Break out the “Pomp and Circumstance,” it’s graduation time. Yah! While the Class of 2004 contemplates what’s next, college and/or work, solid interviewing skills will ease the transition.
Even for those headed to college, pertinent experience, summer or otherwise, is going to be crucial with respect to future employment. Start putting yourself in position now. In other words, if envisioning a career in architecture, for example, it would make sense to find a job in that field as soon as possible. A future employer will most likely pay more attention to that than a job at some burger joint.
Follow these 6 simple steps to interviewing success:
1.) Prepare a professional looking resume and research the organizations with which you’ll be interviewing. In addition to what you’ve done, tell them how well you’ve done it. Use attention grabbing words such as “enhanced,” “generated,” and “improved.” Specific numbers and percents are also highly useful (for example: “increased budget 30% from $10,000 to $13,000). Remember also to keep it simple, creative, and verifiable. Doing some advanced research about the business entity will increase your stock in their eyes as well.
2.) Proper attire is critical. No pink leisure suits. Sharp dress is required for interviewing. Also, unless you’ll be interviewing with the Punk Rock Hall of Fame, lose the tongue rings, nose rings, and whatever other colorful accoutrements that a real-world organization would find distasteful.
3.) Motivate yourself for a successful meeting. On your way there listen to your favorite music, visualize getting the job. Recall times in your life when you felt unstoppable and get congruent with that feeling. Confidence, not cockiness, will make the difference.
4.) Remember to put forth a positive demeanor: firm handshakes, solid eye contact, smiling, positive words, avoid invectives, gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity, upright posture, and of course no drooling, complaining, or whining.
5.) Be prepared with a list of appropriate written questions based on your curiosity about the job and the organization. Keep in mind that you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you. Asking questions shows interest and initiative, qualities that most organizations love. In the process, without being too obvious, model the interviewers body language, inflections, and key words (people like people like themselves). Never leave an interview without a decision towards the next step. Say something like, “I’m really excited about this opportunity, is there any reason why I’m not right for this job?” Overcome any objections, if any, and find out what the next step is in the hiring process. Follow through on all commitments.
6.) Follow up. Write a thank you card or email and send it immediately.
I would always advise getting as many written offers as possible. This puts you in position to make the best decision. Have fun, be yourself, and enjoy your senior moments.
Steve Kirshenbaum, M.S. is an Educational Consultant and CEO of SAT Preparation Group. SAT Preparation Group specializes in in-home SAT coaching, college planning, and success strategies for teens. They can be reached at 561-251-7877 (6-SAT-PREP) or wwwPrepSATTest.com.
By: Steve Kirshenbaum, M.S
For those who are unprepared, the real world can be a cold slap in the face. Ouch! Are you ready? Chances are you’re not. According to a recently published job satisfaction survey* more than half of all employees are dissatisfied with their jobs. In fact, job satisfaction is down as much as 61% from eight years ago. Do you want that to be you?
Job-hopping, as a result, has almost become a sport. Unfortunately, this has become the career default method. Avoiding such pitfalls can assist you in making your transition into the real world a rewarding experience.
Sadly, the preparation offered by most high schools is woefully inadequate. Clearly, a basic knowledge of language, math, science, and history is necessary. However, other crucial life skills must be embraced for young adults to achieve success in the “real world.”
Follow these 7 GAMEPLAN action items for teen success:
• Learn the rules of the Game. The purpose of high school is to put you in position for adult responsibilities. Although the current system is designed to clone students, colleges and employers are still searching for creative game players. Achieve better grades, higher test scores, pertinent work experience, and leadership abilities to expand your opportunities and open doors.
• It’s Academic: Go to college. The purpose of college is to learn pertinent skills in your chosen field of study. You will typically excel at studying a subject you’re excited about. Take advantage and become familiar with universal business concepts.
• Seek out Mentors in your field who have already become successful. Save yourself some frustration: Get the recipe for success instead of inventing your life from scratch. Sometimes it is whom you know and not just what you know.
• Become Entrepreneurial. People who own businesses or become leaders gain access to greater abundance. Conversely, employees often end up building other people’s dreams.
• Find your unique Passion. Take the time to ask yourself what excites you most about life. How can you use this to serve people in enhancing their lives? Most people don’t ask these questions. Remember this: If you do what you love, the wealth shows up.
• Life Balance. Avoid burning yourself out in the real world as many people do. Learn how to balance your health, emotions, spirituality, career, and relationships.
• Alternative Nuances. Learn the intangible life skills such as rapport building skills, time management, personal development, relationship secrets, finances, sales and marketing, public speaking, psychology and influence, interviewing strategies… Make yourself vastly more competitive by listening to CDs, reading books, talking to experienced people, and attending seminars.
You have a unique gift to share with the world. Avoid the trap that most people fall into. Don’t allow yourself to be needlessly spanked by the real world. Finding your passion and developing it is the greatest reward you could give to yourself and others.
*The Conference Board, 2004
Steve Kirshenbaum, M.S. is an Educational Consultant and CEO SAT Preparation Group. SAT Preparation Group specializes in in-home SAT coaching, college planning, and success strategies for teens. They can be reached at 561-251-7877-6-SAT-PREP or wwwPrepSATTest.com.
By: Steve Kirshenbaum, M.S
SAT Preparation Group, a South Florida company based in Parkland that specializes in coaching students how to succeed in the classroom, on the SAT test, and in life, is partnering with International College Counselors to present “The Ultimate SAT and College Admissions Seminar”, free to Broward County high school students and their parents. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 7:00 -8:00 p.m. at Heron Bay Commons Clubhouse, 6100 Heron Bay Blvd., Coral Springs, Florida.
SAT Preparation Group, a South Florida company based in Parkland that specializes in coaching students how to succeed in the classroom, on the SAT test, and in life, is partnering with International College Counselors to present “The Ultimate SAT and College Admissions Seminar”, free to Broward County high school students and their parents. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Heron Bay Commons Clubhouse, 6100 Heron Bay Blvd., Coral Springs, Florida. For more information, visit www.PrepSATTest.com.
The Ultimate SAT and College Admissions seminar is aimed at South Florida high school students in 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th grades and will be co-presented by Steve Kirshenbaum, CEO of SAT Preparation Group, and Mandee Heller Adler of International College Counselors. It will teach key strategies for putting students on the road to college success, including how to find the very best universities and programs to meet your student’s needs; 8 stress-free strategies to help your student excel on the SAT; the basics of financial aid and private scholarships; determining the difference between the ACT, SAT and SAT Subject Tests and optimal test timing; door opening tips on how to build a college resume, including the importance of extracurricular activities, summer plans, and community service; 5 proven study skills to enhance classroom performance and maximize homework efficiency; and year-by-year “to do’s” to best prepare for college. Adler and Kirshenbaum will also answer participants’ questions.
“We are excited to team up with Mandee Heller Adler of International College Counselors to offer this informative session for Broward County parents and students to learn expert strategies to get into the college of their choice,” said Steve Kirshenbaum of SAT Preparation Group, Parkland, FL. “This free seminar will give parents of South Florida high school students the ultimate roadmap to maximizing college and scholarship options.”
“Whether your student is the first person in the family to go to college or comes from a long line of Ivy League graduates, we can give you the tools to find and get into the college of his or her dreams,” added Mandee Heller Adler of International College Counselors. “Join us on January 27th and benefit from our years of SAT test prep and college admissions experience.”
South Florida’s International College Counselors was voted “Best College Advisor” by the Miami Sun Post. Mandee Heller Adler, Founder and Principal of International College Counselors, is a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High and the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with Honors
and two degrees: one from the Wharton School and one from the College of Arts and Sciences. Mandee Heller Adler also received an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was selected as a Class Day Speaker. Additionally, Adler received a fellowship from Rotary International and studied at ICADE, a premier business school located in Madrid, Spain. She has personally visited over 150 colleges and universities, and continues to do so. Adler is currently completing a book titled From Public School to the Ivy League: How to get into a top school without top dollar resources.