss everything there, and how important it all was to you. Now that its been four years or more, you may not have quite the same tastes. Perhaps the video games you once loved are now overplayed and collecting dust. Maybe your bedroom set is looking a bit childish. Perhaps you have a bigger and better TV now and don’t need the little one sitting on your dresser. You might want to check out all the college textbooks you saved and determine whether they’re still relevant to your career. Go through your belongings and sell what you no longer use or want.
Take on Tutoring:
If you’ve got a few extra hours a week, and you’re trying to figure out what to do with that math degree, consider offering tutoring services to your local middle schools and high schools. To a college graduate like you, their homework and tests will be a cinch, and you can explain to them when they’ll “need this in real life.”
Freelance:
For those trying to find something in the photography, video, art, writing, graphic design, and other creative arts areas, you may want to consider freelancing. As a freelancer, you’ll work on and get paid for individual projects people or businesses need. You can be hired this way through friends and family, or through freelancing web sites such as Elance, Guru, iFreelance, and Freelancer. By freelancing, you can work around other jobs, and as often or as little as you like.
Part-Time It:
While you may feel like you earned your degree so you don’t have to work a check-out line, a part time job where you’re only required to work a few hours a week could give you that financial boost you really need. Working eight hours a week at minimum wage is an extra $200 a month! That could be your car payment! In addition, many college grads with professional office jobs find their second part-time job at the coffee shop or grocery store to be a nice break from the high stress and high standards environment of their full time job. Suddenly, wearing a uniform and chatting with your coworkers during the slow hours is kind of refreshing!
Want to search for scholarships or find your perfect college fit? Make your profile today on Cappex!
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