Staying Positive in Your Job Search!

Graduating is an exciting time that brings a new stage of life, your career! Although many seniors have already secured a job (Congrats!), there are still some that are feeling a little stagnant in their job search (I'm one of them!). Here are few tips to stay positive in your job search! Don't give up!

1. Network!

Just because you aren't employed doesn't mean you can't chat it up with other employed people! take advantage of different groups and networking events. These will provide opportunities to meet up with people who can help in your career and give you insight on building it.

2. Set Yourself Apart!

This time isn't just for waiting! Build your LinkedIn profile and update your cover letter and resume. Creating personal websites or beefing up your portfolio is also great. Be sure that when updating these documents to let your personality peek through. Show employers why you are the perfect pick!

3. Stay Positive!!

It is difficult. And scary. But don't worry! There is a position out there for you! Don't settle for just any job either. Be sure to take something that not only will advance your career but be something you enjoy! Everyone's paths are different, so don't compare. Don't give up!

Building Your Credit!

Being out on your own has its financial importance and building credit is apart of that. Having a good credit score not only plays a role in the interest rates for your loans (like car and student ones), credit limits and credit cards, but also in building a stable financial future. 

So what is a credit score? 

A credit score is a rating of your credit activity, current lines of credit, mortgages, paid off loans, etc.  The ratings are broken down as follows:

• 750-850: Highest.  
• 700-749: Really good.  
• 660-699:  Average.  This is where most people sit.  
• 580-659: Poor.  
• 300-579: Lowest. 

You can get a copy of your score once a year from credit reporting agencies and some credit card companies will provide it to you monthly. 

Ways to Build Your Credit

Secured Credit Cards: If you currently don't have credit, secured credit cards can be an option. You provide the money up front to use like a debit card and can switch the card over to a normal credit card with the creditor's approval. 

Credit Cards from your Bank or Credit Union: These cards are issued if you have a savings or checking account and usually require you to have a certain amount in those accounts before issuing you the card. These cards usually provide a lower interest rate and are good for those building their credit.

Service Credit: This type of credit includes utility services, cell phone bills, cable providers, etc. Here you have an agreement with the provider to pay monthly for the services they provide. 

Tips To Maintain a Good Score

Pay Your Bills on Time: This if anything affects your credit score the most. Paying your bills on time ensures you are a reliable borrower and aren't at risk for default. Your credit score can drop significantly if you do not pay your lenders on time.

Avoid Maxing Out Your Credit Cards: Keep the utilization down on your credit card to avoid maxing out and defaulting on payments. 

Reduce the Balances on Your Lines of Credit: Like the previous tip, keeping the utilization down on your line of credit decreases the chance for default and decreases the interest accrued on the credit to lessen the chance of default.  

What ways are you building your credit?

10 Tips to Maximize and Expand Your LinkedIn Network!

With the job application process being so important for current college seniors, LinkedIn has become a hub for job searching and connecting professionals from everywhere. Here are 10 tips to beef up your LinkedIn profile to maximize and expand your network!

1. Create a catchy headline!

2. Keep an active account through liking posts or even publishing your own.

3. Include keywords in your summary and background to be found in searches.

4. Use your profile as an online portfolio by adding links or documents to show the work you've done in a specific position. 

5. Join groups that are relevant to your career path.

6. Add an industry to your profile to increase your profile views.

7.Don't forget to include volunteer work!

8. Send thank you notes to new connections.

9. Ask for connections to provide you with recommendations.

10. Check your profile regularly! You don't want to miss out on an opportunity by neglecting your page!

What other tips do you have to expand your LinkedIn network?

Purchasing Your First Car!

With the transition from college to the "real world" comes the option of purchasing a car! You finally have the chance to get your own set of wheels and let go of your dying vehicle or mom and dad's hand- me- down. Here are a few tips to get you started in your car purchasing process.

1. Plan, Budget, and Decide

Take sometime before even searching for cars to figure out if your budget can provide you with a car and if you even need one. Purchasing a car is a big monetary decision and requires planning and budgeting. Your current car (if you have one) may not even need to be replaced, and deciding not to buy a car after graduation can save you some serious money. During this time also decide what type of car you want. Used or new? What make and model? What features must you have? Asking people who know a lot about cars can be helpful.

2. Explore Your Financing Options

Purchasing any big ticket item requires some saving and budgeting, and buying a car is no different. If you are buying a used car, paying with cash out right may be an option. Check out your local bank or credit union to see what type of car loans they provide to assist you in the buying process. If you already have a car, look for the possibility of trading it in. Don't forget other expenses such as tags, titles, insurance and a down payment. Incorporate these things in your budget.

3. Shop Around

Buying your first car doesn't need to be a hasty process. SHOP AROUND! I repeat! SHOP AROUND! Visit online sites such as carmax.com and autotrader.com to compare prices and deals. Pay attention to advertisements and sales put on by your local dealerships. Don't be afraid to test drive different models to see which car is the best for you. Be sure to check the Carfaxs of cars you are seriously interested in! 

Happy Shopping!

Transitioning Your College Wardrobe for Corporate Wear!

So you've landed a job after graduation! You're so excited...until you look in your closet! We all will come to the point where we notice where our wardrobe is abundant in yoga pants and college tees and lacking in slacks and blouses! But don't worry. Here are a few ways to spruce up your current collegiate wardrobe and make it suitable for corporate or workwear. And on a budget!

1. Add a Statement Piece

You probably have at least one pair of slacks, a blazer and a few nice-enough shirts you could incorporate into your workwear. Spice up those pieces with a statement necklace or shoe that adds some personality to your outfit. Charming Charlie has great options for jewelry and they even divide their stores in sections by color. Check them out here.

2.Add a Pop of Color

You can also add to those staple pieces by purchasing items that add color to your outfit. Target and Forever 21 have options for colorful blazers and cardigans that are appropriate for the office. 

Target: Click Here

Forever 21: Click Here

3. Add a Bag

One sure way to upgrade your wardrobe for the office is with a sleek bag. Choosing an oversized tote or structured bag adds sophistication and class to any outfit. H&M is a great place to find these bags. Check their selection out here.

4. Spruce Up Your Makeup

Now don't go crazy here! We still want to keep a professional look. But don't be afraid to swap out your gloss for lipstick. Stick to pinks or reds and keep the eyes simple. Ulta is a great place to find brands that compliment your skin tone and won't break your budget. Look at some of their options here.

Transitioning your closet for the office can be easy, fun, and inexpensive! Which tip is your favorite?

Essential Leadership Skills

Yep. Another post on leadership skills. In the transition from college to the work environment,or any stage in your life, leadership characteristics are valuable attributes to have. They not only give you a one up on your colleagues but provide opportunities for growth. Here are 10 leadership skills to have that make will make you stand out!

1. You have to give more than you get in return right away.
2. You have to invest in yourself when no one else will.
3. You have to grind out the details.
4. You have to do your own research even when you are handed the "facts".
5. You have to be kind to people, even when they are rude to you.
6. You have to try and be prepared to fail. And then try again.
7. You have to be accountable for your actions.
8. You have to keep moving forward.
9. You have to take risks.
10.You have to lead, even when no one is following you.


Which characteristic is your favorite?

Sticking to a Budget for Groceries!

 

Budgeting can be hard for any circumstance, but with transition in the real world comes the budget for groceries! As of now, we live on a campus that provides lunch and dinner for us as well as surrounding restaurants that cater to all our cravings! This soon shall pass and creating a budget for grocery shopping will come in handy to prevent you from starving!

Before you even enter a store, you should plan ahead. This includes creating a budget and list of the foods you need and want to buy. You might want to go as far as planning out your meals to avoid any impulse buys. Budgeting should also account for your needs and wants as far as food. Meat and produce should account for this biggest part of your budget with other food groups following behind. Also NEVER and I mean NEVER go to the store hungry! This has happened to me plenty of times and I've ended up buying way more than I needed and the food has sometimes gone to waste!

Before shopping, you also want to check sales ads and circulars for coupons and stores that may have better deals than others. While shopping, be aware of the items that can take money from your budget where you can save. Like brand name vs generic brand. In some cases brand name items are better than the store brand but now stores are becoming better at making products that heavily compete with brand names. Brand names should apply to items such as toiletries, alcohol products, medicines and other items that may not compare to the store brand. But even when buying these, be sure to check for sales at stores and coupons that can help you save. Store brands can account for simple items like pasta sauce and noodles, spices, meats, and other snack items. These are things that are usually the same as brand name items.

Last piece of advice: try to avoid impulse buys. We always go to the store and end up buying more than we need. It's easier to do this when mom and dad are taking the bill. These "small" purchases end up taking well saved money from our budget and half the time are things that go unused. Also, use reusable bags! Its good for the environment and it saves the hassle of finding a place for those stupid plastic bags!