Interviews are hard. And depending on your skills and experience, you might love them or you might hate them. But no matter what your feelings about interviews are, as long as you’re searching for a job, you won’t be able to escape them.  

“Once they did that, I decided right then and there that they would not be moving forward in the hiring process. Of course, they had no idea that what they had just done was a red flag. And unless they ask me, they never will.”

– Jen, Recruiter

The above quote was taken from a recruiter who had just interviewed a potential prospect. During the interview, the applicant made a huge error that pretty much sealed their fate and eliminated them from the hiring process. 

As a job site and marketplace that focuses on interview tips and getting you hired, we want to help you avoid situations like this. That’s why we’ve put together a list of tips that covers everything you shouldn’t do during an interview. 

1. Poor Presentation
One very common interview tip that you most likely have heard before is “dress to impress.” And while that is easy to remember in face-to-face interviews, the virtual front brings on a new element.

When you’re being interviewed through video chat, you have to remember that you not only have to look presentable but your background does too. That means no messy clothes in a pile, your TV isn’t on, and you’re somewhere that will be free of both audio and visual distractions and interruptions.

Use the background to your advantage. Throw your degree on the wall behind you, hang up some art, or do something else that will make you stand out during the interview. Who knows, maybe the recruiter likes the same baseball team as you.

2. Forgetting to Do Your Research

Doing the necessary research on a company is one of the most overlooked interview tips in the book. There is nothing a recruiter hates more than an applicant who has no idea about the company and/or position they are applying for.

It shows that you really aren’t interested or passionate about the position and company. So how can the recruiter expect you to be motivated once you start? Especially if you don’t even know much about the role you’re applying for? More often than not, this is a dealbreaker. 

3. Reading From Your Screen

This next interview tip is one that is exclusive to the virtual environment but one that should definitely be kept in mind. And that’s to avoid reading prewritten answers and statements from your screen.

It’s one thing to have your resume up in the corner or to try and memorize a couple of things you want to say, but when you’re reading something from your laptop or monitor, interviewers can usually tell. Not only do you sound robotic, but they can see your eyes moving across the screen.

In the end, you just need to be authentic and professional. No shame in having something prepared but try to avoid doing it like this.

4. Speaking Negatively About Current-Employer

Although you may have plans to leave a company, it’s important to avoid putting them down during and at any point after your employment with them. Especially during an interview.

When you talk poorly about your employer, the recruiter might think that you would do the same to them one day. Even if you’re not going to be employed by them for much longer, they still represent a part of your professional identity. So in bringing shame to their name, you also shed some on your own. 

5. Copy & Paste Responses

Copy and paste responses are a lot like the reading from your screen in that it comes off as inauthentic. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure your answers are tailored to the company you’re applying for. 

When talking about your strengths, mention why they might help you do the position well. When talking about your aspirations, discuss a career path that could be fulfilled at the company and how you might obtain it there. Try your best to tie as much as you can back to the company,

But the time when you need to avoid a copy and paste response the most is when they ask you why you want to work for that company. If you’re not able to respond with specifics and instead give them every other spiel that you gave to your other interviewers, don’t expect to get very far in the hiring process.

6. Lying

Just like your momma told you – don’t lie. This is one interview tip, and one life tip, that everyone should always abide by. We can’t deny that the fake it till you make it routine can work every now and then, but if you get caught lying, whether it’s on your resume or during an interview, it’s going to cost you serious points.

This includes lying about everything from skills to personal anecdotes. Companies usually have tests that can validate whether you can do what it is you say you can or not. And running away with a story is always dangerous, especially if you end up working with the person you said it to.

7. Fidgeting

Whether you’re interviewing in person or through video, make sure to avoid any and all forms of fidgeting. This includes fidgeting with something in your hands, with your hair, or rocking back and forth demonstrating that you are restless and unfocused.

You could be telling an incredibly relevant and interesting story that gets ruined by a non-verbal distraction. So posture up, look directly into the screen or camera and find a position you’re comfortable with.

8. The Money & Vacation Questions

The money and vacation questions are a recruiter’s worst nightmare. One of the easiest interview tips on this entire list, and also one of the most important, is to not ask about money or vacation while you’re interviewing.

The reason why is because employers look for people who want a job because of the company, the job, and the position, not just for a paycheck. And when you ask questions about vacation, you risk coming off as lazy. 

Yes, time off and wages are very important when making a decision about a job. And you do have a right to know what those numbers are. But if you get far enough in the process, odds are they will fill you in. So be patient, and remember all the other reasons that make a job important. In the end, that’s what really matters.

Making Your Own Guide

For many of you job seekers out there, there may be things on this list you need to concentrate on more than others. You may even find things outside of this list of interview tips that help you during the hiring process. So we encourage you to make your own guide and develop your own interview offensive. With knowledge and confidence, you’ll go a long way. 

For more interview tips and information on finding your dream job, check out the WayUp blog. 

The post 8 Things You Should Never Do In An Interview appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a current student or recent graduate, one question you might be asking yourself is how can you prepare yourself for an interview and secure a job. But given the fact that interviews and application processes differ from company to company, you may have found yourself lost and unsure about where to start. 

In order to help guide early-career professionals through interviews and applications, we took an in-depth look at the process at one of the world’s largest asset managers – BlackRock. To better understand how candidates can nail their application and interview process, we spoke with three analysts who successfully secured internships with this $22 billion company and continue to work and thrive there today as analysts.

This list includes everything from interview tips to general advice that these employees used to help them navigate the interview process and secure a job at BlackRock. While some of the tips are specific to BlackRock and its unique hiring process, many of them are universal and can be used throughout your entire professional career. We hope this helps make landing your first job or internship a little easier and encourages you to seek employment with BlackRock – a company that has been shaking up the industry and providing lifelong careers for years.

1. Reach out to current employees

Reaching out to current employees at a company is beneficial for a number of reasons. Julia Colliton, an analyst at BlackRock, claims that her interactions with a BlackRock employee prior to applying made her more attracted to the role, and motivated her to apply. Most people think of establishing relationships with active employees in order to help usher them through the finish line, which is true, but it can also help give you perspective into the actual role as well. Look for LinkedIn connections, ask questions, and do whatever you can to improve the perspectives of those you engage with, including your own.

2. Get activity/leadership experience

BlackRock is a company that values leadership experience in its employees. In fact, there is an entire section of their internship interview process that is dedicated to it. Not only will getting leadership experience better enable you to do your job better and thrive as an employee, but it will make your application stand out from the rest. You will most likely be applying with people who all have great GPAs and honors designations, so this is an area where you can really stand out.

3. Resume building

Establishing a strong resume is something that most prospects can assume they need to spend time on. But the ways in which you build that resume are vast. One thing that all of the analysts we interviewed agreed on was to gather as much feedback on your resume as possible. Have a friend who has been in the professional world for a while? Share your resume with them. Have a good relationship with your professor? Let them take a look at it. If you feel bold enough, go and find a recruiter on LinkedIn and see if they will check it out. The more eyes you can get on it, the better.

4. Prepare for the virtual cover letter

The virtual cover letter is something unique to BlackRock’s interview and application process and something applicants might not be familiar with. Acknowledging that the environment is unique and preparing for it accordingly is the best piece of advice we redacted from the current employees we spoke with. Things like checking your lighting and background or practicing your delivery in a “practice interview” by yourself are all things that will help you be better prepared. Also, researching as much as you can will help you face the questions that will be asked.

5. Overprepare for the interview

After speaking with current analysts at BlackRock, the general consensus about the interview was that you can never be too prepared. But what exactly does being prepared for an interview mean? Julia asserts that reading blog posts, watching podcasts, and taking a close look at the principles that the company stands for are all ways you can make sure to stay prepared for the list of questions you will be asked. Additionally, the more information you have the better equipped you will be to carry on an intelligent conversation and really leave an impression on your interviewer. 

6. Stay relaxed and be yourself

As important as it is to retain a professional and focused demeanor during an interview, it is also important to stay relaxed and be yourself. BlackRock is looking for employees who are informed as much as they are personable and want someone who coworkers will enjoy working with and being around. Sara Feraca, an analyst at BlackRock, encourages applicants to “show your personality and composure while speaking” to establish a meaningful connection with your interviewer. BlackRock isn’t a company looking for robots to join their company!

7. “Be a student of the markets”

One of the more notable quotes we got during our interviews with three BlackRock employees was to “be a student of the markets.” Suggested by Julia Colliton, what she meant by this was to know your industry inside and out. It isn’t enough to just be overly familiar with what’s on your resume. You have to be able to speak intelligently and in-depth regarding anything and everything in the finance world. The more real-world scenarios and citings you can come up with, the more you will impress your interviewer, convincing them that you’re passionate about what you do and the person they should hire.

8. Follow up with your interviewer

The last piece of information that all of the employees we interviewed suggested to us was to follow up with your interviewer after your conversation. Make sure you ask them for their contact information if you don’t already have it so you can reach out when the time comes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that you might be pondering and to thank them for their time. Usually, the decision will be made whether or not you follow up with them, but in some scenarios, this will be the final push needed to get you past the finish line or to the next round of interviews. 

At the end of the day, try not to be nervous and know that if you follow all these steps, you did the best you can to try and launch your career. BlackRock is a company that believes in diversity and inclusion and is proud to hire people from a variety of backgrounds, so they encourage people from all walks of life to apply. 

Be yourself, be confident, and most importantly be prepared, and you just might see be able to find a job at the largest asset management company in the world.

The post 8 Career Tips From People Who Landed an Internship at BlackRock appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s a widely known truth that when you place women in positions of power, businesses thrive. While gender equality at work is certainly moving in the right direction, there’s still so much work to do when it comes to creating a gender-inclusive workplace from entry-level to C-suite. Take sales. For many, the thought of sales conjures up images of suits, briefcases, stressful conversations, and well… men. Lots and lots of men.

Right now, only 19% of women in sales are in leadership positions and the industry itself has the second biggest gender equity gap. But the tide is changing here, and Just a few of the programs TEKsystems provides for females are Mama Bear for mothers, a Caretakers Network, a Women Employee Resource Group, and Onyx, their Black Females Network.

It seems pretty clear, whether you’re about to graduate college or are considering a career change, the future is bright when it comes to women in sales. Want to hear more? Join us on Tuesday, October 12^th, 2021 at 6pm EST for a virtual event.  Click here to RSVP 

FIND RELATED TOPICS

Networking, Career Inspiration, Female Leaders, Leadership, Women In Business, Women In Leadership, Women Leaders

The post 15 Female Leaders Share Their Favorite Career Advice and Keys to Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The Big Question 

When I first began mentoring college students, I thought it was simply a coincidence that the students I was meeting happened to be consumed by the same nagging question. As more and more students shared the same concerns with me, I noticed that individuals with very different personalities and backgrounds were all grappling with the same question. It could not be a coincidence. Rather, the mind of the young thinking, feeling, growing person naturally gravitates towards the fundamental question: What is my life’s direction?

This question is expressed in various ways:

• What major in college should I choose?
• What profession should I enter?
• What will I do after college?
• What am I going to look like ten years from now?

The sense of freedom and independence that accompanies our arrival at college is not the only feeling that comes along with us. In the back seat sits another feeling — the feeling of worry about figuring out what I am going to do with my life. 

I want to share with you the most effective approach to answering this question. Having the answer will make the college experience (and life!) far more valuable and enjoyable.

Looking for personal career advice? Click here to get in contact with me.

The Overwhelming Choice

When I visit New York City, I like to pick up my favorite collectible: those silly, small ceramic New York Yankees dolls with the bobbing head attached to the body with a spring (the ones that cab drivers like to place on their dashboards), known as “bobbleheads”. As the car moves, the head bounces around in reaction to the turns and bumps of the car. For many, this doll encompasses the college experience, where we bounce around randomly between classes, majors, and career possibilities, our heads constantly bobbing in reaction to the many thoughts, options, and opinions that sway us.

I remember the moment I received the course catalog during orientation for my freshman year in college. I looked through the catalog feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of options. I was enrolled in a liberal arts program that was supposed to “empower” me in life, but instead I felt disheartened, not knowing what to choose.

Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, describes one of the ultimate dilemmas in life: an overwhelming amount of options. The primary indicator of freedom may be quantified in terms of a person’s ability to choose. That is, freedom is measured by the degree to which a person is free to choose. In today’s world, people in free countries have more options than ever before in human history. From the variety of products that one finds in the local grocery store to the vast opportunities for career choice, the world has never been a place of such abundant options.

However, today’s world surpasses the rest of history in another area: our overall sense of well-being has never been lower. Depression today is ten times as prevalent as it was in 1960, and it strikes at a much younger age. Almost seventy years ago in America, the average age of initial onset of depression was 29.5. Today the average age of initial onset is 14.5. Issues of low self-esteem have never been as rampant. In America, the leading prescription drug type is the anti-depressant. Divorce rates are higher than they have ever been. Domestic violence, acts of aggression, and unwanted pregnancies are at all-time highs. The list goes on and on.

What is the reason for this phenomenon? Why is it that while a majority of the population of the world experiences an unprecedented level of freedom, universal measures of well-being have never been so low?

Having the freedom to choose is essential to a life of happiness, but having too many options from which to choose tends to lead to poor decision-making, anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction.¹ The time and energy expended in considering and pursuing multiple options detracts from our overall freedom and well-being.

Although the notion may seem counter-intuitive, limitation of choice can be the very thing that produces the ultimate freedom and well-being in life.²

College Students

One significant factor contributing to this phenomenon applies to the vast majority of college students, and it is one that every college student must confront: lack of direction. The wealth of options out there makes it difficult to find my direction in here, inside of me. 

Whenever I speak with college students, I find that most feel paralyzed, overwhelmed, and consumed by the myriad of options facing them. They tell me that if somehow they could eliminate a lot of the options, it would become much easier for them to choose.

Solution

How, though, do we limit our options and thereby increase our happiness and well-being?

The answer is that inside each one of us is a compass that points us in the right direction. Let’s call it our inner compass. This inner compass can filter out the options that are not relevant to our lives and to give us clarity in every decision we need to make. How exactly does this inner compass accomplish this? Just like the magnetic force of the earth causes the needle of a compass to point to the north, my strengths direct me towards those options that are most fitting for me, helping me navigate all major life choices, especially my career choice.

A life of true greatness and happiness is achieved only when I can figure out how to make the choices that are consistent with my essential self.

College is, for many, the first real taste of freedom and individual expression. The experience would be much more powerful and effective in establishing the foundation for future success and well-being if the student would form a clear and confident vision of how to spend his college years.

Natural Strengths

All living things share the tendency to grow, to develop, and to realize their potential, humans included. Within each of us is a kind of internal compass that directs us along the paths that lead us toward becoming the best that we can be. That internal compass provides us with a sense of what is right for ourselves. To the extent that we follow its guidance, we are able to live authentically, in harmony with our unique and individual selves. Our strengths represent our alignment with that internal compass. Our personal combinations of interests, natural capabilities, and preferences signal them. It is when we put them to use in our lives that we feel most authentic, energized, and fulfilled, confident that we are being who we were meant to be. Each person’s greatest potential for growth is in the area of his or her greatest strength. 

What happens when people operate from their strengths? They are more effective and more fulfilled. In the workplace, where we spend so much of our lives and where our strengths can be so clearly expressed, employees are six times more likely to be engaged in their role when their job requires them to use their strengths.³

Gallup’s research indicates that people who are not operating from their strengths at work tend to:

• Dread going to work
• Have more negative than positive interactions with co-workers
• Treat customers poorly
• Tell friends they work for a miserable organization
• Achieve less on a daily basis
• Have fewer positive and creative moments.⁴

When we live our lives according to our strengths, we thrive. We are happy, energized, relaxed, and we celebrate our many successes. There are various reasons given for why so many people do not live according to their strengths. One of the main reasons, and the one I hear most often from students, is that they simply do not know their strengths. They lack the awareness, sensitivity, and self-knowledge required to identify their unique abilities and character traits.

How To Discover Your Natural Strengths

Some people are endowed with profound clarity about who they are, and their strengths are obvious to them. Most people, however, need a little (or a lot) of help in uncovering their true areas of strength. A good mentor, friend, or coach (and a parent can be any of those!) can help. There are also valuable resources available that can help us find our strengths:

• The VIA Institute on Character (www.viacharacter.org) offers the free VIA Survey, a scientifically validated strength assessment for adults. Detailed reports provide strategies on how to use your strengths at work, at school, and in relationships.
• The Clifton StrengthsFinder (www.strengthsfinder.com), the culmination of more than 50 years of Dr. Donald O. Clifton’s lifelong work, has led millions of people around the world to discover their strengths. 
• The Reflected Best Self Exercise (www.reflectedbestselfexercise.com) enables people to identify their unique strengths and talents. Each participant requests positive feedback from significant people in his or her life and then synthesizes it into a cumulative portrait of his or her “best self.” 

Conclusion

The decisions we have to make upon entry to college can be daunting. The course catalog is hundreds of pages long, overwhelming us with confusion, uncertainty, anxiety. How am I to choose my major and my career path, with so many paths in front of me? If I pick one path, I’m automatically rejecting hundreds of others, and maybe one of those hundreds is the correct path for me! How can I feel confident that I am making the right choice?

With a little detective work on the self, I can discover the innate strengths that empower me, and make wise decisions based on them. Personal discussions, online resources, and seeking the guidance of a college or career counselor are effective avenues not only for choosing a career but for discovering the strengths within me that will be the guiding light for all of life’s major decisions.

Dr. Yosef Lynn is Dean of Students at The Dr. David Robinson Institute of Jewish Heritage. He is also an author, Career Discovery Coach, adjunct professor of Positive Psychology, and the founder and director of “Greatness Within Seminars”. He holds a Doctorate in Human and Organizational Psychology (PsyD) from Touro and earned a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under the founder of the field of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman.

Interest in connecting with Dr. Yosef Lynn and receiving personal career advice? Click here to find out more.

Or click here to send Dr. Yosef Lynn an email.

Endnotes

1. Schwartz, B. (2004). The paradox of choice: Why more is less. New York: Ecco.
2. Schwartz, B. (2000). Self-determination: The tyranny of freedom. American Psychologist, 55(1), 79-88.
3. Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press, p. 12.
4. Ibid., p. 12. 

The post The Paradox Of Career Choice appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We spoke with Tara Carlidge, Recruiting Manager at Citi and former Personnel Officer in the U.S. Army, to ask her about how veterans should react if a hiring manager asks them a question about their time in the military that they’re uncomfortable answering. Here’s what we learned:

First, many veterans do not have the experience of being asked an uncomfortable question about their service during an interview. Hiring managers and recruiters are being trained more and more on how to approach interviews with veterans, and what are and are not acceptable questions to ask.

Second, be prepared. In the instance that you do get asked a question about your service, be prepared with what you are and are not comfortable answering. There are a lot of civilians that are curious about what it’s like to serve in the military and it’s natural to want to educate them, but understand and stand by your boundaries.

Finally, focus on your skills and what you bring to the role for which you’re applying. You are in an interview for a job position, and the question that you are being asked may not be applicable to the role that you are interviewing for. It’s ok to tell someone that you are uncomfortable answering a question.

This article is one of nine in a 9-part series WayUp has completed in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and VOWS in an effort to help Veterans entering the civilian workforce. To sign up for WayUp and be discovered by employers, we encourage you to go here.

The post How To Handle Uncomfortable Interview Questions About Your Service appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whatever your career goals may be, it’s nice to have someone in your corner, rooting for you. The majority of us can truly benefit from and find value in having a mentor to encourage, support and promote us, but this is often easier said than done.

First, you may be asking, “what is a mentor?”  Secondly, “how do I find one?”

As defined in the dictionary, a good mentor is a person who guides a less experienced person by building trust and modeling good behavior.  An effective mentor is someone who is dependable, engaging and understands the needs of the mentee.

Overall, a good mentor will:

• Access your strengths and weaknesses
• Help you understand the structure/culture of the organization
• Introduce new perspectives and help correct any wrong thinking you may have
• Boost your ability to make decisions (and ask questions)
• Introduce you to resources and useful references
• Be an active listener and help keep you focused and on topic

Now that you understand what a mentor is; the bigger question is how do you go about finding one?  Sometimes mentors find you (it happens naturally), but more often than not, YOU need to find someone you respect, even admire and would like to emulate at some point in your career.

Throughout my professional career, I’ve been privileged to have effective career mentors; people who were instrumental in my professional growth.  The first mentor was my boss, many years ago when I worked as her executive assistant. She taught me all about the publishing world, the editorial lingo, how to ask questions and most importantly, to develop my skills, professionally and personally.  I had a lot of respect for her and I found myself wanting to mimic her professional behavior (and her wardrobe, she was a classy dresser!).  That said, I took every opportunity possible to sit down with her over a cup of iced coffee and pick her brain about her career and how she got to where she was.  We did this often, and eventually I got promoted to the marketing department!  She congratulated me and commented, “I’m proud, it’s a compliment to me that you are being promoted, it means I did my job.”  She is still my mentor. Even though we don’t sit and have our iced coffees any more, I still call upon her and she still offers words of wisdom.

It’s not always easy to find a mentor. Here are some tips I learned along the way:

• Ask yourself what qualities you want in a mentor.  Is it someone who can help promote you or an expert in your field that can help with a business project?
• Does your HR department have a mentoring program?  Make an appointment and find out more.
• Check out LinkedIn!  Do an Advanced People Search and look for people that you went to college with or have worked with at previous jobs, even professors from school.
• Steer away from a formal request! Don’t ask “will you be my mentor.” This is usually not very inviting, if anything it’s a bit off-putting. Instead start by simply asking someone for advice or invite them out for a cup of coffee.  Find out more about their career path.  And, MAKE IT FUN.  Get to know each other. Don’t make it sound like work…smile, and exude excitement.
• Prepare and practice your speech.  Looking for a mentor means marketing yourself and being self-confident. Learn to promote yourself, talk about some of your accomplishments and seek advice on how you can be better at your job or how you can land that promotion at work. Here is a cool article in Forbes, I read a few years ago, check it out, Trust Yourself and Believe in Yourself!

Now that you have some tips and my own personal mentoring story; start thinking about who you would like to get to know.  Keep trying, don’t give up! Looking for a mentor often happens organically, it’s a relationship that develops over time.  You’ll find that there are mentoring opportunities everywhere!

Good luck!

The post How Can I Find a Mentor? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The transition from intern to full-timer isn’t easy. In fact, even getting a full-time offer takes hard work. But if you’re lucky enough to secure a full-time role at The Clorox Company—home to dozens of iconic brands—one thing’s for sure: You’re going to learn a lot, and fast.

We caught up with five full-timers at the Fortune 500 company about what they learned in their first years at Clorox. Here’s what they told us.

Ashley Found Out You Don’t Have To Pick Between Being Supported And Being Challenged

No matter how hard you study or how great your resume is, your first full-time job is a huge adjustment. You want to be challenged so that you can become a full-fledged professional ASAP, but you also need to be supported as you take on this entirely new chapter of your life. Luckily for Ashley, a Staff Analyst on the finance team, she didn’t have to choose between those when she joined Clorox after graduation.

“Everyone has been super nice and helpful,” she says. “My manager takes time away from her busy day to ensure that I fully understand my role and deliverables. Whenever I have any questions, someone is always there to offer an answer or recommend who to talk to next.”

But it wasn’t like she was on training wheels either. In addition to her work, the Clorox team challenged her to build new skills through courses and contribute to innovation discussions with other teams. No matter how much work she had, though, her managers and coworkers were there to assist her and look out for her wellbeing.

Having this support didn’t just allow her to succeed at work, but to feel at home in an entirely new place.

“I moved out by myself to California without having any family here,” she explains. “Once I got to Clorox, I had a new family.”

Matthew Made It To A Manager Role From His Internship—Thanks To The Values He Picked Up

For many members of the Clorox team, what they learned in their internships stuck with them beyond just that first role. Matthew is one of those people.

“My biggest takeaway from the six-month co-op/internship was that our ‘do the right thing’ culture and mentality were more than just words on paper,” he says.

In his operations role, he makes a lot of decisions that impact on how people work and the integrity with which Clorox products are made. Knowing how seriously the company takes their values really did pay off, too, because prioritizing those values in his own work and leading with integrity got him to where he is today: an Operations Manager role.

And learning to work the right way wasn’t the only benefit for Matthew, either.

“Some of my best friends to this day are CLXers I met during my internship,” he says.

Tara Saw That Inclusion And Diversity Follow Naturally From An Emphasis On Doing The Right Thing

“Clorox really lives our values,” Tara, an R&D scientist, explains. “I think the biggest one is the emphasis on ‘do the right thing.’ We think all the time about what is the right thing to do and how to put people first, and we prioritize that over any other options.”

That goes beyond efforts to include sustainability in manufacturing processes and give back to communities in need, too. It also means looking out for the people and culture at Clorox.

“I’m very proud of the work that Clorox does for Inclusion & Diversity. Our motto is ‘bring your whole self to work’ and I personally feel empowered to do so,” she says. “I’ve received career mentorship through the women’s employee resource group and have a supportive network with the Pride group.”

But I&D isn’t just something Tara enjoys. She actively contributes to it.

“I’ve had the opportunity to partner with the University of Illinois and the Out for Undergrad Engineering Conference to recruit top diverse talent for the R&D internship program,” she says. “We also prioritize I&D on our teams through unconscious bias training and team building exercises.”

Knowing this isn’t just a bonus to Tara. It’s a sign to her that her ideas, identity, and career are taken seriously at the company.

Working In A Culture Like Clorox’s Leads To More Growth (And Maybe Even Faster Promotions)

Asante is a Senior Analyst on the sales team, but he didn’t start that way. After his internship, he got the return offer for an entry-level role and started at Clorox after graduation. That’s when things really started to pick up for him.

“Everyone wanted to help me get the resources I needed to be successful,” he says. “The manager who hired me was also big on being your true self. He’d ask me things about my culture and lifestyle and even more importantly, he’d reciprocate the interaction and share things about himself. I never felt ‘different’ as a member of Scott’s team. I could be me. That fostered a drive and hunger to want to grow with the company.”

Working at one of the largest consumer packaged goods companies in the world, Asante knew there’d be no shortage of career opportunities. And his drive was met with equal enthusiasm from his managers, who let him know just what he had to do to grow his career.

“If there is a role you’re interested in, you can let your manager know,” he says. “But you’re also challenged to do the backend work to gain visibility for the value you’ve added to show you can thrive in that new position.”

Now, in his role as a Senior Sales Analyst, he’s continuing to learn from the people around him and aim for the next goal.

You Don’t Have To Wait To Contribute To Major Initiatives (And That’s Really Good For Your Career)

Being home to so many major brands, Clorox is overflowing with opportunities to take part in high-impact work. And that goes for first-years, too. That’s one of the things Ariana, a Brand Manager at Clorox, likes best about her job so far.

“I’ve met some of the smartest people, learned about real-world marketing, and experienced what it’s like to run a business,” Ariana says. “During my first year alone, I launched a product, presented to Clorox’s CMO, and participated in a brand video shoot. These experiences allowed me to learn through hands-on work that my peers at other companies weren’t getting so early on.”

These experiences aren’t just for show either. They’re a part of a concrete growth plan she’s put together with her managers.

“Career planning starts early on at Clorox. I’ve had the opportunity to chart out different career options, and to cater my experiences and projects to areas that I would like to develop my skills in,” Ariana says. “My three managers to date have all been very supportive of ensuring that my work not only progresses business objectives but also contributes to my career aspirations.”

Apply These Lessons (By Learning Some Of Your Own)

Think you’re ready to put this knowledge to the test. Start by checking out the open roles at The Clorox Company on WayUp!

The post 5 Career Lessons From People Who Made It From Intern To Full-Time At The Clorox Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I served on a career advisory panel the other day where one of the other speakers was talking about the importance of mentors and it made me think: Life – especially sometimes at work – is messy. Why are we always talking about having a mentor when multiple mentors would actually be that much more effective?

There are so many times when advice from different types of trusted advisors can be integral to your career growth. As such, here are the four mentors I believe are necessary for career success:

1. Someone in Your Field of Choice

Let’s start with the most obvious and common one; choose someone in the field where you wish to be. Whether you are still in school or have entered the workforce and are in your first entry-level job, identify someone in your chosen sector, connect with that person (hello, LinkedIn!) and ask for that person’s permission to use him/her as a mentor. Try to set up monthly meetings or conversations that cover a range of topics; examples include: “Why did you pick this field?,” “What was your career trajectory so far?,” “What has changed about the field since you entered it?,” “What do you think makes someone successful in this sector?” and “If you had to it all over again, what would you change?” There are endless questions, but these are a good selection to get your mentor conversation going.

2. The Friend Who is Doing it Right

We all have that friend who just shines in all areas of life, excelling at work, enjoying a great social life, hitting those life achievements and generally appearing to have it all together. Ever wonder how he or she does it? I suggest meeting that person for a drink (if local) or setting up a Skype date (if not local) and asking your friend exactly that. The answer may surprise you – perhaps she is a big believer in The No Club (i.e., saying no to non-priorities) or he is a firm believer in focusing on just work, a few friends and family. Learn from that friend and stay connected; a few good conversations may also yield what we all hope to be true: He or she is juggling the craziness of life just as much as you are.

3. A Parental Figure

Whether or not you are a parent or even plan to be one, it helps to have a parental figure as a mentor, even for your career. This person does not have to be your parent so much as that elder in your life who keeps you grounded when it comes to your career, personal growth and overall life expectations. Some people find that professors from college or graduate school, a very senior manager, much older sibling or an actual parent (go figure!) provide the best advice when you start out and as your career continues to evolve. Look to this person as the one who will provide you with the most objective, what-you-need-to-hear-when-you-need-to-hear-it kind of guidance.

4. The Person You Never Want to Be

We all have that individual (sometimes, more than one) who just rubs us the wrong way. From a career perspective, it may be a former boss who is just mean, a colleague who does nothing but take all the credit anyway or even someone from another department or company who routinely treats people poorly for no reason at all. Even if ignoring them altogether feels easier, there is much to learn from these individuals (namely, how NOT to be). Take some time to identify what he or she (or they!) did wrong and make a mental list of “Things I Won’t Repeat.” Remind yourself of this list, especially as you expand your own responsibilities and have more people working on your team as well as under your supervision.

At some point, of course, you may just get to be someone’s mentor; let’s hope you are not serving as “The Person You Never Want to Be” kind, but regardless, remember those individuals who helped shape and grow your career so you can then serve as an effective sounding board for the next generation. Remember, it’s YOUR Career: ReFresh. Revive. Renew!

The post The Four Mentors Necessary for Career Success appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve spent countless hours studying, building your resume, and practicing your adult voice for interviews. But nothing can replace that split-second moment when your prospective employer sees your outfit.

Lucky for you, unlike all that other stuff, you can nail the perfect look in a single afternoon.

Yet not every interview calls for the same thing. To find the outfit and style that works for you and for them, you have to consider the industry and the setting. And above all you have to remember to be yourself. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to style, so make sure you’re being true to who you are.

Here are five looks that should carry you through the first hurdle of any interview.

Business Formal

Where it works: traditional corporations, grad schools, and professional/conservative offices

The key to nailing the business formal look is keeping your outfit clean and simple. And you can’t go wrong with a classic suit (think colors like black, gray, or navy), dress shoes, and a dress shirt.

If a suit isn’t available, a blazer and slacks can make for an equally confident look, as long as you stick to more traditional colors. And, of course, a high quality tie will bring the outfit together. If you’re especially adventurous, feel free to opt for a matching pocket square.

A blazer on top and a skirt/slacks with a simple white blouse is tried-and-true. There’s also the option of a classic black dress, which can be complemented with a colorful blazer.

Business Casual

Where it works: Start-ups, relaxed office environments, and everything in between

The business casual look is the most flexible in your arsenal. It can mean nice pants or a skirt; a simple blouse, quality flats, or slacks/chinos; or a dress shirt or oxford and well-kept dress shoes.

For places like start-ups and media companies, be sure to do some detective work online. See if you can find the company’s dress code on its website. You can also try scoping out their offices on social media.

What are the people wearing in the company’s promotional materials or Instagram Story? That’s how you should look when you arrive.

Pro tip: Feel free to ask the recruiter or hiring manager how you should dress.

Professional Creative

Where it works: Media companies, freelance interviews, agencies, and casual networking events

Sometimes your style can say a lot about your personal aesthetic, sparkling personality, and distinguishing qualities. Long story short: If you’re interviewing for a position in a creative field, it’s important to convey a sense of professionalism while still getting across what makes you unique.

Here’s where you can experiment with the business casual look. Try a different color blouse, button-down, or blazer, and throw in some well-coordinated accessories (tie/socks/pocket square/jewelry/watch).

Of course, sticking to the classics is always a good option. So, if that’s your style, then embrace it!

The Humanitarian

Where it works: Non-profits, museums/galleries, health care

The world of non-profit organizations contains many different standards for dress. Some offices are more formal, while others have no articulated dress code at all. (Again, you’re going to want to do some detective work on social media and the company’s website to see if you can ascertain how people in their offices dress.)

However, it’s always a safe bet to go for a sharp business casual look. Think nice pants, a simple blouse, and comfortable flats; that can also mean slacks, a dress shirt, and comfortable dress shoes you wouldn’t mind taking an office tour in. (Bowtie optional.)

The Coffee Networking Guru

Where it works: Coffee shops, networking events, business dinners

Networking over coffee can be a boon for your career. But you want to strike a balance between serious and professional, comfortable and hard-working.

So, what does that look like? You could opt for a polo shirt or dress shirt, slacks or chinos, and a comfortable pair of dress shoes or nice (and clean!!) sneakers. You might also go for dark-wash jeans, a simple blouse, and nice shoes.  

But no matter what, make sure you:

Ask before the interview. When you’re scheduling your in-person meetings, ask the hiring managers what the dress code is. They’ll give you the scoop so you can focus on your answers instead of your sartorial decisions.

Find out what the office is like. If you blanked on asking the hiring manager, then do some detective work. Check out the company’s website and social media channels to scope out the office style.

Iron, steam, and clean, clean, clean. Make sure your clothes are clean, your shirts and pants are ironed (or steamed), and everything is crisp and neat. These minor elements can signal a lot about your organizational skills and reliability.

Be yourself. Make sure whatever you’re wearing still speaks to YOU. Embrace your personal style and play around with how you can still be yourself while dressing for the new role.

The post Here’s How You Should Dress For 5 Different Types Of Interviews appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You applied, got the interview, received an offer, and now you’re about to start your new internship. You’re nervous yet excited and you want to ensure that you’re fully prepared so that you can walk in ready to rock whatever is thrown your way. First impressions will set the standard, for your first week especially, so you want to make sure you leave a positive mark.

Take a look at our advice below about how to prepare for that critical first day.

1. Do your research.

Although you may have done extensive research about the industry, the company and its culture before your interview, it’s important to have as much updated information as possible before you begin your internship. In other words, you should do research again. Find out everything you can from the company’s website and social media channels, recent news headlines, and possibly even reviews and feedback from users or customers. The more you know before you start, the easier the transition will be into your new position.

2. Come in with questions.

The purpose of an internship is to learn and to discover what you’re interested in as well as what might not interest you as much. As an intern, you’re supposed to be curious and engaged, but you also aren’t expected to have a vast amount of knowledge or experience, so it’s important to reflect on what you’d like to learn more about. Begin your first day by asking some of those questions. An internship is what you make of it and in order for it to be as successful as possible, you need to voice any questions or concerns upfront, and you should also consider sharing any ideas you may have.

3. Practice your commute.

If you do a practice run of the commute to your internship beforehand, you’ll feel less stressed on your first day. You won’t be as worried about getting lost, whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transportation. Try it out on a weekday around the same time you will be going to work, so that you can gage what traffic will be like or if you will run into any other issues along the way. There’s nothing worse than being late on your first day because you couldn’t figure out how to navigate your way there.

4. Contact your supervisor.

It’s crucial to know what you are expected to bring with you on your first day. Contact your supervisor and ask about the company’s dress code to ensure that you’re properly dressed. You may have to fill out forms or bring some sort of identification with you and and there may be other items that you need to have with you, so double checking with your supervisor is a must. You don’t want to forget anything on your first day and start off on the wrong foot.

5. Relax.

Take a step back and breathe. It’s completely natural to be anxious about your first day at a new internship, especially if it’s your first one ever, but remember that the company hired you for a reason. Your interviewer saw something in you that made him or her think you were the perfect fit for the position, so as long as you showcase that same personality, motivation, and smile that you did during the interview, your first day will run smoothly. Another factor to consider is that as an intern, you’re bound to make a mistake. You’re human; you’re new to the professional world and your supervisor will understand that. Most likely, this individual has had several interns in the past. Just be sure to interact with your fellow co-workers, put forth your best effort, and take any hiccups that may occur in stride.

As an intern myself, I’ve been in your shoes and preparing yourself will be key to having a wonderful first day!

The post How To Prepare For Your First Day At Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Many companies have a strong social media presence, so having an active social media presence is a great way to build your network and start branding yourself. You can reach a wide range of companies and individuals through social media and ensure that you keep yourself at the top of their minds throughout your job search. More and more students are finding jobs and internships through social media, so follow these tips to brush up on your networking skills and maybe you’ll be next.

1. Create a WayUp profile.

WayUp isn’t just a job site; it offers users amazing networking opportunities as well, because you have the chance to showcase both your skillset and your unique personality.The structure of your profile emphasizes the importance of hobbies and extracurricular activities as much as it does your work experience and coursework, so employers gain a better sense of who you are. Perhaps one of WayUp’s best features is that employers can request for you to apply to their jobs, so even if you’re not actively applying for positions, the more detail you include in your profile, the more likely you are to be contacted. In addition to reaching employers, you can expand your network within your university too by following and connecting with other individuals, including fellow students and recent grads.

2. Follow company social media channels.

Many companies dedicate a lot of time and effort to their social media channels and use them as a way to connect with potential employees. Follow companies you’re interested in on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and any other social media profiles they may have. Pay close attention to how they conduct their social media accounts including the written and video content that they post. Be engaged. Like or comment on a company’s posts or send a direct message if you particularly like a video, an image, or an article. Following a brand on social media will help you learn more about a company and having that knowledge will give you a leg up in a cover letter application or an interview.

3. Include your university major or profession in your social media bios.

When you apply for a job or internship or even when a recruiter is scrolling through social media accounts to find talent, having a professional social media presence will win you major brownie points. Ensure that all of your social media accounts represent the brand that you’ve built for yourself, because many companies will use your social media to gauge your personality. If your social media presence showcases that you’re a university student majoring in biology and that you are actively looking for an internship in your field, your profiles will stand out from those that don’t include that information.

Networking is so much more than just a networking event or two, so in order to get ahead of the game, make sure to beef up your social media networking skills. If you follow these tips, you’ll be off to a great start!

The post Top 3 Tips For Social Media Networking appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

These Unilever BRAND MANAGERS are responsible for getting AXE products into grocery stores across the country.

Unilever has a simple but clear purpose – to make sustainable living commonplace. They believe this is the best long-term way for the business to grow.

Check out all of Unilever’s open jobs!

Transcript; 

Kevin: From a brand manager standpoint it’s probably the closest you can get to really being be the center spoke of wheel and working a little bit on everything.

Sophie: It’s definitely challenging at times but it’s really cool to see everything come together at the end

Kevin: I think the that Unilever’s is actually a house of brands right is something as kind of not always thought about. You’ll think about the Axe company or the Dove company, but actually we are all working at Unilever.

Sophie: I was looking to marketing like throughout business school and really liked the idea of something more entrepreneurial that was both creative and quantitative.

Kevin: So there are two ways that we look at marketing and Unilever. There’s local marketing and then there’s global marketing. so I work from the local side where I’m very close to day and a P&L. So are we performing. How much are we selling. How much profit are we actually making.

Sophie: I love interacting with people so working with all sorts of different people and they’re kind of the experts in their field.

Kevin: I have individual goals for my campaign is on your campaign meeting its business case. But also are you pushing the brand in certain areas so you know you may be doing well and how that brand situated now, but are you pushing us from a digital standpoint or are you making sure that we’re hitting our target customers.

Sophie: Everyone knows what AXE is when you talk about it, it’s a huge brand. So it’s really fun to work on and see like a different part of personal care and what male grooming is like.

Kevin: Well I mean ultimately I’m a competitive person.

Kevin: So to be in a space where you don’t live in a vacuum like you live in this fluid environment where there’s always something happening I think it’s something that you Unilever cherishes because that’s the nature of what it is that you want to do want to compete. You want to make sure that you’re working on a business that successful.

The post Video: What does an AXE Brand Manager do? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

While internships are essential experiences, with a new environment and a new set of skills to learn, mistakes are bound to happen. The good part? This is totally okay (and completely normal).

Here’s what you need to know about coming to terms with the mistakes you’ve made during your internship.

You’re not the only one.

It’s important to keep things in perspective. You’re not the only intern who has ever made a mistake. All interns (and full-time employees) make mistakes, because we’re only human and it’s a natural part of life. It can be easy to trap yourself into thinking that everyone else is perfect and you’re the only one who has messed up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your supervisor, your boss, your co-workers and your fellow interns have made mistakes, and they were able to get past them, so you can too.

It’s a learning opportunity.

Usually, you make a mistake when you’re unfamiliar with something or you’re doing a task or project for the first time, so when you do mess up, think about how you can improve the next time you’re in that situation. For example, ask a question if you’re confused, conduct research on what you’re doing or go a little bit slower and take your time. What’s key here is that you learn from your mistake so that you don’t repeat it again. Mistakes only become an issue when they happen over and over again, so make sure to own up to your mistake and make an effort to change it.

It’s not the end of the world.

As soon as you make a mistake, several thoughts are floating through your head. ‘Are they going to fire me? What if I leave a bad impression for the rest of my internship? Will my supervisor ever give me another assignment?’ As long as making mistakes isn’t a habit, the answer to these questions is almost always going to be no. Your supervisor and co-workers understand that you’re an intern and that you’re going to make mistakes. In fact, they expect you to and would probably be surprised if you didn’t, because making a mistake means you’re in the process of learning and that’s the whole point of an internship.

When you think back on the mistakes you’ve made during your internship, don’t worry. Simply own up to them and do everything you can to improve. One mistake doesn’t define your entire internship experience or you as a person, for that matter. You’re all still the rockstar interns that we know you are!

The post Why It’s Okay To Make Mistakes During Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article was adapted from the blog post “Seven Habits for Success in the Workplace of the Future.” You can read the full text here.

The way we work is changing. From the sheer number of tools we have for communicating with people inside and outside the office to the idea of working remotely becoming more and more commonplace, things look a lot different now than they did when your parents started their first jobs. And it’s bound to change even more in the future.

So how do you make sure you’re ready no matter what?

The team at Accenture Federal Services is accustomed to thinking one (and often many) steps ahead. So to help you succeed no matter how much the way we work changes, their recruiting team shared five things they want you to know.

APPLY TO WORK AT ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES

1. How you communicate is important.

Depending on the person we’re communicating with, we might text, call, email, send a message on social media, or have a conversation in person. And those are just a few basic options. We’re not just faced with an endless number of ways to communicate; we’re also connected at all times.

But here’s one skill that’s timeless: understanding whom you’re communicating with, and the most efficient, clear, and authentic way to communicate with them. Will you get more done if you talk to a coworker in person for five minutes, rather than messaging them on a chat app? Will your client be more likely to remember your message if you email them a clear list of next steps instead of calling? Figure these things out, and you’ll be well on your way.

2. Don’t let a flexible work environment get the best of you.

Whether you work in a traditional office, from your kitchen table, on-site for a client, or at the local coffee shop, each setting comes with its own challenges and benefits. No matter the work environment, it’s important to set boundaries so you stay focused and get through your to-do list.

If you work from home, create a dedicated office space that’s set up for productivity (the couch might be tempting, but you probably associate it with relaxing after a long day). If your job has you on the go all the time, make sure you have everything you need so work isn’t interrupted—like chargers for all your devices and a mobile hotspot in case WiFi is scarce.

APPLY TO WORK AT ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES

3. Know when to disconnect.

There’s a fine line between using technology to be more efficient and over-using it because it’s so easy to access. Depending on the expectations of your specific job, set specific times of the day (an hour before bed) or scenarios (out to dinner with friends) when you push work-related things to the back of your mind and avoid checking email on your phone. Taking a break lets you relax and clear your head, so you’ll feel more refreshed when you do return to those emails.

4. Never stop learning.

You’ll probably reach a point when you’re very comfortable with the responsibilities at your job. But that’s not the time to sit back and relax. Instead, read up on the latest business or tech trends, follow blogs or social media accounts that cover your industry, and subscribe to a relevant newsletter or two. Want to really gain an advantage? There are plenty of free online courses and seminars that’ll prepare you to be even better at your job in the future than you are right now.

5. Keep an open mind and embrace change.

In every field—and especially if you’re working in technology—the best way to keep up is to view changes as opportunities, rather than challenges. The tools your team uses, the projects you work on, and even the structure of your team may change multiple times. You might even collaborate with other teams or companies to get the job done. No matter how much your environment changes, the best thing you can do is stay flexible and soak up as much knowledge as possible from each new experience.

Ready to join a team that’s already taking on the future of work? Accenture Federal Services is hiring now! Check out their open jobs on WayUp!

Accenture Federal Services has served every cabinet-level department and 30 of the largest federal organizations. Accenture Federal Services transforms bold ideas into breakthrough outcomes for clients at defense, intelligence, public safety, civilian and military health organizations.

The post Want to be Great at Your Job? Then You Need to Forget About It (Sometimes) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your full-time job calls for 40 hours a week but you find yourself working 50-60. A few days each week, you catch yourself eating what is cheapest or nearest to save time and energy. You skip your workout to meet an upcoming deadline. You realize it’s early November and you don’t know how time is passing so quickly.

Sound familiar?

Professional environments and contemporary culture, particularly in fast-paced urban areas, encourage us to work harder, better, faster, and stronger, often to the detriment of our health and wellbeing.

We assume we are superior to our inanimate tools like cars and machines by overriding our internal cues for resources. However, like the tools around us, the better we are maintained, the better we perform.

I imagine the above comes as no surprise. You may be very interested in integrating more self-care into your routine but are struggling to put ideas to practice.

The following 7 tips will help you initiate and maintain a routine.

1. Listen to the cues

Our physical and mental experiences are interdependent. Your body may be sending you messages about your stress level that indicate you are in need of more self-care.

Some signs include, but are not limited to:

• You have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• You feel fatigued most of the day
• Your appetite is much more intense or much less intense than usual
• You experience either constipation or diarrhea
• Your thoughts race or blur, making it difficult to focus
• You feel irritable or snap easily at co-workers, peers, or strangers
• You feel more impatient than usual
• You feel more nervous than usual, leading to increases in habits like biting your nails, tapping your pen or feet during meetings, or fidgeting
• You smoke, drink, or engage in other substance use more than usual
• You isolate or socialize significantly more or less than usual
• You begin feeling less interested in your daily activities, or wonder what is the point?

Some of these signs are more obvious than others. The first step is to objectively notice how you are feeling or behaving, how intense those feelings or behaviors are, and how often they occur.

Once you become more familiar with noticing these sensations, you may want to create a journal or use an app to track what you are feeling, thinking, and doing. Check out Refinery29’s suggestions for anxiety tracking apps. If you are more interested in tracking your sleep, eating habits, exercise, or other metric, a quick Google search can help you find the mobile tools for your needs.

By following the next two steps, you will create more opportunities to hear and listen to your particular body’s signs on your own.

2. Set aside 10 minutes in the morning

If we are not careful, we can miss what our body is telling us.

Mindfulness can help us hear and understand. Mindfulness is proven to lower stress, increase self-awareness, increase body awareness, improve performance, protect against mental illness, increase focus, improve emotional processing, help regulate emotion, increase compassion, decrease feelings of loneliness, improve sleep, and more.

With practices like meditation and mindfulness, consistency is key. Studies show that 10-15 minutes of mindfulness practice a day will lead to results.

I recommend setting time aside first thing in the morning. This is the time of day you have the most control over. Some people prefer meditating at night, or with a group at a particular time during the week. The time of day matters much less than regular practice.

I meditate first thing in the morning. I set my alarm for 15-20 minutes earlier than I know I need to prepare for the day. I do not check my email or my social accounts. I wake up, turn off my alarm, open Insight Timer (some people prefer Headspace), and meditate for 15 minutes. I then proceed with the rest of my day.

Note: You do not need an app or other materials to meditate. You only need yourself, a relatively comfortable seated position, and a relatively quiet, private space where you will not be externally prompted or disturbed.

You also do not need to be an experienced meditator. Apps like Insight Timer and Headspace provide guided meditations to ease you into the practice. Written and audio resources and in-person meditation groups may also guide you in the beginning of your practice.

Gradually, you will be able to practice independently of guides and tools. This practice will strengthen the communication between your body and your mind. Accordingly, over time, you will be more aware more quickly of the messages (like in Tip 1) that your body may send you about its needs before the needs become emergencies.

3. Invest in yourself

Sometimes, you need an external influence to help facilitate your self-care. The best approach to self-care is to initiate your practices and routines from a place of strength and stability to proactively prevent crisis.

I am a big proponent of therapy. You may have some questions or concerns about therapy. Here are BuzzFeed’s 25 ways therapy can help you.

A good therapist will help you familiarize with the internal roots and workings of your thoughts and behaviors. You will recognize patterns in yourself and better anticipate how your past and present impact you now and in your future. Therapy is not intended to eradicate all sadness or a full range of emotions. Rather, you will build the skills to observe, weather, and accept any storm.

If you are interested in therapy, based in the NY area, and looking for help in finding the right therapist for you, my team at My Wellbeing is happy to help.

If therapy is not your self-care method of choice, perhaps you would benefit from a personal trainer, a dietician, or a coach. As I mentioned in Tip 2, consistency is key. Devote a specific time and place weekly to check in with yourself and assess how you are doing and why.

4. Treat 2-3 workouts a week like work meetings

Regular exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress, increase the production of endorphins, assist with weight loss and maintenance, strengthen your muscles and bones, increase your energy levels, reduce risk of chronic disease, improve skin health, improve brain health and memory, improve sleep quality and relaxation, reduce pain, promote a better sex life, and more.

Making time for exercise can feel next to impossible some days.

I recommend finding a time in your schedule that you do not regularly have other conflicts. Say you meet with your supervisor on Tuesday evenings, your co-workers usually go out together on Thursdays, and your friends tend to gather on Friday nights. Commit an hour on Monday and Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon to do something active.

Put recurring events in your calendar. Treat appointments with yourself like work meetings. Incentivize your following through (for example, treat yourself to a smoothie after your workout, or put $5 toward the shoes you are eyeing every time you go to the gym).

5. Cook healthy meals in advance

Greatist outlines 45 surprising benefits of exercising and eating healthy. Among the many, eating well can brighten your mood, protect your bones, strengthen your fertility and immune system, boost your cognitive capacity, improve your skin health, heighten your sex drive, reduce insomnia, soothe sore muscles, give you energy, and reduce your cravings for unhealthy food.

Like working out, finding the time and budget for eating well can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Counterintuitively, eating well can save you time and money.

I recommend preparing a week’s-worth of healthy food at the onset of your week that you can easily reheat at work for lunch or after work for dinner. You can store a majority of this food in your freezer so that it will not spoil. While this may take a few hours upfront, you will eliminate the time barrier for the rest of your week, making eating healthy as easy as grabbing a pastry at the Starbucks downstairs.

Below are 5 healthy recipes from Eating Well you can try:

• Chickpea Curry
• Seared Salmon with Pesto Fettuccine
• Beet & Shrimp Winter Salad
• Chicken & Spiced Apples
• Mozzarella, Basil and Zucchini Frittata

One simple staple of mine is to make a week’s-worth of brown rice and steamed vegetables. I vary my vegetables week by week, depending on what I am in the mood for and what looks good in the produce section of the grocery store or market. I generally season the vegetables with garlic, salt and pepper, and a variety of other spices (not a very scientific recipe). I complement the vegetables with poached eggs, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, or grilled white fish. If I want to go meat-free, I use beans as the primary protein and top with chopped almonds. You can add extra flare with cheese or avocado.

I store 70% of this food in my freezer and prepare 1-3 meals-worth in mason jars or tupperware in my fridge to take with me for lunch for the week.

This saves you time by avoiding long lines and indecision at lunch time. You can use your extra time to connect with a co-worker, eat or take a walk outside, or chip away at the deadline you want to meet.

This saves you money by preparing healthy meals with groceries ahead of time that overall cost less than eating out. The amount you invest in the ingredients of each meal is up to you. You can use your saved money to reward yourself for following through, add an ingredient to your pre-prepared meals that is a little more expensive than usual, or save toward any other goal or investment.

6. Commit to something that brings you joy

Most self-improvement suggestions require an investment of hard work and money. This time, I recommend you commit regularly to something that makes you feel good.

Joy and laughter are medicinal. Medical Daily shares that laughter increases serotonin and endorphins in the brain, replenishes the lungs, relaxes muscles and eases tension in the body, reduces stress hormones in the body, protects the heart, strengthens the immune system, and functions similarly to a really good workout.

Laughter also relieves everyday worry and stress, adds positivity and resilience to life, improved overall happiness and mood, and helps ease worry, anxiety, and fear.

Your go-to joy may be Seinfeld reruns, playing with your dog, going on a date with your partner, catching up with a friend, or listening to music. Whatever it is, counter to what popular culture and professional environments encourage you to believe, investing in joy is not a waste of time. Ensure you have at least 30 minutes of joy on your calendar every week. Work up to at least 30 minutes a day.

7. Try and try again — with patience.

You may not yet know what stress management tools work best for you.

Humans are unique. What works for one does not always work for another. Often, variations to the mold are in store. Moreover, breaking old habits and creating new ones is often harder than we first think.

On average, it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Using the guidance above, choose one change you would like to commit to. Plan to implement that change for 10 weeks. After the 10 weeks, evaluate whether the tactic resonates with you.

Leaning on objective third parties and support systems is helpful during this time. A trusted friend, therapist, or coach can make all the difference in evaluating change, processing your learnings, and holding yourself accountable.

You may find the habit is so natural you have no desire to return to how you were doing things before. Or, you may find the new habit is harder than you realized or does not resonate with you. You may supplement the first choice with an additional shift or try something else entirely.

Throughout the growth process, practice patience with yourself. Old habits are hard to break and new habits are even harder to create. Change is challenging. Moments of joy and celebration may come with moments of frustration or doubt.

Do your best to accept the ride and trust that over time, you will come to better understand your unique set of experiences and needs.

Prioritizing time for self-care in a busy work week is a worthwhile challenge. By following these tips, you’ll be able to focus on your wellbeing and set yourself up for personal and professional success.

Keep in touch

Have a question or a suggestion for maintaining self-care during a busy work week that I did not mention? Leave a comment below, connect with me (@apetersel) or My Wellbeing (Facebook and Instagram: @mywellbeingtherapy and Twitter @findmywellbeing) on social, or reach out to me at alyssa@mywellbeing.us. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

The post 7 Tips for Maintaining Self-Care During a Busy Work Week appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Work experience isn’t the only way to prove your worth. With Veterans Day just around the corner, we wanted to spotlight some of the incredible veterans in our community who are using the skills and experiences they gained during their service to take their careers to the next level. These veterans prove that the military prepares you for professional success.

From learning how to become effective leaders to developing strong communication and interpersonal skills, the veterans we talked to all agreed that their time in the military helped them learn a lot about themselves and about the world at large. As they embark on the next phase of their careers, they’re using these experiences to craft new paths for themselves and to apply their knowledge in different ways.

Andrew Morris, a Marine Corps Infantry Veteran and aspiring social media marketer, also credits his military service with helping him develop skills and interests that he may not have otherwise developed. “It makes you good at soft skills like team management, project management, organization, and communication,” he explains, emphasizing that he developed these skills while learning how to lead his own team and how to communicate effectively with different people across the chain of command.

Now a marketing major at California State University San Marcos, Andrew is passionate about pursuing a career in social media marketing and compares the day-to-day work involved in marketing to his previous work as a Marine. “During my service, when a mission was assigned I had to make sure that everything was in place and I had to tackle problems along the way to get to a final result,” he explains. “Marketing is a lot like that. Checklists are key.” By applying his skills to a new field, Andrew has been able to use a lot of his knowledge about project management to develop the types of campaigns that deliver results to clients.

A former ROTC cadet and current member of the National Guard, Hillary Esposito also emphasizes how important military service has been to her personal and professional development. Referring to her training, she explains that it taught her how to be confident in her decisions and how to be an effective leader. “They’re constantly putting you in environments where you don’t know how to react,” she says. “You find yourself leading people and you have to portray yourself as if you know what you are doing, and then figure it out.”

During her time in the ROTC, Hillary also worked with a medical unit which led to her developing an interest in the medical field. As a result of her experiences, Hillary has decided to pursue a Masters of Health Administration at Rutgers University with the goal of becoming a hospital administrator. Her driving force? A passion for helping others and the desire to do so on a large scale.

Taylor Davis, a former marine and current education major at Salt Lake Community College, explains that military service helped to prepare him for the next phase of his life and his career. “It was an eye-opening experience,” says Taylor, referring to many of the intense moments he encountered during his time in the military, including being involved with the rescue of Captain Phillips and his crew when the captain’s ship, the Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009.

Now studying to become a special education teacher, Taylor is using the skills he picked up during his military service to develop his career, and credits the Marines with giving him perspective, teaching him to be patient and giving him the skills to mentor others. With two years left before graduation, Taylor is working as a teacher’s aide to get hands-on teaching experience while still in school. Once he graduates, he looks forward to starting his teaching career.

When it comes to military service, individual experiences are as varied as they are in any other field. However, all of the veterans we spoke with had one thing in common: they emphasized how much those experiences had shaped them and helped them to build a diverse skill set that has set them up for success.

The skills that students pick up in the military are incredibly valuable across a number of different fields and roles. Whether you’re a student veteran with little work experience or any student or recent grad with limited professional experience, remember to consider your volunteer work, hobbies and side project to show employers who you are as a person.

The post According To These Student Veterans, The Military Teaches You More Than You May Think appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One day, a man named Jim Casey asked a friend to lend him $100 to start a business. It was 1907 and he was only 19 years old at the time.

His idea? UPS—the biggest package delivery company in the world.

Here are a few things his story can teach all of us about life and work:

1. Trust Your Instincts

We’re not sure if Jim Casey ever questioned asking his friend for a loan, but he did it nonetheless. If you’re passionate about your idea and committed to making it a reality, push that doubt aside and go after your goals.

2. Don’t Stop at Success

Is your idea working? Great! Now keep going. People were happy with UPS, then the company gave them something to be even happier about: overnight deliveries. It was a huge success because, well, no one likes to wait.

3. People Want to Be in the Know

People are more likely to believe in your ideas if you’re transparent with them. For UPS, that meant introducing online tracking so customers knew exactly where their package was at all times. Today, the company gets 101.5 million tracking requests every single day.

4. Change is Good

Sometimes slight changes are in order. Other times, success calls for big shifts in how you do things. Did you know that UPS invests $1 billion a year in tech initiatives? That money goes towards things like chatbots for customer service, drones that monitor warehouse stock, and a system that automatically plans tens of thousands of delivery routes per minute.

Ready to be a changemaker? UPS is hiring on WayUp now!

The post How A $100 Loan Helped Create One Of The World’s Biggest Companies appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Starting a new internship or job is exciting, but it can also be intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. That’s why we asked two former American Express interns and two current employees to share their best advice. Here’s what they had to say:

“Never be afraid to ask for help. American Express is a big company, and there were many things I didn’t know when I got there. My team members always encouraged me to ask questions so I could get up to speed on my day-to-day tasks and get past any roadblocks. It’s important to think of your internship as a summer-long interview and treat it like you’re preparing for a future career here.  It’s also important to find out if the company is the right fit for you, so don’t be afraid to network.” – Eric Suarez, University of Florida, Class of 2017

“Working at American Express is great for personal growth. There are a lot of people and moving parts involved in making things happen here, and it’s important to be creative and approach everything with a problem-solving mindset. The work is challenging, and it also has the potential to touch millions of people. So when you do have wins, the payoff is real.” – Todd Wilson, Current Mobile Engineering Manager at Amex and Brigham Young University Grad

“The environment at American Express is team-focused, innovative, fun and full of hard workers. But it isn’t all serious. Definitely take advantage of all the intern events the company plans for you (like baseball games, bowling trips and “Escape the Room” outings). They were always a great time and gave us a chance to hang out outside of work.” – Raina Williams, Former Intern at Amex, Swarthmore College Class of 2018

“American Express isn’t like a lot of other big companies. I think our hackathons are proof of that, and some of the coolest projects have come out of those events. We also have different employee groups, so I’d definitely encourage you to find one that matches your interests. I’m a member of the Women in Technology group, where we partner with middle schools to teach girls how to code. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.” – Stephanie Cruz, Software Engineer at Amex and University of Florida Grad

Ready to join the American Express team? Head this way to check out open positions and apply!

The post Dear Future American Express Team Member… appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re looking for an internship or a full-time job, if you’re a little spooked by the job search…you’re definitely not alone.

In fact, we recently conducted a survey of almost 600 students and recent grads right before Halloween to find out what the scariest parts of the job search process are.

Ready to see how your fears stack up? Here’s what we uncovered.

Students are afraid of not being able to stand out during the job search

When it comes to setting themselves apart, it turns out that students are much more scared than recent grads that they’ll get lost in the crowd. In fact, 31% of students compared to 23% of recent grads say they’re scared they won’t be able to make themselves stand out during the application process.

Does this sound like you? Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to get noticed, including creating a personal brand that will help you stand out to employers.

Students and recent grads are worried that they won’t land a job, not that they won’t like it

While many students and recent grads are worried that they’re not qualified to get a job, few are worried that they’ll hate the job they get. In fact, only 13% of students and 10% of recent grads said they considered the possibility that their dream job might turn into a nightmare.

If you’re among those who are afraid that your new job won’t be a fit, don’t worry. Even if your new job or internship isn’t the best, there’s a lot you can do to address the situation and come out on top.

Both students and recent grads are afraid of in-person interviews

The biggest fear of all? You guessed it — interviews! Nearly 60% of students and recent grads are afraid of interviewing, especially when those interviews in person rather than over the phone or video. And while nerves are a pretty common part of the interview process, there’s a lot you can do to make sure that you’re prepared and ready to face whatever question the hiring manager might throw your way.

Pro tip: Practice makes perfect. Check out some of our videos on how to nail the most common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why did you choose to attend this university or college?,” and spend some time rehearsing your answers in front of the mirror or with a friend.

So whether you’re scared of interviewing, having your application get lost in the pile or disliking your new job, you’re not alone. The good news is that by knowing what to expect — and how to tackle the job hunt — you can put those fears to rest and land a job that’s right for you.

So remember to have a happy Halloween and not to let the job search spook you!

The post Spooked by the Job Search? You’re Not Alone appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’re like most college students and recent grads, then you likely have several social media profiles including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. But did you know that there’s one profile in particular that employers look for when you apply for a job? We’re talking about a professional profile that outlines your skills, experience and career goals, and one that employers can easily look to if they’re considering hiring you for a role.

At WayUp, we’ve recently launched a new version of our profiles that will help to show off your skills and your personality. Here’s why you should consider filling yours out ASAP.

It will highlight your skills and experience

Unlike your Instagram and Facebook which are mostly dedicated to your friends, hobbies and cute pics of your dog, a professional profile is intended to showcase your skill set and your previous experience. This will help potential employers get a sense of what you can bring to the table and help them determine whether you’ll make a good addition to their team.

It will show off your personality and what makes you unique

Beyond just focusing on your education and experience, a WayUp profile also includes sections designed to highlight other areas of your life, including a place to add a fun fact about yourself and the chance to include your Instagram, YouTube and Github accounts. Filling out these sections is a great way to let employers know that you’re a motivated, passionate and well-rounded person who will not only be an asset to their team, but also a lot of fun to have around the office.

It will help employers determine what you’re looking for

Last but not least, having a professional online profile will give employers a sense of your career goals and your skill set. It will also help them understand how the position you’re applying for fits into your five or 10-year plan. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level product management role at a startup and your profile highlights your passion for technology and entrepreneurship, they’ll be able to tell that you’re interested in learning about the industry and that you might be looking to start your own company someday.

Having a professional online profile on WayUp is a great way to showcase the things that make you a valuable candidate and an all-around awesome person. Ready to update yours? Sign into your account to get started.

The post Why an Online Profile Will Help You Get Hired appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re a first-semester freshman or already several years out of college, one of the keys to setting yourself up for success is to establish a personal brand. Creating a brand for yourself is a great way to show the world who you are, both personally and professionally, and to tell others what you’re passionate about and what motivates you. It’s also the perfect way for potential employers and colleagues to get a sense of your skills and your career goals.

Ready to build your brand? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Identify 3 Things That Define You

Before you start telling your story, it’s important to figure out what story you want to tell. The best way to do that is to focus on a few key things that define you as a person and that you want to communicate to the world. For example, if you’re an athlete who wants to become a software developer and is passionate about volunteering with nonprofit organizations, those things should be part of your personal brand. This will help highlight your interests and showcase the things that make you unique.

Craft Your Personal Story

Once you’ve identified your key traits, start crafting your story by coming up with a simple two-line bio that you can add to your social media profiles. Be sure to include where you work or go to school, your side gigs and interests, and a fun fact. Here’s how to do it:

For college students

Senior @ABC University studying chemistry and computer science. Love running, volunteering with @XYZ Organization and traveling — currently planning my backpacking adventure around Europe! 

For recent grads

Marketing associate at @ABC Company and freelance writer at @XYZ Magazine. Passionate about politics, social justice and finding the best avocado toast in NYC.

Pro Tip: If you want to develop your brand even further, consider starting a blog where you can share your interests and the projects you’re working on. This can be as simple as setting up a blog through Medium or Squarespace and it can boost your online presence significantly.

Create a Professional Profile

With your personal story firmly in place, it’s time to focus creating a professional profile that will highlight your skills and interests, and show off the things that make you unique. The best way to do this is by creating a profile on WayUp and filling it out to include a short bio and information on what you’ve studied and where you’ve worked. Best of all, since WayUp profiles are all about showcasing your personality, you can also add your Instagram, YouTube account or Github to highlight awesome places you’ve traveled, videos you’ve created or apps you’ve built.

Use Your Social Media Presence to Build Your Brand

Once you’ve developed your brand, it’s time to start putting yourself out there and building your network. The easiest way to do this is by joining relevant Facebook groups that match your interests, following and engaging with brands you admire on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and liking and commenting on posts that inspire you and that are relevant to you and the brand that you’ve developed.

Establishing a personal brand is a great way to show others who you are and what you’re passionate about. By following these steps, you’ll create an online presence that’s fun, professional and (most of all) authentic.

The post How to Establish a Personal Brand (and Why You Need One) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The days of working 40 years at one company with one job title are in many ways behind us. In her inspiring TED talk, writer and artist Emilie Wapnick describes the kind of people she calls multipotentialites, who range in their interests and professional identities over time. If you identify as someone who has found yourself in high school, college, early adulthood, or midlife, wondering what it is you really want to do or how you are going to do it, this piece is for you.

The job search can be overwhelming. While options A, B, and C might all meet your needs, they likely differ in subtle, difficult to prioritize ways.

This piece is meant to be a starting place to begin thinking about what is it you want and need in a job. This list is not exclusive. I encourage you to make it your own depending on your personal perspective and experience.

1. Start with the essentials

The logistics of what you definitively need to survive will make or break your retention in any position. Be honest with yourself. Review your most recent checking and credit card statements. How much do you spend per month? Do you want or need to be spending as much as you are in every category?

Create a simple budget like this, or create an account with a service like Mint, to better understand your spending habits. This will help you understand what you need in a salary. This clarity will help you decipher which options on your plate will better serve you logistically. You may also realize you don’t need as high of a salary as you thought, which may liberate you to pursue a previously discounted opportunity.

2. Assess your risk tolerance

Risk tolerance identifies how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with uncertainty. Some experience risk as adrenaline, which can be invigorating and motivating. Others experience risk as groundless, which can be paralyzing and debilitating. HumanMetrics developed a Risk Attitudes Profiler quiz you may take if you are looking for more guidance in assessing your own risk tolerance.

Risk varies widely from job to job. One example of a high risk route is starting your own company. You may experience very high highs and very low lows and will largely learn by doing. This type of job often calls for someone who identifies as having high risk tolerance, or the person experiences uncertainty in an encouraging and manageable way.

Alternatively, one example of a relatively low risk route is pursuing a 9-5 position at an organization that offers an attractive salary and benefits. You might not experience as steep of highs and lows day to day. You will have an opportunity to learn from the experience of those around you. When you leave work, you will likely experience more space to pursue other life goals and relationships in more depth. This type of position is ideal for someone who grounds in stability and prefers clearer expectations for the future.

Sometimes, your risk tolerance does not solely depend on your personal preferences. If you are going through a transition outside of the professional space that requires financial or time stability, you may not want to pursue an unpredictable professional space. For example, individuals experiencing health complications or anticipating family planning and pregnancy may refrain from taking high risks.

3. Reflect on your previous experience

Think about any previous job, project you completed with a team, or passion project you executed on your own in the past.

What did you like best? What did you like least? Jot down 5-10 bullet points of elements in a job you would love to be present, and elements in a job you would like to avoid. These will help reframe how you read job descriptions and decide whether you want to apply. In the next stage, this will also help you organize what to ask or learn more about in an interview.

Here are a few prompts to get you started:

• Do you prefer to work independently or with a team?
• Do you prefer consistency or variability in your responsibilities and hours?
• How much clarity do you want and need in the outcomes expected of you?
• Do you enjoy managing others?
• Is the content and mission of the work important to you?

4. Short-term vision

Often, the job search becomes the most overwhelming when we perceive the position will define us and our future.

I encourage you to view this next role as a one- or two-year commitment. Rather than what do you want to do with your life, what do you want to do for the next year? You may stay longer (or shorter) in the role, but framing the commitment this way is significantly more manageable.

Some questions to consider:

• Is there a skill or group of skills you have and would like to strengthen?
• Is there a skill you admire and do not yet have that you would like to learn?
• Does one year of exploration and high risk feel enlivening to you?
• Does one year of stability feel like a sigh of relief?
• When you wake up tomorrow, what would you be excited to get ready for?

5. Maintain your calm and perspective

No matter your risk tolerance or preferences, the job search is a stressful and exhausting process. Ensure you have the proper routines and systems in place to take care of yourself.

Eating well, exercising regularly, prioritizing regular sleep, and connecting with support systems are important elements in approaching the job search as the best version of yourself. Engaging in therapy during transitions can also be helpful as you can utilize the time commitment and objective third party to evaluate your many options, thoughts, and feelings.

Like many things, to find your professional fit, much of the work will be having the courage to try and try again. You may go through these steps and embark on a job that, on paper, seems perfect and promising, only to find it is not what you had hoped. Conversely, you may begin a position, anticipating you won’t love it but it will meet your immediate logistical needs, only to find that you have connected with a side of yourself that you quite enjoy.

As you ebb and flow, try your best to remain open and to view each experience as an opportunity to learn. You will learn new skills. Perhaps even more importantly, you will learn about yourself. Despite what mainstream messages try to convince you, there is no way you can know in your first, second, or third job exactly what you want in a professional experience. As you work, and as you grow, you will learn and adjust accordingly.

Thank you for your reading attention today. If you are interested in pursuing therapy and do not know where to begin to find your therapist match, I am happy to help. If you’d like to discuss the job search and its impending stress in more depth, comment below, or keep in touch on social media!

* This article was written by Alyssa Petersel, LMSW, founder of My Wellbeing.

My Wellbeing is here to help you connect with a therapist who fits your needs.

Trained clinicians at My Wellbeing can help you better understand what you are looking for in therapy, who might be best to begin working with, and what next steps are to getting started.

First, you fill out the 3-minute My Wellbeing questionnaire. My Wellbeing will make up to three recommendations for you, always one at at time, to be as intentional and anxiety-reducing as possible. Moving forward, you are privy to exclusive My Wellbeing wellness events and workshops, partner brand discounts, and opportunities to connect with wider wellness communities. No matter what stage you are in along your therapy journey, your My Wellbeing team member will continue to serve as a support system for you should any questions, concerns, celebrations, or feedback arise.

To get started, fill out the My Wellbeing questionnaire, visit the My Wellbeing website, or email Alyssa at alyssa@mywellbeing.us.

Interested in bringing My Wellbeing to your company? Therapy can help teams perform better, achieve stronger interpersonal relationships, engage better with community, and set and achieve more fulfilling goals. Learn more about how therapy referrals can help your team reduce burnout, reduce psychiatric symptoms of stress, reduce financial losses due to absenteeism, heighten self-esteem and improve workability through our founder Alyssa’s October blog post. Email Alyssa at alyssa@mywellbeing.us to discuss in more depth.

The post 5 Tips to Prioritize Your Needs During Your Job Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Coming out to anyone is a big deal, especially if you’ve never done it before. And although your professional relationships are different from your personal ones, feeling comfortable enough to be open with your co-workers is important. If you’ve been following the #NationalComingOutDay posts on Twitter and Instagram today, you know that it’s National Coming Out Day, an annual holiday created in 1988 to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community.

Whether you’re ready to come out to your co-workers or you just want to learn more about how to do it, here are three things to keep in mind about coming out at work.

Start with your closest co-workers

One of the best ways to ensure that you feel comfortable opening up is to talk to your closest co-workers first. Set up some time to grab lunch or coffee with them (preferably one-on-one) and use this as an opportunity to share more details about your personal life and deepen your existing connections. Having allies among you co-workers will not only make you feel more comfortable about being your authentic self, it will also help you feel supported in the workplace.

Practice what you’re going to say

Talking about sensitive subjects at work can be a bit nerve-wracking so it’s important to figure what you want to say ahead of time and to spend some time practicing. While it’s not necessary to go over each conversation before it happens, having a few things that you want to mention is a great way to ensure that you feel at ease as you start to come out to your co-workers. Not sure where to start? That’s okay too. You can use National Coming Out Day as a way into the conversation and explain why it’s important to you.

Be confident in yourself and stay strong

Being comfortable and confident with who you are is just as important in the workplace as it is in your personal life. One of the best ways to do that is to open up only when you feel comfortable and to do it in a way that gives you control over the situation. Although you can’t predict the outcome of each interaction, trust that your co-workers are going to be supportive and accepting of you who are and that opening up to them will help to strengthen the bonds of your relationships.

Coming out at work (like coming out anywhere) can be intimidating, but it can also be a great way to connect with your co-workers and get them to share more about their own personal lives.

The post Considering Coming Out at Work? Here’s How to Do It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Success is something we all strive for, but it looks different for everyone. It can be easy to define yourself by the mistakes you make, but the individuals below have all experienced their share of failure and have used their failure to fuel their success. You will fail, but it’s what you do after the fact that matters most. Check out what these successful entrepreneurs have to say about how they became successful.

1. Mark Zuckerberg

Back in 2004, Mark Zuckerberg was the average college student until he created Facebook in his dorm room. Since then, Facebook has become an incredibly successful worldwide brand, but Zuckerberg explains that it hasn’t always been easy and that his experience truly has been an uphill battle.

After a fallout with his management team, he has redefined his mission and has said that “Finding your purpose isn’t enough. The challenge for our generation is creating a world where everyone has a sense of purpose. To keep our society moving forward, we have a generational challenge: to not only create new jobs, but create a renewed sense of purpose.”

2. Mark Cuban

Multi-millionaire tech entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge, Mark Cuban, offers his perspective on success at a young age. He insists that success is a trial and error process of trying and learning until you find your calling or your passion.

He argues that “when you’re 22, 23, 24, there’s no such thing as failure, really. Whatever job you take, you’re getting paid to learn. And you just spend however many years paying to go to school, and you paid a lot of money, probably still owe money. Take that job. You’re gonna get paid to learn, and if it was like my experience where I learned what not to do and I was getting paid, it was still well worth it.”

3. Arianna Huffington

Huffington Post founder, Arianna Huffington, says that a large chunk of success is understanding the importance of self-care and relaxation in your career and in your life. After she collapsed, due to being overworked, she changed her lifestyle completely.

She says that making herself a priority “was really the beginning of reevaluating my life and recognizing that I, like millions of other people around the world, had been suffering from the delusion that in order to succeed, we have to burn out. And yet all the latest science disproves that. It actually proves that we need time to recharge, to sleep, to unplug from technology, and I became such a passionate evangelist for this message.”

4. Phil Knight

Nike Co-Founder, Phil Knight, shares the anecdotal story about the crazy idea he had to make himself run faster, when he was still living in his parents’ house back in 1962. Knight is confident that success is rooted in running with that crazy idea even if no one else thinks anything will come of it.

He said to himself on that day, “Let everyone else call your idea crazy … just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where ‘there’ is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop,” and he strongly believes it’s the only piece of advice anyone needs to hear.

5. Tommy Hilfiger

Designer and founder of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, Tommy Hilfiger, provides his three most important components of success. Hilfiger explains that a strong network of loved ones, an understanding of numbers, and an equal balance of a good product and raw passion are the building blocks of success.

“I’ve always surrounded myself with the right people and people who are very bright, passionate and hard working,” he says. His bankruptcy in his early 20s also affected his outlook on life. He states that “Ever since a bankruptcy in my early early years, I’ve always paid attention to the bottom line to the business part of the business,” though perhaps his most significant piece of wisdom is to “Follow your heart. If you have a business idea or passion, go for it.”

Although every person has his unique approach to success, there are certain elements in each story that are similar: work hard, dream big, and keep chugging along.

The post 5 Entrepreneurs Share What It Takes To Be Successful appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This story was written by StudySoup, a peer-to-peer learning marketplace that connects top students in the class with those who need a little help. Top students can upload their notes and study guides to the StudySoup Marketplace, providing their peers with helpful materials while also earning some extra cash.

The skills you’ll need to be competitive when it comes to tech internships are actually a bit more diverse than you’d expect. In the current climate, fulfilling the basic technical minimums is no longer enough to outcompete everyone vying for a position. Many times other skills such as interpersonal skills and leadership make a difference in the application process.

To really stand out to recruiters and interviewers, you’ll want a good fusion of both technical skills and soft skills related to people and communication. The realization of a company’s goals is no longer simply a function of who has the highest technical abilities but also relate to how well a team of people can organize themselves and complement each other. Here are some of the key skills you’ll want to spend time sharpening in college to strengthen your internship applications to tech companies.

Programming Experience

Having a bit of experience about the ins and outs of various programming languages and a sense of familiarity with the uses of each is essential for tech companies. The architecture of the software most tech companies will be designing will probably involve common coding languages such as Java, C, PHP, Ruby, Python, and others.

The easiest way to practice is to take some language-specific computer science courses. In your free time, you’ll want to look for opportunities to help you design software with real-world applications to help broaden and sharpen your programming skills. Github is a common resource for many software developers and programmers to showcase their works for employers by posting the source code for a software for public use.

Show That You Have Experience Solving Real Programming Problems

Programming shouldn’t just be a list of languages or courses you know that sit on a list in a résumé. Tech companies and firms want to see that you’re actually able to use what you’ve learned to the benefit of other businesses and individuals.

It’s easy to find opportunities to solve real-world software and programming problems: just advertise your skills for free. You should aim to build up a sizable following of businesses or individuals that can attest to how your programming expertise or solutions directly helped their business expand or grow.

Mathematical Background

This is another cornerstone of the types of technical abilities that most tech companies will be on the lookout for in applications. If you possess a strong background and foundation in mathematics in general, you will be an asset to a tech company since most technological problems have solutions with underpinnings in math. Coursework in statistics, calculus, and differential equations give companies a baseline for the depth of your technical know-how.

Experience with SEO and Similar Analytics

In comparison to programming knowledge, experience with SEO is a minor skill that still holds a bit of significance. The way that tech companies will determine whether or not hiring you as an intern will benefit them lies in evaluating what you’ve achieved so far as well as your future potential. When a tech company offers you an internship, it’s also partially a future investment to boost your employability.

Possessing an extra skill or two that has wide applications like SEO can really put you ahead of the crowd. It shows employers that you’re a diverse applicant. If you have a background in math and programming, picking up the basics of SEO techniques should be a cinch.

Strong Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the bread and butter for coordinating social tasks and efforts in any company. Many inefficiencies in team management can be traced to deficits in communication and faulty interpersonal relationships that exacerbate conflict. If you can show recruiters or a company that you’ve participated or managed a team effort in relation to programming, it will be a huge boon to your application because it shows that you’re adaptable.

Leadership

Many big tech companies are well-known for their innovations. Bose’s noise canceling headphone or Tesla’s electric car are flagships in each of their respective fields. The importance of innovation in technology means that leadership is doubly important since leaders guide the direction of that innovation.

Networking

Being able to navigate through a number of personal connections to meet the right people is also a big part of how you can set yourself apart during the process of finding that ideal internship. Knowing how to work some magic on platforms like WayUp can really get put you ahead of the game if you can find a way to get in touch with the decision makers and executives of a tech company.

The breakdown is that you’ll want both technical skills and soft skills. Your employability will depend on how well you sell your technical skills. Meanwhile, your soft skills help add some flair and uniqueness to your application. Getting an optimal balance of each is important if you want to succeed.

The post 7 Skills You Should Learn in College to Land an Internship at A Tech Company appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Making a great impression as an intern is all about working hard and adding value to an organization. But how can you go above and beyond during your internship and truly leave your mark on a company?

As part of our National Intern Day celebration this summer, we sat down with the CEOs and managers of some of the country’s biggest companies to find out the things that impress them most about their interns. According to Tonya Lee, a senior associate at EY, being a great intern begins with being proactive and asking good questions. Referring to one of her rockstar interns, she explains that what made him stand out was his enthusiasm and desire to learn. “He was awesome because every time we had some downtime, he was actively seeking out more work,” she explains. In addition to taking initiative, Robert was also curious about his role and not afraid to ask questions about the tasks he was assigned. “When he got a task, he was able to say, ‘Okay great. I understand the task, but WHY am I doing this task?’ That WHY question is a really good question to ask because the task became more clear to him as well as how it fit into the bigger picture.”

For Lee, this type of curiosity is important because it demonstrates an intern’s true passion for their role and a desire to learn as much possible about the business.

Ready to make your mark on a company? Check out our full list of jobs and internships to find the job that’s right for you.

The post How to Make Your Mark as an Intern appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student, you’re told to choose a major, complete internships and join clubs and activities that interest you. These experiences are designed to lead to a fulfilling career, but what if you don’t know what you want to do yet? That’s totally okay and in fact, it can actually be beneficial to you in the long run.

You’re going to change your mind at least once.

When you begin your freshman year of college, the major you choose might be something that interests you, but you don’t really know if you’ll enjoy it until you try it out. Most college students change their major at least once in college and many change them more than once for several reasons. You might really like history, but you may decide once you start taking history classes that you’re not as excited about it as you originally thought. College is the perfect time to expand your horizons and do a lot of different things, and figuring out what you don’t want to do is just as important, if not more important, than finding your dream career.

Internships and jobs can help you find your dream career.

Very few people start off knowing exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives, because it’s hard to know what you’re looking for in a career until you actually get a taste of that particular industry. Although the classroom teaches you quite a bit, there are some things you can’t learn anywhere besides the professional world. Internships are the perfect opportunity to test the waters and you might find that you love the field that you’re studying or come to realize that it’s not for you. The good news is that both revelations are extremely valuable.

Your classmates are in a similar situation.

It can be easy to compare yourself to your friends who seem like they have it all figured out, but the truth is that sometimes you just have to fake it until you make it. Almost no college student has his or her entire life planned out, so try to remember that your fellow students across the country feel the same way that you do. Being unsure about your career opens up so many doors, because it simply means that you have a ton of options to choose from. Our advice to you is to get as many different experiences as you can to help you decide where you see yourself in five years, 10 years and so on. Just keep in mind that every time you find something you don’t like, you’re that much closer to discovering your passion, so don’t stress about uncertainty, because you never know what can happen.

Talk to friends and family, join clubs, take classes that interest you, take on internships and jobs and you’ll be well on your way to finding something that makes you feel like you’ll never work a day in your life. In the meantime, though, enjoy not knowing and take advantage of everything college has to offer.

The post Not Sure What to Do With Your Career? You’re Not Alone appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are a hot topic for college students, because they are extremely important for your career and can help you get your foot in the door to the professional world. There’s no doubt that having an internship is a wonderful opportunity, but if all of your friends are talking about their internships when you haven’t had one yet, it can be easy to feel left out and possibly even behind, so it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

You have time.

Maybe you’ve already begun applying for internships or maybe you haven’t even thought about them yet. Whichever situation you find yourself in, you still have time. As a freshman or sophomore in college, you should focus on fully exploring your options. Think about the different industries and positions that interest you and consider applying to as many as possible. This will give you the best chance of landing a great internship and also help you figure out what you want (and don’t want) to do.

You can take on an unpaid internship.

Even if your ideal internship isn’t a possibility yet, there are definitely other ways to build your resume and your skill set. If you’d like to get as much experience as possible as an underclassman, consider taking on an unpaid internship. Startups and nonprofits are the perfect places to start because many offer these types of internships and having that unpaid internship under your belt will help you land a paid position later on in your college career.

You can join other clubs and organizations to boost your resume.

Internships aren’t the only types of experience that look good on a resume. To turn yourself into a well-rounded candidate, join clubs and organizations on campus or volunteer at a local nonprofit. Having a part-time job is also a great resume booster for freshmen and sophomores, because it shows your work ethic and your ability to balance the responsibility with your schoolwork, social life and other obligations. No matter what you’re involved in, your dedication to your future will be evident in your resume, in your application and in a potential interview, so no experience will go to waste.

It’s only natural to worry when you feel like you’re the only one who hasn’t had an internship, but there are many other students in your shoes. If you keep adding experiences to your resume and applying for positions, the time will come for you to be the one talking about your internship to your friends and family. Just remember not to stress too much, because the fact that you’re already thinking about it is a big step in the right direction.

The post 3 Reasons Not to Panic if You Haven’t Had an Internship Yet appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s natural to think that a hobby is simply a pastime, but in reality, you can turn what you’re passionate about into a full-time position. The key is to be strategic about your approach and to build up your skills and resume along the way. Although it’s possible to turn any side gig into a career, I’m going to focus on how to break into a career in the creative industry, specifically in writing.

Love what you’re doing.

Though this may seem obvious, if you’re truly set on transitioning a hobby or side gig into your career, you have to thoroughly enjoy what you’re doing. Through writing, for instance, you can develop your skills for years before it becomes a full-time role. If you start off writing for your college newspaper or magazine your freshman year and realize that it’s something you love to do, you’ve already begun setting yourself up on the right path.

Take advantage of every opportunity.

Join several clubs at your university that focus on what you’re interested in. If you like to write, join creative writing and poetry clubs and try branching out to TV, radio and film organizations, because you’ll have the chance to broaden your writing skills even more. Take a stab at freelancing for national magazines and newspapers or start writing your own blog. In order to make writing your profession, it’s necessary to build your portfolio and resume through participation in extracurriculars on campus as well as other small writing jobs.

Take on a writing or editorial internship.

With a few freelance gigs under your belt, you’ll start building your writing portfolio . You can take the next step in shaping your future career by applying for writing or editorial internships at publishing houses and other media organizations. There are also many other fields, such as marketing, public relations and advertising where you can put your writing to good use as well, so make sure to consider all your options. An internship is extremely important, as it is your first professional experience in the working world, in a field in which you plan to establish yourself.

Upon graduation, apply to jobs where writing is a central component of the role.

Although you may have first started writing for your university’s newspaper, simply to be entertained, you now have the experience that you need to start your dream career. Your coursework, extracurriculars, side gigs and internships in writing have prepared you for the full-time job application and interview process. Though you might not receive an offer immediately, your enthusiasm will be evident, so you’re bound to find a job and a place where you’ll be excited to work.

It’s not easy to turn a passion into a job, because it requires a lot of dedication and hard work, but if it’s something that you truly love to do, you’re going to have fun putting in the extra time. Writing, just like with any major or field, offers you a wide range of opportunities; you just have to be ready to grab hold of them and give it your best effort.

The post How to Turn A Side Gig Into A Full-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The popularity of brand ambassador programs is on the rise and a campus rep role is the perfect way to gain experience and connect with other students on your campus. The best part of all: You’ll not only get to be part of a company’s brand innovation and growth, you’ll also get to add the experience to your resume and possibly make some money while you’re at it.

Thinking about trying it? Check out some of the benefits of becoming a brand ambassador below.

1. No experience necessary.

There’s nothing worse than filling out job or internship applications and feeling like you’re underqualified, because you lack the necessary experience. However, previous experience is typically not required to become a brand ambassador. Because most companies look to hire college students for their programs, they are simply looking for energetic and outgoing students to talk up their brand on campus and on social media.

2. The chance to make some money.

Although not all brand ambassador positions are paid, there are many paid rep programs out there! Whether you’re paid a specific amount per signup for an app or website or you receive a commission for an order on your campus, being a brand ambassador is a great way to make some extra money in addition to any other part-time jobs or internships you might have.

3. A flexible schedule.

Because the majority of brand ambassador positions are done remotely, you decide your own hours, so you ultimately decide how much (or how little) you’re going to get out of your time in the role. You can either make a set schedule for yourself, deciding how much time you’re going to dedicate per week, or you can talk to students and post on social media whenever you have spare time. Though you will have to check in with your supervisor or manager about your progress, you are ultimately the one who is in control.

4. An awesome resume booster.

You learn a number of skills as a brand ambassador because you have to make your own decisions regarding your work. You learn excellent oral and written communication skills and you also learn several marketing and sales skills, like planning and strategizing, all while building your own network at your university. You’ll quickly start to understand the ins and outs of social media branding, and most of all, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you’re an independent self-starter. Even if you don’t plan on working in business after graduation, having the ability to market and sell a product, which will in many cases be yourself, is essential in any field.

5. The chance to build your network.

In order to spread the word across your campus about the company you’re representing, you’ll talk to a variety of students, professors, and administrators at your university. Being a brand ambassador can help you build your network, because introducing yourself to so many people opens up the door for opportunities in the future. A student that you met may be able to recommend you for an internship and an individual at the career center might have a contact at a company you’d love to work for after graduation. The more people you know, the better your chances of finding that dream internship or entry-level job, so don’t be afraid to reach out to as many people as you can.
Ready to get started? There are several brand ambassador positions on WayUp, so if you’re looking for a new, engaging, and flexible experience, you can start applying today.

The post 5 Benefits of Being a Brand Ambassador appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve made it through your first day and your first week. You’ve met everyone in the office, familiarized yourself with the location, and gotten a grip on the commute. So, now what? You’re still in the early stages of the internship, but your responsibilities and projects are beginning to kick into high gear, and you want to ensure that you succeed. Now that the work has really begun, check out these tips to keep up the positive impression you made during your first week.

1. Understand your deadlines.

This step is critical. As you begin getting assigned projects, you will be expected to turn them around by a specific date and you don’t want to be rushing to get something done at the last minute. Make sure to keep track of your time in order to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed or frustrated. If you find that you’re struggling with something, talk to your supervisor. The last thing you want is to be asked for your progress and have nothing done, so make a to-do list, prioritize what needs to be done first and check off items as you complete them. This process will be much easier than crossing tasks off in your head.

2. Expose yourself to as much as you can.

If you have the opportunity to do a variety of projects or assignments, you should take advantage of it. Internships often don’t last very long, so you want to use your time wisely. If there’s an aspect of the business that you’re really interested in, ask your supervisor if you can try out something new for a day or even for an hour. Although it can sometimes be intimidating to speak up, an internship is a learning experience for you and if you don’t ask, you’ll regret it later when your internship is over.

3. Ask questions when you’re confused.

As an intern, you’re almost always going to have questions, because you don’t have a lot of real-world experience yet and that’s okay. As long as you’re not asking the same questions repeatedly, there’s nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, your employer would probably be more surprised if you didn’t have any questions. If you’re working on a project and you need a little clarification, ask. While there are some things that you can figure out yourself, don’t sit there for hours because you’re afraid to ask for help. You’ll wind up wasting time, and most likely you’ll have to end up asking the question anyway or redoing something because you did it wrong the first time. Asking questions is a good practice — it’s the only way you’ll ever learn!

4. Put forth your greatest effort.

Although you may be challenged and you may find what you’re doing difficult sometimes because it’s all new to you, the most important thing you can do is to try your best. Whether you make a mistake or do something perfectly the first time around, your supervisor will be able to tell if you put a lot of work into it or if you just threw something together. Your work ethic will show, so be sure to always put your best foot forward and your dedication and determination will be respected.

You’re going to have a few pitfalls during your first month, but that doesn’t mean you’re not a good intern. The first month consists of almost entirely new experiences, and once your first month is underway, you’ll be better prepared for the second, then the third, and so on. Try to keep in mind that practice makes perfect.

The post How To Tackle The First Month Of Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You carefully filled out the application and prepared for hours for your interview. You thought the interview went really well until you receive that email in your inbox that says, “the position has been filled.” It’s impossible not to be upset about a negative response, especially when it’s an internship you really wanted, maybe even your dream internship, but that doesn’t mean you should let it get you down. Everyone has been rejected from a job or two and it’s not an indication of failure.

Stay proactive even when faced with rejection

It can be extremely difficult to not immediately think the worst, but it’s important to remember that rejection is a natural part of life. The way that you think about it determines how you will use a rejection to fuel your actions. If you weren’t given the position because your skillset didn’t fit with what they were looking for, maybe the position was completely different than what you were expecting. The key takeaway from an internship rejection is to move forward with a positive mind and the will to continue giving the job search your all. A proactive step you can take is to apply to more internships or apply to internships that align better with your qualifications. Another important factor to keep in mind is that if you put in your best effort during the application process, you will find an internship eventually, so don’t worry too much.

Don’t take it personally

Although it’s not easy, try not to take it too personally. There are thousands of applications and possibly dozens of interviews. You could have been a great candidate, but maybe there was someone who had a little more experience or whose major was a closer fit. A rejection doesn’t mean that you had an awful resume or that your interview went terribly. Hunting for internships is competitive, so you might receive a few rejections before you receive an offer and that’s okay.

An internship rejection isn’t the end of the world. You’ve just got to keep your head held high and continue doing your research. Maybe even ask for feedback about why you didn’t get the internship so you can improve your skills for future applications and interviews. Even though rejection doesn’t seem like a positive occurrence, there is always something you can learn from it and now you know what to do better for next time.

The post How to Overcome an Internship Rejection appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

While there are many steps you can take to make yourself an all-star intern, there are also mistakes you can make (sometimes unknowingly) that can have the opposite effect. In order to avoid these, it’s important to remember why you’re at your internship in the first place. Although it should definitely be a fun experience, you are receiving college credit and perhaps other forms of compensation to contribute your time and effort to the organization, so staying motivated and productive is a must.

To avoid landing yourself in hot water, check out our top tips about what not to do at your next internship.

1. Don’t spend time on your phone or on social media.

Unless there is an emergency or you’re expecting an important call, there is no need to be on your phone throughout the day. You’re at your internship to learn and to work and if you spend your day slacking off and not accomplishing your goals, it will not go unnoticed. Surfing social media sites or texting all day will make it seem like you don’t care at all about the position and that you don’t want to be there. The last thing you want to be known for at your internship is being lazy or unproductive.

2. Don’t contribute too much or too little.

There’s an important balance you want to reach between making your voice heard, yet knowing when to just sit back and listen. As an intern, you’re still relatively new to the industry and you don’t have as much experience or knowledge as your fellow coworkers. That being said, if you’re asked for input or if you have a suggestion that you think is worth contributing, then by all means, do it. You just want to make sure that you’re not overstepping your place or coming off like a know-it-all.

3. Don’t be closed-minded.

An internship is meant to be a learning experience and you want to gain as much knowledge as you possibly can, so never say no to a project or a task because you don’t want to do it or because you think you won’t like it. Give everything a chance, because not only is it your job as an intern to follow instructions, but it will ultimately help you decide what you see yourself doing as a future career.

It can be difficult to know what not do in a new position, especially as an intern, but by following these tips, you’ll knock a bad habit before you even start it.

The post 3 Things You Shouldn’t Do At Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your first week at an internship is extremely important. It’s when expectations are determined and you learn even more about what you’ll be doing throughout your time at the company. You’re setting the course for the remaining weeks, so you want to make sure that you do everything you can in that first week to make yourself stand out to your coworkers and your supervisor.

Follow these tips below to showcase your talents and be the rockstar intern that you are!

1. Come in early and leave late.

While punctuality is expected, coming in early will make a positive impression the second you step foot in the door. This is especially important on your first day, but throughout the first week and even throughout your internship in general. If you’re working eight hours per day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., don’t show up at 9 the dot and leave at exactly 5. You’ll be much more respected as an intern if you arrive earlier than necessary and leave around the same time, if not later, than everyone else, because you’re going above and beyond the minimum requirement.

2. Introduce yourself to everyone.

Your first week is the perfect time to get to know the people that you’ll be working alongside. Meet everyone and anyone you can. Getting to know your fellow interns and coworkers will make you feel comfortable in your environment and it will give you the chance to learn from many different people. Grab coffee or lunch or even just set aside time in the office to chat. This is your time to ask questions about an individual’s position, background, and experience at the company. Your internship will be so much more rewarding if you engage and interact with those around you.

3. Familiarize yourself with the office.

Within your first week, make sure you know the location of the bathroom, the kitchen, supply closets, etc… As a new intern, you’re not supposed to know where everything is yet, but if you don’t take the time to navigate the office early on, you’re going to feel awkward asking someone questions about it later on down the road. It doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area as well. Maybe take a walk outside during your lunch break to find restaurants, stores, or anything else you might be looking for at some point. You’re going to be in the office for a majority of your time, so you want to know what’s around it too.

4. Get organized.

Even though you may not have begun any projects yet, because the first week can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, staying organized is key to being productive. Make sure to complete any tasks you may need to do to get you started like setting up your computer or desk or filling out forms. You want to have everything ready and prepared for when you start diving into your work and you don’t want to run into any issues before you even really begin.

5. Be positive.

No matter what happens on the first or second day, remain positive. Your coworkers and supervisor especially will be able to gauge your attitude, so avoid complaining or talking negatively. Wearing a smile on your face, especially during your first week, shows everyone in the company that you deserve to be there and that most importantly, you want to be there. In order to be a successful intern, you have to be willing to take on any tasks that are asked of you without hesitation. Plus, staying positive will make your time much more enjoyable.

Your first week is extremely significant, but don’t forget that an internship is meant to be a fun, learning experience for you as a student, so don’t get too caught up in any mistakes you make along the way. Just keep working hard and doing your best. Good luck!

The post 5 Tips For Rocking The First Week of Your Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Now that it’s almost summer, internships are the hot topic for college students. Maybe you’re starting your first internship in a few weeks or you’re in the process of applying and you’re worried that you don’t have enough experience. There’s no need to fret. Remember that summer job you had as a lifeguard at the local pool or as a camp counselor at a daycamp? They both helped you gain valuable experience and what you’ve learned as a result has prepared you for this next step. So, how exactly do you highlight those skills in a way that helps you land the job?

Focus On Your Soft Skills

Communication and problem-solving skills are necessary in any work environment. Although you might never have had a sales internship at a marketing agency, your previous experience as a camp counselor has provided you with customer service skills. Think back to the countless times you interacted with campers and their parents and helped defuse any potential problems as they arose. When you reassured parents that their children would be in good hands, you put them at ease. If you make a customer’s life less stressful by selling them a product or service at your new internship, you’re using that same skill, just in a different setting.

Highlight Your Ability to Be Productive

Punctuality, efficiency, and productivity are crucial skills for a successful employee and a successful intern. Through summers jobs, you have grasped the importance of being on time each and every day and working diligently and productively while on the job. Following instructions regarding mealtimes and bedtimes for the children you have watched as a nanny enables you to follow a timeline of deadlines for a specific project you might be working on at your accounting internship. This connects directly to having a strong work ethic and showing initiative. Working, in any capacity, illustrates your commitment and dedication to your role, your co-workers, and your company, whether this is at a part-time retail job or an internship at an engineering firm.

Emphasize the Fact that You’re a Team Player

The ability to work as part of a team is perhaps the most important skill you need to flourish anywhere. Hiring managers and recruiters actively seek out individuals who can get along well with others and who can contribute to a team effort. Working as a barista requires a lot of teamwork, because some employees take orders, while others actually make the drinks, and others still are working in the back, cleaning and doing inventory amongst other tasks. The customer wouldn’t be able to leave the coffee shop with a drink in hand if the employees didn’t work together. The same goes for launching a new brand, idea, or concept. Without the ideas of several team members and a sense of team cohesion, the project may never see the light of day.

Though these skills are only a few of the many skills that will give you a leg up in the professional world, what’s most important is how you accentuate your experience on your WayUp profile. First and foremost, do your research and figure out what qualifications companies are looking for in their candidates. Make sure to highlight any and all skills that describe you and use similar terminology, so that your skills aren’t hidden. Next, make sure you use action verbs when listing what you have done in your previous roles. Instead of saying, “I was part of a team,” say, “contributed my ideas to team project ABC, where XYZ was accomplished,” and make sure to be specific. If you created new activities for the camp where you worked, include the results of your effort. If you increased the amount of sales in your store by suggesting a reorganization of the product setup, provide numbers or percentages. What matters most is the outcome of your actions. Include a few bullet points of your key responsibilities as well as what you accomplished throughout your time in a particular role. You want your WayUp profile and resume to stand out, so sell yourself.

By honing in on your skills and following these tips, you’ll be on your way to your first internship interview and offer in no time. Good luck!

The post Transferable Skills From A Summer Job To An Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Are you smart? Ambitious? Driven? Adventurous?

Jobs that let you be all of these things are hard to find, but luckily, we’ve got one company in mind that constantly looks for people who strive to be the best: Leading clothing retailer, Charlotte Russe.

Want to hear more about what it takes to rock it at CR? Check out the five traits their most successful team members have in common, and since we know this is going to be a match made in heaven, apply to their [positions] on WayUp right now!

1. Adventurous Spirit

Are you ready to dive in and try anything? Working in retail is about taking any challenge head-on, and the best team members at Charlotte Russe aren’t afraid of any obstacle. They know that in order to be the best, you need to step right in and make a difference (but you can still have a little fun too!).

2. Flexibility

When it comes to working in retail, no two days are alike, so you’ll have to know how to be flexible and adaptable, no matter what comes your way. Whether that’s helping a customer find the perfect pair of dark-wash jeans (hey, it’s a struggle!) or aiding a fellow team member with inventory, no job is too big or too small.

3. Always Ready to Go

One of the core values of Charlotte Russe is being constantly ready to move upward, and its entire team, both on the floor of its retail stores and in its corporate office, knows how important it is to be ambitious. Success is in the DNA at Charlotte Russe, so its employees are always ready to step up and do whatever it takes.

4. Entrepreneurial

Charlotte Russe’s CEO Jenny Ming has spent her entire career in retail, so she understands and appreciates the importance of always hustling and reaching new heights. Whether that’s hitting a lofty sales goal or working to become part of the leadership team, Charlotte Russe’s best team members set their sights on ambitious dreams—and they achieve them.

5. Excited to Learn

One of Charlotte Russe’s key values is being able to lead with intent, and that goes hand in hand with promoting great teamwork and making every person feel valued. The strongest members of the company are already great employees, but they work best when they team up with others.

If you were nodding your head like crazy while reading these five traits, chances are you’d be a great fit for Charlotte Russe’s team. Apply to work for them on WayUp now. 

The post 5 Surprising Personality Traits That Make You the Perfect Fit For a Job in Retail appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This article was inspired by a piece originally published by OnDeck®, which is hiring summer interns on WayUp now.

Whether you’re a college student taking on the internship search for the first time or a recent grad trying to make waves at that first post-grad job, making a great impression can be difficult. However, our friends at OnDeck, an amazing company that helps small businesses secure loans and financing, are here to help.

Being able to market yourself well is becoming increasingly important (especially in the digital age!), so OnDeck rounded up a great list of 33 books for you to dive into on that very subject. If reading almost three dozen books is a little intimidating for you, we picked our favorite five from OnDeck’s list so you can get started.

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Want to feel inspired to do anything? Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but Guy Kawasaki’s best-selling book The Art of the Start will help you feel ready for any challenge that comes your way, including rocking the job hunt and being the best employee ever.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Influence is important no matter whom you’re trying to persuade, and Robert Cialdini’s classic book needs to be at the top of your list.

Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

“But I’m not a writer!” you might be saying. Whether it’s a resume or a tweet, no matter what you’re creating, it’s important to know how to market yourself through the written word. The good news? This book can get you there!

Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger

Why do certain products and ideas catch on? Jonah Berger has the answer, and using his advice, you’ll be able to not only come up with the next big contagious ideas, but you’ll also be able to show others why they should invest in you, too.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher

Learning how to negotiate is a big part of growing up, and no matter what your endeavor, understanding compromise will serve you well.

Think OnDeck’s suggestions are awesome? Their book list isn’t the only thing that’s great about the company; they’ve got an amazing culture and great team members, too. Check out their positions on WayUp and apply now!

The post Want to Learn How to Market Yourself? 5 Books That’ll Get You There appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If someone said, “I’m a product manager,” would you actually know what that means? Aside from thinking that it sounds like something straight out of The Social Network, probably not. But now’s your chance to learn about what PMs do on a daily basis — and how the role could become the perfect job for you.

We got to talk to Kennan Murphy-Sierra, 2014 grad from Stanford who now works an Associate Product Manager for OnDeck®, the leader in online lending for small business.

Once you read what Kennan does on the day-to-day (hint: it’s really cool!), we know you’re going to be wondering if OnDeck has other roles open, so make sure to check out the company’s [positions] on WayUp now!

What does an Associate Product Manager in your role at OnDeck do?

Kennan Murphy-Sierra: Our product management team builds financial products and user experiences for small business owners, internal users (like marketing, sales, and analytics), and OnDeck business partners. Our job starts with identifying and solving for user needs, evaluating the business case viability of the preferred solution, partnering with different departments to deliver solutions, and continuously monitoring and improving our products. In my role, I am responsible for the user experience of our sales agents and small business owners during our financing application process.

Can you take us through what you did at your job yesterday from the second you walked in the office until the moment you left? What key responsibilities do you tackle on a daily basis?

KMS: It went something like this:

• Impromptu breakfast catch up with the data [team] to talk about testing a project.
• Daily standup with tech team (we map out the latest updates in our software development progress).
• Syncing with a product manager in DC about requirements for a project that will enter development soon.
• Meeting with tech and sales leaders to nail down requirements for a 2017 initiative.
• Sizing a new core system feature with tech leads to determine expected timeline and headcount.
• Double-checking some wording with our legal team and then giving the green-light on a release.
• Taking a break for a blind 12-chocolate tasting contest between our tech team and the website tech team – we won!

What drew you to working at OnDeck in particular? What makes OnDeck an amazing place to work?

KMS: I was looking for a mid-sized “sweet spot” company that has the mentorship, training, and respected brand recognition of a large company while also providing you [with] the ownership, quickness, and growth opportunities available at small companies. I really believe that at OnDeck, we are enabling the dream for small business owners to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. It’s also really fun that co-workers often stay a bit longer at the office after finishing work simply to socialize and play a couple rounds of ping-pong.

We love ping-pong. That’s so fun! What’s your favorite part of the job?

KMS: I get to be in the ultimate team-player role as I partner and work cross-functionally with engineering, sales, data, marketing, operations, support teams, legal, and business stakeholders to deliver great products and features and collectively win as a team.

What’s something surprising about your role that most people wouldn’t know?

KMS: A substantial amount of detailed work goes into quantifying the business impact and sizing the costs of a proposed project so that we can objectively determine priorities among projects without bureaucracy, red-tape, or politics.

What advice do you have for people who are applying to a similar position at OnDeck?

KMS: Three things:

• Live and breathe products, think critically about what you like or dislike about products you use, how you would improve them, and what would be the business impact and cost of your proposed idea.
• Gain experience working with people with different perspectives and experiences.
• Embrace uncertainty. Explore building your own website or product and think about user experience decisions you are making.

How have you grown professionally during your time at OnDeck?

KMS: Overall I am developing general management skills. In just six months, I have learned how to more effectively run meetings, identify root problems, facilitate brainstorming sessions, create data-tested business plans, address ad-hoc issues, communicate across multiple teams, and motivate and recognize great work from individuals, all while having fun and enjoying all aspects of the role!

We’re pretty much sold after talking to Kennan, and you probably are, too. Think Kennan’s job at OnDeck sounds like something you’d want to do on a daily basis? You’re in luck: OnDeck is hiring summer interns on WayUp now!

OnDeck, the OnDeck logo, OnDeck Score and OnDeck Marketplace are trademarks of On Deck Capital, Inc.

The post What’s It like Working as a Product Manager? A PM at OnDeck Takes You through His Day appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

 This article was originally published by OnDeck®, which is hiring summer interns on WayUp now.

It’s tempting to prioritize your personal elevator pitch somewhere between watering the office ficus and ordering extra paper towels for the break room. After all, it can be hard to develop and even harder to deliver. However, it’s important that you not underestimate the power of a solid elevator pitch and the impact it has on your success.

A clear, conversational, and relatable elevator pitch lends a personal touch to your networking strategies in ways that cold calls or emails simply can’t.

You have about 30 seconds or less to pique your listener’s interest. That may seem like a daunting task but with a little planning, it’s possible to pack a lot of information into a short time frame. Let’s look at the five main points of information your elevator pitch must contain for maximum effectiveness.

Who You Are

This seems obvious but it’s easy to leave out the most important bits of information when you’re nervous or flustered. This isn’t the time to haul out your entire resume so stick to the basics; just your name and your college or your most recent career move.

Now you’ve got about 25 seconds left. Jacek Grebski, partner at digital product agency SWARM, says use this time to shine. “It’s all about you. For the next few seconds the world really is revolving around you, so knock the audience dead.”

What You Do

Once you’ve established a connection, use the opportunity to succinctly explain what the company you work for does and your role in the organization. Resist the urge to pepper your elevator pitch with industry jargon or unnecessary terminology that requires additional explanation.

“Your message and value proposition will quickly sink in a sea of jargon and buzzwords,” says growth and funding strategist Ron Flavin. “Use powerful, strong words that emphasize key points and create a visual image. And remember, if you can make your point with just a few words, do it. More words does not necessarily equate to more impact.”

Why You Do It

This is likely to be your favorite part of the elevator pitch because it gives you a chance to share your excitement about why you work so hard. Let your passion flag fly!

“Passion will ensure your pitch is memorable, unique, and engaging. Don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm; it could be the difference between a closed door and another conversation,” notes entrepreneur Michal Ugor.

Who You Do It For

This section of the elevator pitch focuses on the type of industry you want to work for and the people you’ll serve in that industry.

It’s worth considering whether to create a couple of ways to address this section of your pitch based on different contexts. You may find it useful to modify your response depending on its relevance to the event or situation where you’re delivering your message.

For instance, talking about your industry during a networking event may require a more nuanced response than during the course of a casual conversation.

How Others Benefit

This is the real heart of your elevator pitch and the big moment the listener has been waiting for. Here’s where you explain what’s in it for the people you’ll work for and how they benefit from what you do. What sort of impact are you making in your role?

Once you’ve crafted and refined your pitch go find an actual elevator where you can practice your delivery. Professional development consultant Laura Katen recommends, “The next time you ride an elevator (alone), practice your speech. First, give yourself some time by going to the highest floor. Then, try giving your pitch from a middle floor and from the first to the third floor, too. Having to make just a few brief moments count will help you to hone the words you need and scrap the ones you don’t!”

The post 5 Crucial Elements of the Elevator Pitch appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What can make a great internship even better? Landing a full-time job at the same company after graduation. We love hearing about recent college grads who went from intern to employee, which is why we jumped at the chance to meet Kevin Katz.

Kevin is a 2016 Georgetown University grad who started his career at L’Oréal as a summer 2015 intern for the Garnier Skincare U.S. Marketing Team. Now, he’s working on the brand’s Digital Marketing Team. Here’s what he had to say about the experience:

How did your background and interests lead you to L’Oréal?

I was a marketing and finance double major at Georgetown. After listening to several consumer packaged goods companies talk on campus, I was interested to learn more. What set L’Oréal apart from other employers was its position as a digital disruptor and a global leader in product development. As a varsity tennis and crew athlete in college, I’ve always been passionate and competitive by nature, so L’Oréal’s fast-paced environment and commitment to excellence also caught my attention.

Describe your journey to your current role on the Garnier Digital Marketing Team.

I joined L’Oréal as a marketing intern in Garnier Skincare when the line was rebranding and relaunching. After my internship, I got an offer to return as part of the Management Development Program. The program gives you exposure to different roles, brands and categories of the business early on in your career. After completing my sales rotation in shopper marketing for brands like Maybelline, Garnier and Essie, I moved to my current role on the Garnier Digital Marketing team.

What surprised you most when you first joined?

How much L’Oréal values diversity. This isn’t limited to diversity of background and ethnicity, but also your unique voice. From a male perspective, it can be intimidating to join a company that sells products you aren’t instantly familiar with. Yet from day one, company leadership encourages you to share your opinions and makes it clear that your voice is heard.

For example, I met with the VP of my group who wanted to set up regular check-ins to make sure I can share my ideas and have the support I need.

How does L’Oréal foster an innovative and creative environment?

In just seven months, I’ve had the opportunity to work on four different brands and categories. I believe that the exposure has made me a stronger marketer. We have so many unique brands at L’Oréal, some of which compete with one another, but at the end of the day, we’re one big team. The spirit of competition and mobility fosters an environment that pushes you to think bigger.

Tell us about a favorite project that you’ve worked on.

My internship project was one of the highlights of my career so far. I worked on an advocacy plan as Garnier SkinActive was relaunched. This initiative was a testament to how cross-functional work gets done at L’Oréal. I collaborated with new teammates in PR, customer marketing, e-commerce, influencer programs and more. We also presented our project to the Senior VP of Garnier and the President of Maybelline, Garnier, and Essie.

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?

I was a bit shy when I first joined L’Oréal. As I’ve grown here, I’ve realized that no project gets done alone and it’s important to build your network. If I knew that earlier, I would’ve been more proactive about getting to know others outside of my direct team.

Confidence is also key. Nobody will listen to what you have to say if you don’t believe in what you have to say. Own who you are, be proud of where you’re working, and try to meet as many people as you can.

Want to join a company driven by teamwork, creativity, and healthy competition? L’Oréal is hiring now, so head over to WayUp and apply.

The post We Asked this Recent Grad How He Turned His L’Oréal Internship Into a Full-Time Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Regardless of what career you want to embark on after graduation, chances are you’ve had at least one moment in your life where you dreamed of winning an Oscar. After all, what’s more inspiring than watching a group of talented artists come together to celebrate incredible performances? What you may not realize is that before these Oscar winners were famous, many of them were college students trying to decide what they wanted to do with their lives and how they were going to make their dreams come true.

Looking for a little inspiration after watching last night’s ceremony? Here’s how these Oscar winners got their start.

Mahershala Ali, Best Supporting Actor — “Moonlight”

Before his amazing performance in “Moonlight,” Mahershala Ali was making a mark for himself with roles in movies like “The Hunger Games” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” What you may not know is that prior to becoming an actor, Ali was actually considering a career in sports. In fact, he attended St. Mary’s College on a full basketball scholarship. While there, he tried his hand at acting and got his first job at The Gavin Report, a record industry magazine where he tallied how many times records were getting played on the radio during any given week. The job allowed him to earn some extra money while keeping him from falling into the trap of finding a job that was just good enough. “I was worried I’d get comfortable, and get stuck,” he explained. Instead, he auditioned for NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and was accepted into their graduate acting program.

Viola Davis, Best Supporting Actress — “Fences”

Best known for her incredible performances in the “The Help” and “Fences,” Viola Davis is a Hollywood veteran who got her start by taking acting classes in college. “I wanted to express myself by being an actor. I felt the need to,” she said in an interview with her alma mater, Rhode Island College. After graduating in 1988, she moved to New York City to attend graduate school at Juilliard and got her first acting job in theatre. Her advice: “Love your work,” because no matter what your field, your passion will help you succeed.

Emma Stone, Best Actress — “La La Land”

If you loved Emma Stone as an aspiring actress and not-so-great barista in “La La Land,” then you’ll love the story of her first job. Working at Three Dog Bakery, Stone sold dog treats at her local farmer’s market. Does that sound like a far cry from her career as an actress? Not really. The job helped her perfect skills that are essentially to acting — like communication — and gave her a chance to earn some extra money. Sounds like a pretty great start, right?

Casey Affleck, Best Actor — “Manchester by the Sea”

If you think college internships are tough, try having your first job in kindergarten. That’s what happened to Casey Affleck whose first acting performance was as a lion in a production put on for civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Although the outcome was not as stellar as his performance in “Manchester by the Sea,” — “My mane fell off,” explained. “It was my very first artistic crisis.” — it nevertheless made him realize that he wanted to be an actor and he’s spent his career trying to perfect his craft. Judging by last night’s results, it looks like he’s pretty much there.

Damien Chazelle, Best Director — ”La La Land”

Few people had heard about Damien Chazelle before “La La Land” came out, but the young director has definitely made a name for himself with the movie that won six Academy Awards as well as a whole slew of Golden Globes, SAG awards and BAFTAs. His secret? He fell in love with movies at a very young age. “I became one of those kids that very early on was glued to that experience of being just completely transported,” he explained in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. That passion led him to study filmmaking at Harvard University and to eventually write and direct his “Whiplash,” which became his breakthrough film. That success granted him additional opportunities and eventually led him to realize his dream of making “La La Land.”

Ready to start making your own dreams come true? Take a look at some of the awesome jobs on our platform and find the one that’s right for you.

The post Want to Win an Oscar Someday? Here’s How These Oscar Winners Got Their Start appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As an intern or entry-level employee, you might sometimes find it hard to speak up, defend yourself or stand behind your own ideas and opinions. This is understandable; after all, you just spent 12+ years as a student, where it was your job to be critiqued by people who were (supposedly) smarter and more credentialed than you are. You also have less experience than your colleagues, make much less than they do and have to deal with the many negative connotations associated with titles like “Intern,” “Assistant,” or “Coordinator.”

If you want to move beyond those stereotypes and prove your worth in an organization, it may be time to reevaluate how you present yourself to your coworkers. Luckily, there are many easy things you can do to appear more confident as a junior employee without overstepping bounds, coming off as aggressive or changing who you really are. These 5 easy fixes are a great place to start, if you need to sound more confident in your job or in life in general:

1. Stop Apologizing for Taking Up Someone’s Time

“Hi Jennifer. I know you’re really busy and I’m so sorry for taking up your time, but could you look at this report before I send it off to John? If you don’t have time today, that’s fine. Thank you/sorry again!”

Sound familiar? Too often, interns and junior level employees apologize for the space they take up. Not only does this belittle your role and your work, it makes you look weak and unsure of your own authority. If you want others to respect you, start by respecting yourself.

Try this instead: “Hi Jennifer. Could you look over this report before I send it off to John? Thanks!” Easy fix. Just stop apologizing when you don’t need to.

2. Stop Pointing Out Your Own Weaknesses

When you’re just starting your career, you’re not expected to know everything. Your interviewer knows that you don’t have years and years of experience. Your manager knows you won’t know how to do everything on day one, so stop highlighting your weaknesses and ineptitudes in an attempt to lower other people’s expectations of you. Doing so will just make you look insecure and will distract from your strengths.

Instead of saying “I’m pretty bad at Excel,” try saying “I don’t have very much experience with Excel, but I use Word and Powerpoint regularly and learn quickly!”

3. Stop Underselling Your Ideas

I’m totally guilty of this one. Rather than stand proudly behind my own ideas, I sometimes underhype them or even worse, distance myself from them entirely. In my mind, doing this will make the fall less painful if the idea is rejected. I also like to think that it opens the idea up to criticism from others who can probably make it stronger. Humility is good, right?

Unfortunately, underselling your ideas will make them less attractive, which will reflect poorly on you. Would you buy a car from a salesperson who told you it would be “an okay car?” Probably not. Instead of setting low expectations for your big ideas, try to demonstrate your excitement about the idea while remaining open to refining it. Try saying something like this: “I have an idea that I think could be really great, but I’d love to hear your feedback on how I can make it even better!”

4. Stop Blathering On

Confident people know that less is more. They know to stand firmly behind their words and communicate with both precision and concision. Rattling on endlessly in a presentation, email or conversation with your manager will make you look nervous, unpolished and uncertain of your own ideas. Besides, some ideas don’t need to be elaborated upon, so just say what you mean to say and then stop.

5. Stop Speaking Poorly

One of the easiest ways to appear more confident in the workplace and in life in general is to refine the way you speak. Remember everything you were taught to do in presentations at school? Yeah, you need to do that in the real world too. Project from the chest, speak intentionally slower than you’re inclined to, avoid filler words and ticks (“uhhh…,” “you know…,” “like…,” “I mean…”) and never articulate a statement as a question.

Working on these patterns will take some time and will require consistent practice, but doing so will pay off in many awesome ways. Confident people make more effective and convincing managers, they get what they ask for more often and perhaps most importantly, they earn respect from their peers, clients, partners, supervisors, employees, friends and acquaintances.

Whether you sometimes second guess your own ideas or you freeze at the mere thought of speaking to your boss, learning to sound and appear more confident will make life much more rewarding, much more enjoyable and much, much easier.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Sound More Confident appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you’re a student or recent grad searching for that perfect internship or job, the job hunt can be a grind. The question is, are you being as effective as you could be? Is there anything that the most successful young hires are doing that you can learn from?

Lucky for all the young people out there looking for jobs and internships, 3 NYU students who all got hired using WayUp are each sharing their biggest job search tip for their peers who are still on the hunt.

These 3 students were in your shoes not long ago and hustled their way up (pun intended). So, we sat down with them to talk about their experience and what helped them stand out from the crowd.

1. You Don’t Have to Take Any Job or Internship

“If there’s one thing that you absolutely want from your job, hold out; you’ll get it. I had to wait until the middle of summer to get a job that would pay me and also provide me with a valuable experience, and I’m glad that I did. It was really worth it.” – Hannah Starke, NYU ‘19, Community Outreach/Marketing Intern at Sp0n

Hannah is a member of NYU’s class of 2019 and is studying in multiple departments, including Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Communication and Media Studies. As someone seeking a job in the fashion or entertainment industry, she knew that finding a paid marketing position might be tough, but she brings up an important point here: If there’s something that’s a must-have for you when it comes to a job or internship, it’s okay to hold out for it.

While you don’t want to put too many non-negotiables on your list (“I want a paid part-time internship at Chanel in the fashion closet with flexible hours and no menial tasks, or else I don’t want anything!”), having one or two things you absolutely need is perfectly reasonable. In fact, giving yourself parameters can actually make it easier to find jobs and internships you’re qualified for and excited to take on.

What could potential “must-haves” include other than money? Here are several options:

• Flexible work hours
• A specific company size
• Commitment to ongoing mentorship from a supervisor or boss

That said, holding out comes with a crucial caveat: You’ll probably have to broaden your search to include opportunities in other fields or departments. This is where our next tip comes in.

(And if you’re a New York-based college student looking for an enriching marketing experience, Sp0n, the same company that hired Hannah, is looking for campus reps this fall, who can make $15/hour. Click here to apply.)

2. Keep an Open Mind

“Start early and apply to a lot of different positions, even if it doesn’t exactly fit with your field. You never know what you could be qualified for and what kind jobs you’ll end up enjoying; it could influence what you do in the future. Don’t confine yourself too much. Keep it broad.” – Emily Cole, NYU ‘18, Marketing Intern at Red Velvet NYC

Emily is part of NYU class of 2018 and is majoring in psychology. She was most excited to get a marketing summer internship at Red Velvet, an NYC-based startup in the desert industry (yum), because she felt that the internship would provide her with a skill set she could apply across all different industries.

Emily’s advice is a great best practice when you’re at the start of your career because you don’t want to pigeon-hole yourself or refuse to look at anything that isn’t in a certain industry or department in a company. Instead, take a wise tip from President Obama and focus on the skills you want to gain instead of the title you’re hoping for.

For instance, if you wanted a paid marketing internship in fashion (which are extremely competitive and often come with no monetary compensation), you can still learn similar foundational skills from marketing internships in other fields, like tech or media, and get your must-haves. The product or service you’re selling might be different (and maybe not as glamorous), but the expertise you’ll gain can get you where you want to go in the future.

You may not be able to put “fashion intern” on your WayUp profile just yet, but as Emily notes, by not limiting yourself now, you’re opening up that possibility as you continue your career.

3. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

“Make your resume short and sweet. A lot of people want to show all the sides of themselves, but for every single job, you don’t need every single side of yourself; you want the side the employer wants. Make your resume tailored to the job you’re applying for. So if you’re applying for an outreach job, add your marketing experience. If you want a tutoring job, add your educational expertise.”  – Bryan Kay, NYU ‘20, Outreach Intern at The Farm

In Bryan’s case, he knew that he wanted to work at a startup that focused on content strategy, so as he applied to companies like The Farm in a very tactful way. As Bryan notes, you might feel the need to overcompensate on your resume by adding in every single thing you’ve ever done. However, when employers are looking your previous positions, accomplishments and skills, they do so in a matter of seconds. Skip the fluff and give them what they want to know.

Don’t have any outright work experience in the field you’re applying to? Include past experiences that illustrate transferrable skills.

For instance, if you’re applying to work in outreach like Bryan, you can include the fact that you created and ran your sports team’s social media accounts in college and built a bigger following than any other extracurricular group on campus. It may not be “formal” outreach experience in an office environment, but it’s more likely to get you hired than listing several unrelated positions on your resume.

Want more resume tips that’ll make a huge impact and get you hired? We’ve got 37 of them that’ll each take you five minutes or less here.

Armed with these 3 tips, you’re well on your way to becoming one of our kick-butt WayUp Bosses, a crew of amazing students and recent grads who’ve gotten hired and are taking the professional world by storm.

Got hired using WayUp? You can be featured in an article like Hannah, Emily and Bryan by filling out a brief survey here.

The post 3 Students Who Landed Dream Internships Share Their Biggest Job Search Tip appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Pokemon Go has blown up over the past couple of weeks, and the employers are having none of it. Some say that employees are becoming less productive and getting distracted at work.

However, Pokemon Go’s effects on your job performance don’t have to be all bad. In fact, you can tell your boss that the game is actually really awesome at propelling your career forward. Don’t believe us? Here are 10 reasons why your Pokemon Go obsession is the greatest thing for living your best professional life.

1. You’re the First Person in the Office

Gotta catch ‘em all…in the bathroom at 7am.

2. You Can Actually Win the Office Fitness Challenge Now

All of that running around and egg-hatching paid off.

3. You’re Considered a Mentor Amongst Interns and Senior Executives Alike

Because they want to know how you caught that Snorlax.

4. Your Colleagues Trust You Completely

They know you’re not going to judge them for playing the game in your weekly team meeting.

5. You’re Putting in Overtime

Little does your boss know it’s because you’ve got PokeCoins to buy.

6. More People Want to Go to Lunch With You

Word on the street is there’s a gym in the Chipotle around the corner.

7. You’re Seen as a Team Player

Hey, Jim from accounting owes you for helping him locate that Dratini.

8. You Look Like Someone Who Gets Things Done

It’s mostly because you’ve got one eye on the PokeRadar on your desk.

9. You’re Now a Master Problem-Solver

Whether your co-workers need help crunching numbers for investor reports or finding Gyarados, you’re clutch.

10. You’re Constantly Reminded to Be the Best

Like no one ever was.

Cover image courtesy of Pixabay.

The post 10 Reasons Why Pokemon Go Is Actually Ridiculously Good for Your Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Email etiquette is a tricky thing for anyone to master. Are your emails giving off the right vibe? Are they making people click the trash bin icon right away? It’s hard to tell.

Below are 7 common email mistakes that people make all the time. The good news? There are easy fixes for each one that you can implement right away, and they’re guaranteed to make every person email you back.

Mistake #1: Your Email Is Too Long

You may think that writing a long, hyper-detailed message is the way to make people respond. After all, you’re giving them a lot of important context, right? Wrong.

Long emails (as in, ones that are three or four paragraphs, or worse, walls of text) make people’s eyes glaze over upon opening them, and it’s hard for someone to pick apart your email to find your intent.

What to Do Instead

Make it easy for people: If you’re reaching out for the first time, keep your email to around 5 sentences and use one of our helpful email templates. If you’re emailing people you already know, keep your email short and ask to speak on the phone or meet for coffee if your ask can’t be explained in a couple of sentences.

Mistake #2: Your Ask Isn’t Specific Enough

Asking people if you can “pick their brain about some things” gives no indication of what you need, nor does it make your professional contacts feel like you’re coming to them for something in their wheelhouse.

What to Do Instead

If your email is the recommended 4-6 sentences, your ask should come right at the beginning after a brief opening line. Make it easy for people to figure out what you need, and make sure your ask is something that is simple enough for people to say yes to.

Here are 3 requests that are too big and/or vague:

• “I need your help finding a job.”
• “I wanted some help with this thing I’m doing at work.”
• “Can you get me a job at your company?”

Here are 3 requests that are specific and actionable:

• “I wanted to talk to you about how you found your first job in public relations; in other words, how did you break into the industry?”
• “I’m not sure if I’m using the best wording in my technical resume, so I wanted to run it by someone in the field to see if there’s something I should be saying differently.”
• “I remember you saying that you’re good friends with John Smith, and I was wondering if you could e-troduce us so I could hear his thoughts on working at a large advertising agency?”

If you’re looking for some tips to make your emails as specific and actionable as possible, check out our multiple email templates here.

Mistake #3:  Your Subject Line Is Vague or Misleading

You may think you’re being clever by making your email subject line something like “You’re DEFINITELY going to want to open this email!” or “Really need your advice now!!!!!!”

However, both types of subject lines are just annoying your contacts and not adding any context. You’re making it that much easier for them to press “Delete.”

What to Do Instead

There are many schools of thought as to what makes an engaging headline, but often straightforward is the best way to go. Here are some examples of how to skip the random subject lines and keep it simple:

• “Recent Grad Looking for Marketing Industry Advice”
• “Possible Introduction to John Smith from XYZ Advertising?”
• “Quick Technical Resume Question”

All three of these subject lines give whomever you’re emailing an easy indicator of what he or she is walking into by opening your message.

Sending someone an email that needs a quick response? Feel free to write “URGENT” or “ACTION NEEDED BY [DATE]” at the beginning of your subject line, but only use these if your situation is actually urgent, not just because you want a fast answer.

Mistake #4: Your Email Has Lots of Typos

It’s one of the worst feelings: You send an email to a professional contact, wonder why he or she isn’t getting back to you, read over the message you sent and realize that it has 5 typos in it. Ugh.

While typos happen to all of us, they can also make you look unprofessional, especially if they pop up constantly in your writing.

What to Do Instead

The fix for this one is pretty easy: Proofread! Take an extra 5 minutes to read over your sentences, or use the Grammarly app if you’re bad at catching your own mistakes. Read your email from the last sentence back up to the first. If it’s an extra important email that you don’t want to screw up, send it to someone else to proofread too.

Another important tip: Never send emails late at night or when you’re distracted. Rarely do you catch every error, and you’ll look back at the message later and go, “Ugh, I should’ve seen that…”

Mistake #5: You’re Not Following Up the Right Amount

There are 2 types of people in this world: Those who follow up way too often and those who don’t follow up enough.

If you send an email and then proceed to follow up every 5 minutes, you’re trying too hard. If you wait 3 months before sending a “Hey, did you get my first email?” message, you’ve taken too long.

What to Do Instead

Whether you’re following up on a job application or emailing a professional contact, it’s usually best to follow up if you haven’t heard anything after 5-7 days. Worried you won’t be able to remember to send your follow-up during that time? Use the Boomerang app to schedule emails in advance so you won’t have to keep track of anything.

What should a follow-up email look like? Here’s a quick template you can use for virtually any situation:

Hi [name],

I wanted to make sure you received [what your prior email was about] that I sent on 2026. Let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

[Your name]

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

Hi Laurie,

I wanted to make sure you received my job application for the marketing specialist position that I sent on Thursday, June 10th. Let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

Lily

Mistake #6: You Spell the Person’s Name Wrong

Ever notice how peeved you get when the barista at a coffee shop spells your name incorrectly? The same goes for emails.

While spelling someone’s name “Sara” instead of “Sarah” or “Matthew” instead of “Mathew” may seem trivial, it’s one of those tiny things that can leave people feeling annoyed before they even read your message.

What to Do Instead

Before sending out an email, especially to someone you don’t know, make sure you double-check the spelling with their WayUp or social media profile. That extra look never hurts.

If you’ve already sent the email and realized you spelled someone’s name wrong, it’s not the worst thing in the world to let it be, but if it’s really bothering you, feel free to address it if you get a response with something like, “So sorry I spelled your name wrong in my first email! Should’ve definitely proofread an extra time before sending.”

Mistake #7: Your Tone Isn’t Appropriate for the Person You’re Emailing

Often people new to the workforce aren’t sure of the tone they should go for in emails, and it’s easy to be too formal or too casual. While your email doesn’t need to be written in Shakespearean English, you also don’t want to be telling professionals how “lit” or “woke” their jobs are.

What to Do Instead

Striking a balance of being professional but approachable is tricky, but here are several best practices:

• Keep your sentences as short and simple as possible. Leave out any fluffy prose and run-on sentences.
• Stay away from emoticons or emojis, especially for someone you don’t know well and don’t have a rapport with.
• Don’t use any internet slang like “IRL.”
• Not sure what to call someone you don’t know in an email? Play it safe and use that person’s first name. Using Mr., Ms., or Mrs. can be tricky for multiple reasons, including the fact that you could very well misgender someone (for instance, referring to a man named Taylor as “Ms.”).

Most importantly, however, be thoughtful and intentional before you send an email. If you’re not sure how your message comes across, feel free to have someone else give it a read before you send it to make sure you’re hitting the right tone.

The great thing about email etiquette is that there are always easy, straightforward ways to improve. Add these tips to your arsenal, and soon people will be copying your flawless emails.

Cover image courtesy of Women of Color in Tech.

The post 7 Costly Email Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are tricky. How do you know what industry you want to work in or what position you want all based off of a couple months at one company, and what if you have a dream job that just seems downright unattainable right now?

Luckily, President Barack Obama gave some helpful advice to the White House’s summer interns this week, and his message is universal regardless of where you’re interning: “Worry less about what you want to be and more about what you want to do.”

When it comes to figuring out what you want to do with your life, it’s easy to get stuck on titles and perks. Yes, being able to say you’re a hip fashion designer or the founder of the next big app sounds nice, but how do you know you’ll actually enjoy the work that comes with clawing your way into those roles?

Instead of focusing on your future title, think critically about the skills your current internship lets you acquire and what you actually enjoy (or straight-up loathe) about the work you’re doing. For example, if you want to go into fashion design, do you actually like sketching, sewing, dealing with vendors and spending hours toiling away at tiny details? If yes, you’re on the right track. If you’re cringing just reading this, maybe the title was drawing you more to the industry than the work itself. Time to go back to the drawing board.

But before you start looking for a job where you’ll like everything you’re doing all the time, remember that no matter what gig you end up taking, not every part of it will be glamorous or fun. Many startup founders still physically pack boxes of their product in warehouses. Programmers deal with lines of code they aren’t necessarily jazzed to write, and sales people fill out countless spreadsheets, which may not be your definition of fast-paced or exciting, but if you’re in the right role in the right industry, the interesting parts of the job will far outweigh the grunt work you inevitably have to do.

Going back to President Obama’s advice, what does this mean for you now? No matter what internship you’re completing, think about what you do and don’t like about your gig. Could you see yourself doing this work full-time and really liking it? If not, what are parts of the internship you do like, and are their other industries or roles better suited to those skills?

Internships are an awesome way to learn more about yourself. Don’t ignore those signs.

The post Want to Be a Stellar Intern? Steal This Simple Tip from President Obama appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This post was written by Mehdi Jaffer, the Global Marketing Lead at AlphaSights, a company that connects investors and business leaders with the knowledge they need to succeed. Based in the company’s London office since joining the firm in 2013, Mehdi is responsible for growth projects with a focus on global marketing, branding, and communications. Passionate about his work at one of the world’s high-growth companies, he explains what it’s really like to work for one.

AlphaSights is currently hiring 2014 grads, 2015 grads and 2016 grads for Associate positions in New York and San Francisco.

If you thumb through the pages of TechCrunch, Inc Magazine or even The New York Times, you’ll notice more and more column inches are dedicated to ‘unicorn startups’, each with mind boggling valuations. Creative license aside, these stories use growth buzzwords to create the illusion that success for these companies was inevitable and their growth natural — like a tap that can be turned on, adjusted or switched off at will. You hear about concepts going from ideation to adoption “in real-time”, industry-wide “disruption” and the inexorable “crossing the chasm” as if it happened overnight. Airbnb ‘just makes sense’ and Uber is of course the natural successor to traditional taxi services in 300+ cities.

Novel ideas have their own disruptive quality. However, sweeping success, and indeed sustained growth, does not happen overnight.

It can be messy, confusing and complicated. Indeed, while financial performance may continue to increase (and long may that be the case), there are a few myths that must be debunked about working in a growth company.

1. Growth doesn’t happen by accident

Publications that glamorize entrepreneurship and small businesses have done a fantastic job of inspiring more start-ups than at any other point in business history, while creating jobs in the process. But success in this field, predominantly measured by revenue growth, is a product of the hard work of the employees on those teams. By the time success stories are presented to the media, it appears as though growth was an inevitable result. But rather, it is the product of hard work, tough decisions and competing priorities; strategic and tactical, hiring and firing, operational and managerial, that either spark such growth — or do not.

2. Different parts grow at different speeds

High-growth can and often does mean that the infrastructure of the firm is not yet equipped to operate at a larger scale. Sales growth is but one measure of a company’s success. While critical and essential for a young organization, other areas often reflect work in progress. The operations unit might seem slick and well-organised, but technology might be under-resourced. Recruitment might be market-leading but customer service second-rate. This is something you will definitely run into and must accept if you choose to work in such an environment. But it also means that you will have the opportunity to learn from this growth, and that your contributions will make an impact, generally even outside your specific role.

3. Growth companies need the right kind of ambition

We receive thousands of applications per month but still run into issues hiring the right people. Why? Because many applicants are to us as moths are to a flame: candidates are attracted by the growth of the company, the bright lights and loud music. But ultimately, they are not in the right mindset to handle the challenges that come with ensuring a high-energy, results-oriented company continues to flourish. At AlphaSights, we often come to the conclusion that many candidates are not steely or tenacious enough to be one of the contributors to — rather than just a beneficiary of — stellar and consistent growth, year after year.

Life in a growth company can be hairy, chaotic, and riddled with problems and challenges. And, on the other hand, there are many benefits to secure, stable and established places of work. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to select the environment that is right for them. But I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that for us at AlphaSights such instability can be inspiring, the numerous challenges come to represent opportunities, and our shortcomings are areas to improve. If you share that thinking, AlphaSights could be the place for you.

This post originally appeared on the AlphaSights blog.

The post What It’s Like to Work at a High-Growth Startup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

WayUp recently partnered with Foursquare on a research project for their awesome app, Swarm, which allows users to share their locations within their social network.

We sat down with Rekha, who does User Experience (UX) research at Foursquare, to learn more about her job and what it’s like to work at such an awesome tech company.

Before joining the Foursquare team, Rekha graduated with a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University in 2012 and was a research assistant with the Glass team at Google. Prior to moving to the U.S., Rekha studied electronics and communications as an undergrad in India, where she’s from originally!

Read below for a Q&A with Rekha about her experience at Foursquare, and more!

When did you first become interested in UX Research?

As a master’s student at Clemson University, I worked with a professor on a project she was spearheading, to create tools to help 8th graders learn better. It was a ton of fun, and I got to work with a couple of friends who were on the research team too! Every week, we would spend time with the 8th graders, and hold focus groups for them. I began to see the professor’s product really change from beginning to the end, and see the transition based completely on the product usage we observed! After this experience, I knew I wanted to make a career out of user experience research.

What is the most rewarding and challenging part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing users actually USE the product. Even if the user has an issue, I feel good about it, because it will help us make the product better. I would say the most challenging part of the job is that we work in such a fast-paced environment. For instance, you can always test every feature of both of our apps. Sometimes you have to say no because there’s not enough time!

What are some key skills and attributes for someone entering UX research?

I think the main skills required to excel in UX research are presentation and communication abilities. Being able to communicate with different teams within the organization, and having great presentation skills are keys to success. It is vital to always be the advocate for the user as someone in UX research: You are the only person who knows how users feel about the product, and how they actually use it!

What’s  the best advice you got as a student? What pieces of advice do you wish you could tell your student self?

That’s easy: DO AN INTERNSHIP! I decided to take my summers off, but I think an internship speaks a lot about what work you have done in the past and helps you learn a lot about yourself.

If you are planning to get into this field (UX Research), definitely work on your portfolio, even if you are not a designer! This is something everyone asks for. It is really important that you are able to show future employers what other research project(s) you have you done, what the impact was, and who you worked with.

I wish I had told my student self to get recommendations from people I worked with in the past. It’s good to get them while you are working still together!

What is the culture at Foursquare like?

It is SO much fun! Everyone does impactful work at our office, which I think is part of what makes a great company culture. Everyone does work A LOT here (but just during the week, we have our weekends free!) We have company outings often, like happy hours and game nights. And, we have a ping pong table in the NYC office :).

The post Working at FourSquare is Exactly as Fun as It Seems appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I’m not sure if it was the Wall Street movies I watched as a kid or my dad’s obsession with the stock markets, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to get into the world of finance. The only thing standing in my way? On paper, I didn’t have the credentials to make that dream a reality. I didn’t go to a top school, I was a liberal arts majorand I wasn’t even allowed into the business school’s career fair, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. Spoiler alert: I ended up with an entry-level job as a Financial Analyst, Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs, spent 4 incredible years at their office in Dallas and developed great relationships.

So, here are 5 ways you can get your foot in the door, too.  

1. Talk to people

Make this the first step. Go out and find people with the jobs you want (or think you want). Try to get introductions through family/friends, career services/alumni relations office or LinkedIn. Try to make your introduction personal. What are they doing that interests you? How can you potentially add value to them?

The hardest part of the job search is being fearful of the unknown. However, one sure-fire way to get over that fear is to start having real conversations. Build your networks and your relationships, cold email people and ask them out to coffee—if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

2. Do your homework

There is absolutely no excuse not to have a reasonable understanding of the industry/company/role you wish to obtain. For finance specifically, Mergers and Inquisitions and Wall Street Oasis were my favorite free resources to learn about the banking industry and the different divisions within it (Hint: investment banking looks vastly different than operations).

Research the company: How do they differentiate themselves from the competition? Apart from their core business, what do they do that resonates with you? A peer of mine advised me to speak about the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Businesses initiative and how it struck a chord with me, because I was an Eagle Scout and philanthropy was important to me. It was a year after the financial crisis and Goldman Sachs was desperately trying to salvage its reputation, so the fact that I knew about these philanthropic efforts helped my case. This had nothing to do with finance, markets or valuation analysis, yet it still served as a differentiator for me.

3. Be curious

While I was at Goldman Sachs, I helped with campus recruiting for 8 semesters. Most students took the vanilla approach of memorizing the latest Wall Street Journal article they could find on the markets. While it’s important to know about your industry’s current events, that shouldn’t be your only focus.

The candidates that were truly able to separate themselves were ones that asked probing questions about our careers, experiences, and keys to success. Questions like, “Why have you been in your job for four years? What makes a great analyst? How does Goldman Sachs maintain itself as the best investment bank in the world? What do you not like about the job? What is going to help me succeed as an analyst?“ are the ones that stand out.

Everybody likes talking about themselves; it’s a flaw we all have (this is why my article was shortened). Because of this, think about listening more to the interviewer than speaking. As a student, you’re not expected to know all the answers, but you are expected to have curiosity. Show that.  

4. Pass the airport test

At the end of Super Days (3-6 interview rounds in one day), 8-12 interviewers would gather in a room and discuss the candidates we interviewed. There were always mixed feelings about candidates; no one ever unanimously made it as a clear favorite. The best way to decipher candidate outcomes was the airport test which is “If my flight is delayed overnight, can I comfortably suffer through that brutal wait with you?” If I work with you, I’m going to spend more time with you than I will with anyone else in my life, including my family. That’s a big investment.

5. Know your differentiator

Today, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for candidates to distinguish themselves on their resume. The good news is that companies are realizing there is a need for diversity in the workplace, and it’s not limited to ethnic or gender diversity.

There is also this notion called diversity of thought. In college, I ran a real estate brokerage to help students find off-campus housing. I was able to speak to entrepreneurial experience where revenue goals, growth expectations and operational efficiencies had to be exceeded in order for my business to continue running and for me to pay my way through school.

At the end of the day, there is no secret sauce. Be hungry, be curious and want it more than anyone else. Here’s some motivation as you prepare: When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.   

The post 5 Ways to Get an Entry-level Finance Job With a Liberal Arts Degree appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Congratulations, you got an offer! That’s great news and here’s more: Negotiating the details of an offer is part of the process of getting hired. One important thing to remember is that entry-level jobs are not always open for salary negotiation, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t work with an employer to make sure you get a combination of salary and benefits that will work for you.

In order to make the process as easy and effective as possible, here are some things to remember as you negotiate.

Do your research.

Do you know the going salary for an entry-level job in customer service? What about for a computer science major with several internships under her belt? If you’re not sure of the answers, it’s time to do some research. Luckily, there are several sites that can help make the process both quick and easy. To get a better idea of the average salary for a specific job or industry, head over to Glassdoor. In addition to providing detailed salary information for entry-level roles, Glassdoor also has a breakdown of how salaries vary by city. This is great news for graduates who are looking to relocate or those who are comparing several different jobs at once.

After you’ve gotten a good grasp of the salary range for your dream job, dig a little deeper by finding out more about the company you’re negotiating with. Our company pages are a great resource for this type of information, and they can offer you fantastic insight into your potential employer.

Know your value.

Whether you’re coming to the negotiation straight from a well-paid internship or starting from scratch without much professional experience, you don’t need to tell potential employers what you earned at previous part-time jobs, not even if they ask directly. Instead, use your research to come up with a salary that’s within the range for an entry-level job in your chosen field, and tell the hiring manager that you’re looking for a salary within that range.

The conversation will usually go something like this:

Hiring Manager: “Let’s talk a little bit about the salary for this position.”

You: “Great! Based on my experience and skillset, I’m looking for a salary in the $35,000-$40,000 range. I think that I would be a great fit for the role and would love to discuss compensation if that salary is in line with what you had in mind.”

Be confident but not cagey. Employers appreciate you coming to the table informed and enthusiastic, but they’re likely to be put off if you’re too aggressive or hesitant during the negotiation process.

Don’t get discouraged if the offer is lower than you expect.

If you do receive an offer that’s lower than you expected, your first impulse might be to panic. Don’t. While salary negotiation isn’t possible with some entry-level roles (like investment banking or consulting), this is where your research will come in handy. In addition to giving you the confidence to negotiate effectively, it will also give you the opportunity to see what other perks the job might offer. For example, if you’re looking for a role that allows for great work-life balance or you really like the company culture, those benefits are likely to also play a role in your decision. Think about the offer as a whole, and see how you can work with the employer to make it fit your needs.

Be grateful, not entitled.

One of the most important aspects of negotiating a job offer is saying thank you as soon as you receive it. Receiving an offer is a great sign that an employer sees your potential and believes that you would be a good fit for the role. Here’s how to show your excitement and keep the conversation going:

“Thank you for the offer; I’m really excited about the prospect of joining the team! I appreciate the current offer of $35,000 but based on my skills and experience, I was expecting an offer in the $40,000 range. Can we look at a salary of $40,000 for this position?”

Negotiating a job offer can feel a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first one. The best way to maximize results is to go into the process flexible and informed, and if you need a little extra boost of confidence, remember that the person on the other side of the table wants to work with you, and they’re invested in helping you succeed.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Format a Thank You Letter After a Job Interview, and find answers to common interview questions such as What Can You Offer Us That Someone Else Can’t?.

The post How to Negotiate a Job Offer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

During your job or internship hunt, you will likely be exposed to hundreds of pieces of career advice. These often unsolicited little nuggets of information can sometimes be helpful but can also be misleading, inaccurate, contradictory and completely overwhelming.

Take resume tips for instance – what exactly are you supposed to believe? Remove personal information. Make it personal. Remove graphics. Let your creativity shine. Use bullet points. Use paragraphs. Keep it to one page. Don’t restrict yourself to pages of paper. Make it optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems. Make it optimized for your reader. Highlight the company. Highlight your position. Use an objective statement. Don’t use an objective statement. With all of these competing words of wisdom, it’s no wonder you have 80 versions of the same resume on your hard drive!

The post One Piece of Career Advice That Will Always Be True appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You met with a recruiter, had a fantastic interview and then you never heard back. If you’re disappointed (or worse, panicking), don’t be! There are lots of reasons why a recruiter may not have gotten in touch with you yet. They could be waiting to hear back from the employer, ironing out the details of your offer or they’re just having a really busy week. No matter what the reason, if they said they’d be in touch by a specific date and the date has now passed, it’s perfectly fine to reach out to them and check where things stand with the job. If they didn’t give you a timeframe, it’s still fine to follow up, but we recommend waiting a week or two before you do.

Here’s how to do it with confidence and tact.

Let them know you’re interested, but don’t be aggressive.

Keep your tone light and friendly, and focus on next steps. It’s important that you communicate with the recruiter with enthusiasm, not desperation. The most important tip: Don’t call. Recruiters are often very busy and they don’t appreciate unscheduled calls. Plus, sending an email will make it easier for them to follow up when they’re available.

Want to really make an impression? Mention a specific moment from the interview. This will help to jog the recruiter’s memory and increase the likelihood of them getting back to you.

Here’s what your email should look like:

“Hi Lisa,

I hope you’re having a great week! I wanted to send a quick note to say that I really enjoyed meeting everyone at [company] last week and I especially enjoyed discussing [X project] with you. I’m really excited about the role and think it could be a great fit. Are there any updates on the position?

All the best,

Mike”

Mention any changes related to your application.

Did you just win an award for a class project or find out you’re graduating summa cum laude? Congratulations! That’s really exciting news and a great thing to include in your follow-up email. Be sure to mention this when you reach out to the recruiter and let them know that you’d like to update your application. It’s a wonderful way to start off an email and it might increase your chances of getting the job.

Establish a relationship that will extend beyond the current role.

Even though the interview went really well, the truth is that the employer may have gone in a different direction. If that happens, it doesn’t mean that your relationship with the recruiter has to end. In fact, the opposite is true. A recruiter can be your best friend in a job search and taking rejection well will show them that you’re flexible and able to go with the flow. Ask them if there are any other opportunities that might be a good fit. Chances are they have a couple, and if not, they’ll still be more likely to stay in touch if they know you’re open to other possibilities.

Another tip: If you’re really interested in a company, set yourself a calendar reminder and reach out again after three months. Since you’re already on the recruiter’s radar, they’re much more likely to consider you for roles that are just opening up.

Waiting to hear back after an interview is one of the most stressful parts of the job search, but an effective email can work wonders to re-establish a connection with a recruiter and potentially with an employer. Following these tips will increase your chance of getting a response and may put you front and center in the recruiter’s mind, but like any relationship, it’s also important to know when to cut your losses. If the recruiter doesn’t respond after the follow-up email, it’s time to move on. Luckily, there are plenty of other jobs for recent graduates and we’re here to help you make the most of them.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Recover from an Interview Gone Wrong, and find answers to common interview questions such as What Should I Know When Working Remotely?

The post How to Check in With a Recruiter When You Haven’t Heard Back appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Skills: The list of things one is good at and the list of things one is required to know for an internship or job. You know your skills; you know what skills you need to possess to gain that internship or job. I don’t need to beat you over the head with what skills you need to have to be a prime candidate for any kind of position. Instead, I want to share the best and most versatile skill you should have: self-confidence.

You can be the best at Photoshop in your class, be the strongest grant proposal writer or know how to code HTML like a boss, but if you don’t have confidence in your skills, what’s the point? I’m not saying that your skills aren’t valuable, they’re SO valuable, but when you have the confidence to back up your skills, you’re basically the total package.

There are a couple of things to remember to show off the value of your skills.

First off, don’t be invisible. A part of being confident in your skills is the ability to voice your skills. If you’re an intern, pitch your ideas, offer to take on a task that fits your realm of skills and be present. Don’t blend in with the wall; do more than show up physically. Your entire work experience will improve drastically.

Work hard on every single task. It doesn’t matter if you’ve created tons of social media graphics before, you’re here to work. Give each and every task the same amount of time and dedication you would if it was your first. This goes for tedious, yet easy tasks. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Your boss will take notice and appreciate your hard work.

During an interview, promote your skills with strength. Instead of saying, “I have some experience with copywriting,” say something along the lines of, “I served as my college newspaper’s staff copywriter for over 2 years with extensive knowledge of the AP style guide.” You go from being someone with adequate knowledge to someone with extensive knowledge AND experience.

With all of this being said, there is a difference between being confident in your skills and being over-confident. Don’t boast and brag every second you get, but emphasize your skills with examples of experience. Be confident when you describe your strengths and assert your knowledge. If you don’t know your value, how is an employer expected to know? Understand the value of your skills and work because you do have something to offer. Having a sense of self-confidence will improve your internship, job, interview or any other kind of experience as a whole. If you’re able to see yourself as a strong candidate, you’ll make others see you in this way too.

The post Self-Confidence: The Most Versatile Skill appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Due to the expected increase in people who have access to health insurance, clinical mental health counseling should advance considerably. For example, employment of mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 19 percent by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure is nearly three times the average for all occupations.

Here are four careers that professionals in clinical mental health counseling can pursue.

1. Mental Health Counselor

A mental health counselor helps individuals, families, couples and groups with a variety of mental and emotional issues, which can range from life events such as relationship problems and death of loved ones to serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and other techniques are used by a mental health counselor to help clients manage and overcome a disorder or problem. Some mental health counselors specialize and work with a certain population, such as adolescents or the elderly. As a part of a health care team, a mental health counselor often works with doctors, nurse specialists, psychologists and social workers.

A master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or a related field is typically required for employment. All states require licensure, which involves 2,000 to 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience.

2. Marriage and Family Therapist

A marriage and family therapist shares many job responsibilities with a mental health counselor. In fact, the similarities are so close that the Bureau of Labor Statistics groups the two professions together.

Like a mental health counselor, a marriage and family therapist helps individuals, couples and families face a wide range of disorders and problems. The difference is that the marriage and family therapist brings a family-centered perspective to treatment, even when treating individuals. A focus is on family roles and development and understanding how clients’ families impact their mental health.

A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field is typically required for employment. Two additional years of supervised experience is normally required for licensure, but the exact amount varies by state.

3. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

A substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor helps people dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism, eating disorders and other behavioral problems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors will increase 22 percent by 2024.

A substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor provides treatment and therapy options to clients. Clients receive assistance developing the skills and behaviors they need to modify their behavior and recover from the addiction. Also, clients receive help integrating back into areas of their lives most affected by their addiction or behavioral disorder, such as work and personal relationships. A substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor also provides outreach programs in the community to help avoid such behavior.

Education requirements depend on the employer, but most positions require a bachelor’s degree. Licensure is required for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in private practice, consisting of 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

4. Behavior Analyst

A behavior analyst provides expertise in the analysis of behavioral problems. A primary role in this field is assessing a client’s behaviors and developing a plan to help alleviate problem behaviors.

Often, a behavior analyst will work as a consultant to agencies in order to increase clients’ independence and improve their access to the community. Through interviews with clients’ parents, teachers and other caregivers, along with knowledge of how best to motivate each client, the behavior analyst is able to tackle complex problems. Many behavior analysts specialize in an area such as autism, developmental disabilities or geriatrics.

For employment, at least a master’s degree is required, in fields such as behavior analysis, psychology, special education, rehabilitation or social work. Certification is often required.

Grace College offers a CACREP-accredited online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program includes a seven- to 10-day residency on campus.

The post 4 Careers in Clinical Mental Health Counseling appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The most common questions I get at events and after talks can be boiled down to “How can I get what I want as fast as possible?” How can I get an internship at Facebook in the next two weeks? I really want to do investment banking; is it possible to lock one down in the next week? Too many students get caught up playing the short game. If you fall into this group, you have it all wrong.

I am a huge advocate of playing the long game. Yes, it requires patience and a lot of preparation up front that will take time before you start reaping any reward. You must do the necessary research, take the appropriate classes and read relevant trade news. You should identify and follow the thought leaders in your space. Consume their content and start to form your own views. It does take time and energy, but have you really ever accomplished anything meaningful that didn’t require time and energy? All that upfront work will make you more valuable to your eventual employer. In the end, the results can exceed even your loftiest expectations.

The students who play the long game should feel blessed just to have an opportunity to intern. Of course, everyone would rather be paid for their work, but the students who buy into the long term approach do not let this affect their attitudes as interns but instead use it to motivate themselves to do better and better until the employer decides to start paying them for their work. I found myself taking this approach: “I will add so much value to my superiors and the organization that they will want to pay me.” This mentality motivated me and pushed me to new levels.

Before you take this approach, you must understand that in the workplace things are driven on value. The internship world is not any different. The pay, experience and career advancement that you gain will be very closely correlated to the value that you bring to the table. Most of that value is derived from the sets of skills or knowledge that you have acquired in your life up to that point.

The intern who is willing to work without pay understands the long game. I have seen this play out time and time again. It is shortsighted to worry about the $10.99 you forgo on an hourly basis. The students who are patient, play the long game and do their homework ahead of time usually crush their first unpaid internship because of the foundational knowledge they obtained before starting. Then, they leverage the skill set they developed during that unpaid internship to secure a paid internship or job, earning double or triple what the first internship might have offered. They do this despite that fact that many people advise them against taking an unpaid internship.

Megan Spinelli, a college graduate I recently interviewed on my podcast “Interns on Fire,” is a great example of taking this approach. She used the skill set she built interning in media for a few smaller production companies to land an amazing internship with ABC News in New York City. Play the long game like Megan.

Build the network, invest in your skill set, fill in the applications as needed and be patient. Those who are willing to make the proper sacrifices upfront will be rewarded many times over in the long run. Play the long game and win. Leave the shortsighted view to those who can’t see the end game.

The post Play the Long Game appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your career is a lot like an adventure. There are going to be times when things are slow and tedious, but there will also be major decision points that take you to new and unexpected places.

Like in every great adventure, whether it’s Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, the people you surround yourself will play an enormous role in how far you get and how successful you are along the way, so as seniors getting ready to graduate, you should ask yourself, who do I want to team up with to help me grow and take on this next stage of my life?

Here are 3 reasons why, as you graduate, you should look first for WHO you are working with, rather than where or for how much.

1. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

This quote by Jim Rohn is powerful and true. There will be few people more influential in your life than your first boss and your first co-workers (each of whom you will spend 8 hours or more a day with). At your company you could have a boss like Gandalf, who entrusts Frodo with the ring of power, knowing that he has the ability to grow into this role, even if he doesn’t know it himself, or you could end up with a boss who is a micro-manager who always tells you explicitly what to do and never challenges you—cutting your growth off at the knees.

Outside of your boss, you will find that some co-workers give you honest feedback. I remember when my friend and co-founder told me that I needed to get better at selling my ideas internally and taking the time to map out new process changes. It hurt to discover that I was doing things the wrong way, but if I hadn’t heard this, I never would have improved. Well communicated feedback leads to growth acceleration and is infinitely more effective when coming from co-workers who you trust and respect.

2. Work should be challenging, but fun.

When Harry Potter is preparing for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, he, Hermione and Ron start putting in insane hours at the library. They are toiling hard, but their friendship makes it so that the hours are still enjoyable. Ultimately, their strength as a team allows them to come up with creative solutions.

The same thing will happen at your work. If you are working at a company you love, there will be days you put in long hours because you want to create the best end result. If you are surrounded by co-workers and friends you enjoy, these hours will be full of jokes, creative ideas and won’t truly feel like work, even as you make progress towards a great end result.

3. You will be empowered.

In the end, finding co-workers who understand and support you will make you more successful. I remember when my co-founder and I were trying to get a friend to quit a prestigious job, take a $50,000 pay cut and come join us, working out of a home office on a product that didn’t exist yet. We were just out college, inexperienced and had no right to ask someone to do this, but we believed in each other. We decided that with this person’s help, Looksharp would grow to be a fantastic platform and success. What might have felt uncomfortable otherwise clearly became the right choice–we made the job offer and our third co-founder, to our surprise, accepted and joined our team.

Over the course of a career, you will look back at a number of situations just like the one above, where you decided to do something different or risky, because you had the support of your colleagues, and that it made all the difference in where you ended up.

So what’s the point?

Pick a job based on the people. If you like your co-workers and boss at a particular company, be very cautious about leaving—these things are rare and more important than you might know.

Lastly, how do you know if a given company is right for you? It takes time to learn who your boss and co-workers might be. Some questions you can ask during an interview include:

Where have other people who have accepted jobs here gone on to work?

What skills will I learn while working here?

What is your management style?

Do co-workers spend time with one another outside of work?

Another way to go is to ask yourself if you were stuck at the airport with your team, are these people you’d enjoy getting a beer with or not? If not, will you truly enjoy working with them for the next 3+ years of your life?

The post As You Graduate Find Companions and Find Adventure appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Listen, I love internships as much as the next person, probably more, but there are other ways to get experience on your resume. The reason you take internships is to bulk up your resume and get experience. Guess what? You can do all that without an internship too.

By no means am I degrading internships, they are key to your future success. However, there are other ways to add experience to your resume if you don’t have the time to commit to a full internship.

1. Volunteer

Passionate about a cause? Want to get involved? Volunteering can be more than working at a shelter, running a food drive or tabling for a cause. If you’re passionate about fashion and want to get into that industry, volunteer at a local fashion show. Interned at a non-profit in the past? Let them know that you are available to work any local fundraising events. Volunteering shows that you are passionate about a cause or want to contribute to the greater good. It also gives you experience for a future job because your company is bound to have some kind of event you may have to work. Add volunteering to your resume to give it a well-rounded look.

2. Take an online class or attend a seminar

Show how dedicated you are to your craft. Learn something new that will benefit you in the long run. In the marketing field? Learn new social media marketing skills. In technology? Take classes on front-end and back-end coding. The opportunities are endless. Add and diversify your skill set; expand your options. You never know what you can learn and what new skills you will discover.

3. Contribute to a blog or website

No matter what your major or intended career path is, contributing your ideas and thoughts to a blog gets your voice out there. You don’t have to be the next best blogger on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, but you do have good ideas and experiences that you can share. Part with some of that wisdom and share it with others. FYI journalism majors, you need to do this in order to get anywhere in your field. Regardless, contributing gives you an online presence, so you are searchable to employers. You’d rather them find an article you wrote on a personal experience than your personal Instagram account.

Yes, internships are an essential part of your resume, but there are other experiences you can add that will benefit you just the same. These types of experiences will show future employers that you are willing to work at all times and that you care about your future. These types of opportunities will set you up for success. I get it; we all don’t have time to do internships each semester and each break, but that doesn’t mean you can just sit around. Get proactive, and show everyone how you’re ready to get out there, and work hard for what you want.

The post 3 Ways to Get Proactive Beyond Internships appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You spent hours tweaking your resume and crafting a custom cover letter. You got yourself excited thinking about the perks and benefits and getting to tell everyone about your cool new position. You really thought this would be “the one,” and then you get the email or worse, you never even hear back.

Rejection sucks. It’s a huge blow to your ego, your confidence and your feeling of self-worth. Not unlike going through a breakup, being rejected from a job or internship can be a trying emotional experience, and if you go through multiple rejections in a row, it can be really hard to get back on your feet and feel good about yourself again, but you need to remain confident. Your career – and more importantly, your happiness – depends on it. Here’s how to pick up the pieces after being rejected.

Remind Yourself It’s Nothing Personal

Being rejected from a job can mean a lot of things. Maybe the company chose to hire from within. Maybe the hiring manager already knew who they were going to hire before you even applied. Maybe the needs of the business changed and they decided not to hire anyone at all, or maybe you just lack the experience they’re looking for. What it doesn’t mean, though, is that they don’t like you. It doesn’t mean they think you lack potential. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about you or your career, and if it did mean any of those things, why would you want to work for a company like that anyway?

Contrary to how it often feels, you are not your career, so don’t let job rejection feel like personal rejection, because this likely wasn’t even about you. It was about a business, a pool of applicants, a process you have no control over and ultimately, a bottom line.

Refresh Your Headspace

A simple rule of thumb for dealing with rejection is to only think about it for as long as the other person thought about you. If your resume didn’t even make it past the screening round, don’t spend weeks mourning the loss of a job that could have been. It’s important to let yourself be upset and take time to process what happened, but don’t wallow in your grief. It’s unhealthy and will ultimately make you less confident, more cynical and less willing to put yourself out there again.

Instead, try refreshing your mind with new challenges, new opportunities, new people and new places. Go on a trip, work on a side project, volunteer in your community or make some new friends. Do something that will get your mind off the job hunt for a moment or at least off of the rejection. If you don’t take the time to clear your mind before jumping back in, the job hunt will simply continue to beat you down, and if you’re not careful, the exhaustion (and desperation) will begin to show.

Do Something You’re Good At, And Something You’re Not

Rejection typically elicits one of two extreme reactions: insecurity or cockiness. To help fight the insecurity and feel good about yourself again, spend some time doing something you’re good at. If you’re a talented musician, play a song you know really well. If you make amazing cookies, bake up a batch, and bring them to a party. If you’re really into fitness, go for a personal best the next time you’re at the gym. Whatever it is, try to find something you can excel at, and just do more of it. It will bring back your confidence, deliver the validation you’re looking for and give you the strength and courage to move forward.

On the other end of things, being rejected might make you feel like you’re too good for this world and bring out your ugly entitled side. To stay humble and grounded in reality, try doing something you’re not good at. If you have terrible hand-eye coordination, try playing tennis with a friend. If you shouldn’t be trusted in the kitchen, attempt a difficult recipe. If computers scare you, try learning the basics of a coding language. Learning new skills and practicing rusty ones will keep you on your toes and prevent you from getting too cocky or entitled.

Get Over It

In the heat of the moment, being rejected can totally feel like the end of the world, but just like the pain of your first breakup in high school, this too shall pass. You’ll discover better opportunities, you’ll meet people who actually want to work with you and you’ll forget all about the “no’s” once you get a satisfying “yes.” The best thing you can do to move forward from rejection is just to get over it. There are too many other great jobs out there and too many better things to focus your energy on. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be this time around. That doesn’t have to mean it never will be. Let yourself feel a little sad, remind yourself it’s nothing personal, clear your mind, stay humble, stay hopeful and move on. You’ll be fine, I promise. Now, go back out there and give it your best!

The post Rejection Hurts. Here’s How to Move On. appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s game time, so make sure your head’s in it. How are YOU staying ahead of the competition and showing them you’re the boss who’s going to take them down? Let’s get you ready; the fight is coming.

I know you’re not a mind reader or a magician, but in order to always be a step ahead, you need to be able to predict what a recruiter, hiring manager or potential employer wants to see from a candidate. It doesn’t take rocket science or some complicated mathematical formula, but it does require some deep thinking and brainstorming.

First off, why should you even be a step ahead? It will make you prepared for anything. To be a good leader, intern, employee or basically any role in life, you need to be prepared for every situation. Be quick on your feet; it will make you an asset. I swear by preparedness – it will get you everywhere in life. It shows how you think ahead, plan and organize.

Being a step ahead is actually really simple. You have to figure out what your end goal is and how to get there. Trying to get an internship at a non-profit? Figure out what skills you need for the specific department. Show that you have a passion for the cause by volunteering at events or joining a similar organization on your college campus. Having a connection to the cause won’t get you the internship, but it will show the interviewer that you care. What skills will make you shine in their eyes? What kind of skills could you have that other applicants don’t? Let’s read over that job description and requirement list again. Do you have all of those requirements? What about the preferred or “plus” ones? What are some added skills that would be the cherry on top? Do you know Adobe Creative Suite programs? Final Cut Pro? Back-end coding? Throw all of it at them. Those are valuable skills that not every person has. Is this a graphic design internship? Have you won awards for your designs? Throw that at them too. Think about what information or skills that you possess that would impress. Don’t have these skills? Let’s get you those skills. Get what you want by giving them what they want: an impressive, skillful intern/employee.

This is where the mind reading comes in. It’s about thinking of what skills would be perfect for this position and how to get you those skills. Being a step ahead requires reflection on your part and critical thinking about what skills you lack. Not everyone is tailor made for every single internship or even our dream internships, but it’s your job to make yourself the perfect candidate for any internship you apply to. Show them you’re right for the internship by making a case. Show off what skills you have that they need. Show them how your past experiences have prepared you for this next position. Arming yourself with the necessary skills, especially if you go above and beyond, will set you apart from the rest.

Take a step back and think critically about your experiences, skills and goals. How can you achieve these goals? If you don’t have the needed skills or experiences, get them. Think ahead about what you need to get where you want in life. Take a leap and get ahead.

The post How to Always Be a Step Ahead appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Are you thinking about changing careers but not sure where to start? Are you bored of your current position and need more exciting adventures in your professional life? After many years in the same company, we all feel like we need a change, but the first decision you should make is deciding how big you need that change to be.

Changing careers is always a difficult decision but more often than not, it is a wise choice. If you do not feel happy with your current job and career path, why would you continue working in the same direction?

Open Colleges has put together a complete career change guide to make this transition easier for you. You can follow a very specific process to make a successful shift, but before that, you need to make sure this is exactly what you want and to do so, there are three questions you should ask yourself:

1. What is important to you and what do you want from your new career?

We all look for something different. It may be a more rewarding job, a higher salary, a better work/life balance, bigger challenges or more exiting experiences. Whatever your reason, think deeply about how the new career you have in mind will fulfill your needs, not only now but also in the longer term.

Do not forget to think about a range of benefits instead of focusing only on what you are missing in your current job or position. In other words, think about the bigger picture. For instance, if you are looking for a better remuneration, remember that higher salaries normally require more responsibility and extra working hours. Try to balance all the factors that are important to you at this moment of your life and in the future.

2. Are you happy to start at the bottom and work your way back up?

Changing careers normally implies starting again from the bottom, as you won’t have the skills and experience needed in your new chosen career. Don’t let this put you off! If you have the right motivation and are both perseverant and hardworking, you will be able to work your way up more quickly than you may think.

Although you don’t have the specific experience for your new career, you do have some practice in a previous position and will have the enthusiasm needed to keep you going.

3. Are your expectations realistic?

It is important to be very clear about your goals, but those goals also need to be in line with your new career expectations. In order to have realistic expectations, you will need to carry out proper research in order to gather relevant information.

Talking to people who are already in the industry you are hoping to enter will also help you create realistic expectations and have a better understanding of what your new job will be like.

Once you have answers to these three questions, you will have your own personal conclusion about changing careers. You may even think that the best option for you is to start your own business. Why not embrace such an exciting adventure?

The post Is It Time for a Career Change? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When people think about family therapy, usually internships, careers and business in general are not the first thing on their minds. That said, there is a lot that we can all learn from therapy techniques. One such thing that we can learn comes from an approach called narrative therapy.

In narrative therapy, there is a concept called “externalizing the problem.” Externalizing the problem occurs by separating the problem form the person and personifying it. For example, if a recently graduated business student is having trouble landing an entry level position in human resources because they do not have enough work experience, they can externalize the problem by calling it “The Challenge” or some other word that the person finds meaningful. This externalization process can make it easier for a job seeker to address their challenges because it is no longer as personal. As you may remember from my previous article, characteristics, which are more personal in nature, are more difficult to change than behaviors, which are less personal.

Back in the 90s, when I was in middle-school, I inadvertently externalized a problem – that I had to achieve my educational goal at that time. It was the end of the school year, and I was looking forward to the world cup that summer. I aced my math class that year, but I was in math for “the regular kids.” I was ambitious and wanted more of a challenge.

I met with my school counselor and asked her if she could change me from regular math to advanced math at the start of next year. She asked if I was sure I wanted to do that. As it turned out, she thought the transition would be hard because I didn’t know algebra. In my mind, her words implied that she thought I was not capable of taking advanced math. Instead of becoming depressed, I was fired up. It became “The Challenge.”

That summer, I went to a small public library close to my house and borrowed a self-help algebra book. I then proceeded to study algebra that whole summer. Instead of watching the world cup that summer, I studied. It was hard to do, but I wanted to overcome “The Challenge.” Through perseverance and self-discipline, I was able to learn algebra.

Confident in my knowledge and abilities, I met with the counselor before the start of the school year. I told her I learned algebra and gave her some of my work as proof. She reluctantly put me in the advanced math track and told me to not be disappointed if my grades were lower than usual.

I ended up earning A’s in both semesters of advanced math.

The post Externalizing Your Weaknesses and Turning Them Into Strengths appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a Millennial or a Gen Z’er, you’ve probably encountered a lot of acronyms in your short life. OMG, LOL, WTF, ROFL, TBD, ILY, NSFW, BRB, BTW, JK, LMAO, ASAP, TTYL, TMI, SOL, NP, IRL, TBA, BFF, FYI and probably way more that I don’t even know about yet.

But what happens when you’re in the office for your first internship or professional entry level job, and you get an email from your boss with acronyms like WOMBAT in it??

The business world loves acronyms almost as much as you do, so take a look at a few of the most common acronyms you will likely encounter in your career:

1. EOD/EOW

EOD: End of Day, EOW: End of Week

Example: “Please finish and submit this project by EOD.”

2. EOM

This one can be used in one of two primary ways:

EOM: End of Month

EOM: End of message. If you’re sending a very short email, you might end with EOM to signal that there isn’t anything else you meant to include in the email. You can also put it at the end of the Subject Line if that says it all and there is no body to the email.

Example: “Subject Line: Please Empty Dishwasher EOM”

3. OOO/OOF

OOO/OOF: Out of Office. When you’re going on vacation or will otherwise not be checking your email regularly, you can set up an automated reply to let others know where to direct their questions while you’re gone.

Example: “I’ll be OOO 1/29 – 2/2 and will not be checking email. Please direct inquiries to Charlotte at charlotte@example.com”

4. WFH

WFH: Working From Home

Example: “I’m not feeling well, so I’ll be WFH today but will be available on email and text from 8am to 6pm”

5. NWR

NWR: Not Work-Related

Example: “NWR: My daughter is selling Girl Scout Cookies. Would anyone like to order some?”

6. B2B/B2C

B2B: Business to Business. A type of commerce where businesses sell products and services to other businesses (e.g. software, consulting, office supplies, etc.)

B2C: Business to Consumer. A type of commerce where businesses sell products and services to consumers (e.g. clothing, groceries, haircuts, etc.)

Example: “Microsoft’s B2B line is outperforming its B2C operations.”

7. ETA

ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival

Example: “Running late this morning. ETA – 9:15am” 

8. KPI

KPI: Key Performance Indicators. The primary measures of how a company or campaign is performing. These can be sales figures, number of active monthly users, growth of social media following, etc.

Example: “Martin, please have your numbers ready for the monthly KPI reporting meeting on Friday.”

9. NRN

NRN: No Response Needed

Example: “Hi all. Here is the weekly progress report for donations to the Annual Fund campaign. NRN.”

10. CTA

CTA: Call-To-Action. The thing you want your audience or customer to do when they engage with your marketing materials, such as click on a link, call your company, buy a product, share an article on social media, donate to a campaign or sign up for a mailing list.

Example: “Susan, you need to make the CTA more clear on this email newsletter.”

11. RFP/RFI

RFP: Request for Proposal. A solicitation for bids on professional services from other companies.

RFI: Request for Information. A solicitation for information on service capabilities from other companies.

Example: “Toyota sent out an RFP to ad agencies this morning because they want to launch a new campaign. Let’s meet at noon to plan our proposal.”

12. WOM

WOM: Word-of-Mouth

Example: “Right now, sales are largely driven by WOM. We need to increase our marketing budget to grow the customer base and increase sales.”

13. SMB

SMB: Small and Medium-sized Businesses

Example: “Sales are strong with our SMB partners, but we’d still like to break into the enterprise market.”

14. CRM

CRM: Customer Relationship Management

Example: “Salesforce is a popular CRM software.”

15. WOMBAT/WIIFM/DQYDJ

WOMBAT: Waste of Money, Brains, and Time

WIIFM: What’s In It For Me?

DQYDJ: Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Example: “This first idea is a WOMBAT. This second idea is good but WIIFM? Also, I saw some videos of you singing Mariah Carey covers. DQYDJ.”

16. CPA/PPC

CPA: Cost-per-action. The cost to the advertiser of a specific marketing action: someone seeing a Facebook ad, a user clicking on a link, someone downloading an app, etc.

PPC: Pay-per-click. A form of CPA in which the advertiser pays for every time someone clicks on their paid link.

Example: “Our current CPA with this app download ad is $0.40.”

17. CTR

CTR: Click-Through Rate. The ratio of users who click on a link to the number of users who see the link or the ad.

Example: “The CTR on our last email newsletter was 10%.”

18. SEO/SEM

SEO: Search Engine Optimization. The process of improving the visibility of your website or web page on a search engine’s unpaid results page.

SEM: Search Engine Marketing. A form of digital marketing focused on improving the visibility of a website or web page, both with SEO improvements and with paid advertising like PPC.

Example: “Our SEM manager has improved the ranking of our site on search engine results pages, but further SEO improvements to the site are necessary to reduce our reliance on PPC.”

19. ROI

ROI: Return on Investment

Example: “I like the idea of this campaign, but I’m not sure if the ROI will be worth it.”

20. NDA

NDA: Non-Disclosure Agreement. A contract employers sometimes make you sign when you accept a new job. Signing the contract usually means you agree not to share any confidential information you learn about the company or its products to the general public.

Example: “Once you sign the NDA, complete your I-9 form and set up direct deposits with our payroll department, you’ll be good to go!”

21. CMS

CMS: Content Management System. Computer applications like WordPress that allow companies to write, edit and manage content like blog posts from a central interface.

Example: “We’ll need to choose a CMS tool if we want to launch a blog that all of our writers can have access to.”

22. MoM/QoQ/YoY

MoM: Month over Month. Changes in key figures like sales from one month to the next.

QoQ: Quarter over Quarter. Changes in key figures like sales from one quarter to the next.

YoY: Year over Year. Changes in key figures like sales from one year to the next.

Example: “YoY, we’re up 12% in user growth, but that growth has been slowing. MoM September-October, we’re down 8%.”

23. UX/UI

UX: User Experience. The collection of attitudes, feelings and thoughts a person has when using or engaging with a product, process or service, like a website, app or a trip to the DMV.

UI: User Interface. Everything you interact with when using an information device such as a computer or smartphone – the screen, keyboard, desktop, pop-ups, etc.

Example: “The UI of our re-designed website makes for a great UX.”

24. SaaS

SaaS: Software as a Service. Software that is distributed through the internet and made available through a subscription fee, rather than installed permanently on a computer.

Example: “I’d love to work for a SaaS company like Concur someday.”

25. NPS

NPS: Net Promoter Score. A score of how loyal your firm’s customers are, usually on a scale between -100 and 100.

Example: “The survey we conducted last month indicates a NPS of +30.”

26. ISP

ISP: Internet Service Provider

Example: “Our current ISP is XFINITY/Comcast, but we’re looking to change soon.”

27. SLA

SLA: Service-Level Agreement. A contract between a service provider and a customer that outlines what services will be performed.

Example: “I’m still waiting on the SLA from the commercial photographer before we can start the shoot.”

28. RND/R&D

RND/R&D: Research and Development

Example: “We need to spend more on RND before this product is ready to hit the market.”

29. QC

QC: Quality Control. Procedures designed to check that a product, function or service meets certain quality criteria, such as safety, reliability and accuracy.

Example: “As a QC measure, we test every 200th bottle of wine we produce.”

30. ICYMI

ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

Example: “ICYMI, Mark is taking the team to lunch at 12 today – see you there!”

Unfortunately, this list is far from complete. You’ll probably be struggling to keep up with the latest acronyms for the rest of your life, but with the help of this starter list, sites like Urban Dictionary and your more experienced colleagues, hopefully you’ll never encounter an acronym you can’t identify!

The post 30 Acronyms You’ll Encounter in the Working World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

1. “Things a Little Bird Told Me: Confessions of the Creative Mind” by Biz Stone (2014)

A great book for those with the entrepreneurial spirit, Biz Stone’s, “Things a Little Bird Told Me,” is a narration of Stone’s time with Twitter. True to its Silicon Valley backdrop, there is no shortage of mentions of other key players like Google and Facebook. Stone’s professional philosophy is just as optimistic as his personal philosophy, and he offers great advice about opportunity, creativity and putting people first that will inspire you to rethink your approach to your career.

2. “Bossypants” by Tina Fey (2011)

“Bossypants” is Tina Fey’s autobiographical and hilarious, New York Times Best Seller. Fey covers her life from childhood to young adulthood doing improv comedy to what she is most well known for, SNL. Unlike some of the other recent releases by comedians, Fey sheds light on some interesting sociological observations. The insights Fey offers include managing work life while maintaining home life, making it in a largely male business and the dynamics between women in the workplace.

3. “Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration” by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace (2014)

This book, which spans the lifetime of Pixar and details its challenges and evolution, made it onto Mark Zuckerberg’s 2015 reading list. Ed Catmull is the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios as well as the current President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. As the title suggests, it’s a great read for those who wish to work in a creative field or apply creative principles to their business philosophy. And for a generation that grew up on Toy Story, it’s fascinating to read the business story behind it all.

4. “#GIRLBOSS” by Sophia Amoruso (2014)

“#GIRLBOSS” is more than just a pretty, social media, coffee table book. It’s a book written by Nasty Gal Founder, Sophia Amoruso, who is as smart and savvy as she is relatable. You don’t have to be interested in fashion to benefit from reading her book or even interested in building your own business. She offers great advice for taking charge of your life and forging your own path, especially as a young woman.

5. “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh (2010)

Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, delivers a look into his mind as natural born entrepreneur from childhood to Zappos. Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of “Delivering Happiness” is Hseih’s narration of building a unique company culture centered on the science of happiness. There are many good analogies that deliver sound career advice for people at any professional level, and even if you don’t agree with Hseih’s approach to running a company, his advice to pursue passion will surely stick with you.

The post 5 Inspiring Books for People Just Beginning Their Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Now that the holidays are in your rearview mirror, you focus your attention towards your daily activities and perhaps your short-term goals. In fact, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals are a great way to achieve this. Another thing to take into consideration when trying to reach your career goals is not only how you set your goals, but how you describe them. In other words, the language that you use to set your goals can either lead you to great success or towards anything short of that. My interns and students know the word I use to describe this all too well. I refer to the words that we use to describe our reality as the tyranny of language.

I did not create the term. I learned it from my graduate studies when I was working towards my masters in marriage and family therapy. The term comes from the Milan systemic approach to therapy, which they refer to as the tyranny of linguistics. Basically, according to the Milan approach, language is a linear construct, but our realities are much more complex and are circular constructs. What this means is that the language that we use cannot fully describe our reality, yet we do just that. In other words, we get trapped in a reality that we create with the way we describe things.

To illustrate this concept, let us imagine for a moment that you are a freshly graduated college student. You have your bachelor’s degree and are ready to start your career. You apply to several jobs and are interviewed twice. Both times, the hiring manager said that they are looking for someone that is more experienced.

You go home and start to feel frustrated. You tell yourself, “I am not experienced enough!”

With those words, you have already created a reality for yourself that you can get stuck in. By saying to yourself that you are not experienced enough, you frame it in a way that makes it a characteristic. Characteristics can be hard to change.

The question is: What can I do about it?

Instead of framing your challenges or goals using verbs in the to be category, use words in the to seem, to show, or the to act categories. For example, instead of saying that you are not experienced enough, say that it seems as though you need more experience. This frames the challenge that you are experiencing as a behavior rather than a characteristic. Behaviors, as most therapists may tell you, are easier to change than characteristics.

Next time you work on your career goals, be sure to frame your S.M.A.R.T. goals or any other kind of goals using language that promotes change instead of hindering it.

The post Language is the Key to Your Success in Your Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Nonprofit organizations offer a sizable and growing portion of employment opportunities. According to the New York Times, nonprofits in the United States grew by 25 percent between 2001 and 2011, while for-profit organizations grew by just half of 1 percent during the same period. Nonprofits also accounted for 10.3 percent of all private sector employment in 2012.

Many nonprofit opportunities are rewarding and offer remarkable potential for growth. But how do nonprofit environments compare to their for-profit counterparts? Each situation is different, but there are two important things to consider when evaluating your options.

The Purpose of a Nonprofit

Nonprofit organizations were created to fulfill certain benefits to society. Many offer health care services or focus on the needs of poorer Americans, which may help explain the recent growth in these organizations. In exchange, nonprofits enjoy tax benefits that for-profit organizations do not have.

Like for-profit organizations, nonprofits earn income through products and services that are sold. However, nonprofits also rely on private contributions, government grants, grants from foundations, bequests, corporate philanthropy and more. Although profits earned by nonprofit organizations are not distributed to shareholders and cannot benefit an individual in a nonprofit, salaries are not considered personal benefits. As a result, salaries vary widely.

The goal and purpose of a nonprofit organization is not to make a profit — it is to have a positive effect that supports a cause. This purpose not only represents the primary motivation for working at a nonprofit, but it also determines what the organization has to offer its employees.

Differences in Culture

The purpose of nonprofits – or the specific mission – dictates what it’s like to work at the organization. The mission guides how the nonprofit benefits society, how it approaches money and how it meets any type of goal.

Of course, this can come with both its pros and cons. The Case Foundation notes that typically, there is a constant focus on fundraising, which may lead to higher burnout. Clear results can also be difficult to spot.

Nonprofit work also offers plenty of advantages. Less hierarchy means more interaction and the opportunity for growth. The boundaries between the corporate world and community shrink, allowing workers to make a difference and work with people who share the same values. “The opportunity to change the world is around every corner,” the Case Foundation says.

“Working for a nonprofit is like living in a small town,” Rob Asghar writes in Forbes. “Working for a for-profit corporation is like living in a large city.” These analogies can typify culture in these organizations.

Grace College offers a fully online master’s in nonprofit management. This program helps you apply technology, raise funds and successfully advocate your brand.

The post What’s the Difference Between Working at a Nonprofit and a For-Profit Organization? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Big Data Architect. SEO Specialist. Chief Sustainability Officer. Generational Consultant.

What do all of these titles have in common? They barely existed five years ago.

If you are a typical college student attending a four year university, you can count on two things. Some of what you learned in college is outdated by the time you graduate and there are a growing number of career paths that are just starting to develop. Even if you major in a high-demand field, the preferred skill set within that field might be rapidly changing. Given the dynamic landscape of the workforce, what can college students or recent graduates do to future-proof their careers?  Below are several steps to stay ahead of the game.

1. Become a market scanner to stay on top of emerging trends. Here are a few strategies:
   • Subscribe to email news digests (global, regional, and field-specific news outlets) to scan emerging trends in your industry.
   • Use internships as an opportunity to connect with thought leaders in your field and ask them for informational interviews. This will educate you about trends and allow you to ask advice about how to prepare for a career in the field.
   • Although most jobs are found through networking, job boards can be great research tools. Subscribe to daily email digests for positions in your area of interest and pay attention to new job titles and the skills required for those new positions.
   • Attend at least one professional conference a year to learn about advancements in your field—stay in touch with the connections you make there. For students or recent graduates, you can often volunteer at conferences in exchange for a free conference registration.
2. Consider lateral moves to strengthen your knowledge and skills. If vertical advancement is not possible, consider applying for internal positions that will allow you to develop a new skill set or new area of knowledge. As an existing intern or employee, the organization will be more open to offering you a development opportunity and you will become more indispensable as you broaden your expertise in new ways.
3. Invest in shorter-term, in-demand skills training and certifications that focus on market-driven skills. Possible resources for affordable on-demand skill development include online training through platforms like Lynda, Udacity, and Udemy. There is also a wide range of bootcamps and certificate programs that are proliferating to allow students and employees to upgrade their skills in a shorter amount of time than it would take to complete a traditional college degree.

As you monitor developments in your field and engage in learning and development to stay current, make sure that people know that you are continuing to grow professionally. The successful employee of the future is one who can scan the marketplace for trends and opportunities and engage in lifelong learning to create or meet the demand for market-based skills. College is the perfect time to start developing those habits and skills.

Angela Schmiede is Dean of Academic & Professional Success at Menlo College, a small, private business college located in Silicon Valley. She has over 20 years of experience designing and leading experiential learning programs, and has taught at Vanderbilt and Stanford Universities.

The post How to Dominate the Growing Job Market appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

After graduating from college with an accounting degree, you may feel accomplished. However, as a post-grad, you start your search for jobs and it hits you: You have no experience. Maybe you didn’t have the time to have an internship or join any school accounting organizations. You find yourself at a disadvantage compared to other applicants and getting hired by any accounting firm may be rather difficult.  

Don’t worry, you’re not the only person to graduate without any experience. You’re in luck because the economy has improved substantially in recent years, and as a result, more businesses are in need of quality accounting help. The priority for you as a recent grad is to make sure you pick the right firm to work for.

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before signing on:

Do I need experience and how much?

This double-barreled question is one that you should ask yourself as you begin searching for a job in any industry. Most job postings will be up-front in letting you know if you need experience or not. Hiring managers don’t want to waste their time looking at unqualified applicants. If your qualifications are close, send your application — it doesn’t hurt to try.

Does this firm ensure that I become a CPA?

Without doing a little research, it’s hard to tell the difference between a CPA and an accountant. You may have received a few job offers and be wavering over which accounting firm to choose. The high demand for accounting graduates is in your favor, but it’s important to not just jump at the first firm that offers you a job.

According to the AICPA senior vice president Arleen Thomas, “Approximately 60 percent of accounting graduates have their first job in accounting firms. However, not all firms create the environment to ensure those new hires becomes CPAs,”. It’s a good idea to leave yourself the option to go the extra mile and become a CPA, especially if the firm you work for is going to help you achieve this.  

What is the growth of the accounting industry?

In all of my job interviews, this is one question that I ask all of the time. Always feel comfortable in knowing that you’re choosing a career in an industry that is moving upward. Lucky for you, the accounting industry topped the list of industries in terms of projected growth this year.

If you chose to obtain an accounting degree, you chose a degree with lots of upsides. It’s always recommended that you do as much research you can on the industry and firm you wish to join. Do research, ask questions, find the right firm and don’t be late on your first day!

The post Interested in a Career in Accounting? Here’s What You Should Know appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As you graduate college and adjust to the workforce, it will not be uncommon for others to have lots to say about you as a millennial. Summing up a whole generation is rather difficult but Goldman Sachs lays it out quite clearly in this enticing infographic.

While millennials are often described as careless with their money, they’re moving toward a time in their life where spending is at an all-time high. Companies have begun to study and analyze  their behaviors even more closely  than before. There is no denying that millennials are changing the game and if you are one then it’s about time you learned exactly why. Check out the Goldman Sachs infographic here!

The post Millennials Are Changing The World of Business and Here’s Why [Infographic] appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Torn about what career path you should take? This infographic on Mashable simply breaks down the fastest growing industries, the top cities for future job growth and the top search queries for employment.

The post Career Path Infographic appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The career path can be tough, especially when you’re first starting out. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing your career with others, and at times, it can seem as if your career isn’t progressing.

Read some of the career tips in Mashable’s article for how to stay focused and keep working towards your career goals.

The post Stay Focused on Your Career Goals appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This summer I had the immense honor of attending the Summit on Educational Excellence for African Americans, which was held at my graduate school, UCLA, on June 26. The summit was held in conjunction with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, an initiative that seeks to bridge the achievement gap between black students and their peers, from pre-school through to post-secondary education.

The summit brought together people from all walks of life, and from all backgrounds. From undergraduate students to distinguished professors, accomplished singer/song writers, social justice activists, and more, the amount of passion and energy for the initiative in the room was staggering. What’s more, it was wonderful to see not only members from the black community in attendance, but those of all ethnic backgrounds there to support and publicize the summit.

Many topics were discussed: the plight of black members of the LGBTQIA community who struggle not only because of the socially built-in disadvantages of their race, but because of the intense discrimination they often receive due to their sexuality and/or gender identity as well; issues that faced specifically black women and girls with regards to discrimination in the classroom and how it affects their ability to learn in a safe environment; the now increasingly publicized issues facing black men and boys, both in their schools and communities, and of course the impact of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on the education of members of the black community.

It was … in a word … amazing!

Productive, candid conversations spurred by testimonies from members of the various panels really drove home the message of the summit, that where there is a problem faced by the community, there is a solution that can be found in discourse, compassion, and commitment to action.  Quite a few of those on the panels discussed their background as troubled youths, often having found themselves in trouble with the law, having to deal with the crippling burden of homelessness and hunger, or simply dealing with the burden of representation that comes from often being the only person of color in the classroom.

Despite members of the panel often having multiple degrees and an impressive résumé, their willingness to be frank about their sometimes painful backgrounds made them easier to relate to and facilitated a practical discussion on steps we could take to achieve educational excellence for the black community as a whole.

From this experience I took away three major lessons that I couldn’t wait to share with you.

First, ALWAYS check your school or work email.  Many of the wonderful internships, volunteering opportunities and more that I have been fortunate to have experienced came from those emails from various organizations that we often relegate to the spam box and forget about.  Now, I won’t tell you to open every email you receive, because that is asking for trouble – that spam box is there for a reason.  But for legitimate emails from legitimate organizations, it could be worth your time to take a peek and see if the opportunity waiting inside sparks your interest.  It was only my readiness to at least give the – legitimate – emails I received a chance that allowed me to go to this prestigious conference.

Next, if you can share your experience with someone younger or less experienced than you, DO IT.  When I went to this conference, I was able to bring a younger cousin of mine – a sophomore in high school – with me.  I wanted to give her the opportunity to explore a university campus, to attend a large scale event on the importance of education, and to experience something with me that she may have not otherwise had the chance to on her own.  Not only did she get all of that out of the experience, but she was so impressed with the campus that she wants to apply to UCLA for undergrad as well!  Taking the opportunity to mentor someone in this way is extremely rewarding, and in this case, it helped me to practice networking with people I’d never met before as I showed her the ropes and introduced her to people at the event.

My last piece of advice comes directly from one of the conclusions of the summit: #KnowCareAct. Basically, understand that whatever it is you are passionate about and whatever problem you are coming up against, there is a way to overcome that obstacle.  Especially with regards to activism and social justice, what is most important to your success is to know that there is a problem and what the particulars of that problem are, to care enough to find solutions to that problem, and to act upon those plans to put the solution you’ve found to work.

The post #KnowCareAct: What I Learned at a Summit on Educational Excellence appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In today’s highly competitive market place, having the right qualifications, technical skills and experience is not enough. In order to be an outstanding candidate, it is also necessary to have interpersonal skills. Although these kind of skills are very often undervalued, they are extremely important, as are the skills that relate to personal behavior, social grace, communication, language, personal habits, presence and positive attitude.

During a job interview, it is essential to communicate your interpersonal skills to your potential employer, but even before the interview, your resume and cover letter should transmit the following skills to the recruiter.

To make the process easier, this is a checklist with the main 10 interpersonal skills that you will need to have to land your dream job:

1. Self-confidence

Be confident that you are the right person for the role. The best way to feel confident about this is by doing research on the company and the job you are applying to. If you do your homework, you will get that inner sense of assuredness that will help you answer the difficult questions during the interview.

This is important because finding the right words to answer the questions will leave a great first impression on the prospective employer.

2. Positive attitude

Always show your positive attitude not only towards the role and company but also towards life in general. A good tip to do so is to never say anything negative about your previous company, colleges or employers.

3. Communication

The ability to read, write and speak is essential to get a new job, but when trying to get a promotion, the ability to communicate is in many cases considered more significant than ambition, education or capacity for hard work.

4. Team player

People who go beyond working in their area of expertise, demonstrate big picture thinking, take leadership roles when necessary and work for the greater good are considered a great asset to any organization.

5. Problem solving

The ability to think critically and be a resourceful person is also highly valued by employers. This doesn’t mean that you need to have the right answer to every question. It is about having the right thinking process in place and a mindset that helps you with solving problems in difficult circumstances.

6. Time management

Time management is an art form in and of itself that you can improve with practice and experience. It is important to develop strategies to manage your time and balance the conflicting demands that you may get from your employers, colleagues and clients.

7. Coping with pressure

Generally, the higher you get in your career, the more pressure and stress you have to deal with. That is why it is so important to learn how to cope with it. A great tip is to correctly manage your employer or clients’ expectations. For instance, having deadlines is necessary to get the work done, but knowing how to manage the deadlines and timeframes will be critical to reduce the levels of stress.

8. Flexibility

Organization and flexibility are becoming increasingly important as the demand for flexible working arrangements continues to rise. Therefore, it is key to show your ability to adapt to these changes.

9. Accept feedback

Although it may be difficult at the beginning, you should never take any form of criticism personally. To prepare yourself for this, you can think about how open you are to training and advice, how would you react if a senior manager makes a suggestion and how would you thank an interviewer who points out an error.

10. Strong work ethic

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, companies are finding it harder to find punctual, reliable workers today than years ago. Showing your professionalism and strong work ethic to your employer will help you take the next step in your career to land that dream job.

The post 10 Interpersonal Skills to Land You That Dream Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Job hunting is a long process, and if you’re a “people pleaser” as Forbes calls it in this article, then the job hunt can be more daunting than usual. In the article, it states several examples of people pleasers who end up with a job they don’t love because they wanted to please the hiring manager during the interview. If you’re one of these people, read the article to discover ways you can break this habit.

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Groupon is a multi-billion dollar company that connects businesses with customers on a local level. It offers discounted prices for great products and services, which makes it a leader in e-commerce. Groupon offers internships and jobs around the United States, with it’s headquarters in Chicago and a rapidly growing office in Palo Alto.

Phil Ramsbottom began interning with Groupon soon after his graduation from Beloit College and now works as a City Planning Analyst. He manages the daily deals pipeline for 13 small regional markets across the Midwest and Southeast. Below are Phil’s answers to readers’ questions regarding internships, careers at Groupon and much more.

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey everyone! I’ll be here for the next hour or so to answer any questions you have. Feel free to follow up on any of my answers with new questions as well!

Radha Jhatakia: Working at Groupon sounds fun. What do the responsibilities of a City Planning Analyst entail? Also, what kind of internship did you have that led to this position?

Phil Ramsbottom: Both on or off the clock, I’d say that Groupon really is a fun place to work, and not just in the ‘oh, this office has a tiki bar’ sense (which it does), but also in that you have room to be creative in your work while also collaborating with a young and talented group of colleagues. As for my specific role, City Planning Analysts are usually framed as the last vetters in the deal approval process. They work with both inside and outside sales reps and managers to optimize all aspects of an individual deal’s structure – the price point, the discount, the margin, the number of options on the deal, the number of units available – in an effort to make it a compelling offer for Groupon, Groupon users and Groupon merchants. Most “CPs” manage the deal pipeline for a few larger markets or 10+ smaller markets (I’m of the latter breed) and are usually approving/rejecting 20+ deals per day while also being mindful of market schedules moving forward.

Angelica: Turning your internship into a job is a great achievement!I’m wondering what your schedule looks like as a City Planning Analyst? I also recently finished college and am easing into the working world. What is your work load usually like and how has it changed since you were an intern?

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey Angelica! My schedule as a City Planner includes both set daily checks and more fluid blocks of time to work on projects unspecific to the actual CP role. Each day I look at a report that shows impending deals and cross check that against the Groupon website to ensure that any deal that’s planned to run is actually going to be sent to subscribers. Most of my time, however, consists of working with reps to structure deals; I’m approving or rejecting contracts when they come to me and fleshing out the details of each contract prior to the actual approval – deal ‘pre-qualification’ – in an effort to optimize it based on the service offering, the merchant and the market.To keep this from turning into an even longer essay response, I’ll talk about my thoughts on making the most of an internship in the answer to Amanda’s question!

I’d say 80 to 90 percent of my typical day is allocated to staying up-to-date on deal performance in my markets, running reports that help to identify what works and what doesn’t, and then actually interfacing with people from all the departments that have a hand in each contract (from initial merchant contact to the deal being live on the site). Outside of regulating the deal pipeline, I’ve been reaching out to others about helping with smaller, one-off projects that can be as broad in scope as highlighting all food and drink merchants that haven’t been contacted in the last 30 days, or as specific as constructing an Excel function to find a specific text string in a SalesForce field. The main difference between now and when I started is that it takes me way less time to turn around contracts now; for the first few weeks it was taking me 10 to 15 minutes to evaluate a deal structure and respond with recommendations but now I’d say that time has been cut to around three to five minutes. So… yay for that!

Amanda Salcido: When you were interning, what are things you think you did that made you stand out from the other interns?

Phil Ramsbottom: Hi Amanda, great question! In all honesty, getting in front of the right people at the right time can be a game of chance, but just like everyone else who’s lent professional advice to you has probably said, a proactive spirit is invaluable.

If there are aspects of the business that play a part in your day-to-day life but that you don’t have a direct hand in, reach out to someone on that team and ask them to walk you through what they do. When people ask if you can help with something, say yes, and when you’re done ask if you can help with something else or if there are latent projects that people haven’t worked on in a while.

If there are regular reports or materials that circulate daily or weekly, try to construct something similar, add pertinent metrics or written summaries, and show it to someone to get feedback. I’ve sent emails to others that are literally summaries of my thoughts on the business. I’m in no position to change many of the high-level problems that I see and think I have an effective solution for, but it shows that I care about those things.

Most importantly though, never stop asking questions — never. It’s really a simple formula: if you’re always extending yourself while simultaneously showing passion for the business you can’t help but stay busy and stay on the mind of people that make the important decisions at your company. Also, be courteous, be polite and be prompt!

I’m going to take a high-level approach to answering this. I can’t stress enough the importance of being intellectually curious in any position – internship or full-time. This is definitely something that’s more inherent in some, but it’s by no means “hard” to show legitimate interest in both your work and the work that others are doing. This may seem like common sense, but even after only being in the workforce for about five months, I’ve played witness to so many people who just coast by each day. Don’t get me wrong, taking your foot off the accelerator every once in a while (multiple times per day even) is just as integral as forcing yourself to learn new things at every turn and to inquire into aspects of the business that are foreign to you, but there’s really no point in getting into a routine that handcuffs you from adding more value.

Bert Connelly: Thanks for taking the time out of your day to answer some of our questions. What were you looking for in an internship? Did you take the internship that you thought would give you the best chances at a full-time job? Did the company’s mission factor into the decision, or were you most interested in the skills you would gain through the experience? Did name recognition play into the process? Thanks again.

Phil Ramsbottom: Hey Bert, thanks so much for your question! I definitely weighed the probability of a full-time offer, but I think that that mindset can be crippling. Regardless of the position you enter into – full-time or not – you should be applying yourself, challenging yourself, looking for ways to grow professionally, identifying pain points in the company and proposing steps to innovate. I guess just allowing your work to speak for itself, seeing as in the grand scheme of things that’s the only variable you can really control.

Groupon’s mission and the skills that I believed I would gain were on the list for reasons to apply in the first place, so those really didn’t weigh in the actual decision – ultimately it was one of the only offers on the table and it hit all the marks in terms of traits that I was looking for in a company.

Like many people looking for a job after graduation, I wasn’t incredibly picky in my search for potential positions. What I tried to focus on were companies that would afford me with the opportunity to 1) work alongside bright people, 2) feel connected to the product and the users of that product, 3) develop new skills while also refining those that I already had, and 4) work at the intersection of tech and business,

The post Ask an Expert: Learn what it takes to work at Groupon from a City Planning Analyst appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This week’s RECESS content features Andrew Maguire, WayUp’s Strategy Lead, at Virginia Tech University.

Part 1

Getting your foot in the door in an industry where you don’t have prior experience or knowledge can be challenging. In that situation, Maguire said the most important thing was to surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Watch the video to get a glimpse of how he began in the startup world.

Part 2

Getting a startup company off the ground and running can be costly. One thing Maguire suggests you don’t do: ask your relatives to be investors.

Part 3

In the early days of business, Maguire used a car as a conference room to speak to investors via telephone. Watch the video to see how his company began to evolve into what it is today.

Part 4

Networking and building trust with not only investors but anyone who could potentially be interested in your business is important when developing a startup. Maguire gives tips on how you can become an entrepreneur, too.

The post RECESS and NowThis Present ‘Office Hours’ and Their Interview with WayUp’s Strategy Lead appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

In the late 1990s I was a chemical engineering major at the University of Colorado with a minor in business. I’d taken the business minor at my father’s suggestion, and it wasn’t until the end of my undergraduate career that I realized out of the three core elements I’d studied at CU (chemistry, math and business), I actually enjoyed math and business the most.

I applied to the Operations Research departments at various grad schools because OR seemed like an interesting area that applied mathematics to complex business problems in various fields, including finance. I was accepted into Stanford’s OR department, which now goes by the name of Management Science and Engineering, and decided to head to Palo Alto, Calif., to pursue a Master’s Degree.

When I got to Stanford I noticed that almost all of my classmates had some kind of prior work experience, which seemed to give them a lot of context around the material that we were learning. It felt like they were getting more out of the educational program than I was, so I decided to get a job to gain some experience. I took a part-time position as a Financial Analyst at a company called Confinity, which was creating a system to allow people to beam money to each other on Palm Pilots.

It’s worth noting that during my initial breakfast meeting with the CEO of Confinity, he asked me what books I had read that summer, and later joked that my reading list was one reason he hired me.

Professional Life Lesson #1: Be Yourself

During my initial interview I was so concerned about whether I had taken the right courses or done the right projects. In the end, what this employer liked most was what my reading list said about who I was. I’m sure it helped that I had gotten good grades and done interesting projects as an undergrad, but a lot of other applicants had done that too, so those things didn’t really set me apart.

On my first day at the company nobody knew what I should do. A chemical engineering major who knew a little about business? It turns out that I did have one really valuable skill at that time: I knew a lot about Microsoft Excel. One of my undergraduate professors, Dr. David Clough, had insisted that we all learn a lot of the more powerful (and sometimes obscure) features of Excel. When I started working at Confinity I was kind of a whiz at it, so they asked me to start tracking data, distributing metrics, building financial models. Because I was so good at it I could do the work really quickly, which meant I had time to then sit in on meetings where senior executives were discussing the data I was preparing. That kind of exposure was incredibly valuable for me at the time because I got to learn how people communicate in a business setting, how they share and debate ideas, and how they work toward actionable conclusions.

Professional Life Lesson #2: Know Your Hard Skills

In most entry-level positions you are doing tasks that require hard skills (proficiency with a software program, etc.). If you are able to do these things quickly and accurately, your boss will (at least they should!) allow you to use the remaining time in your schedule to attend meetings and begin learning the soft skills of doing business.

After several months, I was increasingly impressed with the caliber of people at Confinity and the company’s growth as a whole. They were impressed with me, too. The CFO offered me a full-time position that would require me to drop out of my MS program. Drop out of Stanford?! Was he serious? I thought about it and weighed my alternatives, and I confirmed with Stanford that if things didn’t work out with the company I could go back to finish my degree. I eventually decided that the downside was limited and took the job.

Shortly after this, Confinity merged with a company called X.com and the combined entity changed its name to PayPal. The three years that followed were a whirlwind of excitement, with incredibly long work hours and an unbelievable amount of learning. I eventually grew into an important role in the company’s finance team and got a first row seat in an Initial Public Offering process and then the acquisition by eBay in late 2002.  This learning and exposure set me far ahead of my peers in similar roles, and really launched my professional finance career.

Professional Life Lesson #3: Take Calculated Risks Early in Your Career

I made the decision to leave Stanford and work for Confinity at a time when my downside risk was really quite limited. As you get older and advance in your career, it becomes harder to take risks like this because you have more responsibility: family, financial commitments, as well as other things that start to constrain your alternatives.

I met and worked with an incredible group of people at PayPal, many of which went on to create globally important companies after they left. I feel honored to have been a part of that group at that time, and many of us still collaborate on business projects to this day. Through this network I have been exposed to some amazing ideas and given opportunities to work on projects and companies that are literally changing the world.

Remember that CEO who liked my summer reading list? That was Peter Thiel, who is now a global iconoclast and one of the most successful venture capitalists of our day. Peter has been an important mentor to me and has had a major impact on my life and career. He is the one who, after seeing what I had learned and contributed in those early years at PayPal, eventually offered me my first role as a Chief Financial Officer (at Palantir Technologies.)

Professional Life Lesson #4: Don’t Over-Plan Your Career Path.

You really don’t know what opportunities are going to be presented to you, at what times, and who will present them. If you over-plan your career you may miss out on unexpected opportunities that cross your path, instead of recognizing when you are in the right place at the right time and seizing them.

The post 4 Lessons I Learned from Building a Career in Finance appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

For the past few years, you have immersed yourself in the college experience. You have taken advantage of the opportunities on campus, served in leadership roles, done well academically, and prepared yourself to become part of the work world.  Your internship is about to start and you are ready to make your mark!

Are you ready to make your mark?

Your internship is the first professional experience out of college and will serve as a glimpse of what the real world after college will look like. While you have been enjoying your college experience, it is now time to take the first step and become a professional in your career.

Yes! You have a career! Let’s make sure you are ready for it. No matter what the setting of your internship, behaviors and attitudes that exist in college are not necessarily suited for the office. And, it is important to make any adjustments needed in order for you to have a successful transition from college to your career.

No more all-nighters.

Often a result of procrastination, college students are notorious for waiting until the last minute to study for a test, write a paper or prepare a presentation. Waiting until the night before (or early morning of the day) something is due is sometimes doable in college, and the worst consequence most likely will be a low grade because you were not prepared. Not necessarily a deal breaker. And, you can get away with looking like you pulled an all-nighter because all you are doing is going to class and nobody really cares what you look like.

Quite the opposite in the working world. You need to ensure you have adequate time for projects or responsibilities, and not wait until the last minute to get things done. While in college your worst consequence may be a low grade, in the working world, it could cost you your internship, as well as future job opportunities.

Talk is cheap. And, could cost you.

Conversations that take place on a college campus between peers, and even between students and faculty tend to be more informal in nature. And, peer to peer conversations, even more so. In fact, many of the conversations that happen on college campuses surround gossip and focus more on the irrelevant college activities that occur on a Friday or Saturday night. While this is the norm in college, the office setting is not a place for gossip or meaningless conversation. The result of this behavior could change how people perceive you, and cost you a job opportunity.

It’s all in the presentation.

Whether you roll out of bed five minutes before class or pick your daily outfit off the pile on your floor, how you dress at school is not of great concern to you, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be. How you present yourself in the office, however, is a completely different story. In college, when you are dressed sloppy, or inappropriately, the worst that might happen is that you get a strange look from someone. No big deal! At your internship, how you present yourself should be a top priority. This can sometimes be hard, especially if you are on a budget. Business attire is something that accrues over time, as most of us don’t have extra money to go buy a career wardrobe. What you can make sure of is that you have the basics covered.  Brush your hair and teeth, avoid wearing clothes that don’t fit, and invest in an iron. It doesn’t matter how nice your shirt or slacks are–a wrinkled outfit is a turn off.

You are not all that…yet.

You’ve reached your senior year in college. You’ve done your time and are ready to swim with the big fish! You’ve just landed the internship of a lifetime and you are confident that it will lead to a full-time position. Jackpot! While this is an excellent position to be in, it is important not to let your success go to your head, or to be overly confident during your internship experience.

While you may feel that you can take on some of the more challenging projects at your internship, you will most likely start by doing some of the more simple tasks. You will make copies during your internship, as well as other basic responsibilities. Do them well and with as much enthusiasm as if you were in charge of a large project. You will be recognized for doing all tasks well, and excelling at the simple tasks will quickly result in more responsibility. Having an attitude of being too good to do what is perceived as more menial tasks will not reflect favorably on you. In order to move up in your career, you have to demonstrate an ability to handle the next step. Given that you are just starting out, you will need to show your supervisor that you can handle the basic requests as well as the more challenging tasks.

Realize the opportunity you have.

Regardless of what kind of internship experience you have, it is experience, which is what your resume needs at this point. Even if you don’t see your internship as somewhere you would want to work full-time, it is a great opportunity to build on some of the academic experiences you’ve gained in college and to show future employers that you have what it takes to make it in your career field. And, you do have what it takes.  Show up on time, be present, dress for success, be on your best behavior and take initiative. These will go a long way in your internship and will demonstrate that you indeed, have what it takes to swim with the big fish. Good luck!

Andrea Peeters is the Career Services Specialist at Menlo College, a small undergraduate business college in Northern California. She works with all students and alumni on general career and professional development as well as supports the internship program.  Prior to coming to Menlo, she worked as a High School Counselor and Adjunct Faculty teaching personal development courses in central California.

The post College to Career: One Is Not Like the Other appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We all hear incredible stories about how some of the biggest names in the world got to dizzying heights of success. I’m sure you’ve heard that the enviably famous Bill Gates ditched college for Microsoft and that Wolfgang Puck left school to become a cooking apprentice at 14.

The timeline of the success of such people is peppered with impulsive decisions and following dreams, but have you ever wondered how these leaders manage to stay at the top?

Let’s see what they have to say!

They are doers

It’s all well and good to have ideas and spend ages talking it over. However, “the critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something.” That’s according to Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese’s!

People have great ideas every day, but Mr. Bushnell believes it’s the doers, not the dreamers, that keep the ball of success rolling.

They have a plan

Yes, people like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg had to make risky decisions when starting their companies, but they had a plan that they were focused on. Successful careers are not created overnight; they are achieved and maintained because there is a plan and a method to the madness.

Even young graduates can benefit from career plans like the ones offered at career institutes like Porter and Chester that help you look at (and paint) the bigger picture.

They stay healthy

In order to be productive and actually make a difference in their work each day, business leaders and entrepreneurs need to stay healthy. Ariana Huffington, president of the Huffing Post Media group, advocates “dropping everything and going to sleep,” while Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, has stated that working out gives him at least four extra hours each day to be productive.

“Impossible is nothing!”

This means that failures and setbacks are nothing to those who refuse to quit. Even when you’ve reached the pinnacle of success, failure is just around the corner, but there are plenty more corners and as Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, says, “It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure.”

They manage their own meetings

Warren Buffet, the third richest man in the world, pencils his meetings into a datebook himself. In an interview with Levo, he said, “You’ve got to keep control of your time… You can’t let other people set your agenda in life.” Larry Page, Google’s CEO, has taken the same route by not having an assistant and thereby not having any unnecessary meetings.

They remain accountable to friends and family

If you’re at the top of your field, it’s probably easy to let it go to your head, but staying true to those who are important to you keeps you grounded. In fact, the CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, lets her daughter decide what time she should be back home.

Fresh graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs are often given career advice and tips on career success, which involve finding a mentor. It’s all about having someone you can trust to help keep your feet on the floor.

Does it surprise you to learn that the key to a productive career is not money and fame? The business leaders and moguls of today’s world instead focus on staying healthy, turning their ideas into plans and plans into action and refusing to give up when failure stares them in the eye. Most importantly, they live on their own terms – honoring the ideals and the people that they firmly believe in.

The post How Successful People Stay on Top of Their Game appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Summer is right around the corner, and one of my favorite things to do is read a good book. Actually, I like to do that all year-round. This year, I have been reading a lot of books on productivity, career development, living a simpler life and inside secrets of big tech companies. I would like to share them with you.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich – Ramit Sethi
With starting internships and becoming the working class, most of us are at the point where we need to start handling money. And most of us have no idea where to start. That’s where Ramit comes in to tell you the basics of personal finance and investing. The younger you start learning about finances, the better.

Escape From Cubicle Nation – Pamela Slim
Pamela tests corporate jobs against a person’s happiness. It’s a nice read to determine if you want a corporate job.

Are You Smart Enough To Work At Google – William Poundstone
This for all the entry-level software engineers that want to attempt Google. It provides pages after pages of interview questions asked, practice questions and it gives insight to the company’s culture.

Start – Jonathan Acuff
This was such an intriguing read. Jonathan teaches you the steps on the path to career awesomeness. He also teaches what to do if your career takes a different direction down the road.

Better Than Before – Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen experiments on herself and her peers to see if establishing good habits makes a person more productive and happy. If you’re looking for productivity tips, routine inspiration or time management, then this book is for you.

Clutter Free – Kathi Lipp
If you find yourself stressed out, in a hurry all the time, or annoyed to step into your home, you may be suffering from too much stuff. Kathi gives insight on how clutter can have a negative impact in your life and steps to take to get rid of it.

Those are some books I found to be super helpful in my life and career this year. What’s next on my reading list?

• The Art Of Work – Jeff Goins
• Creative, inc – Meg Mateo Ilasco
• When She Makes More – Farnoosh Torabi
• 48 Laws Of Power – Robert Greene
• The Art Of Seduction – Robert Greene
• Mastery – Robert Greene

That’s it for the career enhancing reading list! If you’ve read any of these books, tell me how it was and if it inspired you in some way.

The post A Career Enhancing Reading List appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You are constantly being reminded of the Confucius quote that tells us “Find what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” That’s some great advice and a great goal to work towards, but finding what you love comes easier for some than for others.

If you’ve found your passion, awesome! This could help you expand your passions further, and if you’re still one of those individuals who have yet to find their zeal, that’s okay too. You’re definitely not alone, and this could lead you to that passion more quickly than you might think. 

Try New Things!

It seems so simple, doesn’t it? We’ve been told our whole lives to try new things. When we were little, it was trying new foods, when we were teenagers, it was trying a new sport or taking up art. This still stands true in the real world; there’s no need to be hesitant of trying something new.

There are so many hobbies, skills and activities out there to try. Guitar playing, mountain climbing, novel writing, baseball playing, public speaking, white water rafting, event organizing, business managing and the list goes on and on. The possibilities are truly endless, so why not try them all? Experiment with anything that sounds interesting to you. Give it a try; you have nothing lose. If you end up not absolutely loving what you’re doing, you do not have to feel obligated to keep doing it. Just pick up something else!

And once you do find that passion, how do you develop it and turn it into something great? Learn as much as you can about it! That may be through college or by jumping right in and experiencing it. Maybe it’s a combination of both. There are jobs out there that will fit your passion to a T and that will make you love your life and feel fulfilled.

It’s alright if you don’t have it all figured out yet; that will come with time and dedication. Beginning to work towards what you love is a great start, and not giving up will get you a long way until you’re unstoppable.

The post The Ultimate Way of Finding Your Passion and Running With It appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you think that a career in medicine may be right for you, but now you’re scrolling through med school websites and pages of requirements, exams, and statistics that are making your head spin. The pre-med world can be a confusing vortex of choices and decisions, and it can be hard to choose one job or even understand each position. Before you can move forward, you have to narrow your choices down. Then, you need to start planning for the future. So to help you sort through all the chaos, here is a broad list of common careers (mostly hospital-based) in the medical field, complete with the steps to get there.

EMT/Paramedic

Although most usually think of these people as the ones driving ambulances and responding to car crashes and 911 calls, there are many other positions that EMTs and paramedics can work. Some of those positions include less-intense hours at industrial and chemical plants, part-time positions, or even involvement in the military. Most EMT programs require no formal college education, but most employers want to see a high school diploma at the very least. The next step is to complete an approved EMT or paramedic education course, but to be eligible for a paramedic course, you must be an EMT and generally have at least six months of work experience. Then, pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and apply for certification. From there, it’s all about finding a job, but be wary – wages vary greatly state by state and even by city, so take that into consideration when job hunting.

Nursing

Although nursing responsibilities vary by specialization or unit, nearly all nurses provide, coordinate and monitor patient care, educate patients and family members about health conditions, administer medications, provide treatments and emotional support and more. Many also work with healthy people and are more focused on preventative care and wellness. Although nurses work primarily in hospitals, they can also work for schools, private clinics, nursing homes, placement agencies, businesses, prisons, and military bases. Nurses also don’t just take care of patients; some supervise other nurses, teach nursing, work in administration, or do research. Work hours vary quite a bit depending on the area and the training of each nurse.

There are many different types of nursing, each with different jobs and different requirements. The shortest path to nursing is to become a CNA, or certified nursing assistant. This is done by taking a six- to eight-week course and then passing a written and practical exam (administered by each state). CNAs are able to provide maintenance-type care; they are commonly found in hospitals, group homes, and hospice centers and are almost always in high demand. They can take vitals, roll patients to avoid bed sores, help them in and out of bed, and help them do their daily tasks like getting dressed and eating meals. CNA is a good position to start in if you think nursing might be for you but want more experience before committing to formal schooling for a prolonged period.

The next step up on the nursing ladder is the licensed practical nurse (LPN). An LPN program is typically one year long and goes into more detail than the CNA education, which means that LPNs are licensed to do a few more things. They are usually found in nursing homes and home care, providing patient care and administering certain medicines and treatments under the supervision of an RN or physician.

The classically pictured nurse is almost always an RN. Programs to become a registered nurse are either three-year hospital-based nursing school programs (diploma), or two- or four-year college programs and graduate with a nursing degree. Graduates must then pass the national nursing exam (the NCLEX) before applying for a license to practice. Registered nurses have more autonomy than LPNs, and the degree of care they provide depends on their level of education. An RN with an associate’s degree generally provides hands-on care directly to patients and can supervise LPNs. There may also be some administrative work involved with their position. An RN with a BSN can take on more leadership roles and more advanced nursing care in specialized units.

For those interested in even higher positions, nurses can get a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and become nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists. These are called advanced practice nurses (ARPNs). They have a larger scope of practice and are more independent, specializing almost like physicians.

Physical/Occupational Therapist

PTs primarily work with patients in recovery and prevention rather than treating injuries. Although they can be found in hospitals, therapists usually have their own practice or work under a company’s label. They help people who have been injured or who suffer from chronic illness or disability regain previous abilities or help them discover new ones. They use everything from exercise machines to physical modulation and electrical stimulus to heal their patients and help them regain their previous quality of life. Most people who become PTs or OTs graduate from college with a degree in the sciences and apply to PT school sometime during their senior year. Most schools require applicants to have taken the GRE and also gain a certain amount of PT volunteer hours (those hours vary by school). Most programs take between two and three years to complete, and once licensure is achieved, physical therapists have a large level of autonomy and are very versatile in their field.

Physician’s Assistant

The physician’s assistant, or PA, is one of the fastest growing medical careers. Physician’s assistants become PAs by attending college and obtaining their bachelor’s degree first. Their degree can be in anything as long as they have taken the proper courses — each PA school is different, but most require common chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and math courses similar to medical school requirements — and that they have taken the GRE. From there, applicants must apply to one of the few PA schools in the nation (the average is less than one per state) with their undergraduate transcript (most want higher than a 3.2 GPA but accept those closer to 3.7), GRE scores, resume, essay questions, and patient contact hours. These vary by school, but many require numerous hours of PA shadowing and between 1,000 and 2,000 direct patient contact hours before applying to the school; this usually results in at least one gap year between undergrad and PA school. PA programs are usually two- to- two and a half years long, and graduates can work almost any job an MD can with slightly less autonomy. PAs can work in emergency rooms, general practitioners’ offices and can specialize into just about any area.

Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy

MDs and DOs are very similar in training and positions, often working side-by-side or even in the same jobs. The only difference is their education. Both graduate with a bachelor’s (usually in science), take the MCAT standardized exam while in college, and build their resumes before applying to their choice schools. This process is extremely competitive and involves a lot of work, including numerous essays and interviews. Both medical school and DO programs are four years long, complete with classes and on-site job rotations; but DOs learn about less invasive methods of treatment and some alternative therapies that typical medical schools do not cover. After graduation (and licensing), both search for residencies at hospitals to place into. Depending on their department and specialization, most graduated DOs and MDs still need two- to- six years of residency before they can practice medicine independently. DOs and MDs can open their own practices, work in just about any location of the hospital, and have many other opportunities open to them with their advanced degree. They make a high salary, but also devote a huge amount of their time to their work.

Surgery

Surgeons are perhaps the most specialized and highest ranking on this list. The initial steps to become a surgeon are the same as those to become a DO or MD, and surgeons can be licensed as either of those. However, after graduating from medical school, aspiring surgeons must continue their medical training in competitive residency programs, gaining practical experience in a chosen specialty under the supervision of licensed physicians; these programs can last three- to- seven years depending on the specialty, though general surgery residencies typically take five years to complete. Surgeons who wish to focus their careers on sub-specialties must complete an additional one- to- three years of post-doctoral training in fellowship programs. In order to practice, surgeons must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Surgeons must also become board-certified in surgery and any subspecialties by the American Board of Medical Specialists or the American Osteopathic Association. Surgeons are generally required to complete continuing education credits throughout their careers to maintain licensure and certification. Although student loans and low-pay residencies mean that surgeons usually incur a large amount of debt, their extremely high salaries help to offset the expense, but they spend many hours on-call and life often revolves around work.

These are just some of the most common careers in the medical field. If none of these options appealed to you, don’t give up hope! There are plenty of other positions that weren’t mentioned here – dentistry, speech pathology, chiropractic, athletic training, occupational therapy, alternative medicine, etc. – that may be the right one for you! So keep searching; just don’t lose sight of yourself in the process!

The post Finding and Achieving Your Dream Career in Medicine appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You officially enter the “real world” after you graduate from college, and adult-like behavior is assumed to follow.

You have to leave behind the world of weeknight partying, skipping class to get a couple extra hours of sleep and, hopefully, your procrastination trait. These habits will have to be replaced with being responsible, productive and mindful of your behavior. Read Elite Daily’s article about five important things recent graduates must know upon entering the real world.

The post Welcome to The Real World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You spend all of your college years building skills and developing an expertise in your desired career field. But, the education does not have to end after graduation.

There are plenty of options available if you are looking for ways in which you can improve and gain more knowledge in your career. Take a look at this article, shared by  Mashable, about six ways you can take the initiative in developing more skills.

The post Ways You Can Develop Career Skills After Graduation appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

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Let’s make one thing clear: entrepreneurs do, in fact, exist outside of startups.

You don’t have to run your own app company or reinvent the wheel to have an entrepreneurial spirit. Truth be told, companies and employees everywhere can benefit from innovation and entrepreneurship. Bringing an innovative energy into any job anywhere can help you to stand out and make an impact.

1. Seek Solutions

Just because something isn’t technically wrong, doesn’t mean it’s working well. Finding solutions in the workplace or in processes can aid everyone in the business. While your solution may not be implemented, the attention to detail and problem-solving mentality won’t go unnoticed.

2. Be a Jack-of-all-Trades

Dig in and get your hands dirty in a variety of roles. Being able to not only do, but understand various parts of the business will give you a greater sense of how things work as a whole.

3. Communicate Effectively and Often

Communication isn’t just about talking. Arguably, the most important part of any conversation is the listening. Take away the distractions, listen, take notes, and give thoughtful feedback. Being present in the discussion can reduce miscommunications and increase the flow of valuable ideas.

4. Make the Most of Your Time (and Everyone Else’s)

Some may say time is money, but it’s truly much more valuable than that. First, you ought to be able to manage your own time. Being able to delegate tasks, assign urgency, and schedule out your day can keep everything running smoothly.

Possibly more important though is how you approach other peoples’ time. Go into meetings prepared, be on time, and get right down to what needs to be discussed. Coworkers and superiors are valuable resources, but their time must be respected, so make the most out of the interactions you have.

5. Try… And Fail

Success will not come with everything you try. If it does, give me a call and teach me your ways. But for us mere mortals, we have to try, try, and try some more to find victory. Being able to handle shortcomings can build up strength and courage to tackle bigger and scarier tasks. To be unafraid of failure can open up many doors and opportunities, but being able to learn from the times you fall down can be even more eye opening.

So, you may not be growing your own venture, but by making your day-to-day work innovative, thoughtful, and challenging of the norms, you can become an entrepreneur anywhere.

Tatum Hartwig is a 4th year Communication Studies major with minors in Business Administration and Media & Screen Studies. Tatum brings experience and knowledge in the world of marketing and public relations from her two co-ops at Wayfair and New Balance. Her passion revolves around growing businesses via social media, brand development, and innovation. You can connect with Tatum on Twitter @tatumrosy and LinkedIn.

The post Be an Entrepreneur Wherever You Go appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Dan Lindholm was a Product Specialist at Facebook when we interviewed him in 2013. He has since moved on to work at Instagram (owned by Facebook). He founded a startup in middle school and has been working in tech ever since. We’re excited to share Dan’s insight with you today:

Radha: Hi Dan – Great accomplishment! What motivated you to found a start-up when you were only in Junior High? Also, what advice do you have for someone who would like to develop their own business venture one day? Thanks!

Dan: Ya know, the story I’ve always told myself and others in recent years is that I was looking for means to make money in order to afford college. I’ve questioned that story more recently as I was only in 7th grade when I started working on a bunch of projects to make money. 7th graders are often not thinking that far ahead. I think I actually found some highly profitable means for making money, loved how well I was doing at it, and continued iterating on it. It’s fairly funny how I got started. I can explain that later but let me get to some other questions.

Angelica Valentine: Hi Dan, there are so many tech companies that are doing really innovative things. How did you choose to work at Facebook? What did you see in Facebook that you didn’t see anywhere else?

Dan: Sounds cliche, but the people are ultimately what sold me on Facebook. Particularly the people on my current team (Product Operations). I have never had a more enjoyable interview experience than I did with Facebook. To be honest, I was not overly excited when I went into interviewing at Facebook (if you can’t show genuine enthusiasm when interviewing, it can easily kill you). I had also come from a startup and felt such companies were much more nimble than something like an eight-year-old company with thousands of employees. I wanted to be part of a fast-paced environment like that, influence change on a daily basis. I found this is still very possible here. Facebook moves very quickly relative to other companies of its size. Also, no startup comes close to touching a billion users. At Facebook, I’m part of daily changes that we’re pushing out to a diverse group of over a billion users across the world. Pretty special and huge opportunity for impact across the world.

In summary, the biggest draws for me at Facebook are (1) the extraordinarily brilliant and talented people I work around. The pace I’m learning things at because of the people I’m around is astounding. I find everyone to be down to earth and just genuinely good people. I count a lot of my coworkers as my best friends. And then (2) the ability to positively impact a billion users. I can’t think of another place where you have such an opportunity.

Andre Tacuyan: Hey Dan, what would be the ideal candidate Facebook is looking for in interns and how can a student stand out above the crowd?

Dan: It’s tough for me to answer this questions specifically with regards to interns since most of our interns are programmers, and I’m pretty far removed from that recruiting and interviewing process. What’s your background? My general advice would be to show your enthusiasm and passion for the company and our mission. Key to any interview. Understand the competitive landscape. Prepare for the interview. If you’re a coder, obviously expect to be asked to solve programming problems. If Facebook visits your campus, get to know the recruiters or reps there. Being able to connect a face to your name, knowing you on a personal level, no matter how limited, can help take you further in any interview process or just help get your foot in the door.

Sonya Sharififard: What does a typical day on the job consist of?

Dan: Haha! I’m very happy to say there is no such thing as a typical day. My job is to represent the voice of the user. This is manifested across diverse projects and working in partnership with a number of teams (eng, research, operations, marketing) – love how cross-functional our role is here. We’re constantly taking on new projects. My role is also closely tied to our product launch processes so one day I might be preparing pipelines for gathering data on quality and sentiment prior to a launch, the next day I’m monitoring that feedback, and then days later I’m working with design, product management and eng on improving the product based on user signal.

Radha Jhatakia: Hi Dan, what motivated you to found a start-up when you were only in Junior High? Also, what advice do you have for someone who would like to develop their own business venture one day?

Dan: Initiative and drive are biggest IMO. Don’t waste time thinking about ideas, spinning your wheels, saying tomorrow you’ll get to building your venture. Just do it. There’s no better time than now.

The post Ask an Expert: What’s it like to work at Facebook? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I recently had a chance to chat with Kristin Demidovich, CMO for tech-edu company, MentorMob. Kristin shared with me her experience in switching from a career in fashion retail to a start-up, and what she’s learned along the way.

What is MentorMob?

MentorMob is a learning and discovery website and app that uses crowdsourced knowledge to create comprehensive learning guides.

When you go online to learn something, you don’t really know where to start, what to learn next or who you can trust. So in a sea of free content, people are still paying for online lessons. We realized that if the best content was organized into guides for any topic, then millions of people around the world could learn from the best experience for free. We see the impact that encyclopedic sites have made; we want to do the same for hobby and lifestyle topics.

MentorMob allows individuals to learn from one another by communicating within the site, like traditional mentorship. MentorMob also allows for a one-to-many type of mentorship by providing a digital platform for a larger number of individuals to learn almost any skill. The community of individuals who have helped curate the best content into guides for various topics, like parenting and kiteboarding, are sharing their knowledge to an infinite number of people who can learn from them.

What is your role at MentorMob?

I have an awesome part in the team at MentorMob… I am the Chief Marketing Officer, but what that means is I get to do really cool things with really interesting people everyday – everything from learning new hobbies, to promoting professional athletes online, to going to events to network with creative individuals. With this role Virgin Hotels has actually added me and our MentorMob community as their Dare Devil persona for the Chicago Hotel opening. Pretty fun!

What did you study in school?

Fashion Retail Management at Columbia College Chicago

What was your first entry-level job out of school?

I was an Assistant Manager at Coach. I continued with Coach for the next 8 years of my career, working in many different Chicago locations and ending at Store Manager level.

Wait, What? What made you change careers?

I was ready for the next step in my career personally. I was not sure what I was looking for, but I knew it had to be something I was passionate about, believed in and could make a difference in the world with. It was 100% scary, but knew that I could try it and always go back if I needed. I just had to try.

What was the biggest surprise, and/or biggest learning moment, being part of a startup?

The biggest surprise is how much you can accomplish and learn if you put your mind to it and stay confident! This came from multiple learning moments of mine – of being told NO time and time again. In a startup, most will say “no” at first and you will get down on yourself, your idea and sometimes even the team. BUT you have to remain confident and through this confidence you will be able to learn how to turn those “no” into “maybe” and even “yes.” Always remember that having the confidence and courage to try a startup is more than 50% of the battle. The rest is staying confident throughout the road to success or failure. You have already succeeded by trying.

What is the most inspiring thing about your job? What makes you get up and want to go work for MentorMob every day?

Meeting new people that are insanely passionate about a hobby or lifestyle and set out daily to teach other people or themselves everyday. No day at MentorMob is the same. Somedays I am talking to top kiters in the Dominican Republic and other days I’m hearing an inspiring adoption story from a parenting blogger in Iowa. It is so inspiring to see how excited people are to mentor and interact with others in the community. Knowledge is powered by people!

Any advice for people out there considering career changes?

Try it! One of my favorite quotes comes from Richard Branson – ‘I’d rather look back on life and say ‘I can’t believe I did that’ than ‘I wish I’d done that’. If you try what you love, you will do it well, want to learn more daily and never give up. It will not seem like work. You can always go back, but you may never know “what else” unless you try!

Advice for people considering working for a startup?

Ask a lot of questions and have AWESOME mentors. You are doing something that no one has done before, so don’t think you have all the answers. Do not be afraid to ask questions and seek help. Being vulnerable is looked as being confident in wanting to be successful!

Learn more about Kristin and MentorMob at www.mentormob.com or @MentorMob.

The post Fashion Management to Tech CMO: Dare to Live Your Best Life appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

During my 10-year television career, I worked as a correspondent, reporter and producer for top networks including NBC, PBS, BET and Nickelodeon. I’ve interviewed Grammy and Oscar Award winners, top CEOs and entrepreneurs and even a former Head of State, but before I found success in front of the camera in New York City and Los Angeles, I used to sell cheese.

After graduating from Western Michigan University with a marketing degree, I accepted a job as a sales representative at a food company. The company provided me with tons of binders filled with product descriptions, a laptop, a brand new Ford Taurus and the reins to 25 grocery stores that I was now responsible for.

I had no idea what I was in for, but month by month, I learned three valuable lessons selling cheese that can be applied to any situation.

Being A Self-Starter Isn’t Optional

The good and the bad of my experience as a sales representative was that I didn’t have an office to go to everyday. Unfortunately, our regional office was over four hours away from my base in south Florida. This meant that I was left to my own devices to create structure where there was none. My office was my car, my apartment and various coffee shops.

With this autonomy and no one looking over my shoulder, I figured I had two options: one, just go with the flow, and see what happens or two, stay on top of things, and get super organized. I chose the latter and am glad I did. I was incredibly detailed and plotted out my weekly sales calls, target sales goals to hit, which grocery store managers needed more attention than others and new product presentation schedules. Without this structure, I would have flailed and struggled.

To this day, one of my strong suits is organization, which has been a great benefit throughout my career. I realized early on that the only person responsible for me is me.

Oddly enough, structure creates freedom.

Focus on Demand, not Supply

Sales can be a tough industry, especially when you’re trying to sell something that no one wants.

Early in my sales representative days, I remember being pushed to increase sales of pectin. Unfortunately, there was a major problem. Many store managers couldn’t care less about pectin, because their customers couldn’t care less about it. I got that message fast, so instead of trying to sell what they didn’t want, I learned to focus on what they did want.

Instead of pushing pectin, I pushed other items that sold well in their stores like cheese, hotdogs, coffee, cereal and a slew of other items that performed well. Periodically, I’d sneak in some other products to promote, not pectin, but mostly I focused on what they wanted.

This is a great lesson as you approach your career. Identify what’s in demand, and identify how you can fill this void.

Listening Is An Art

Grocery store managers are unique. It’s a tough job, and no two managers are alike. I learned this the hard way by approaching each manager the same. Plus, early on, I was always in “sales mode” trying to sell them something or obtain great product placement for key events. Bad mistake.

The smart thing in the beginning would have been to go in, be quiet and ask them how I could help them accomplish their goals. Then, listen, and then, listen some more. It took me a while but I finally got it. Then, an odd thing happened. Over time, the more I listened to them, the more they started to listen to me and learn more about my goals.

The axiom, “the most valuable thing you can give someone is your attention,” is true.

I barely lasted a year as a sales representative. Shortly thereafter, I moved to New York City with less than $700 to pursue my goal of working in television. Though sales wasn’t for me, to this day I have fond memories of that experience and lessons learned that I use regularly in my career today. Occasionally, I even find myself in grocery stores organizing products, just not pectin.

The post 3 Lessons That Took Me From Cheese Salesman to Television Reporter appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I was clueless about why I needed an internship to finish my professional writing degree. I mean, I got that an internship would provide a space for me to learn how to apply all the concepts, theories and practices I was learning, but what I didn’t know was how vital taking on a internship would be, not just for my field but for any and every field. More than anything, it seemed oppressively time-consuming and arbitrary to my writing degree. Though it was a required component of my degree, it was probably the most beneficial (excluding the cumulative classes that ground education).

I had no intention of behaving like some stereotypical, brainless sorority member looking for an easy internship where I could be paid to essentially act like the office Barbie. I was more honed in on scholarship and reaching my full potential as a writer and collaborator, having been a senior executive member for the campus arts and honors college journals and a member of many other clubs. I also was on the directing boards of many of these organizations. Having excelled in nearly every academic endeavor since kindergarten, I was ambitious, in light of my disinterest in an internship, recognizing that I didn’t fit the student affairs persona.

So, as an introvert without a car, I had to look on campus to find which offices and departments would be open to hosting an intern for a semester. That aspect was essentially the easiest part, because as I was very involved in campus extracurriculars and departmental student initiatives, I could just turn to a few of my favorite student affairs personnel and ask if they would permit me to join the team and help around the office for a couple months. The downside of working on campus meant that it would almost surely be unpaid, as most of the budget had already been allotted to graduate assistants and other departmental endeavors. Regardless, seeing as I had limited means to find a campus internship, I was on a mission to find one that I would enjoy and that was relevant to my degree.

I wound up in the Intercultural Affairs office (ICA), and having already attended or aided organization of ICA events, I emailed the Assistant Director of Resources about whether she could use some help on any new projects. While she tentatively agreed, she referred me to the office director for approval, and he formally interviewed me, in spite of our previous friendly cooperation throughout the prior two years of my office involvement.

There should be a note here about e-mail etiquette: It is very important to maintain professionalism and give off a positive, confident air about yourself when inquiring after a job, even just an internship. Employers want professionally-minded workers who can provide services to them while representing and maintaining the office or department’s image.

For instance, during the interview, I wore interview-appropriate attire and held myself calmly and confidently. I was prepared by presenting previous projects I succeeded in constructing, like team papers, my own website (I showed design and organizational drafts that led to the final product.), and examples of handouts and brochures that I had created for my job at the time with the tutoring center. When asked to describe how my interests in social justice, diversity and other multicultural affairs were a good fit for my professional writing internship requirement, I was prepared to explain by giving accounts of past papers and articles I had written with content on diversity or social justice and LGBT current events. I described my opinions about the versatility of professional writing and voiced that I may as well write about topics that allow me to explore my passion. With my previous experience supporting ICA office productions and advocacy, it was the perfect fit for me.

My internship began the next semester, my last semester in college. I was managing many different responsibilities: from coordinating with the office’s administrative support associate by working with staff on calendars by scheduling events to developing outreach and advocacy through designing flyers and publicizing through social media to managing documents and press releases in time for deadlines. Sometimes, I also handled weekly meeting minutes, accepted and answered office calls and met with other campus department representatives like branding and design to enhance the new office brochures. Additionally, I authored an in-house style manual to dictate all office documentation that conformed to campus APA and SACS accreditation citation styles, edited and rewrote the campus Safe Zone guide with the office graduate assistant, created a quarterly newsletter layout and print plan that went into effect the next quarter, coordinated with students on beginning an annual student-run ICA-supported arts journal that was published the next semester, attended monthly meetings with the director for one-on-one time, engaged in all open staff e-mail discussions, managed my work hours’ log and time sheet and aided in the organization of all ICA events.

In addition, I would often e-mail my supervisor ideas for enacting new ICA-hosted events and engaging ICA-familiar students in activities around campus like a Service Learning help-the-homeless project or attending a Business lecture given by a visiting professor Emeritus. I loved interacting on campus in multiple capacities and reaching out to classrooms by visiting and giving away ICA “swag,” like wristbands or pens, advocating for ICA’s many causes by being a dependable office representative and opening up the floor after many events to help facilitate and promote meaningful discussions with my supervisor. The office staff were all very helpful and resourceful, and upon graduation, despite my previous notions of studying intercultural communications and finding a job in that field, I realized I belonged in Student Affairs (yes, even as an introvert).

I recently attained a graduate assistantship in LGBTQIA+ affairs in a multicultural affairs office at my new university where I’m seeking my Master’s degree in higher education administration, and—you guessed it!—my internship is the primary reason I was able to attain my assistantship and earn placement in my cohort!

In conclusion, no matter your field or current opinions about how helpful an internship may be for your future career, an internship is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of the work you intend to do (and you don’t have to be a student or even a prospective student to find one!). Be choosy in finding your fit—I recommend seeking placement in a department, office or company that shares your values and goals. Mostly, don’t be afraid to find something new! Whether or not it is required doesn’t matter; what matters is your fervor for your work and how much effort you’re willing to pour into a valuable experience! I hope my recapped experience has helped get the wheels turning toward your next occupational enterprise, and happy hunting!

The post The Difference an Internship Makes appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

College degree… Check! Resume… Check! Notepad… Check! Pens… Check! Business cards… Check! Are you ready? Not even close.

Many students think being prepared for their first job out of college means having a briefcase full of the physical necessities. This is only partially correct! You need much more than the physical pieces you put in your briefcase every day. The soft skills that many students do not develop are the skills that are in high demand by employers all over the country, in every career field. Can you show up to work on time? Can you compose a professional email? Can you contribute to a meeting? Can you think critically and collaborate with others on a project? Can you speak effectively? Do you demonstrate an investment in your career? Do you even know what any of these things mean? Many students don’t, as employers have indicated in a recent study published by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U). And unless you are taught the basics of what it means to be career ready, you won’t be.

The key to filling your briefcase is to start preparing early on. When you walked on your college campus for the first time, preparation for your future began. Here are some tips that will help you fill your briefcase with some of the basic skills you’ll need to help guide your career path and be truly career ready.

1. Find out what clubs are on campus, and join one that interests you (preferably one tied to your major if you have already declared). Once you join, step up and take a leadership position.

2. Start paying attention to different careers around you. They are everywhere. At your school (teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, athletic trainers, coaches); in your home, (your parent’s careers, their friend’s careers, your friend’s parent’s careers); on TV (every show has a reference to a career, whether it is the cooking channel, a legal series, or a medical series). Although TV does not always give a completely accurate portrayal of a career, it does give a general idea. This can help broaden your awareness of career options. There is only so much you can learn from observation, though. Consider conducting informational interviews with professionals in different careers to gain more insight.

3. Talk to your professors. The way you learn to think critically is to engage in conversations that challenges or expands on what you currently know. Professors have office hours, so take advantage of them and spend an hour every other week talking about current events, a topic you are covering in class, or your career interests. People typically love to talk about what they do, and are usually happy to share. Listen to their stories and be open to their guidance!

4. Be conscious of how you speak. Use these words: please, thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, and my pleasure. Don’t use these words: like (unless you are saying you like someone or something), and stuff, and whatnot. Don’t be scared of pauses in conversation, they are natural. Pauses give you an opportunity to think about what you want to say. Filling them up with useless words can give the impression that you do not communicate well.

5. Visit the career services office on your campus and make an appointment to start a conversation about what you are interested in and how to approach your career development plan.

6. Realize that you don’t know what you don’t know. Listen. Take information in and ask questions.

7. Try to gain some paid work experience (again, preferably tied to your major in some way).

8. Join a professional organization related to your career field. Many of them offer student rates and offer some great networking opportunities (the regional chapter events are usually offered at a reduced price). Make sure you sign up to receive any blog posts, as they can give great insight into your career field that you won’t necessarily find in the classroom or during an internship. And volunteer at their professional conferences. Many conference planners offer students free registration in exchange for a few volunteer hours, during which you can often interact with a variety of professionals.

9. Stay focused on your grades. Plan for your study time (schedule your homework time into your calendar, just like you do for your class time), and make sure to keep your grades up. Having a low GPA can eliminate you from some job opportunities.

You came to college to earn a degree and hopefully get a job once you graduate. It is a process, and much more involved than showing up for class (be on time), doing your homework (always), and performing well on tests (develop a study plan). Remember to enjoy yourself, be social, and engage in the opportunities that will make you as marketable as possible.

Andrea Peeters is  the Career Services Specialist at Menlo College, a small undergraduate business college in Northern California. She works with all students and alumni on general career and professional development as well as supports the internship program.  Prior to coming to Menlo, she worked as a High School Counselor and Adjunct Faculty teaching personal development courses in central California.

The post 9 Tips to Get Career Ready appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I graduated from college, I had the really cool opportunity to be part of Intuit’s Rotational Development Program (RDP) as a UX designer. To this day, I think it was the best way I could’ve started my career and here I’ll break down why. You don’t need to be part of RDP to get a great experience, but it naturally gave me the following components that made it such a great way to start my career. I’ll speak from a designer’s perspective but I believe these are relevant to anyone starting his/her career.

Mentorship

Mentorship helped me grow FAST. When I entered the program, I was matched with a design director (my “mentor”), another designer (my “buddy”) and was encouraged to find mentors and grow my network. Since my mentor was an experienced design manager, she was wonderful for elucidating company announcements and strategy or coaching me on design and team issues. My buddy, on the other hand, was my age and I could ask her silly questions (“Where is the best lunch place?”) and get more frequent feedback on designs.

Design feedback is incredibly important. You can learn a lot on your own but when you have people looking over your work or guiding your decision making, it can help take you even farther.

So when it comes to mentorship, think about it in 2 ways:

1. Career/personal development: Find people you can go to when you’re thinking about what you want to be when you grow up and can help connect you to the right people . (I know, the dreaded networking – I promise it’s really not that bad.)
2. Work development: Find people who can critique your work and make you better at what you do.

Another tip: more often than not, have a conversation goal when talking to your mentor because ultimately, they’re looking to help. It can be anything from hearing his/her career path to tweaking a design to brainstorming more ideas to feedback on your next career step. Just make it known!

Constant Learning & Reflection

It can be overwhelming, but take some time to think about your strengths, weaknesses and experiences. What is your “T”? For those who don’t know, the “T” is the breadth of experiences/skills and your depth in one particular experience/skill. Early on, I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I kept iterating on my “T” and asking myself, “What kind of design work haven’t I done yet?” just to get more experience and discover what my depth could be (“What do I like doing most, and what am I good at?”). Now, I’ve realized that I get the most energy out of connecting user research to design, but I still need to work on design fit and finish to be effective.

A few questions to help guide your thinking and how you can use the “T” to figure out where to even start:

• When do you feel the most energized in school work right now?
• Do you know anyone who is doing that? Reach out and ask about the good and bad about their jobs.
• Use your “T” when you talk to people. Tell them what you’ve done and solicit advice on what kinds of experiences would help you become a really good [blank].

Management

Having a good manager makes a world of difference. If your manager is looking out for you and giving you good projects and work, you’ll grow so much more. It’s related to the above two components—your manager can provide invaluable mentorship, help you think through your strengths/weaknesses and, most importantly, help get you where you’re going.

I’ve been so lucky to have had a few good managers who checked in on how I was doing and helped me realize when there’s a problem. I love it when I can bring my latest design problem (“This is my current design iteration. What do you think?” or “There’s something bothering me about this design”) and have a great back-and-forth on how to make my work better.

Of course, it’s hard to find a good manager, so wherever you land, make sure you find people who want to support you. When looking at jobs and projects, look for managers who are dedicated to spending some 1:1 time with you, are great at listening, and match your communication style.

Try lots of things – and I mean, LOTS of things

We’re young and don’t know what’s out there. Now’s the time to take some risks, fight for what you want and enjoy the heck out of it. If design has been something you’ve been interested in but never got a chance to do any of it, then jump right in, learn, do some projects and try to get that job. If in a year, you decide to do something else, that’s great. Now’s the time to try different things but just remember… Do it with intent. Do it because you love it or because you absolutely need to do it (and pair that with an exit strategy). If not now, then when?

All in all, just have fun with it and don’t worry too much. The journey matters too in your career. :)

The post Getting the most out of your first design job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Two years ago, I decided to step away from the public service career I was pursuing and founded a tech startup. I studied international relations in hopes of one day working for the government as a diplomat. After my Master’s, I ended up working in the non-profit sector and what I learned is that the fruits of my labor were not evident, they took months, if not years, to achieve, and depended on a handful, if not a dozen, other people.

Despite years invested in my international relations education and huge student debt, my husband and I decided to quit our jobs and focus on building our very own startup company,  CareLuLu, to change the child care industry, starting with simplifying the way parents find daycare and preschool. This issue was meaningful to us because at that time we had just gone through the pain of finding a daycare for our own daughters. It was also an untapped and massive market. Together with Gabriel, our third co-founder, we wanted to create a one-stop shop that allowed parents to search, filter, and compare licensed child care programs. And that’s exactly what we did!

It’s been nearly two years since my  career change and here are some of the things I love about my job as an entrepreneur.

1. My life is never boring. No week is the same. I’m constantly putting out fires, solving problems, and exploring new directions for our company to take. I love being a doer.

2. I learn something new every day. I have no doubt that I learned more building CareLuLu than I would have learned pursuing an MBA. In the process, I probably spent about the same amount of money.

3. My work has an immediate social impact. I always wanted to do public service, but through CareLuLu I found what I deem to be a faster way to help others.

4. I get to handpick the people I work with and surround myself with those whose company I enjoy. I know it’s not for everyone, but I co-founded this company with my husband and best friend. I don’t think I could have found better co-founders!

5. I work to the bone, but have the flexibility a typical job would not allow. I regularly stay up ‘til 3 in the morning working but every now and then, I can take 3 hours off for lunch to go to Malibu for a bowl of chowder and mussels. Or I can go to my daughters’ preschool performance in the middle of the day without worrying about what my boss might say.

6. I get to innovate, experiment and think big. From day to day my head may be in small operational details, but everything I and my co-founders do is driven by the big vision.

7. I love working in a space I can personally relate to. When you become a parent, there’s nothing closer to one’s heart than kids. Working in the parenting space allows me to contribute and take something away not just professionally, but also personally as a mom.

8. I get to travel a lot and meet lots of fascinating people. Traveling was one of the reasons I wanted to become a diplomat. It isn’t obvious, but as an entrepreneur you also can travel quite a bit. In 2014, my family lived in 4 cities (Washington, DC; Durham, NC; and Los Angeles, CA; before finally settling in San Francisco). Last year, I also traveled to Tajikistan (of all places!) to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Week, Las Vegas for a startup pitch competition, and Nashville TN, among a number of other US cities to attend startup conferences.

9. I am part of an inspirational and supportive community. Tech entrepreneurs are a pretty small bunch that for the most part pay it forward and offer each other help.

10. I now have more career opportunities than ever before. The skills I developed and the connections I made as an entrepreneur are guaranteed to lead to a more diverse and brighter career path than I would have otherwise had.

Being an entrepreneur is a hard and often lonely job. It requires perseverance through many failures along the way. It is not glamorous, but it is rewarding. Look at your entrepreneurial venture as a great learning opportunity. I love my job as a startup founder and Chief Operations Officer, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The post 10 Things I Love About Being an Entrepreneur appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Those who want to work for social change in the world are often routed toward non-profits or volunteer organizations, which are run with set goals for change in mind. Devoting your life to a good cause is one of the most admirable things you can do, but even those of us who take jobs in the for-profit world have ample opportunity to positively influence the world around us.

One of the most recent examples of this is the new ad campaign of everyone’s favorite jeweler, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany’s new engagement ring advertisement, which features a gay couple, made the company the latest major retailer using its advertisements to make a progressive social statement. Though many fashion brands (like Banana Republic, JCPenny, etc.) have already included gay couples in campaigns, this marks a first in the world of jewelry.

Popular culture is both influenced and is an influencer of media. Brands with a wide reach obviously must gauge the attitudes of their audience to ensure their marketing will resonate, but they also have the power to influence how the public thinks. The media–advertising included–has a huge impact on social norms. We constantly receive clues from advertising and mass media about what things we should consider “normal” in our day-to-day life. Thus, Tiffany and others’ socially progressive campaigns represent more than just a calculated decision to tap into new markets and benefit from press coverage. These campaigns will help redefine the public consciousness, bringing change in a subtle way through the construction of new cultural trends.

Business will never replace the organizations who make it their mission to fight for change. However, in many cases, well known brands have the ability to create change in unique ways given their status as trend-setters and their access to broad audiences. Change can—and must—come from multiple sources. Everyone must simply do their part.

So if you want to do good and go into business, you don’t have to compromise. Who knows? Your career path might just give you the power to change the world.

The post You Can Change the World from Any Office, You’ve Just Been Thinking About It Wrong appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

What defines a well-rounded individual? That is entirely up for debate. Some say being well rounded means being involved in your community, present in your family life and rocking a solid 9 – 5 to pay the bills. That all sounds pretty great to most of us. With the kick off of a new year, we are all looking for ways to improve our lives and become more well-rounded individuals. From a collegiate perspective, most of us are just looking to make it to class at 8:00 AM, arrive to work on time, and maybe snag some pizza at the end of the night. All of the hustle and bustle in our lives can leave us wanting more at the end of the day, or only wanting your bed.

In my case, I end my day evaluating what I have done, what I should have done, and perhaps what I can do better tomorrow. To those who share this same thought process, I have a few tips and tricks I have learned a long the way. Words of wisdom from community leaders, business professionals, and yes, even my mother, have helped immensely in rounding out some of the rough edges in my life. Keep in mind that it is completely okay to accept advice. It will not make you less of an individual. We are all here on Earth to learn, grow, and be the best people we can be.

Here are a few ways that you can round out your edges in 2015:

Seek out a Mentor

Mentors are great for helping you through your tough collegiate years. They have the experience, connections, and knowledge that you need to apply to your own pathway for success. Keep in mind, you mentors can change throughout your life. It is common to have a handful through your lifetime to help you through your educational and professional years.

Get Involved with a Local Non-Profit

Volunteering and donating your time to a great cause will really rev up your resume. Not only that, it will help you appreciate your community. Introduce yourself to some community leaders and others that share your common interests. You will find yourself feeling at home in your community, wherever you end up. It is also a great feeling knowing you have the ability to change the world in some way, no matter how small.

Find Your Passion

This feat is one that isn’t exactly set step by step. Passion cannot necessarily be found on the shelves of your local supermarket or in a lovely box at Target. You find your passion when you least expect it, and you find it in something you may not even have originally thought of. That is all for you to discover.

The post Rounding Out Your Life in 2015 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you have big plans to start a company once you’re out of school. I’m sure you have an amazing, world-changing idea that will be the vehicle to realizing all of your hopes and dreams. But before you embark on the entrepreneur’s journey, here are five things you really should know:

1. The first step is not going out and raising money from investors

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this conversation with friends, or friends of friends, who asked to be introduced. It goes a bit something like this:

Friend: “Hey Travis! So I have this incredible idea, and I want to raise venture capital to make it happen. Can you introduce me to your investors?”

Me: “Interesting… Have you validated this idea at all?”

Friend: “Oh yeah, definitely! I told so-and-so (someone they clearly deem smart), and she said it’s amazing.”

Me: “So you haven’t actually done anything to validate it?”

Friend: “Well no, I’m gonna build it after I raise money. I don’t really have the time or money to do it right now while working full-time.”

Me: “Honestly, I wish I could help, but everyone I know would want to see at least a functioning product and revenue before considering an investment.”

Friend: “Oh…”

In 99.9% of all startups there is a ton of hard work and validation that goes into things before ever raising money. Work nights and weekends, save money to invest in your idea, and do what it takes. Then consider quitting your job and raising money.

2. The highs will never be as high as you’d imagine, and the lows will always be lower

This is a simple, hard truth. When you realize success building your company, large or small, it will never feel as big as you imagined it would. There will always be new goals to achieve and things to get done that will both prevent your mentality from reaching the stratosphere and pull you back down to reality.

Conversely, when you fail it will feel worse than you ever thought imaginable. Entrepreneurship is a constant emotional roller coaster built for the truly sadistic.

3. There are few things more terrifying than hiring your first 1-3 employees

When I think back on the things that kept me awake at night the most, they were potentially running out of money and failing and hiring our first few employees.

It is rare that you will ever be able to find employees that care about your company as much as you do. That’s terrifying. You will have to learn how to give up control, trust someone else to take over vital tasks, manage people, and hire and fire them.

The learning curve is steep and constant. But once you get over the hump of the first few employees, it’s truly magical the way things start to click.

4. You will constantly be striving for the next level of stupidity

I remember reading (or hearing?) something somewhere about how you never actually become wealthy, you simply reach a new level of poverty.

You’re now a millionaire? Congrats… But man doesn’t it suck you can’t afford the things that the folks with $10MM can afford? Whew, you made it to $10MM! But ugh… look at all the things the people with $100MM have! Etcetera, etcetera.

When it comes to starting a company, the same concept applies to knowledge/wisdom. You’re always learning, but you never know enough.

The scariest part is after a couple cycles of being able to reflect and realize how much knowledge you’ve gained since a year ago, you actually realize, “Yikes, if I knew so little then when I thought I knew so much… how little do I actually know now?!?!”

See how that loops back to point #1? ;-)

5. There is nothing more rewarding than building something from nothing

Everything so far sounds pretty dismal, I know. Hopefully you are well discouraged from going out and starting a startup at this point. Most people are simply not cut out for it.

Those that are will find it can be one of the most rewarding things in your life. I absolutely love going to work nearly every day. How many people do you know that can say the same?

Building a product, having customers that pay you because they realize benefit from it, and literally creating jobs (including your own) is an incredible feeling.

It’s just too bad there’s not more time to sit back and bathe in it. Back to work! :-)

The post 5 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Startup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I first started Vitamin Angels, people would always say things like; ‘You really should be on Oprah’ or ‘You should talk to Angelina Jolie’, and finally ‘I bet you have a lot of mileage plus miles!’

The last one is the only thing that did happen and even that took years. The rest fall into the “useless advice” category.

So here are eleven things you don’t need to know (but you’ll find out are true) about starting a world-changing career:

1. What you don’t know can be your greatest ally

When I started Vitamin Angels I didn’t know zip. I had no credentials. I had no capital. I had no celebrity. I had friends in the vitamin industry. I had passion. I was committed.

I set up an organization in a way that could go on forever – turned out to be a genius plan; product was donated, we piggy backed our shipments onto other non-profit’s shipments, and we found partners in the countries we wanted to work in who were already working there to distribute our vitamins.

I knew what I didn’t want: to be corporate, to be boring, to fill out paperwork all day, to be stuck in an office.

 2. It will never be a straight line

I started a commune when I was twenty-one. In my first business I sold everything from sprouts to snow cones. I ended up in the natural products industry and didn’t start Vitamin Angels until I was in my mid-forties.

3. “Everyone’s life is a laboratory to create one product”

This quote came from a media training class I took with Joel Roberts in 2006. It’s true.

Another way of saying this: Before his death, Rabbi Zusya said, “In the coming world, they will not ask me: ‘Why were you not the great prophet Moses?’ They will ask me: ‘Why were you not Zusya?'”

So why not trust in who you are and the special lens that you see the world through?

4. Go out full tilt!

Don’t waste your time. I once heard an interview with Madonna and they were asking her about how she was always going at mach 10 and if she was ever worried if she was going in the wrong direction.

Q: “Like what if you’re going down the wrong road? And you’re on the highway to hell?”
Madonna: “At least I’ll get there faster!”

I worked 10 years at Vitamin Angels with no salary, no benefits, and no health insurance but total commitment that I was doing something that mattered.

5. Failure is Okay

JK Rowling talking about before she started writing Harry Potter said: “By every measure I was a total failure; my marriage had failed, I had no job, I was a single mom, we were living on welfare, and we had no money. All I had left was Harry Potter.”

Steve Jobs got kicked out of Apple. Henry Ford had many bankruptcies. Big deal. People forget your failures, they count your successes.

Life is hard sometimes. In 2009, a wildfire destroyed our home. Everything we had was gone in an instant. But the one thing I realized was that the fire clarified everything. I immediately knew what was important; my family, our pets, and the fact that no one was hurt. Pretty simple.

6. Be willing to be unreasonable

Be reasonable and you’ll end up selling insurance or stocking shelves. Be unreasonable and you’ll create something that didn’t exist before. At one point with Vitamin Angels we told our donors we were going to stop taking their donations (often short dated product or product that wasn’t selling) and instead wanted them to make the product we told them to. It was crazy, as we had no other source for money for product. Completely outrageous, and it worked.

7. Put a stake in the ground

The quote (maybe) from Goethe says it all; “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back—Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Write a book or an article. Make a public declaration. You have to do something that is witnessed, that is written in stone, that you own. In 2006, Vitamin Angels came up with the idea that we wanted to eliminate vitamin A deficiency childhood blindness by the year 2020. Totally insane that we thought we could do this. But you know what, people really started to climb on board, because we had a bold goal that they wanted to be part of. We went from reaching 2 million children a year, to reaching 40 million in less than ten years.

 8. Believe in yourself first

Even if you have to make it up. When I wrote my first books, on the book jacket I wrote – ‘He now lectures and leads workshops around the country.’ Total BS. But I believed in it enough to make it happen. You have to believe in yourself first before anyone else can.

 9. Surround yourself with people who see the best in you!

Your partner, people at work, friends who you hang out with, your children. You will strive to rise to meet their vision of you. The converse of this is true too; if you have people around you who always doubt you or are ready to jump all over you when you screw up, ditch them fast! Life is hard enough without having naysayers and fear mongers shouting their bad advice.

10. Don’t ever doubt what a small group of people can do

With a nod to Margaret Mead, but the signs are everywhere these days. A couple years ago I met the director of one of the largest relief groups in the world. She had a $3.8 billion dollar budget, a staff of 12,000 and she was reaching 1 million people. At that time Vitamin Angels had a $6 million dollar budget, a staff of 20, and we were reaching 27 million children and moms.

11. Don’t be self-sacrificing

I did a speaking gig a couple of years ago and they asked me to speak on “The Heroic Journey.” It sounded way too self important, but I looked up “Hero” and read something about “self sacrificing.” I immediately thought they had it all wrong, and it’s actually backwards. If you don’t do what you were brought here to do, then you’ll be sacrificing your real self. If you actually do what you were brought here to do, you’ll find your real purpose (and have a great time!).

Today Vitamin Angels is reaching almost 40 million children and moms in 45 countries around the world and 40 states in the United States. We have an incredible team of 30 full time people, and 8 people working internationally. There’s no reason why any of this should be happening. But it is.

The post I save babies (no, seriously) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I started applying to jobs in my senior year of college, I found myself wishing I had taken classes like “Deciphering Startup Job Titles,” or “How to Know when the Startup You’re Applying to is Broke,” or “Is this CEO a Jerk or Just Really Smart?”

Since that wasn’t possible, I’ve had to give myself a self-taught crash course in startup success over the past few years as I’ve gone from Marketing Intern to Marketing Director at Magoosh—a profitable, growing startup in Berkeley. So if you foresee startup work on your career path, here are some steps to guide you through the grey areas in your job hunt and professional growth.

Step 1: Apply ambitiously and foolishly

No, seriously, apply and interview everywhere. My interview experience taught me the difference between companies who did interviews well and those who did not, Product Marketing and Product Management, “seed round,” “Series A,” and “bootstrapped.”

All my interviews, both good and horrible, helped me figure out that certain industries, verticals, or positions I thought I was interested in were actually not for me. And at least I found out through a few weeks of applications and interview rather than 6 months of unhappy employment.

Bonus tip: Nonstop job searching, applying, and interviewing will make the second semester of your senior year really tough, so plan ahead and take a lighter class load.

Step 2: Realize it’s okay to start small

If you want an opportunity to grow, here are two qualities you should look for when trying to find an ideal startup: 1. small and scrappy, and 2. open-minded leadership.

We live in an age of small to corporation-sized startups, so if you’re interested in accelerated career growth, target the small ones when you’re starting out. They’re much more likely to invest in training you to take on management roles instead of hiring more expensive people.

But it’s not lack of money alone that makes this opportunity happen! It also takes very patient, open-minded leadership. They have to care about their employees’ growth and happiness and prioritize “promoting from within” to give opportunities for growth. I was employee number 3 at Magoosh, so the CEO/founder interviewed me, and I got the chance to ask about his long-term vision for the company and the company’s philosophy on career growth.

Bonus tip: It’s a sign of a good company when you get interviewed by the CEO or founder at the startup. Especially for a small company (less than 10 employees), the personality and goals of the founder or CEO make up a large portion of the company culture and it shows that they care about each new hire.

Step 3: Learn

This step could have been labeled many other things—“be aggressive,” “lean in,” “take risks,” etc.—but all those really boil down to one thing: just learn. Learn as much as you can, as quickly as you can, as an investment in your own future. But that means you have to be okay with looking dumb and not being afraid of taking on new projects that are beyond your experience level.

Bonus tip: Work is not school! A B- job on something new for you is better than an A+ on something you’ve already practiced five times. Try things that are outside of your domain while you can. As you build up more years of experience, it is tougher to move “horizontally” (i.e. a VP of Business Development can’t just suddenly decide she wants to try learning Photoshop for a week), so the earlier the better for experimenting with different fields, which is especially easy to do at a small startup.

Step 4: Know when it’s time to leave vs. stay

At some point within a year or two of working at a startup you will know the following:

• There are/will be opportunities for career growth for me here.
• This company will be successful.

If EITHER of these isn’t true, you need to leave and seek out another company, even if it means “moving sideways” which is a terrible name for a perfectly good thing to do. Even moving “down” in startup land is actually quite great, especially early on in your career, and is just another opportunity to learn another breadth of skills in a different context.

However, if both are true, then you’re in luck :). That’s not to say the work will be easy, but you will at least be consciously deciding that you are in charge of your own path and you know that it’s possible for you to get there.

The post Marketing Intern to Marketing Director in 3 Years: How to Grow at a Young (Successful) Startup appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

References, both formal and informal, play a critical role in the job search. After you’ve been interviewed, if an employer is seriously considering hiring you, you will typically be asked for the names and contact information of people willing to speak on your behalf—generally no more than five.

Why? Because as impressive as you may sound during an interview, an employer needs to take what you have to say about yourself with a grain of salt. You’re a biased source of information. Yes, employers are interested in what you think about yourself, how much confidence, energy, and enthusiasm you exude, and how you present yourself and your set of skills. But they also want input from people who have worked with you in some capacity: in an academic, professional, or volunteer setting. Your references will be quizzed about your performance, skills, capacity for growth, ability to work with others, efficiency, productivity, punctuality, honesty, reliability, and general attitude.

Choosing Your References Wisely
Be strategic in deciding whom to ask for a recommendation: Don’t just reflexively go after your three most recent supervisors. If possible, your first choices should be people who have openly admired you and your work. Also consider your recommenders’ personalities. Ideally, they speak and write well and have the ability to be enthusiastic, positive, and responsive. If you know a particular supervisor is notoriously bad about responding to calls and e-mails, try to choose someone else; after a few attempts, your prospective employer may give up.

Whatever their qualifications, the best references are those who know you well; even better are those who work in fields relevant to the jobs for which you are applying. Appropriate parties include:

• Previous employers or internship supervisors
• Colleagues
• Clients
• Volunteer supervisors

If you have no employment directly relevant to the job you’re pursuing, that’s okay.

No matter what the job is that you’ve had, you should look for managers and employers who can speak to your maturity, responsibility, trustworthiness, punctuality, and other good qualities.

If you don’t have professional references, consider using a coach or teacher—someone who can attest to the fact that you are diligent, disciplined, and self-motivated, that you ask questions when you don’t understand things, give 200 percent to the task at hand, and work well with others.

If you’ve just graduated from college and have never had a job or internship, you may also use professors; the key is to prepare them adequately.

About Ellen Gordon Reeves
Ellen Gordon Reeves is a workplace and career expert who has lent her expertise to a variety of media outlets, including CNN’s Your Money, NPR’s Morning Edition, and The Atlantic. She is a graduate of Harvard College and holds an EdM from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Master of Arts in Writing and Teaching Writing from Northeastern University. To learn more about finding, landing and keeping a job, you can read her book: Can I Wear My Nose Ring to The Interview? by Workman Publishing.

The post How to Pick + Choose Job References (your biggest fans) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Last year I met a college freshman who was agonizing about choosing a career. Matt said that all of his friends knew what they wanted to do and he was worried that if he didn’t figure it out soon, he would screw up his life. “How so?” I asked. He explained that if he didn’t know now, he could end up being 35 and having to start over.

Matt had made so many mistaken assumptions that it was no wonder he was panicking.

Most people don’t know what their ideal career is when they arrive on campus – including his friends who supposedly knew what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. Whether they were bluffing because of the same fears Matt had, or honestly believed they had it all figured out doesn’t matter – they are just as likely as Matt is to change majors in college or to change careers down the line.

If you’re one of the lucky few who knows what your ideal career is, you can save time and money by doing research.

ONLINE

• Start by going to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook ( Here, you can find out what people in your ideal career actually do, how much money they typically make and what the future outlook is for the profession, as well as what major or degree is required and whether graduate school will be necessary.
• Explore the websites of professional associations in your field – most have an education section with information and guidance for people seeking to enter the field.
• Search LinkedIn for people in your chosen field to see what they majored in and where they began their careers.
• Search the web for professionals who blog about specific careers to learn inside information and possibly even ask questions.
• If your ideal career requires a graduate degree, check out programs right away to find out if there are specific prerequisites, such as the pre-med coursework required for medical school. If you don’t complete them as an undergraduate, you’ll have to do them after graduation, costing additional time and money.

Website: www.objectiveinsightconsulting.com

The post Choosing a College Major for your Ideal Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Nearly every high school senior feels the pressure when choosing a major. You barely know how to make your own bed, and every application you fill out asks you to decide a major. You want me to do what? Decide now what I will do for the remainder of my life? How am I supposed to know that? If you weren’t lucky enough to know exactly what you wanted out of life at the age of 17, like me, don’t worry—it’ll work out. All I knew was this: I could write. I told myself “Start off with what you’re good at, major in Journalism, and then take your core classes–if something changes or if something sparks, change it.”

Fast forward to junior year of college, the toughest semester of my life, I lost my big brother 10 days before his 28th birthday. To keep my sanity through many low moments, I’d volunteer locally, in and around Atlanta. I quickly developed a love for helping others and a new appreciation for humanitarianism. Just four months after his passing, and only one more year left until graduation, I received an email from Colleen Perry, GSU’s Director of Career Services. The email said that CARE USA Atlanta headquarters were looking for a PR/Communications Intern, and that they were located right around the corner from campus.

I immediately began to do research on the CARE organization. Almost instantly, I fell in love. They were a very unique NGO. When you think of nonprofits that focus on global aid, you typically just think of care packages being dropped from helicopters, the helicopters fly away, then, eventually, the contents of that package runs out and the people need help again. CARE grabbed my attention because they dispelled that stereotype for me. CARE doesn’t give their recipients/beneficiaries a handout; they give them a hand-up—BIG difference. CARE provides lasting change by providing communities with not only tools, but knowledge on how to sustain their wellbeing even when CARE isn’t around. For example, to combat gender-based violence, CARE doesn’t merely council battered women; they hold workshops for men in communities where GBV is very prevalent and teach those men values that they were probably never taught before. Ultimately, CARE’s goal is to be out of business one day. I loved this idea. I loved this concept. So I immediately applied for the internship. On that day, my best friend was 10 minutes away from the library, on her way to pick me up for lunch. I stalled her and wrote the fastest, but most heartfelt cover letter I’ve ever written in my life. I quickly revised my resume, and sent my package off to Nicole Harris. My goal was to be the very first applicant, and I’m almost 100% sure I achieved that.

A few weeks later, I received an email from Nicole—I was elated. She asked when I would be graduating and I informed her that I would be graduating in December at the end of the year. After that, she asked if I would be available to come in for an interview, and I immediately responded “Yes!” I chose the first available day she had and showed up to the interview 15 minutes early.

The moment I walked into CARE, I knew that it was where I belonged. The lobby was filled with heart-wrenching pictures and for a visual person like me—that’s all it took. I sat down in the interview with Nicole, I immediately felt comfortable because she was a fellow New Yorker. I was very transparent. I told her my strengths, my weaknesses, I told her about hard times and good times. I walked out of the interview feeling good to have talked to such a warm person, I didn’t know if I had gotten the internship or not, but I just knew I was happy to even be in CARE’s building.

About a week later I was taking a nap in between classes and my phone began to ring. I didn’t recognize the number but I answered anyway—still sleeping a little bit. “Hello? It’s Nicole from CARE. I was just calling to let you know we’re going to offer you the internship.” Oh, needless to say, I was wide awake by then! I was so excited! After being in college for so long, I finally felt like I would get the real experience I needed to jumpstart my career, and to top it off, at CARE!

I remember when I first told Nicole why I wanted to work there, she worried that I would get bored, because I would be doing media measurement, and not field-work. Honestly, I worried a little bit too, and in the beginning, it was a little hard to come into work and measure media, but something happened after a couple of months at CARE. I began to obsess over metrics and media measurement. I began to realize how vital it was for a PR/Communications department. I could now talk the media measurement language, and even knew why PR people need to stay away from counting impressions, LOL.

When I was a junior in college, I made a goal to read the news more, and my internship indirectly helped me fulfill this goal. Now I read dozens of news stories a day. It’s my last semester of college, and I’ve learned more at CARE in 8 months than I have learned about Journalism/Communications in 6 years. All my teachers tell students in my class to come to me with any media measurement/metrics questions. I’ve even dubbed myself the “Princess of Metrics” (Queen was taken), and take pride in my knowledge of this sector of PR. And guess what? Media analytics as a career, is a newborn baby in PR and I can actually be a pioneer.

My professor told me that I’m the first student she’s ever met that has been interested (obsessed) with this part of PR. To think we thought I’d be bored. I have Nicole and CARE to thanks for helping me find what I was looking for on that very day, all those years ago, when I was a 17 year old girl with no answers, just trying to make it through my college applications.

Because of CARE I have become an advocate for data-driven decision-making, and now I am constantly saying nerdy things like, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure!” Because of Nicole, I know how to search for journalists and pitch stories to them…I can even write a press release! She has taught me all of these things a semester early, so now I’m breezing through my last semester of college. When my internship is over, I will confidently enter the job market, because I found my niche. I love it. I’m nurturing it. I say all this to say, don’t be nervous. Pick what you’re good at, and something will spark—trust me!

 About the Author

Chrystine Fox is a Brand and Communications Intern at CARE–one of the world’s leading international humanitarian agencies. She recently graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a focus in PR. Aside from her obsession with PR and media metrics, Chrystine enjoys hanging out with her daughter Bailey Sky, singing, and shopping! You can follow her on twitter @Cfox12 or check out her website at www.chrystinefoxpr.com.

The post How I found my niche (after several years in college) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Back in January 2014, my fellow classmates and I were faced with a daunting task. On top of our portfolio classes, senior projects, electives and an Advanced Multimedia class (where we had to teach ourselves a programming language we were never taught before), we had to find, interview and secure an internship before April.

Of course, we had the help of our career services department, but I didn’t rely on them. I like to reference the saying, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” But, I also like to advise, “know when to ask for help,” and “don’t be afraid of feedback.” I loved my career adviser. She helped me out so much by reviewing my resume, giving me internship leads, reviewing my cover letters and checking in on me. I was in her office at least 4 times a week during this time.

I am not the type of person to solely rely on one resource. While others waited and expected their career advisers to do everything for them, I was searching the internet looking for my own leads on internships. I wasn’t going to be the one without an internship. The one who didn’t graduate.

I looked through the internship postings and found a couple good ones in my area. I always jump on any opportunity I can find, so I signed up right away and applied to the listings I saw. I had signed up on other websites and applied on them as well, but no one ever responded to me. Even after I sent follow-up emails or calls: no response.

Within a few days, I got a response in my email from the Chief Technology Officer of an advertising company. He wanted to schedule a phone interview with me. I was excited! I finally had a breakthrough. After the phone interview, came the in-person interview. I went to the office and was amazed of how beautiful it was. Everything and everyone looked like they belonged in a magazine.

A half hour later, I secured the internship and was the future Digital Services Intern for Elias/Savion. I was also the first one in my class to secure an internship. I had a great time there, but that is another story for another post.

WayUp is filled with real, legitimate internship and job offers. There are real people posting them and real people responding to them. But, the thing is, you have to make use of it. No one is going to do it for you. But, ask for help when needed. If you don’t know how to word a cover letter, ask for help. If you’re not sure if your resume is in tip-top shape, ask for feedback. You’ll be glad you did!

The post How I Launched My Career as a Software Engineer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Today, companies often prescreen candidates on Skype before bringing potential employees into the main office for an in-person meeting. Others use Skype to connect remotely with colleagues in different locations. Observing job-seekers on Skype made it clear to me that many people don’t know how to use this technology to their best advantage.

Here are 6 Suggestions to help you use and interview effectively using Skype:

1. Test the equipment before a meeting or interview. Make sure your Skype connection is working properly. Five minutes before the start of a meeting is not the time to find out that you do not have any volume.
2. Use a nondistracting background that is clear and uncluttered. Make sure your location has good lighting. Be careful if you have a window behind you. If it is bright outside, you will appear as a dark silhouette. Run a test with a friend or colleague to make sure you look good in your surroundings.
3. Practice. Remember you are creating a snapshot of yourself. Practice so that you know how you come across. People tend to over gesture. His behavior is distracting when you are on Skype.
4. Make sure your clothing is appropriate. Just because you are not meeting in person does not mean the interviewer or business associate cannot see what you are wearing. And don’t assume only your upper body is showing. Dress professionally from head to toe.
5. Smile. Let your personality shine through. Speak audibly and clearly. Talk to the camera—keep in mind that when you are looking at your computer screen, you may appear to be looking down; when you look directly at the camera, you will appear to be looking your Skype partner in the eye. And just as in any interview, be prepared for the questions.
6. Control interruptions. Make sure in advance that there will be no phones ringing and no people walking in and out of your room.

Barbara Pachter is an internationally renowned business etiquette and communications speaker, coach and author. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business at Rutgers University. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Michigan and majored in Education and Communications. To learn more read her book The Essentials of Business Etiquette and go to her website www.pachter.com 

The post Interviewing on Skype appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a result of working with a number of recent college students, I’ve noticed that their inexperience with the workplace affects their job search. Here are 10 job-hunting mistakes and ways to avoid making them.

1. Giving up. One student couldn’t find a position in her field, so she took a low-paying clerical job and stopped her search. Yes, it is hard, but if you don’t keep looking, you are not going to find anything. Spend time on your search. The more you do, the more likely you are to find something.

2. Eliminating yourself. Some people don’t apply for a position unless they meet all the job requirements. Apply anyway. You still may be a good fit for the position — or you may be perfect for another opening at the same company.

3. Only having one version of your resume. You may be applying for a number of different types of jobs, and you want to tailor your resume to the position.

4. Not using the Career Center at your college. When I asked a student if he used the Career Center, he replied, “I never used it when I was in school. I didn’t think to use it now.”

5. Apologizing for your inexperience. Avoid saying, “I’m sorry. I have never done that.” Emphasize what you have done.

6. Not doing your research on job hunting. This may be the first time you are looking for professional employment. There is a lot of information readily available on the web. Reading about looking for work can provide suggestions for your own search. And reading about companies to which you are applying is absolutely essential.

7. Having inappropriate material on your social media sites. Get rid of anything that is questionable. Human Resource people and bosses will look you up and evaluate you based on what they see or read.

8. Not having a coach. A coach keeps you focused on your search. You report to your coach regularly about your activities, and discuss additional opportunities to explore. You can hire a coach, or ask someone you know, preferably a trusted, professional adult, to be your coach.

9. Not letting people know you are looking. You never know who may know of an opening.

10. Not volunteering. If you are not employed, do some volunteer work in your community. You will be giving back, and potentially meeting people who can help you in your search.

Barbara Pachter is an internationally renowned business etiquette and communications speaker, coach and author. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business at Rutgers University. She holds a BA and MA from University of Michigan and majored in Education and Communications. To learn more read her book The Essentials of Business Etiquette and go to her website www.pachter.com

The post 10 Rookie Job Hunting Mistakes appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Our team at WayUp sees more resumes in a day than most people do in a lifetime. So, we compiled the 9 most common mistakes we see in students’ resumes.

Mistake #1: Saving your resume as a .doc & using a generic filename

Employers don’t like receiving .doc or .docx files for two reasons. One: those files are susceptible to viruses, and two: if they don’t have Microsoft on their computer (like us!), then your file may come out misformatted. As a side note, sending your resume as a .doc or .docx file allows recipients to make changes to your doc, and you definitely don’t want that.Always save and send your file as a .pdf. How do you do this? In Microsoft Word, go to File → Save As, and in the ‘file type’, select “PDF”. Also, while you’re saving your file, name it as “Firstname_Lastname.pdf”. Naming it as “resume.pdf” just isn’t helpful!

Mistake #2: Forgetting to include your personality

Employers want to know who you are and what you like to do outside of the office, as well as random skills you have that could come in handy at some point. At wayup.com, we have a field in students’ profiles where we ask you to tell us what your “fun fact” is. 9 times out of 10, we find on our site that employers look at the “fun fact” of each of their applicants before any other fields. Also, feel free to show a bit of your personality through your resume’s formatting, whether it’s adding a little bit of color (like a dark blue), or not using Times New Roman font.

Mistake #3: Using Multiple Pages

This one is simple: keep your resume to one page. No matter what. There is literally no exception (and art portfolios don’t count since that’s a portfolio and not just a resume).

Mistake #4: Being modest

Now just isn’t the time for a bite of the humble pie you probably deserve. Your resume is where you should boast the hell out of your accomplishments. Take credit for everything that you deserve to take credit for.

Mistake #5: Leaving out hard metrics

Did you increase revenue for a coffee shop? Maybe you grew a company’s Twitter follower count? Give details! Whenever possible, every experience should include metrics, such as “I grew X by 500%” or “I raised $15,000 to do Y.” In the real world of employment, people are often measured by metrics, so show through your resume that you can handle such an environment.

Mistake #6: Writing in paragraphs

Your resume is not the right place to prove that you’re a novelist. Below each job/experience heading, you should write short and concise descriptors in the form of bullet points. No need to use the word “I” at the beginning of each one, either.

Mistake #7: Being inconsistent with your formatting

A few quick rules: begin all bullet points (see #6) with a verb in the past or current tense (depending on whether the action was done or is still being done). If you’re going to end one bullet point with a period, then end all of them with a period. If you’re going to include the dates of an internship/job for one experience (which you should always do!), then do it for them all.

Mistake #8: Misspelling your name, among other things

Even if you think you’re the queen (spelling) bee, do us this favor: first, run a manual spell check via Google Docs or Microsoft Word (whatever software you use). Then, show your resume to at least one other person, asking them to specifically look for any spelling or grammar issues. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, ask one more person. You’d be shocked by how many Ivy League students misspell their names on their resumes.

Mistake #9: Leaving out ALL of your contact information

Congrats! The employer loves you. But wait — how can he/she contact you, if you left out all of your contact information?! E-mail address, phone number (for you — not your parent’s home) and both your permanent (i.e. home) and school physical addresses will help solve this problem. And for your email address, you may want to stick with your .edu one, especially if your Gmail address has the word “soccer” or “gossip” in it…

The post 9 Resume Mistakes Students Make appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If the job you got on WayUp happens to be your first, and you know how critical relationships are to your career but just don’t know exactly how to relate to the others in your office, here is a six-step way to purposefully SPRING into an inspiring work environment.

Step 1: Smile. Many times we can become so busy that we don’t even lift our heads to look at, or engage with others. We walk by, we say hi, but we don’t really notice others. Ready for a change? Look up, make eye contact, smile, and say good morning.

Step 2: Personalize your conversations. Connect with others on what’s new in their life, what they’re working on, and what is important to them.  Asking questions about others is one of the best ways to naturally engage people.  My son, Nick, makes it a point to learn three things about everyone he meets which really helps build relationships in his new role as a tax analyst.

Step 3: Relate your commonalities. Share some of your experiences that resonate with what you have learned about them. Sometimes we hesitate to share our experiences because we don’t want conversations to be all about us. Yet sharing our own experiences creates shared memories, often adds humor, and builds deeper relationships. Relate what is going on currently in your life to what is going on in theirs.

Step 4: Inspire. Ken Blanchard’s research on motivation states that people are motivated by autonomy, relatedness, and competence. One of the ways to feel a renewed focus and delight in life is to learn something new, or to take on new behaviors. How are you keeping your brain flexible? As you feel inspired by what you are learning, inspire other people around you (and embed the new information in your brain so as to remember it) by sharing interesting models, facts, articles, and books.

Step 5: Notify. Share opportunities and possibilities for future experiences. People want to connect, but often find it easier to go home to their favorite place on the couch and watch TV. Notify co-workers of what is coming up that they could take advantage of to add energy to their lives.  These possibilities can include what is coming up in the organization, in the university community, workshops, or training opportunities.

Step 6: Gratitude. Share the gratitude that you have for your new relationship at work.  Say thank you for all they bring to your life and the work that you do together.

Too often people don’t recognize the impact they have on the people around them. While keeping their nose to the grindstone, they sometimes lose track of the need for connectedness.  SPRING ahead by taking the time to reestablish the human connection with your colleagues at work.

 Dr. Vicki Halsey is a senior consulting partner and Vice President of Applied Learning for The Ken Blanchard Companies.  She received her BA in American Studies and Physical Science from UC Davis, Masters in Administration SDSU, and Doctorate in Leadership from USD.  To learn more read the book Legendary Service

The post SPRING Ahead in Your Work Relationships and Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Although nearly 73% of graduating seniors claim that they actively seek employment throughout senior year,  according to AfterCollege, 83% of the class of 2014 reported that they did not yet have a job lined up by April.

Going to a good school and achieving academic success are distinct advantages, but by no means are they the ticket to securing a great, or even good, job upon graduation.

The Career Services department of your college is not responsible for securing relevant internships for you or, for that matter, landing you a job.  They are however, responsible for providing you with the tools necessary to build your resume and the guidance to take ownership of your career prospects in this new employment market.  While early and ongoing meetings with Career Services and relevant internships should be mandatory in order to graduate, the onus is ultimately on you, the student, to take charge of your career path.  You do not have the luxury of waiting until senior year to realize that your summers spent working at camp, in the mall or at the local eatery did not gain you the requisite experience to land a professional position.

The 4 ways that you can prepare for life after college-

1. Start thinking about what you want to be when you ‘grow up’
   Shadow people to find out what career options are out there and to learn about your professional interests. Don’t worry — you can always change your mind later.
2. Source your network
   Reach out to family, friends, family friends, friends’ family, alum, members of your church or synagogue, local Chamber of Commerce and related trade associations for internship opportunities.
3. Find a mentor
   He or she can provide the right direction and can help you think about career options and how to progress. A mentor can assist you in believing in yourself, boost your confidence, and encourage you to explore new opportunities.
4. Become a campus leader
   Join or start a club on campus, plan events and invite speakers. Get involved!

All four of these actions involve building and growing a network that will naturally take you from freshman year to the first day on the job.  It is a journey, but one that can be exhilarating.  Make sure to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, ask smart questions and show gratitude along every step of the way.

Most important, when you are in that dream job, remember your humble beginnings and ‘pay it forward’ to that next timid freshman.

Heidi Fuchs is a Career Coach and Talent Acquisition Leader. She received her BS in Business with a concentration in Marketing and Communications from Touro College. You can follow her on Twitter @AgentMom18

The post 4 Ways to Prepare for Life After College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When choosing your profile picture for a professional career platform (ala WayUp, LinkedIn, etc), there are some things to keep in mind. The picture you choose will essentially be an employer’s first impression regarding how you’d fit in the office, so let’s make that first impression a great one.

First thing’s first: Be confident. Be yourself. And be memorable. Pictures on professional sites should not include:

1) Your BFF, your boyfriend, your girlfriend or your dog. We see this all the time and employers do too. They don’t care about your relationship status or where you went on your last date.

2) Any hint of a #selfie. Keep your pictures angled professionally so that employers aren’t instantly aware of the upcoming “duck face.” Photos saved from Snapchat are like an extended family member of the “selfie,” and should also remain absent from your career profile accounts.

3) Clubbing attire, or inappropriate clothing/accessories. Shirts with obscene gestures, curse words, and images are going to receive more “likes” on Instagram than on your career building profile. Furthermore, this isn’t the place to show off your abs or waistline (unless the job you want is for something like BodyBuilding.com.. which actually is a real business with jobs on campusjob.com!) This is true for revealing clothing too – unless of course your dream job includes talents showcasing your bare necessities.

4) The floating hand on your shoulder. Everyone knows that this is just a cropped version of the picture of you and your mom. or cousin. or friend. or frenemy. It doesn’t matter. The hand needs to go.

Now that all of the horrid “don’ts” are out of the way, let’s move on. What should you do?

• Do choose a picture that represents you and your character. Choose something with personality. Let them see your big smile, your large framed glasses or your dapper bowtie. Allow others to get a feel for your character. This may be the only visual contact they have with you.Also, if you know how to use Photoshop, then get out your Photoshop and get artsy.

• Fix the lighting if you have to. Obviously you don’t want to make yourself unrecognizable to the everyday person, so don’t get too carried away with the editing process, but a little extra “exposure” never hurt anyone.

• Most importantly, own it. Believe in your image as you would believe in yourself and send that message to the world. This is the face of your future!

The post The Perfect Profile Picture to Make You Employable appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

They all have mentors that have influenced and shaped their success (Maya Angelou, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Robinson and Joe Higgs, respectively).  Successful people often credit their success to the help of a mentor.  In fact, most hugely successful people have mentors, going back to Plato who taught Aristotle who in turn taught Alexander the Great.

Even the world’s richest people have mentors.  When Warren Buffett was 21 he became the mentee of economist Benjamin Graham who would teach him skills that would allow him to become the most famous investor in the world (and one of the richest on Earth).

Before Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft they worked for Dr. Ed Roberts, who was the inventor of the Altair 8800, which sparked the computer revolution.  The two wrote software for the Altair which would inspire them to later found Microsoft.

Not yet convinced?  Check out this list of famous people who had mentors:

• Andy Grove mentor to Steve Jobs

• Don Graham mentor to Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook

• Steve Jobs mentor to Marc Benioff, Salesforce.com

• Madonna is a mentor to Gwyneth Paltrow

• Audrey Hepburn mentor to Elizabeth Taylor

• Adam Farrar mentor to Leonardo DiCaprio

• Tom Sharpin mentor to Russell Crowe

• George Mason mentor to Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the US)

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale mentor to Mahatma Gandhi

• Mahatma Gandhi mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Mahatma Gandhi mentor to Nelson Mandela

See more famous mentors here.

Why You Should Have a Mentor

My first job after college was working for a tech consulting firm in Silicon Valley.  I worked with a lot of big companies like eBay, Cisco, Oracle and IBM.  It was a big job for someone right out of college. My boss was my first exposure to mentorship and I learned so much in a short amount of time that I have made it a point to always have a mentor, no matter how busy or successful I get.  My mentors have taught me, inspired me and connected me and you should have a mentor too!

Some of the things you can learn from a mentor include:

• Learn new skills – they can teach you how to do something because they’ve already done it.

• Accountability – like in school, if you have a deadline and someone to answer to, you’ll get the assignment done.

• Networking – introductions to other people who can help you. Mentors are great for opening doors.

• Goal setting – working with someone can help you set goals, be inspired to achieve them and accountable to reach them.

• Idea generating – brainstorming new ideas is one of the best ways to get started or to get out of a rut.

• Inspire – associating with someone who has already done what you aspire to do can be encouraging and motivating and much easier than trying to do it alone.

What to Look for in Mentor

Your time is valuable so you want to work with a mentor that is going to be most beneficial to you, so there are a few things to look for in a mentor.

• Experience in your industry – you want someone who has already taken the journey you’re on.  If you want to be a successful dentist, an attorney isn’t going to be much help. Choose someone who is several levels “above” you. Don’t choose one of your peers. We are the sum of the 5 closest people in our circle so associate yourself with successful people you aspire to be like.

• Willingness to give – choose someone who has a positive attitude about giving back.

• Connections – the more people your contact knows, the more likely it is that he can introduce you to others who can guide you. Hermits don’t make good mentors.

How to Find a Mentor

Gandhi had a mentor and was in turn a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela.  Gandhi’s mentor was Dadabhai Naoroji, who was instrumental in starting the Indian Independence Movement.  In 1888, he wrote to Naoroji, “…you will, therefore oblige me greatly if you will kindly direct and guide me and make necessary suggestions which shall be received as from a father to his child.”  It’s interesting that what Gandhi did was very simple. He was humble enough to ask for help.  Don’t be intimidated to approach someone super successful.  Those are the people who may have the most to teach.

Make a list of 5 people you think fit the criteria above and give them a call and tell them you’d love their advice, tell them you don’t want anything from them, that you’re not selling anything, but just want to ask for their advice.  Successful people are usually willing to help others as long as they know the commitment is fairly low and expectations are clear.  Just ask to meet them for lunch once a month.  Start small and build a relationship to see if it’s the right fit.  It doesn’t have to be formal or time-consuming.  Make it easy for them to say “yes”.

If you don’t know anyone who you’d like to be your mentor, start networking. Go to events where successful people in your field are and meet new people.  When starting new relationships, don’t ask for anything. Focus just on giving and creating value for other people.

This will build a relationship much faster and they’ll see you as a person who is trustworthy and valued.  It’s just like dating.  You wouldn’t go in for a kiss right away. That would scare someone off. You need to build trust and show value.

Remember no matter how successful you are, there’s always someone cooler than you that you can learn from, so go find someone who has already taken the journey you’re about to embark on.

“No matter what you might do, There’s always someone out there cooler than you” – Ben Folds

The post What Do Oprah, Justin Timberlake, Barack Obama and Bob Marley Have in Common? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Last month I wrote a blog on Josh Dunn’s advice on becoming a successful entrepreneur. Josh is the president of Premier Media Group, and he started his business from the ground up to something that has flourished and grown in the South Puget Sound area and the Eastside of Seattle. This month I’m sharing Josh’s advice to interns and what he told me about why he mentors students.

I got the sense talking with Josh that he wants to give to others what was given to him. When Josh was creating his own career pathway, he sought out avenues to learn the essentials to help him be successful. He joined the Chamber of Commerce to learn about business, he worked in a restaurant to learn people skills, and worked at sales jobs to learn what he calls the “craft and art of communication.” Through these experiences, he learned what he wanted and what he didn’t want, and he gathered what he needed to work on his vision for his future. He closely observed his mentors and the people around him, and treated even the most seemingly menial jobs as golden opportunities to learn. Now he is in a position to provide those learning opportunities to others. Josh told me, “At the end of the day I live here, I am a part of this community, and I always keep in mind those who are in need and those who I can help get to the next level.” Josh is strongly involved in community give-back with various organizations, and his dedication to that work is one of the ways he examples his life ethic to the students who intern at Premier Media Group. They see him planting seeds for positive change, and he hopes to water the same seeds within them. Josh says, “Sometimes we can impact their lives in ways parents and teachers haven’t had the chance to. What if we water one of the seeds for an intern to make a real contribution that effects positive change for a lot of people? The community is the fabric of who we are, and my hope is to help students understand that they are an important part of how that fabric is woven together.”

Josh loves to challenge people to think differently. He seeks to open students’ minds and encourage them to look at things with a fresh perspective. The advice he kept repeating throughout our conversation was that interns should be bold – not shy. Communication starts with simply greeting people and talking with them. Show you are interested in them and what they do for the organization. Always ask for more opportunities. Don’t be a know-it-all, but do offer solutions to problems. The key here is to be able to demonstrate that the solution came from critical thinking – you thought about it carefully and looked at it from all sides before arriving at your suggested solution. Be willing to listen to constructive critique, and to be responsive in working with others on a refined solution.

Being bold and solving a problem is how you can separate yourself from the pack. These days, having a degree doesn’t set you part, so you need something more than that. Josh advice that students should be problem solvers, people who can find solutions, is certainly not unique to what he looks for in a intern. I can’t tell you how many articles I’ve read recently that say one of the top things employers are looking for are people who can solve problems. And you know what? I just returned from a national conference of educators who work in various experiential educational fields, and a running theme in the workshops was that internships are the current gateway to employment because they teach critical thinking and problem solving skills. Josh’s advice is right on target with what the employment market is seeking.

Josh says employers understand that you are not going to get it right every time. You are there to learn and grow. But be willing to take the risk to try to make a real contribution. If you are shy, or socially awkward, Josh encourages you to give people a shot and trust them to be supportive. He points out that you can’t train character and work ethic, and if you have those things you have great potential. Trust someone to help you achieve that potential.

I came away from my conversation with Josh inspired by the abundance of optimistic energy he exudes. He is more than upbeat; it shows in his face and way he carries himself that he loves life and he loves what he does. One of the nuggets Josh shared with me is to surround yourself with people you want to be like. I would add to that that you should find someone with an outlook like Josh’s who will be a natural encourager and mentor to help you get to where you want to be. Someone who can help you to discover and believe in your abilities, but at the same time can advise you with the hard-learned practical knowledge of how to achieve your goals.

The post Why I Mentor Students: An Entrepreneur’s Perspective appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

1. Dress to impress!

Show up looking clean, like you made an effort to look your best when you got up that morning, no matter what side of the bed you woke up on. Even something as simple as putting on an ironed shirt—emphasis here on IRONED—can send the message to your coworkers and supervisors that you respect the company you work for enough to know that your general appearance reflects the company’s image. Even if you work for a startup or for a company where rules are relaxed and the average age is fairly young—showing up with a polished look tells others, from the moment you walk in, that you are a professional and that you care about what you do. Whatever you say and do after that first impression is up to you!

2. Be on time.

Personally, I hate the feeling of being late…and unfortunately, I know it all too well. No one wants to be the one person the rest of the office is waiting on for a meeting to start—or worse, walking into the meeting late after it has already begun and being called out on your tardiness. It’s just not good for you, your office reputation, or your company’s image when you’re late to a meeting or miss a scheduled phone call with a client. Do your best to be on time and if you cannot be on time, call and reschedule with the other party, at the very least letting them know that you are late. Make sure you give a realistic estimation for how late you might be so they can plan their day accordingly. Being punctual shows your loyalty to the company and client and lets them know they can depend on you for the tasks at hand. And, think about it—is the guy who’s always late going to get a raise or a promotion? Maybe if he’s absolutely exceptional, but in most cases, you need to show your employers you take your job seriously by being on time and prepared for work. So, get going and get to work already!

3. Eat.

…Is it lunch yet?

Hey, I get it. Maybe you are not a breakfast person, or every once in a while you skip lunch for a session at the gym or to pack in some extra time for a project at work, but come on—everyone gets hungry! You can’t deny that natural instinct to eat, even if you are on a diet. Make sure you take a break for a snack or to pick up a breakfast sandwich if you skipped it that morning. I know I can get cranky when I am hungry, and if you know you are the same. Do yourself and your coworkers a favor and make sure they don’t see the ravenous beast that can emerge when hunger strikes. Yikes!

4. Sleep.

Yes, I said SLEEP. You might think you can disguise your fatigue at the office with unnatural amounts of coffee or concealer, but think again. That can only work for so long for the vast majority of us. If you are not superman, you probably need to get a few more hours of sleep, which might be easier said than done, but what’s really keeping you from those extra hours? Maybe you really do have a lot of work and have trouble balancing that with the grocery stops and seeing friends and family, but we can all make a little time to sleep. Make a list of the things you need to get done for the day or the week and then number the items from most to least important. This will help you figure out what is critical to finish that day, helping you to prioritize and make sure you get that extra shut-eye!

5. Exercise.

Yes, when you exercise your body, you are improving your office image, too. Hey, I’m not being vain here. A lot of office jobs keep people confined to their office chairs for most if not all of their 8 to 4 or 9 to 5 jobs. ATTENTION: this is NOT a normal way to live if you are not exercising. Figure out what you like to do—run, exercise at a gym, dance, stand-up paddle board—hey, you decide! Just like when you were younger, exercise is still just as important and when you exercise you release endorphins in your brain that make you feel happier. The time you spend exercising allows you to take a break for yourself, clearing your mind and leaving you fresh for whatever else the day throws at you.

Essentially, office image is more than simply wearing the right clothes. It’s about respecting your body and your mind so you can show up to work ready to do your job to the best of your ability. How can you possibly meet your professional goals if you cannot take care of yourself? Admit it. It’s hard to finish a project when you are thinking about sleep, or food, or how uncomfortable you are from sitting in a chair for hours on end. Now is the time to take charge of your professional life, by taking personal care for yourself.

The post 5 Ways to Improve Your Office Image appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Christopher Dela Cruz for Contributor Platform. 

Courage. Persistence. Hard Work.

The Entertainment Industry is brutal to say the least. Full of “No’s,” some “Maybe’s” and that occasionally “Yes.” So what are you willing to put on the line to get to where you want? Taking risks requires making sacrifices and that is not so easy to do when it comes down to it. You sacrifice sleep, time, and even money, but are all the sacrifices worth the risk?

Many people move to the city and say, “I’m going to make it in the industry” but what is “the industry” you want to make it in? The first thing to do is decide what being in the industry means to you and then determine what the right sacrifices are.

Growing up I was told that I would have to make sacrifices in my life and learn to prioritize, but as time went on I quickly learned there was a fine line between making a sacrifice and making the right sacrifice. So what is the difference? That is the task that each individual needs to make in order to customize their sacrifices according to what they want and what career path they are trying to take.

In college I thought that I was a responsible adult that could make my own decisions. Little did I know the trial and error process I would endure on my journey. If there was something that I wish I’d had better guidance in it would be learning to make the right sacrifices. Having built my reputation in the entertainment business and fashion industry I know that sacrifices are always being made. Numerous industry professionals told me this, but they were always vague in telling me who or what to sacrifice.

Relationships, spontaneous trips to Vegas, the weekly Taco Tuesday – these were all things I did not want to give up during college. All my friends were doing them and I didn’t want to miss out. Every week I would somehow find a way to convince myself that participating in these events was a smart decision. Not only was I wasting money, but energy and time as well. I look back at these moments and although I had  fun, I wish I had not attended all the functions I did and instead stayed home now and then to focus on my career.

The biggest advice I can give you in making the right sacrifices is to think twice about the decisions you are about to make. Think about whether something is a necessity or a desire. Never do anything for the wrong reasons and always think twice about whether or not it will benefit you and your career. Based on that you will start to learn to making the right decisions to make the RIGHT SACRIFICES. 

The post Learning to Make the Right Sacrifices appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student (international students should note that since there are no work authorizations necessary, you can start volunteering as soon as your freshman year), I suggest that you start volunteering as soon as possible — but volunteer strategically.

If dogs are your passion, and you are pursuing a marketing career, don’t volunteer to clean cages at the local pet shelter, volunteer to help with their promotional or event planning activities. If you are an accountant or accounting student, volunteer to help them with their books or tax preparation. If you are in sales, volunteer to help with fundraising…..You get the idea! Check out websites such as www.volunteermatch.com to find assignments that match your interests, career goals, and time availability.

There are several great reasons to volunteer strategically while looking for a job or internship:

• It gives you the chance to gain experience, sharpen your existing skills, and learn new skills that will make you a stronger candidate.
• Community service work looks impressive on your resume, particularly if it demonstrates important strengths such as collaboration, leadership, or program management.
• Volunteering provides a great opportunity to network with people who might recommend or hire you for a job or internship. In the non-profit sector, you not only have the chance to mix with volunteers, but you may have the opportunity to network with staff, the Board of Directors, and corporate donors. You may also have the opportunity to meet important contacts at non-profit social events (you can offer to work as a volunteer at these events even if you have never volunteered at the organization in the past).
• Volunteering helps build confidence and a sense of community that  contributes towards maintaining a positive mind-set during a sometimes frustrating job search.
• If your goal is to pursue a non-profit job, it will give you the credentials and understanding of the non-profit culture required to be considered for employment.

If you are an international student, volunteering also provides one of the easiest and fastest ways to understand the U.S. work culture, and gain experience working in that culture. It can also help you improve your English language skills.

The post How to Volunteer Your Way to a Job or Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Until you have a medical school acceptance letter in hand, people from all walks of life will continue to give you advice about “how to get into med school.” As a pre-med, I feel like I’ve heard almost all of it before. “It’s all about the grades,” “great interview skills,” “strong resume…” Although the key is probably a combination of all of these things, one experience I feel is invaluable is volunteering in the field you want to go into.

While attending college, I volunteer for one 4 hour shift every week at the local hospital. I do everything from discharging and admitting patients and making charts in the emergency department to running medical errands, transporting files, and bringing gifts to rooms in the patient towers. And although it’s still far from prescribing medications or treating fractures, the work I’ve done in the hospital has given me experience I am finding invaluable as I apply for PA school and consider my future career in the emergency room.

So, here are the 10 big reasons why I think it is a MUST for all pre-med students to volunteer in the field (specifically from my hospital experience):

10. It’s a Solid Resume Builder

Although this should obviously not be the main reason you volunteer, being able to apply to medical, dental, PA, or any other professional medical program with not just volunteer experience but volunteer experience where you were submerged in a working medical environment and also had direct contact with patients makes a very positive impression on applications (and potential employers).

9. It’s a Way of Giving Back to the Industry

If the medical field is something you really respect and believe in, it’s beneficial for both you and the hospital to put in hours for free. Many hospitals, especially like the somewhat rural one that I volunteer at, really couldn’t get by without volunteers, and their appreciation is very apparent.

8. The New Knowledge and Experience You’ll Obtain are Always Useful

Although my experience primarily involves interactions with patients and other volunteers, the tips I’ve been offered by doctors and nurses as well as the other medical things I’ve learned by observing and talking to patients have really expanded my knowledge and made me a much more informed pre-med student with first-hand experience to reinforce the concepts I’m learning in class.

7. Bedside Manner Practice is Never a Bad Thing

No matter what type of medical professional you plan to be, interacting with patients will almost certainly be a daily activity. You can be confident in a majority of social interactions, but until you face a disgruntled family member, a patient in agony, or a language barrier, it’s hard to get true practice or know how you would actually react in tough situation. Volunteering not only provides you with experience but also with the confidence to walk into a patient’s room prepared to greet anything – well…almost anything – that’s waiting for you on the other side.

6. You Learn the Tools of the Trade and How the Hospital Functions

From seeing the flashing trauma intake stats on a computer screen to exploring the vast library of medical records, volunteering on the inside gives you a good look at the way a hospital works and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really going on – and what you’ll probably be doing at different points of your career – from the moment a patient is admitted until the time they’re discharged.

5. It’s a Lot Different in Real Life

You can watch ER and House all you want, but until you’re staring an open fracture or an ailing child in the face, you can never truly know if you’re cut out for the job. Getting that kind of experience really is priceless, and it will most likely confirm or make your reevaluate your passion to be a medical professional.

4. It Makes You Test Yourself

Sure, you can speak Spanish, but can you speak it well to a frantic man with a traumatic hand injury? Can you successfully calm down someone with Alzheimer’s? Or even just witness the tears of a family member saying goodbye? Although you probably won’t encounter these situations too often in your volunteer position, they are all things that you will see as a health professional. It tests your fortitude and your dedication to your position, and the way you respond in trying situations helps you learn more about yourself as well.

3. It Helps You Understand Your Future Work Environment

Seeing how many hours the average person in your future career puts in, how many hours you would be on your feet, how busy you would be on an average day, and even how your position is viewed by others who work in the department and how that department interacts with others throughout the hospital are key factors you need to consider when committing to a career. These are things that can only be seen and determined by you first-hand.

2. Real Experience with Patients is Invaluable

Reading about injuries and diseases in a textbook is one thing, but seeing them in real life is completely different. No matter where you’re stationed in a hospital, you’ll probably be exposed to many different conditions but also to the belligerent, the confused, the scared, the depressed, the angry, and the downright rude patient. Learning early on how to comfort and deal with all of these types of patients puts you a full step ahead of the competition and can only aid you in years to come.

1. It Ensures that You Can Commit to Your Career

All of these factors combined with the fact that you are volunteering to be put in some pretty difficult situations (and aren’t there under any kind of formal contract or form of employment) proves to yourself and everyone else that you’re serious about medicine as your future career. If it’s the right field for you, then all of these experiences will only strengthen your desire to take that next step and apply to nursing, PA, dental, PT, or medical school.

Positions like the one I’ve been lucky enough to land can be hard to find, but keep looking! I guarantee you will not regret a single moment of your first-hand hospital experience.

The post Why Volunteering in your Field is a MUST for Pre-Meds appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a post by Joseph E. Buss for Contributor Platform. 

So there you are, writing your resume, a lot sooner than you’d planned to.  Maybe you got downsized, or maybe you just want to get out of there because your boss is not easy to work with.  At some level, you really do want to point out that your departure, past or imminent, is not because of you.

Let’s be honest, this has been a rough decade for those of us who punch a clock or sit in a cube farm. I’ve seen a lot of resumes where people lost their jobs in 2001 or 2002 right after 9/11, and lots of folks lost their jobs during the Great Recession that began in 2008 and never really seemed to end.  With that, there is always that temptation to defend yourself.

All well and good, but the resume is not the place to go into that.  As I discussed in my first article, the purpose of the resume is not to get you the job, it’s to get you an interview.  This means a short, quick recitation of your skills and accomplishments.  It is not the place to rehash personality conflicts or bad history.

Now when you do get to that point of the interview, you will probably be asked that question if the Human Resource person knows what he or she is doing.   The best thing to do is to relate what happened with the least amount of recrimination while still being honest.  If your position was eliminated, then be kind of understanding that sort of thing happens in business.  If you left or want to leave, put it in terms that you are looking to expand your horizons.  After all, the most probable reason why you are being given an opportunity to interview is because someone was let go or left.

About the Author 

Joseph E. Buss is the Owner/Operator of Competitive Edge Resume Service, Itasca, IL.  Talk with Joe at his Facebook Page, or visit his website,  competitiveedgeresume.com

The post The Dog Ate My Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

1. Identify ideal mentor profile

2. Effective ways to reach out – add value

3. Identify outcomes and value exchange

The post 3-Steps For Gaining The Perfect Mentor appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There are lots of reasons why people struggle with achieving their career goals. Often it is due to a lack of clarity, direction and focus. When we look at the big picture of what needs to be done to get from point A (where you are now) to point Z (the end result), we can become overwhelmed and paralyzed about where to begin. Good goal setting clearly defines the beginning, middle and end with clear actions; by breaking goals down into smaller achievable actions, we can see what needs to be done. The difficult question, of course, what is your long-term goal?

Once you have identified your long-term goal, you must then look at tackling your short-term goals. This will bring greater clarity, direction and focus that will drive you to succeed. By breaking up your long-term goal into active steps that can be completed, you help yourself progress without feeling overwhelmed. Want to learn a language? Instead of focusing on the steep learning curve and the years of practice that it requires, focus on practicing five new phrases each day for at least thirty minutes. Then with each consecutive day, these minutes will add to hours, which will add to days and then to months. Everything becomes clearer as a result and your focus is strengthened as you start to identify the actions that you need to support you along the way.

My clients create a yearly plan, quarterly plans, monthly plans and weekly plans that strategize their goals. The yearly plan identifies long-term goals. The quarterly plan breaks these long-term goals into shorter 3-month periods. The monthly and weekly plans break these goals down further into hyper concise actionable steps.

For example, many students who attend law school have no idea what type of law they want to pursue after graduation. Often, they understand that law school is a financially stable career path, but they do not have specific passions for a specific law sector. Your first goal then becomes to identify the types of law that interest you. Your first set of actions need to be around research and exploration around law career interests. You can start by researching types of law careers online. Next you can take the Strong Interest Inventory. The Strong Interest Inventory is a career interest inventory used in career counseling to help people gain insight and clarity around career interests.

Here’s a brief example plan:

Long Term Goals:

1. Establish a career in law

Quarterly Goals:

1. Career Exploration
2. Job Search
3. Resume
4. Experience

 Monthly Actions:

• Research and explore types of law careers online.
• Take the Strong Interest Inventory to identify career interests.
• Identify and create a list of firms or organizations that employ lawyers specializing in your area of interest.
• Network. Don’t limit yourself to only lawyers. Talk to people about your interests and pursuits who may also have connections or information about jobs that you may be a good fit.
• Clean up resume to reflect your experience, skills and pursuits of interest. Hire a resume writer.
• Create list of hiring decision makers in organizations from list. Apply to organizations identified in list.
• Work on gaining experience through internships or other activities related to your field of interest

Now that you have created a strategic plan around your goals, your questions will start to be answered as you begin to view your future through a new perspective with greater clarity. Without a doubt, goals seem less overwhelming when they are broken down into clear, visible steps. So take those first baby steps. Don’t fret about the long journey ahead. As the old adage goes, you got to learn to walk before you run.

The post Learn To Tackle Your Long-Term Goals Today appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There is a lot of advice out there in the world aimed at college students, recent graduates and those transitioning between job fields. If you are reading this now, it’s probably because you are in the process of gathering such information, determined to make the ‘best’ decision possible about which advice to follow, and how to proceed in the quest for your dream job.

Along this journey, I hope you will consider one piece of advice that I firmly believe is the most valuable bit of counsel that I have to offer anyone. Go with your gut. That’s it. Plain and simple.  You’ve heard it before, and you’ll certainly hear it again. It may seem trite or ‘too easy’ for a generation of overachievers (including myself!). Still, I cannot stress the importance of this seemingly small idea.

I admit that it can be difficult to decipher the difference between all of your different internal voices. But when you really take the time to step away from the chaos of job hunting and find a few quiet minutes to reflect, it can quickly become an easy practice to figure out which is which.

In those moments, stop and ask yourself, “What’s the difference between listening to my head, my heart, and my gut? What is each voice saying?”  To help you think through this process, and explain what I mean, I will give you the follow example:

• My head tells me to follow logic, job A pays more than job B, even though I like the environment of job B better, so I should take job A to be more financially sound.

• My heart says to follow my feelings and those momentary whims of emotion. How did you feel at each of those job interviews? Recruiter for job A was stiff and cold, and the Recruiter for job B seemed friendly, so I should choose job B because it will be more comfortable and I’ll enjoy going to work.

• And now my gut…My gut makes no sense. There is no rhyme or reason. There is no predictable measure to help me try to anticipate what my gut will say, whether it will side with my head or my heart. Frequently, it does something completely rogue, like tell me to wait for a job C (even though job C hasn’t phoned me for an interview yet).

When I was working on the corporate side of the film and TV industry a few years back, I was looking for a change. I wanted to focus full-time on Recruiting, and specifically work with college students and entry level artists and production candidates. I had the opportunity to interview for a position that was available with the college outreach program that my studio (DreamWorks Animation) was in the process of growing at that time. I loved the team! I loved the mission, and the studio even flew me up to the Bay Area to check out the PDI offices where I would be working if I decided to accept the position and transfer.

I had a great trip up to the Bay–met even MORE amazing people at our sister office, and spent my weekend driving around San Francisco, scoping out the different neighborhoods, trying to decide where I would want to live.

It was exciting and I thought it was exactly the change that I wanted. Yet, even before I went up to the Bay, I had this little voice inside saying, “This isn’t for you. This isn’t what you really want.” I was puzzled. It was a fantastic opportunity, I was basically a shoo-in, being an internal employee, and the department supervisor loved me. All logistical signs pointed to ‘go’! So I did my best to ignore that still small voice, to convince myself that I was just anxious about moving and trying something new.

But as I went through the salary negotiations, that little voice got louder. And on top of the voice, I started to feel anxious and even had bizarre stomach cramps and muscle spasms.

To make a long story short, I ended up not taking the job. And I am SO glad that I didn’t! I stayed long enough at that studio job to pay off the rest of my student loans (I had a goal! See my previous post!), and have been blessed to remain debt free ever since. Though consulting can be an uncertain career path, in terms of how to plan finances, I have absolutely loved the past 3 years of my life!

There have been numerous challenges to be sure, but every time that I have followed that gut instinct, I’ve come out okay in the end, with a result I feel proud of, regardless of the difficulty I’ve had to face.

As much as I wish there were an easy answer to that question you’ve been wrestling with, there is NO perfect advice for how to live your life.

So before I write any further articles, I thought it was important to share this simple piece of advice. Surely, at some point, something I say will directly contradict another piece of advice you got from an equally informed source. That’s when you have to decide ultimately what is right for YOU. Because, at the end of the day, that is who has to live with the choices you make. Not your guidance counselor, not your parents, and not your boss.

Just you.

Whether you believe that small ‘gut’ voice is the voice of God, the universe, or your intuition, I sincerely believe that every person possesses such a voice and the ability to listen to it.

Please take this advice for what it’s worth. And if you don’t agree with listening to your gut, if your ‘gut’ says that is wrong—then let my bit of advice just float away. And you will have affirmed the importance of having peace over a decision, no matter where you believe that  guidance comes from.

The post My Most Important Piece of Advice For Anyone appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Kristine Thomason for Contributor Platform. 

After explaining I’m a journalism major at NYU, a number of people have replied with the phrase I’d heard many times, “but journalism is dying“.  I admit, at times it is frightening to know I’m aspiring to work for an industry that is going through so much change. Many print publications are struggling and being replaced by digital alternatives, and writing is being condensed to make way for more visual content. However, my experience in the field has shown me journalism isn’t dying, but rather evolving.

After interning at both print and online publications, I’ve been able to see first hand how the two worlds diverge, and yet, at their core are still the same. Last spring I worked for Men’s Health Magazine, solely in print. I was thrown in head first with a writing assignment my first week. While I was shocked and slightly intimidated to be handed so much responsibility so quickly, I can’t imagine a better way to have learned how to handle the editorial world.

I quickly learned to juggle multiple projects while still meet my deadlines. This involved prioritizing assignments and figuring out what worked best for me to get everything done. For example, I’m not the best at writing first thing in the morning, so I focused on research or administrative work earlier in the day and saved writing for the afternoons.

While I loved working in print, as the semester was drawing to a close, I realized I wanted to explore the digital side of journalism. No, the “journalism is dying” naysayers didn’t get to me; I just wanted to see what it was like to work for an online publication. After applying to many summer internships, I accepted a position as a digital editorial intern at HGTV.com.

By the end of my first week at HGTV, it hit me – I’d done a complete 180 from my role at Men’s Health. On the most obvious level, the content I researched and wrote about was wildly different. Instead of health trends, I researched design trends. In place of fitness tips, I created clever home decorating tips. But what I found most interesting were the differences between the print and online editorial process. At Men’s Health, I’d submit a written sidebar that would then go through a series of editors before I’d hear any feedback. And this was all for a piece less than 150 words that wouldn’t appear in the magazine until months later. Yet, at HGTV, I’d write a blog post that could potentially be published that very day if my editors gave it the okay. It was fascinating to see the immediacy of an online medium.

These two internships were so different, and yet, the skills I gained from each will, without a doubt, help me in future journalism ventures. While there’s no way I could possibly condense everything I learned into a brief article, from pitching to researching to interviewing and everything in between, here are a few tips I‘ve found helpful for excelling in both print and digital editorial internships:

Do Your Research

Pour through as many articles as possible until you really have a sense of what the publication is all about. I was no expert on the latest fitness crazes for men before I interviewed at Men’s Health, but I was determined to learn as much as I possibly could about the magazine. Even after you’ve secured a job, don’t let your research stop! Continue to binge-read article after article until you’ve completely immersed yourself in that publication, and feel ready to effectively represent their brand and voice in your writing.

Find Your Voice in Their Voice

Learn to tailor your writing to the style and voice of the publication you work for. I know for writers this can be hard. It’s easy to get attached to a certain style of writing we call our own, but it’s important to adapt to the needs of the publication. This doesn’t mean you need to completely throw everything about your prose out the window; it’s all about balance. Stick to their style but also make it your own. Since finding this balance can be challenging, when you’re applying to an internship ask yourself– could I write in their style? Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, but also set yourself up for success.

Keep Your Eyes Open

No, I’m not referring to staying awake on the job. What I mean is be aware of the world around you, always. I’ve had so many writing teachers challenge our class to refrain from shoving headphones into our ears when we walk around the city. Instead, they encouraged us to pay attention to our surroundings. As a journalist, inspiration for an article can come from anywhere. But if you have your head down and mind closed, you could miss out on an idea for a truly great story.

Live What You Write

Find ways to live the brand your work for. For example, while I may not be a man, I did begin to embrace more fitness and healthy eating practices while working at Men’s Health. I even made a point to work out with more of my guy friends, for a different perspective on my usual fitness regime. During my summer at HGTV, I tried to make time for creative ventures, like working on decorating projects in my apartment. A lot of this will happen naturally, but whether it’s conscious or not, embracing different aspects of the publication will really help cater your writing to that world. You become enmeshed in the culture and consequently feel like you have a lot more authority to write about the topics.

Get to Know Your Colleagues

Last but not least, be social! Writing is a notoriously lonely occupation, but the beauty of interning for a publication vs. freelancing or working on a personal novel is there are people all around you! Get to know them. Chat with your editors, have lunch with other interns, and even reach out to colleagues in different departments. Your coworkers will most likely be very receptive and more than willing to give you solid advice. Since the journalism world is all about connections, it’s key to maintain these relationships after your internship is over.

I’ve loved every minute of both my print and online experiences. Journalism is a fast paced world that’s constantly changing to meet the demands of modern readers. While at times, it can be scary to know the journalism world will be different by the time I graduate, it’s also exciting to be entering an evolving industry. So if you love to write, do it. Whether it’s news on fitness trends, the latest kitchen appliances, political issues or late breaking news, there will always be stories to tell and a need for people to share those stories with the world.

About the Author:

Kristine Thomason is a senior at NYU studying Journalism and Psychology. She’s also a foodie, arts and culture lover, runner, and overall curious seeker of stories. Kristine has known she wanted to be a writer since she was 11 years old, and knew she wanted to be a professional journalist after writing her first non-fiction book From Senior to Senior during her senior year of High School. She is currently freelancing and will be working for Fitness Magazine this fall where she will be writing for both their digital and print platforms.  Read more of Kristine’s work at kristinethomason.wordpress.com.

The post From Print To Digital: How To Succeed In The Editorial World appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Legs aching, I lean over the stacks of boxes, dreading my life, and wondering why am I here. Inventory time is one of the most horrible experiences ever. In college terms; it’s the equivalent of finals stress times infinity. Fair to say, I was ‘hopped up on Mountain Dew’ to meticulously account for every item ranging from $400 to $54,000 (Rubs hands and utters “Perfect”).

One Week Later…

I received a phone call from a great friend. I’m listening in the stock room with mounds of bags surrounding me, and I immediately burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding,” I say. But no, he was serious; so serious in fact, he said, “when we were creating this position, we thought of you.”  My mouth gaped, but I wasn’t too hasty. I asked for the details, asap.

After the phone call, life became a blur…setting the ideal time to tell my boss, finding living arrangements, and enjoying the emotional farewell party. Transitioning is one of the hardest obstacles we can face. It’s a part of life, but preparation is obsolete if you haven’t personally experienced the process.

Over the course of four weeks, I prepared myself for a complete industry switch and for absolute responsibility in a major role. My goodness, it was an exhilarating time. I felt ready to lead and command. In the early weeks however, it seemed as though my soul was in a grieving stage. I reminisced on how I advanced and on the special bonds I’ve made. It deeply saddened me. Leaving an amazing company with so many extreme personalities can alter your outlook on normality.  Despite this, the unknown excites me. During the third week, I latched to the individuals who made a difference in my character. I literally soaked in every minute to never forget what we shared. And mostly, I took in their words of wisdom. Now, simultaneously packing and dabbing happy tears, I realize I must experience irregularity to improve my life. This is a process that truly dictates success.

It’s unwise to subdue emotions of sadness, minor anxiety, and excitement. The next step in a twenty-something year old’s life is to foster these emotions and understand how to handle reality. I dared to simply feel. Osho the author of courage states, “Life begins where fear ends”. Express your sentiments wholeheartedly for this is the emotion that unlocks fear.

I leave you in the exact spirit I encompass for myself. Take along your teachings and the wonderful friendships to cultivate your future. You’ve completed your task for this journey to consciously create another. I AM HERE, THE COMMANDER OF MY FUTURE, THE OWNER OF MY EMOTIONS, AND THE CONQUEROR OF MY TRANSITION.

Stay Intrigued and Keep Believing

The post Conquer Your Career Transition appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

By Anita Manuel, Career Strategist & Consultant

I was recently meeting with a student who was very frustrated and stressed about what to do after graduation.  She said “I just don’t want to get some meaningless office job, but the problem is, I just don’t know what to do?! I want to have a meaningful career, you know?  I just want to find a way to do work that I love, but also make a decent living.”

So my response to her was, “Well, tell me more about what you love.”

And here is where she drew a blank, and said, “that’s just it, I DON’T KNOW!”

Truth be told, we’ve all come to a point where we ask ourselves, “What exactly am I meant to do?”  And, this question gets even more daunting when you happen to be on a timeline to find a job, or make a transition (e.g. you’re graduating, your parents are kicking you out of the house, you lost your job etc.)

So, the first step in figuring this out, is to give yourself some time to actually think about what it is that gives you purpose, makes you happy, gives you pleasure, excites you, makes you curious…

And here’s the important part, what you discover is unique to you.  We each have our own experiences, personalities, and genetic make-up, which all contribute to our world view. What you love or get excited about is going to be different than just about anyone else in the world.  That doesn’t mean that you have to figure out the answers all by yourself, but it does mean that you will be the only one to know the answer to some of the following questions:

1. What is most important to you?  (success, wealth, adventure, growth, balance, family, status)
2. What are the things or activities that make you feel fulfilled, happy or excited? (if you say, “the only thing that gets me excited these days is hanging out with my dog,” that’s fine.  Do you know how many animal related organizations exist?  Do you know how many companies let you bring your dog to work?)
3. What problems do you like to solve?
4. Are those problems focused on people, ideas or things?
5. Who do you admire? Why? What do they do for a living?
6. What kinds of people do you want to work with?
7. What strengths/skills do you like using most? (writing, speaking, programming, research, analysis)
8. What do other people say that you do well?
9. What are your favorite websites, blogs, social media channels?
10. In reflecting on past courses, projects or work experience, which tasks or roles did you enjoy most?

The answer to these questions should generate some themes and give you an idea of where you might like to work or what type of environment would be a good fit for you.  If you still feel stuck, I’d recommend checking out Imperative.com which offers a tool to identify how you find purpose in your work.   After completing the assessment you’ll be able to identify WHO you want to serve, WHY you are motivated to work with them and HOW you want to serve them.

The second piece of this puzzle is to try things out.  You need to get some experience in order to actually know what it is that you like or don’t like.  Sometimes, classroom experience is just not enough.  You need to test the waters in the real world and the best way to do this is through an internship or volunteer work.

Check out the opportunities here on WayUp as well as volunteer positions through www.idealist.org or volunteermatch.org.   If you realize that you want to work for a non-profit that focuses on animal advocacy, then you need to see which organizations exist in the field and what they do.  What better way to show a potential future employer that you are passionate and dedicated to their cause than by volunteering or interning for them.

Bonus tip! Don’t forget to connect with your university career center or alumni association for contacts and opportunities directly related to your alma mater.  Remember, those who have a natural connection to you are much more likely to provide leads, support and referrals.

At this point, you might be wondering what happened to the student I was working with… How does this story end?  Did she figure out the rest of her life?!

After we reviewed the questions above and talked through some of her concerns, she was able to identify that relationships and teamwork were very important to her and that she liked to use her communication skills, specifically writing.  She also checked out some of the sites mentioned and found internships that sounded interesting and that were paid opportunities.  She was now excited about the possibility of pursuing a career that encompasses her values and interests.  This wasn’t an “I’m going to change the world” moment…but it was an “Aha” moment, for her.  She was able to connect with something that excited her and that was enough to help her know that she could find work that was meaningful to her.

And that bring us to the last part of the puzzle…perception.

Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of person?  It’s important to remember that there is not one job that can bring you 100% fulfillment.  Personal purpose encompasses all aspects of yourself and how you find meaning in the world.  This includes what you do for fun, how much time you get to spend with your family, participating in hobbies and knowing that you contribute to something greater than yourself.  Work or “a job” is just one part of what you do in your life.  If you can approach your work with an understanding that you are contributing to a greater cause or outcome, you will find it much easier to complete the tasks that you don’t love as a way to reach a meaningful goal.  A classic examples is exercise.  You love the results but may not always love the work involved.

All experiences can provide insight into what drives you and gives you purpose (or what doesn’t).  Approach opportunities with an open mind and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.  If you are still stuck, don’t do it alone!  Reach out to family, friends, colleagues, and professionals in your field of interest.  You’d be surprised how willing people are to share their experiences and tips.  And at the end of the day, only YOU know what gets you excited…listen to that voice, because it’s your purpose speaking to you.

The post How to Build a Meaningful Career Path appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Who do you turn to when you need professional advice? Sure, your parents and siblings can be helpful, but have you thought about getting a mentor? Having a mentor in your industry can help you gain insight, provide advice on next moves in your career, and ultimately give you a leg-up in your field. Finding a mentor can be a bit intimidating at first, but they can have a huge impact on your career trajectory and make your working experience more positive.

Before you begin seeking a mentor, you must ask yourself a few questions:

• Do I have the time to reach out, follow up, and nurture this relationship?
• Why am I looking for a mentor and what do I hope to get out of the experience?
• Why should they say “yes” to my request?
• What do I have to offer my mentor?

Once you have answered these questions, you are ready to look for a mentor. Here are four ideas to help make this a reality:

1. Look around and reach out.

You may already know the person who you want to mentor you. Think about people you already know who might fit the profile you’ve come up with. You are connected to many more people than you realize and doing initial outreach will help you pinpoint who you’re interested in. There are many ways to find a mentor.

Here are a few places ways to start your search:

• Talk to your professors who are in the field
• Look up alumni of groups you belong to at school (fraternity, sorority, business organizations or volunteer groups etc.)
• Join LinkedIn groups that are specific to your industry and college
• Go to your career center and look up alumni in your field

A mentor can come in any form and may not have the “mentor” title. Anyone who gives you professional feedback and helps you learn more about your field can be one. They should be invested in your professional growth and have extensive experience in your industry.

Maybe your favorite professor is at the forefront of the field you’re interested in. They likely have contacts within the industry and can help connect you to a potential mentor. This goes for anyone you reach out to. Even if they personally aren’t able to give you advice, they might know of someone who could help you (tip: if they’re not a good fit – ask if they have suggestions/can refer you to someone else). If you feel like it is appropriate, don’t hesitate to ask them to reach out to their network.

The opposite tactic is to reach out to professionals you aren’t connected to. Find someone who has things in common with you. They will be more likely to respond if they work somewhere you have interned in the past or are from the same hometown as you.

Your school career center can help you get in contact with professionals in your field. If you don’t have access to an alumni database, LinkedIn is a good alternative. Your LinkedIn profile should be up to date, professional, and accessible before you reach out to anyone on the site. Many schools have alumni groups on LinkedIn and you can find someone who might be eager to discuss what has changed at the school since they graduated. Industry specific LinkedIn groups are also great places to find people who work in the same field and may be great fits. However, before you contact anyone, you should first compile a list of the people you are interested in.

2. Make a list.

Just like applying for positions, not everyone is going to say “yes.” Make a list of a few people you would like to have as your mentor. Write up compelling reasons why you want them in particular to be your mentor. How you ask is just as important as who you ask.

3. Ask!

It sounds simple, but if you don’t ask anyone, you certainly won’t get a mentor. Building a relationship before you ask them is a good idea, especially if you haven’t known them for very long. Don’t jump into it too quickly, give it time, and get to know them before transitioning it into a mentoring relationship.

Keep your request simple and specific. If you know them through someone else, make sure you mention the link between you. If it’s over email, you could say:

Subject: Engineering Advice – Melinda Lopez

Dear _______,

My name is ______ and I am an engineering student working on a project on ______ in San Francisco. I heard about the great work you are doing at ______ through my professor, Melinda Lopez. She suggested I contact you because I am seeking engineering advice on _____ and she thought you might be a great person to ask because_____. I would like to meet you for coffee in the next week to discuss the engineering field and your experience in it. Does this work with your schedule?

Thank you for your time.

4. Maintain the relationship.

Following-up and following through are key to having a good relationship with your mentor. Get to know their mentoring style. They may want to meet for coffee once a week or exchange emails twice a month. Tailor your follow-up tactics based on what is best for them.

When you receive advice about what job you could apply for or a change in the layout of your resume take action in a timely manner. Give your mentor updates about how things are going with your job search or show them your updated resume. They are going to be volunteering a lot of time and effort, so make sure that you thank them, employ their suggestions, reach out periodically, and give back when you can.