Category Archives: Professional Resources

Dec 11 2015
Professional Resources, Videos

Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Meadors & Laura Pugh

[youtube]https://youtu.be/ZHVjGSAtMqs[/youtube]

The first Longwood University Communication Studies students to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight segment are Hannah Meadors (class of ‘15) and Laura Pugh (class of ‘13). The two recent graduates have found a new home working for Breaking Limits, LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Laura Pugh, an Account Executive at Breaking Limits, graduated from Longwood in 2013 and has a soft spot for the Communication Studies department and the COMMunity she graduated from. As an alumnus applying her trade in the workplace, Laura values the experience that she was able to gain throughout her years at Longwood.

“I still keep my connection with the Communication Studies department because they were so helpful for my development as a student and as a professional.”
                                                                                        – Laura Pugh

Since graduating in May, Hannah has been able to reflect on the skills she developed within the Communication Studies program. She attributes her success to the abundance of hands on learning that was carried out in the classroom.

“The professors want to help, they’re there to help you. They want to be hands on and give you as much experience as you’re willing to accept.”
                                                                                         – Hannah Meadors

The Longwood COMMunity has a strong connection beyond the classroom and wishes these two graduates the best in their careers. We will all be watching intently as they continue to grow.

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Apr 15 2015
Professional Resources

Tips for a Successful Interview

Around this time each year, our peers are anxiously pacing around trying to figure out what they are going to say in their first interview.  Although this is an important aspect of obtaining a job, you have to remember that they are interested in you if you make it to that point.  Understanding that there is something about you that they want can make this experience a lot less stressful.  The interview is the time to show them the type of person you are and that you will be a benefit to their company.

Research

Now I know this is a common tip for most post-grab blogs, but that is because this is a vital tool to separate yourself out from other applicants.  Jon Youshaeni, in his article “12 Surprising Job Interview Tips,” stated, “In today’s world, content is key.”  If you go to an interview with simple facts you just Googled about the company, they won’t take you serious.  However, if you sit down and explain the history of the company and major deals and happenings that are currently going on, then you will grab their attention.

Know Your Resume

Although they have already looked over your resume, be ready to explain what is on it.  There is nothing worse than having an awesome resume, and come to find out half of it is fabricated.  Alison Doyle, in her article “Most Common Interview Mistakes,” explains how past experiences may be difficult to describe in detail, so be sure to review them before the interview so you are not caught off guard.  This is why it is also important to be honest in your resume, because they are going to ask you questions, and you have to be ready to answer them.

A “Never Crossed My Mind” Mistake

So after finding some articles for this post, I kept coming across a common mistake made in interviews.  This piece of advice was plastered EVERYWHERE.  Robin Reshwan, in her article “5 Tips for Instant Interview Success,” states, “Do not, under any circumstances, bring a coffee beverage to the interview.”  This could be a distraction and prohibit you from answering questions in a well thought out professional manner.  I know, at least for me, I always have a cup of coffee in my hand throughout the day, and it is almost done unconsciously.  Therefore, I feel I would roll into an interview with my morning cup out of habit, get rejected and never know why.  Reshwan did explain, however, that you can have a bottle of water with you because some interviews can take awhile and you may get thirsty.  Just remember to leave the caramel macchiato with skim and whip at home.

Although interviewing can be a stressful time, take it in stride.  This is your time to prove to your potential employer that you deserve the position.  Be yourself, because remember, they already liked what they saw in your resume, this is just the icing on the cake!

Mar 31 2015
Professional Resources

A Quick Guide to Business Attire

You open your closet and stare…for 15 minutes.  All you are trying to do is figure out what your should wear for a “business casual” luncheon with your company.  What pants? What jacket? But above all, what shoes?

Questions like this are common and this is a dilemma many of us face.  There are different looks for different occasions.  There is formal dress, business formal, and business casual that are common with business functions are the common ones that you will run into.  Here are those three looks broken down for both men and women.

Black Tie Formal

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Daniel Craig embodying the black tie look

When you are invited to a black tie event, this is a wonderful opportunity to network and show your sense of style.  This is the dress code where both men and women are dressed to the 9’s.  Oliver Frankin-Wallis with GQ explains for men, this attire requires you to wear a tuxedo with a bow tie, cumber bunt, and patent leather shoes.  Franklin-Wallis also goes on to explain that you should have the appropriate accessories, like cuff-links, that top off the look. Make sure, if you have to rent one, it is a quality tux and does not look like it has gone to too many functions.  However, if you feel that you are going to be attending black tie functions often, then your best bet would be to invest in a quality tux that is tailored to your fit.

 

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A great example of a black tie gown from Kerry Washington

For women, according to Cynthia Nellis a women’s fashion expert, a long-evening gown is typical for black tie events.  However, you can also get away with a little black dress, she explains, in more modern cities with relaxed standards.  Be sure to accompany your dress with the right pair of shoes that not only compliment your attire, but make a statement.

Business Formal

These are Comm students perfectly displaying the business formal look

These are Comm students perfectly displaying the business formal look

Business formal is the stereotypical look when one imagines a group of business professionals.  Although every business has different values and certain circumstances require alterations to this dress codes, this is a general overview of the style.

Jacquelyn Smith with Business Insider explains how men typically wear a matching suit of a neutral color like black or navy, a crisp dress shirt, a simple tie (not the abstract art piece you got for your birthday), and nice dress shoes with dress socks.

Women have variations of the style that they can work with, which leaves room for fresh adaptations of the look.  According to the UNC school of business, women can go with a matching suit with an unrevealing blouse and closed toed shoes with a modest heel.  You can adapt the look with a knee high length skirt.

Business Casual

This is a great reference from Business Insider explaining the business casual look

Business casual differs from business formal in the fact that there are not strict requirements.  According to Jacquelyn Smith, business casual is meant to be more comfortable and relaxed as opposed to business formal. Smith explains men are able to wear khakis and loafers with a tucked in button down.  They can add a sport coat if they wish, but a tie is not worn.  Smith also explains how women can wear khakis, or a skirt if they wish, but it still has to follow the appropriate length requirement. They can also wear more comfortable shoes and blouses.

In conclusion, there is no need to stress about what to wear once you understand the differences in the styles.  Make sure you understand what dress code is specific to each function, and if you unsure, it does not hurt to ask someone else who is going.  Again, this was just an outline of what is generally accepted as each style, but feel free to adjust and adapt with each scenario and rock your own style!

Mar 24 2015
Professional Resources, Uncategorized

Time for a New Nest: Looking for Your Post-Grad Home

The nest, i.e your parents house, has been a comfortable dwelling for over 20 years at this point, and as much as you would like to stay, sometimes that shiny new job requires your immediate relocation.  Stepping onto the pavement with your trunk filled with everything you have collected, well everything that is important, you ask yourself where do I start?  This post will give advice how to begin the housing search, what to do about a roommate, what to look for in a neighborhood, and how to finalize the rental process.

Simply Put, Budget

This is the most important aspect of beginning the rental search.  Now that you know what you are going to be making at your new job, or a least a general idea, you can use that as a basis for what ballpark your monthly rent should be in.  An article from Rent.com, Budget 101: Determining Your Rent Budget, explains “…You should spend no more than one-third of your income on rent per year.”  Of course, if you able to spend less than that the better.

Once you have how much you would spend on rent, factor in your day-to-day costs.  Laura Shin, in her article How to Budget Your Money With the 50/20/30 Guideline, it is important to leave about 30% of your pay aside for purchases like groceries, shopping, and things of that nature.  These two factors will help you determine if you can afford to live in an area before you move there.  The question that must be addressed is if you would be willing to live with someone for lower cost, or have the place to yourself.

Roommates

We have been dealing with roommates for some, if not all of our college career.  This begs the question, would you want to continue that trend to save money on rent?  Of course we will all sacrifice certain desires for the sake of a dollar, but will a roommate in your adulthood prove to be beneficial not only financially but for our well being?  Whether you have someone in mind or are willing to live with a random roommate you have to put your security and sanity above it all.  Trent Hamm advises that you should vet any potential roommates before allowing anyone in your home, because safety is number one.  If the financial burden of living by yourself is too much, and you are lucky to find a respectable individual to room with, than a roommate is a great option!

Finding the Right Neighborhood

Now that you have an idea of what you will able to afford and if/who you are rooming with, now you have find the right location.  Niccole Schreck claims in her article A Guide for Renting Your First Apartment, “You should feel safe and happy in your neighborhood.”  That being said, there are factors that some may not considered until they realize it is a problem with their current place of residency.  Liz Gray, in the article How to Choose a Neighborhood, states that you should ask yourself questions such as what is the proximity to your job, accessibility to shopping and activities, and overall atmosphere of the area.  Your daily commute is going to be one of the biggest factors with your new place, but you cannot neglect aspects that will contribute to you well being.  Be sure to investigate gyms, social groups and settings, and other activities.  These will provide you with opportunities to get away from the stresses of work and make you more comfortable with the area.

Read and Understand Your Lease

This is the critical phase of the housing search and should be done so with caution and care.  Niccole Schreck explains, “When you find a great apartment, you may be tempted to just go ahead and sign, but not carefully reading your apartment lease can lead to trouble down the road.”  If you are not on the same page as your landlord, once the document is signed it is difficult to get out of.  Scheck goes on to state how you should understand items in the lease such as what is prohibited, who maintains the property, etc.  There is nothing wrong with bringing in someone to look over the lease with you, in order to have two sets of eyes to prevent misinterpretation.

The moving our process can be overwhelming, but, just like every other aspect of post grad life, do your research and remain calm.  Stay within your budget and look for areas near your job that fit your lifestyle.  Happy home hunting and good luck!

 

Mar 19 2015
Professional Resources, Uncategorized

First Job – Check! Time to Fit In

There may be a thousand thoughts racing through your head once you hear that someone in the professional world wants your skill set, and that is completely normal! Being offered a job position evokes emotions that only some of the best movies have the ability to do.  A major question many of us have is “Will I fit in?”  Even though you have researched the company culture and understand that their values are in line with yours, this does not mean that your co-workers will automatically be your best friend. This post will provide you with a few tips on how to assimilate in your new job and make it enjoyable, but productive, between the hours of 9 and 5.

Be Ready, the Interview May be Over But…

At this point you have won over your employer, which is why you are at this stage in the game, however, your co-workers are a separate entity.  This are the men and women you will be collaborating with, consulting with, and talking with every single day. When they see a fresh face in the office, they are going to want to get to know the new member of the team.  Be ready for questions.  Jacquelyn Smith with Business Insider explains that you should be ready to answer questions regarding who you are, where you have come from, and what you will doing with the company.  This does not mean you have to be scripted, because this could come off as impersonal, just have and understanding of what you will tell people when the ask.  A great way to get to know co-workers and vis-a-versa is to go to lunch.

Eat, Drink and Be…Informed

The old saying goes “eat, drink and be merry,” yet dinning can be your door to fitting in with the rest of the office. Ritika Trikha with US News and Money states, “Always say yes to lunch[!]”  First off, saying no is not only rude, but it would automatically put you at the bottom of the social totem pole.  Use lunch as an opportunity to get the scoop on the office culture.  Hearing their input in a more relaxed setting will give you the most honest feedback on what is expected and what is acceptable.  Conversation, whether at lunch or at the water cooler, could take a turn away from culture to gossip. Dawn Rosenberg McKay, a Career Planning Expert, states “Pay attention to the office grapevine, but don’t contribute to it.”  Since you are new, participating in gossip will only set you against a co-worker.  Instead of gossip, keep the conversation on why you belong there.

Prove You Belong

Finally, remember why you are there: To work.  You were hired for a reason and now you have to show them that you were hired for the right reasons.  Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO of Hubspot, explains you should “Spot the high performers and mimic them.” Going above and beyond what is expected will not only grab attention from your co-workers, but also your higher-ups.  Jenna Goudreau, with Business Insider, advises that you should live up to the expectations you set for yourself when you were hired.  Lastly, Dawn Rosenberg McKay says to “…Arrive to work early and don’t rush out the door…”  Show everyone that you are dedicated and will do what it takes to get the job done.

There is no formula that explains the best way to fit in at your new job.  Instead, there are only tips that will give you a heads up on what to expect.  At the end of the day, be the employee they hired you to be and give 100% effort at your new position.  If that is all you do, you will soon find yourself fitting in and cruising up the ranks.

 

Mar 17 2015
Professional Resources

Three Tips for Your Quest for Employment

The deadline is approaching, and by deadline I am not referring to an assignment. Instead I am talking about the conclusion to another semester. For some this means the end of an academically challenging four years, and for others it means the advancement through the collegiate ranks. No matter what category you are in, there is only one thing on your mind: Employment. This could mean a new career for graduates or an internship for those who remain. There is no easy way to get yourself in the door of your dream job, unless you are well acquainted with an established personnel, and in that case more power to you! But for the rest of us, we can employ a few simple tactics that will set us apart from the expansive pool of applicants.

Ask Yourself: Where Would I Fit In?

First off, this may seem like a trivial question, but this is an important aspect of looking for jobs. There are a multitude of job opportunities out there, however each one of them offers a different environment. Be sure to look into the culture of the company and make sure their values are in line with yours. Debra Auerbach from Career Builder states, “Corporate culture is an important factor one must take into consideration when not only contemplating a job offer but also when applying for jobs.” If you feel that working with men and women who don’t care what your name is and mandatory overtime is just the nature of the beast is definitely not your style, than look into a different company.  Once you are able to narrow that down, you will have options that will fit with your set of values and will make you a more viable applicant. Now that you have an idea of the type of environment you would enjoy working in, the next step is to find men and women in that industry.

Network, Network, and Network Some More

This is a word that you may have heard once or twice throughout your college career, and that is because it is one of the best ways to obtain an “in” with a company or industry. Meeting with professionals in the field you are interested in presents you with the opportunity to not only know someone, but allows you to hear first hand accounts on what that position, company, or industry is truly like. Herminia Ibarra and Mark Lee Hunter with the Harvard Business Review explain, “Through professional associations, alumni groups, clubs, and personal interest communities, managers gain new perspectives that allow them to advance in their careers.” Networking may seem like an intimidating task, but the rewards are endless and you never know whose business card you are going to get! There is, however, one last piece of the puzzle for post grad or internship employment: The resume.

Use The Resources At Hand

Writing the resume. This is a task that may not excite you, but is absolutely necessary for a decent job. However, if you are reading this post, you already have a multiple resources at your disposal that will help you develop a professional resume. Longwood University provides students with the University Career Center. The UCC has staff that will sit down with you and your existing resume and make corrections that will grab the attention of industry leaders. They also have various resources that will help guide you on your journey for the perfect job out of college and the perfect internship. Susan Adams with Forbes Magazine reveals, “In the best case scenario, the office will connect you with an alum who works in your field of interest who will help you get a job.” With the alumni connections and resume assistance, the perfect opportunity is at your fingertips; all you have to do is ask!

The quest for a job or internship can be a stressful time, but it does not have to be. Research, networking, and the utilization of resources are three first steps that will help aid you in the process and lead you to the opportunity meant for you.