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Posted by Giselle.Torres on Tuesday April 9, 2013
"Bud's Bits"
COVER LETTERS & RESUMES
As a part of our Intern Program’s successful “Ten Steps to Success”, we encourage you to develop strong Cover Letters and Resume’s.
During the past year, I’ve been privileged to talk at length with a number of employers and interviewers, getting their extensive and valuable thoughts concerning Interviews, Cover Letters and Resume’s.
Here now are a number of their invaluable suggestions. These are important ---you should “RAC” (Read, Absorb and Copy ) them!
I suggest that you include these thoughts in all your future Interviews, Cover Letters and Resume’s!!
1. PREPARE! BE ORGANIZED! Review several of our Interview, Cover Letter, and Resume’ Articles/ Publications which provide organizational structure for each area. For additional assistance, you might for example, Google “Sales Focused Resume’s”, or obtain a Book on Internships, “All Work, No Pay”.
2. Typos—by ALL means, be certain of correct spelling, grammar, and sentence structure (if you’re uncertain, ASK!). I’ve been told MORE THAN ONCE------“If the applicant doesn’t care enough about correct spelling, grammar and sentence structure in his/her cover letter or Resume’ I’m going to immediately assume that he/she will be just as inattentive in his/her work here!”
3. Unfortunately, too many Cover Letters and Resume’s contain a “WIIFM” (“What’s In It For Me”) attitude, whereas it SHOULD contain a “WCIDFY’ (“What Can I Do for You”) attitude! When you apply or interview, it’s VERY important that you let them know that you WANT to do what you can to help THEM succeed in THEIR Business! In his Inauguration speech, President John F. Kennedy said—“Ask NOT what your Country can do for you, but what YOU can do FOR YOUR COUNTRY!!)
4. Don’t be Passive! Be Enthusiastic! Your Interviewers and Readers will note the difference!
5. “Tell Them A Story”!! Too many Cover Letters and Resume’s tell “them” NOTHING of value to “THEM”! Your Cover Letter and Resume’ should “tell a story” of WHO, WHAT, and WHY you are, HOW you got WHERE you are, etc. In short, let them know about YOU!
6. To create an immediate and positive Public Relations experience: ----“Eliminate the Expected” in your communications. In Business situations, you’re EXPECTED to be adept in such areas as “Excel”, “Word, “Microsoft”, etc. At this stage, indicating that you’re “familiar” with such things tells them that in effect, you’ve read and understand your 9th grade literature!
7. LET THEM KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS!! What’s your “Superpower”? Leadership? Organizational Qualities? Tending to Details? They want to feel that they’re dealing with a self-confident Candidate, NOT one needing to be “led around”
8. Give brief examples of those Strengths! If they’re interested for details, they’ll ask!
9. ONE PAGE! Students looking for their first or second Internship or Job should limit Cover Letters and Resume’s to one page each unless absolutely necessary! The Reader will quickly “Scan” it--then, if warranted, go on to the Resume’. A “solid” Cover Letter will inspire the Interviewer to read your Resume’. A “Bland “and “Blah” cover letter will be tossed, causing the follow-up Resume to be ignored.
10. Since you may be considered “In” or “Out” within your first Interview minute, be sure to practice your entrance and opening discussion with your Interviewer! Utilize Audio and Video cameras in your preparation.
11. Above all----PREPARE and PRACTICE!!
As always, please feel free to contact me for assistance!
I wish all the best for you!!
Blessings,
Bud DiFluri
Bud DiFluri…..Intern Coordinator…Business Department…Nyack College
Tel: 908-753-5261…E: Nyackintern@aol.com....Skype: Nyackintern
Posted by Giselle.Torres on Thursday February 28, 2013
HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER VIA THE "BAIT AND SWITCH" SCHEME
(“TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED!”)
By Christopher Lynch
“Bait-and-switch” marketing is a simple, yet old sales tactic about which we should all be aware….
Here’s how it works:
The Salesperson promises a “good deal” to the customer in order to promote the sale of a specific item, Then, once the customer reaches a “READY TO BUY” decision, the salesperson often will say something like “We’re very sorry, but, we don’t have any more of that item, but we do have a product which is equal to what you’re looking for.” The pressure is then on the customer to buy either a less, or more expensive item, probably generating more profit for the company while making a commissionable “quick sale” for the Salesperson.
Various legislation has been passed to outlaw such “bait-and-switch” product offers, for this practice has been equated to a form of false marketing.
Unfortunately, this ban would not include the “sale” of “offers of employment!”
I was involved in such a sale of an “Offer of Employment” situation. After reading a newspaper listing advertising a full-time marketing position including “Benefits and Advancement”, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to apply, assuming I would receive a decent starting salary, plus health insurance, and a 401k. Having been impressed by the company website, I sent in a cover letter and resume, excited to the possibility of starting a new job with a growing company.
When I arrived at the interview, I followed the rules of a first interview… I arrived early, carried a formal, optimistic voice, wore business professional attire, and did not discuss the position’s salary details. During the interview, I was given an outline of the job as a traditional marketing position, which included market research, personnel management, processing sales confirmations, etc. After seemingly proving my abilities and knowledge of the company to the recruiter, he said my resume was impressive and that I would be invited to a second interview.
I was in for a shocking and educational surprise!
A few days later, the second interview included a peer-review of my day’s work in the company. I soon discovered that the position I had applied for was nothing more than a job requiring continuous “Cold Call” door-to-door sales contacts with a commission-only salary and the “benefits” of working in groups of three during a sales trip. Unfortunately, the company’s suggested “Benefits and Advancement” weren't’t the kind of “Benefits and Advancement” their Advertisement had put forth. I was told that if I liked the job, I could “advance” by starting my own marketing operation with the same company’s business model, as other beginners would then be acting as my subordinates.
In short, I had almost fallen for the old “bait-and-switch” scam.
After a short evaluation, I said, in effect, “thank you, but no thanks”, and left, feeling disappointed in a number of ways.
Having learned this lesson, I encourage all job-seekers to peruse secondary sources when researching a company. Like any research project, PREPARE! Seek valuable assistance from our Nyack College Intern Coordinator and Career Counselor, look at both positive and negative assessments of a company, and then decide whether pursuing a position at that company is worth the time and effort.
It’ll be worth your time!!
Posted by Giselle.Torres on Friday February 1, 2013
"BUD'S BITS"
FOUR KEYS TO CONFIDENCE
If the idea of walking into a conference room, first Interview, or a new restaurant sends your insides on a roller-coaster ride, it’s time to bring your confidence up to code. Here are four tips on how to send the signal that you’re self-assured and in command.
1. Stand Tall:
Mom was right — stop slouching! An Ohio State University study showed a link between body posture and confidence. Research found that posture affects not only what others think of you, but also your own level of confidence in your thoughts and ideas. Simply being aware of and changing your posture can have an impact on your confidence at that all-important first Interview.
Not only does posture play a big part in how you look and feel, it can also help you to stay stronger and flexible. To stand tall, imagine someone pulling a string up through your body, from your feet up through your head. When sitting, see if you can pull your chest up, with your shoulders down and relaxed, and your head lined up right over them. Excellent posture can lead to excellent results!
2. Walk This Way:
Your stride is a major confidence clue. When you walk into your Interview with energy and motivation, it telegraphs to the world that you are self-assured, in charge, and full of life. A slow, dragging shuffle sends the opposite message. And pull those shoulders back. Droopiness is just another red flag telling others that you’d rather be anywhere else but right there. A sluggish shuffle doesn’t just say that you’re vulnerable, it shouts it out loud.
3. Use Your Eyes:
How you present yourself in that first Interview meeting can go a long way toward telegraphing your confidence. And, it’s the little things that often make the biggest impression. For example, make eye contact when interacting with people. Avoiding eye contact suggests anxiety, depression, embarrassment, shyness, or just vague discomfort. Add a strong, firm handshake to that eye contact, and you’re putting your confidence front and center. A warm, genuine smile is another welcome sign of confidence. It helps put you and the room at ease
4. Wear Your Confidence:
Since first impressions are largely visual, it really matters what you choose to wear. Dress the part. The first step is to know what works for you and — almost as important — what doesn’t. Package your appearance to your best advantage. Think of the very important advice: “Dress for the position you want, not the position you have”!
Blessings,
Bud DiFluri
Intern Coordinator
Posted by Giselle.Torres on Wednesday January 30, 2013
"Bud's Bits"
BEING WELL PREPARED
We at Nyack College are always very proud of the quality of our students as they move through the interview process, eventually “landing” that Internship.
We also know that a well-prepared student has a great opportunity to succeed, to “get the Internship”---If he/she is well prepared!
From time-to-time I’ll be offering some personal thoughts entitled “Bud’s Bits” in order that you might be well prepared and avoid the various interview “potholes”
1. Be aware!! At the precise time that you walk through the entrance door to meet your Interviewer, you are being judged. He/she will be mentally making continuing decisions as to why he/she WILL NOT recommend you for the position.
That being the case, in order for you to NOT be one of those immediately eliminated, here are some areas for you to work on before attending your interview
2. Chances are, you will be just one of a large number of people interested in the position, so it’s quite logical that the interviewer will be making immediate decisions which will result in quickly eliminating candidates.
3. Or several days prior to your upcoming interview, prepare by reviewing all the articles which you’ve received and discussions in which you’ve been involved (remember my continuing directive to “RAC”?)
4. As soon as your door to the Interview room opens, be aware that you’re being judged! Be prepared with well-appointed clothes, a heartfelt smile, a brisk walk to the Interviewer’s desk, a hearty ‘Hello, I’m Jon/Amy Smith”, and a strong handshake. Any negative marks will provide your Interviewer with the start of his/her reasoning to NOT recommend you for the position!
5. Social Networking. This fairly new method of rapid communication has become fraught with “potholes”. For example:
(a) Checking Messages: DO NOT “check your messages” on your I-Pad, I-Phone, Blackberry, etc. during your interview!
(b) Your E-Mail Address: Avoid “cute” or “inside stuff” address names--“timmytackytoey@yahoo.com” may be cute, but will provide negative "vibes' to your interviewer BEFORE he/she has ever seen you!
(c) Your “Twitters” and “Tweets”: They may be “cute” to you and your friends, but to others they may be offensive, deal with rumors, or offer false, hateful/ degrading comments for which at some point you may need to apologize.
(d) Your “Text n’ Tweet Trail”: Be very careful----Very possibly, the Interviewer and his/her company will probably subscribe to investigative services which would examine your e-mail address’s past history and activity before you arrive.
(e) And FINALLY-- Many years ago, when I was a teenager, my Mother warned; “Be careful what you say, because once your words go past your lips, you'll never be able to take them back!! In today’s world of the Social Network, the same admonition is true!!
I do hope that this issue of “Bud’s Bits” provides you with insight, knowledge and direction to help you in your Internship search!
I’d appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Bud DiFluri
Intern Coordinator
Posted by Giselle.Torres on Monday December 3, 2012
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