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!

Breaking Into the Workplace!

So you've landed a job! And in all your waves of excitement come nervous thoughts of transitioning into a new work environment with new people, new tasks, new assignments and more. So how do you make the transition as smooth as possible? Here are 3 tips on breaking into the workplace!

1. Keep an Open Mind

I believe this is the most important tip in transitioning into the workplace. We as college students have expectations and different thoughts of the workplace. Although we may have interned at companies and gotten a preview of what that environment should feel like, expectations can hinder us from having an easier transition. Work environments differ in each company and some may be more relaxed or reserved than others. Keeping an open mind and not having high expectations will make the adjustment better. Now keeping your expectations low doesn't mean forgetting about workplace standards such as safety, fairness and equality. Keep an open mind about the personalities and how the environment is run overall. You should in no way work for a company that doesn't provide the basic standards of workplace etiquette and makes you feel discriminated against.

2. Befriend a Key Influencer

Connecting with a key influencer not only keeps someone in your corner but gives you a mentor. This person should be able to give you insight to the environment as well as give you advice on how to adjust. Try to look for someone who has been with the company for a while and seems to have adjusted well. They can also open up other connections for you to other influencers in the office.

3. Be Confident

Last but certainly not least, be confident. You were hired for a reason! Your qualifications speak for themselves. On the first day, don't be afraid to introduce yourself. Ask questions and take part in group discussions in meetings. Ask questions to learn more about how you can help the company reach its goals. Don't hold back but step right into your role. You may not understand all of the ins and outs of the work environment, but being confident shows your effort in truly wanting to be apart of the workplace.

What tip was your favorite for breaking into the workplace?

Ways to Stand Out in Your Job Search!!

With graduation coming oh so soon, (less than 90 days in fact!), the search for a job is becoming more difficult for us seniors. This list is just a few ways to stand out in your job search and to beat out the competition! Happy searching!

1. Get noticed before applying. This can come from recommendations or referrals, networking,  and connecting with employers on LinkedIn.

2. Make your resume, cover letter and portfolio TOP NOTCH. Use better verbiage, like action words to make your application stand out. Don't be afraid to use the same verbs advertised in the actual position and tailor them to your characteristics.

3. Use facts, figures and numbers on your resume. Your resume and cover letter should be based off of each other but a resume should not flow like a story. An employer should look to bullet points for concise details of your experience and facts, figures and numbers stand out.

4. Be cordial to everyone you meet in the interview process. The person at the front desk may not work in HR, but employers may ask them for a report of the demeanor of those being interviewed. 

5. Be confident. No whimpy handshakes. Make eye contact. Don't forget to smile!

6. Do your research! Make sure you know the background of the company and position you're applying for.

7. Bring your experience with you. If you have a portfolio where you can refer and actually have proof of what you done, you have a one-up on other interviewees.

8. Come with questions. Don't make the interview a one way conversation. Employers take questions as actual interest in the position. Ask what a typical day would be like in the role. Ask what are some of the company's goals for the long term and how you could help them reach it.

9. Follow-up. Whether through an email or call, thank the employer for taking the time to interview you.

10. LAND THE JOB!!

Which one of these tips is your favorite?

Things to Know Before Purchasing Your First Apartment!

 

Moving out can be an exciting experience. I mean we basically live on our own for 4 years and going back to live with mom and dad after college can seem a bit confining. On the other hand, moving out can be a very big expense and big hassle. Here are a few tips to know before leaving the nest.

Know Your Budget

Just because you want to move out doesn't mean you have the funds or resources to do so. Take time to figure out if your income will support you living on your own. Rent should account for about 1/3 of your income. Also factor in things like utilities, groceries, car expenses, savings and other things that you will have to cover while living alone. Don't neglect the one time costs of moving such as application fees, deposits, furniture, and administrative fees. During this time, you should also make a list of things you may need like furniture and just common household items that you would need to live by yourself. Account for these things in your budget.

SAVE

After knowing your budget and what you can do financially, saving is an obvious step. This concept seems to be an important one in your early twenties! You're not only saving to make sure you have everything before you move out, but also in case of emergencies. Life happens and saving will give you a cushion to keep yourself afloat if there happens to be such things. 

Start Looking

After the first two tips have been followed through with, you can move on to the actual searching process. During this time it is important to know what your needs and wants are and to be realistic. Coming from HPU has made me very spoiled but knowing the difference between what my income can afford and what I want are two separate things. Your needs should be things that can't be debated such as a good neighborhood, updated (not necessarily stainless, lol) appliances, good plumbing, a good landlord, things of that nature. And then there are things that aren't necessary to live on your own but are things that you want such as in-suite washer and dryer, a gym and pool, a balcony and things like that. After listing these things, you should actually go visit the apartments. Know the distance from work, see the type of neighbors you may potentially be having and just check out the actual suite that you may be living in.

Following these simple steps will make your moving out process a lot more easier and even fun. Moving out is an exciting experience and can be done correctly if these ideas are kept in mind!

Paying off Your Student Debts

It's inevitable.

Student Debt.

With college tuition costs rising steadily every year, more than 70%  of graduates are leaving school with about $30,000 in debt or more! Like most loans, they may be referred until after graduation. But then what?? Here are a few ways to tackle that student debt and shorten the race to financial freedom

1. Tackle Your Debt
Seems repetitive, but here its more about understanding how much debt you really have. Most debts come from private loans, but don't forget about those federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Make sure to have a clear note of how much you owe. In reaching that clarity, make sure you read the fine print of your loan terms and repayment guidelines. Remember interest also has to be paid back and familiarize yourself with when your repayments are due and how much is due.

2. Sacrifice
Being a student at High Point University has put me in the life of luxury and has left me a little detached from the real world. Loan repayment is a huge wake-up call. Paying back your loans is a big  responsibility and that requires sacrifice. Such things as staying home to save on rent, delaying  in buying a new car, or even going out less can be simple sacrifices that can save you money to use toward paying off debt. Even some of the money you receive from graduation, birthdays, and holidays can be set aside for those loans.

3. Pay More
As simple as it may seem, paying more on your loans every chance you get can cut down the time it takes you to pay them back. This sort of goes hand in hand with sacrificing. If you're committed to being debt free, paying more than the minimum payment not only cuts your interest down but the repayment period of the loan.


Student loan debt is a serious responsibility to have on one's shoulders fresh out of undergrad while yearning to take on the real world. It is manageable and possible to overcome it. These ways are just a few of the strategies you can implement to come closer to financial freedom, Be sure to also check my previous post on financial strategies to establish in your twenties for more information on establishing a solid financial foundation.

Developing Your Leadership Skills

As your college career begins to come to an end, your search for a real-world career begins. With a new real-world career comes training and mentoring, something similar to the experience as a freshman in college. Although these training experiences are very helpful, they only last for a few months before you are set free to work and figure things out on your own. This is where development of leadership comes in! These simple, yet effective strategies to enhance your leadership characteristics will not only be beneficial after the training process, but critical to your professional development.

10 before 10
This tactic may seem very familiar. The basis of it is to get a little boost each morning before 10 am. This boost can come from catching up on current events and news, watching a lecture from places like TED, reading a book review or devotional of some sort, or learning a new task. This tactic helps in getting "creative juices" flowing at the start of your day and also aids in time management. After 10am, most people's schedules get very busy, leaving no time to inspire for the creative learning process.

Current Events
This idea is almost common sense. How can you effectively do any job without staying up to date on the current status of your industry or company? Keeping yourself up to speed with current events only takes a few minutes out of each day( you can do it before 10 am!). Leaders stay in the know and are on top of the businesses and industries that they are in.

Networking
Now if you're an extrovert, this may come very easy to you. To develop leadership skills, try to connect with one new person each week. You never know where these connections may come in handy in the future. The may help in a crisis, financial situations, or even for favors. Always be ready with business cards or some sort of contact information and most importantly, FOLLOW THROUGH with your contact. Your connection is only as good as the follow up you have with them. Stay connected!

These simple strategies will dramactically effect your life in the workplace. Talking to those in seniority will become easier, projects may receive new insight, personal and business relationships may change for the better, and others will take note of your developing  leadership characteristics. These small yet effective changes can add more benefit to your career and even give you a leg up against your fellow colleagues.

3 Financial Strategies To Establish In Your Twenties!

1. Budgeting
Out of all the financial strategies to establish in  adulthood, budgeting is a foundation that MUST be set! Budgeting allows to you see how much money is coming in and out each month. A basic budgeting formula is the 50-30-20 rule:

• 50% for fixed expenses such as housing, food, and insurance premiums
• 20% for financial goals like debt payments, saving retirement, emergency funds
• 30% for variable expenses such as shopping, entertainment, and travel.

2. Saving

Another critical strategy to establish is the ability to save. Part of the budgeting process should allow for some of your income to be saved (the 20% part). Think of saving as "paying yourself first". This makes the process automated where you save before you spend for the month.

3. Reduce Your Debt

Now there are many opinions on if debt repayment should be an important thing to tackle in your twenties. On the one hand some think its more important to establish yourself financially before attacking those debts, especially if they are like students loans, which you will probably paying for the rest of your life. But I disagree. Grabbing your debts by the horns allows you to save over time by reducing how much interest is built up on the loans. It also helps build your credit score by showing your responsibility in handling loans.

These three strategies will build the foundation for making smart choices, creating financial freedom, and a strong financial future!