How To Get Fired In A Hurry

photo credit by: Brand X Pictures/Getty Images Just because you were hired for a job doesn't mean it's yours forever. If that's cool with you, here are 10 easy way to lose that gig in a hurry, no real effort required! 1. Hook up at work Here's a rule of thumb to carry with you throughout your career: The office supply closet is not soundproof. Some companies are cooler than others when it comes to romance in the workplace, but NO company condones getting it on when you're on the clock. So keep it in your pants, man! At least while you're on company property.

2. Show up drunk, hungover or under the influence Honestly, duh. But if you're on drugs or underage, you might also find yourself arrested. 3. Download illegally at work Now's not the time to pirate the last five seasons of "Breaking Bad," no matter how good your coworkers insist it is. This is not only because of the copyright infringement issues, but because you'll be eating up company bandwidth while you download, and potentially exposing its network to viruses and other bad download-y things. 4. Leaking confidential information Whether about a client, a project or something personal, such as your salary, this information is confidential for a reason. And in the corporate world, there's only one way to plug a leak: fire it. 5. Be late-all the time The only thing unreliable people can rely on is getting canned. 6. Talk smack where people can hear you And we're broadening the term "hear" to its new millennial applications in the world of social networking. If you choose to bad mouth a co-worker, your boss or your company in any public forum, be it the water cooler or the Internet (and don't think your "private" online account is any farther from prying eyes than the office cafeteria), expect a pink slip in no time. 7. Pull too many pranks Sure, it was hilarious when Jim fossilized Dwight's stapler in a Jell-O mold on "The Office" that one time. But that's fake life. Your job is real life. Build a reputation as the office prankster - also known as the office pain-in-the-a** -- and the only person you'll be pranking is your cat. (And cats don't have great senses of humor.) 8. Be "difficult" No one is expected to get along with everybody at work. But you are expected to be nice and respectful and accommodating of others. Which is to say, a team player. 9. Steal Petty cash, office equipment, even office supplies like pens, pencils and toilet paper. Didn't your mother teach you that stealing is wrong? Bernie Madoff learned this lesson the hard way. 10. Cross the line between "funny" to "offensive" No matter how buddy-buddy you may be with a co-worker, you never know who may be within earshot. Keep your blue material outside the office and office-related functions that may be taking place offsite. posted by: mtvU How To Find A Career Mentor As you embark on a career path, it's helpful to have a wise Sherpa to guide your journey. Career mentors come in all shapes and sizes; you may find them in university professors, managers, coworkers, and acquaintances in your industry and networks. No matter where you meet them, a career mentor uses their knowledge and experience in your chosen field to offer you advice and support you as you make your way through your career. Read on for tips on how to find the right mentor for you and how to make the most of the mentor-mentee relationship.

Where do you find a mentor? Many companies, universities and professional organizations offer formal mentoring programs that match mentors and mentees based on their personalities. Find out if a program like this is available at your job or school. If not, you can dip into your personal network for a mentor. Did you have a great university professor whom you really respected, or a manager who taught you so much? Start with a polite email explaining how much you value that person's experience and insights, then ask if he or she would be interested in being your mentor. It may sound like an awkward thing to ask, but it's actually very flattering! What to expect from your mentor? A mentor can help you in many ways, including listening to your career goals, concerns and questions; reviewing your work, projects and activities and providing honest and constructive feedback; advising you on decisions related to your job and job search; directing you to helpful resources; and serving as an empathetic confidant. The mentor-mentee relationship is both personal and professional. You should feel comfortable talking to your mentor, as he or she is a person who you should trust and you is genuinely interested in seeing you succeed. How to be a good mentee? Your mentor is giving you their time and support, so you need to do your part in the relationship too. That means: 1. Be on time for your meetings and come prepared with questions and concerns so you best utilize your time together. 2. Always be professional when you're dealing with your mentor. You'll be forming a close, personal relationship, but a mentor is there principally to help you with your career. Show him or her that their advice and time is being put to good use! 3. Let your personality shine through. By getting to know the "real" you, not just the "business" you, your mentor will be better able to direct you in a way that is fulfilling and suited to your interests.

posted by: mtvU

Relocating For A Job: Are You Ready To Make The Move?

photo credit by: Getty Images Even when the job market is bad-which it is right now-there are still thousands of jobs out there. Unfortunately, sometimes those jobs aren't in your hometown. Some types of careers you can do anywhere. For example, doctors, lawyers, teachers and chef are needed in every city. Some careers, however, are centralized in cities: Media, publishing and finance jobs are most plentiful in New York City, while technology and web development jobs are found on the West Coast, around Palo Alto and Silicon Valley in California. So should you move to one of these career hubs before you've actually landed a job? Here's what to know before you go. 1. For entry-level positions, some companies will only consider local candidates. Many jobs do cover relocation expenses for certain positions. But if you're just starting out in your career and going for assistant-level work, chances are a company is not going to invest in someone (and all their stuff!) they have to fly cross-country-especially if there are comparable candidates already in the area. In fact, some recruiters won't even grant interviews to applicants who list a nonlocal address on their resumes. Which makes sense, doesn't it? Why should they ask someone to travel a long way for one or two interviews for a job they may not even get. If you see an opening at your dream job, but it's a long ways away, there is a way around this, however. In your cover letter, include a sentence or two about how excited you are for the opportunity and your willingness to relocate. You might even mention that you were planning to relocate before you saw the job posted (whether or not that's actually true). 2. You're more likely to find a job if you already have some experience in your chosen field. Fresh out of college, you'll probably be saddled with student loan debt, a bunch of new bills to pay, and without a job, you probably won't have much to your name. Even if your dream job is located halfway across the world, you may still be able to find internships or entry-level jobs in your local area. Having one or two on your resume before you move blindly to a new city will certainly make you a more attractive candidate once you get there.

3. Moving is expensive. Big cities are too. Sure, it's romantic to fantasize about packing up a suitcase, hopping on a bus, and landing in the center of Times Square. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere! The reality of that situation, though, is that the cost of living in most major cities greatly exceeds the cost of living is suburban and rural areas. And that's just once you get there. Moving all your stuff from one state to the next can cost thousands of dollars, and that's before you factor in a plane ticket. Landlords usually require first and last month's rent plus a security deposit before they'll let you move in. Then there's the cost of day-to-day transportation. Will you need a car? Do a rough tally of all the costs you will incur by moving, and if you find that at the end you'll be left with very little to live on-or enough to cover you for six months while you continue to look for a job-you may want to postpone your Big City plans and continue to save your pennies. 4. It helps to know people where you plan to move. This is where networking comes in handy! You'll have more luck tracking down job and apartment leads if you already know someone in the biz. During your pre-move research, reach out to your connections and let them know that you're thinking of coming their way. Ask them for tips on where to look for apartments, which neighborhoods are good to live in, the best places to check for job leads and, related that, have they heard about any openings at their company lately? Tell them you'll prepare a delicious home-cooked meal to thank them for their advice. posted by: mtvU 5 Big Resume Mistakes You're Making Right Now

photo credit by: Getty Images Hey, no one's perfect, but at least your resume can be. Check out these five deadly sins of resume writing, then run and scrub them off your resume immediately! We totally won't tell anyone we helped. Big Mistake #1: Your Resume Is Two Pages Hey, if you're still in or just out of college, you probably don't have a heck of a lot of job experience. And that's what a resume is, right? A list of the relevant skills, qualifications and

experience you have. So what in Gaga's name are you putting on that thing to make it two pages long?! Maybe one day when you're CEO of a major corporation you'll have the background to warrant a two-pager, but until then, fudge with the margins, font size, and header and footer space to get that puppy down to one. Big Mistake #2: You Used Too Many Bulletpoints If your resume looks like the Scantron form of a kid who answered "A" to every question on a test, you're doing it wrong-for two reasons. First, too many bulletpoints and someone's going to get shot! Okay, just kidding. But all those little black dots are hard on the eyes after a while, making your resume a chore to read, let alone look at. Second, bulletpoints usually indicate that you've gone the lazy route and just listed your tasks and responsibilities at your last job or internship. Boring! Use short, impactful sentences to contextualize the work you did, highlighting your achievements there instead of your daily to-do list. Big Mistake #3: You Wrote An "Objective" For as long as resume "templates" and "wizards" have existed, so has that dreaded "objective" line. And it's pretty stupid, if you think about it: Isn't everyone's objective to get a job? And that's pretty obvious by virtue of the fact that you've just given someone your resume. You totally don't need to wrack your brain coming up with a business-y way of saying, "My objective is to be employed." So scrap it! (P.S. This will also help solve Big Mistake #1.) Big Mistake #4: You Attached It As a Word Document Right now, you're thinking, "CareerRookie is about to tell me that I shouldn't include resume as an e-mail attachment, I should copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail." Ha! Wrong! You should always attach that bad boy. But you should attach it as a PDF. Here's why: Everyone has a different version of Microsoft Office on their computer, or no version at all. That means all those carefully chosen fonts and line decorations will display differently than you designed, and may perhaps push your resume to-gasp!-two pages. But PDFs are image files and will look the same on everyone's computer. You don't need special software to convert your resume to a PDF. In most versions of Word, you simply go to "Save As" and select "PDF." Big Mistake #5: You Included Your GPA Hey, it's a rookie mistake. We know you're super proud of your perfect 4.0, but on a resume it just comes off as juvenile, especially if you're out of college more than six months. (You'll be surprised when you eventually learn how little your college GPA impacts your future career.) Here's what to include instead: Coursework relevant to your chosen career; university honors or awards; extracurricular activities and Greek affiliations; degrees or certifications earned. posted by: mtvU If I'm Not Qualified, Should I Still Apply For The Job? So there you were browsing the job board when you stumbled across the Perfect Job For You. Everything about it fits you to a "T": the job title is impressive, the day-to-day responsibilities are well within your capabilities, and you know you could bring passion to the job. You read down a little further and there it is: the company wants five years experience but you only have two. Or they're looking for a candidate with a Masters degree, but you only have your Bachelors. You know deep down that you'd be perfect for the job, but without those qualifications would submitting your resume be a waste of time? "Some hiring managers won't consider any applicant who doesn't meet the minimum requirements, even if they are a perfect fit save for having one too few years of experience," writes Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for Careerbuilder. But, she says, others may look past

those missing couple years of school if the candidate has comparable on-the-job experience or other skills that makes up the difference. Start by taking an honest look at yourself and how close of a match you are for the position. Remember, wanting a job is different than being qualified for one. Like, there are tons of people out there that want to be rock stars, but not everyone has a set of pipes like Adele. Your cover letter is a great place to demonstrate to the hiring manager how well you would fit the job, even if you're a few years short of experience. Give concrete examples of similar work you've done that demonstrate that you could hit the ground running at this job-that means specific statistics or accomplishments, not broad statements about being a "fast learner" or "enthusiastic team player." "Imagine yourself sitting on the other side of the desk and look at your rsum and cover letter from the boss' perspective," Haefner writes. "If you were choosing from the pool of applicants, would you pick your application out of the pile or would it go in the waste bin?" If you think it'd land in the trash, then skip hitting the send button for now. Spamming HR's inbox with applications to jobs you're clearly not qualified for could get you flagged as a nuisance. Yes, they do that. posted by: mtvU How To Be A Rock-Star Intern

photo credit by: Getty Images Internships are a great way to gain experience in the workplace before you're actually, you know, hired by a workplace. They're also a great way to get your foot in the door at a company you hope to someday work for. Here's how to put your best foot forward as your shoving it in their doorjamb. 1. When they say, "be on time," they mean, "be early." Show your boss that you take your internship seriously by being in the office when you're supposed to be-and then some. If the day starts at 9 a.m., show up by 8:55 a.m. so you can put down your

coat, grab your coffee, run to the bathroom if need be, and be prepared to start work on time. 2. Be present. That means not only showing up on days you're scheduled to work-calling out "sick' to finish up a term paper is just not cool-it means returning on time after your lunch break, forgoing midday cigarette breaks, and holding off personal phone calls or running errands till you're off the clock. 3. Always take notes. Carry a pen and paper with you to take notes whenever you're assigned a task. Jot down special instructions, the date the assignment is due and any other important details. The only thing worse than an intern who needs to have an assignment re-explained to them is an intern who hands in an assignment and didn't follow the directions. 4. Ask questions. There is such a thing as a stupid question, but it still doesn't hurt to ask them when you have them. An internship, after all, is about learning. Plus, it's better to be clear on what your boss expects rather than hand in an assignment that's just wrong. (Yes, we mentioned this twice, because it's really annoying to bosses!) 5. Turn off your phone, unplug from Facebook. This is probably a no-brainer, but when you're at work you're expected to do work. It's not the time to take personal calls, or text, or change your status on Facebook. That is, unless you work for Facebook. 6. Accept assignments graciously, if not enthusiastically. ...which is not to say you need to do cartwheels every time someone asks you to fax something. Look, we know interns don't always get the most exciting projects to work on-hello, coffee runs!-but it's definitely not cool to be grumpy about a job you're asked (ahem, make that told) to work on. Yes, an internship is supposed to be a learning experience, and you're probably not going to learn much restocking the copy machine with paper, but them's the breaks, kid. Just remember, you weren't the only one to apply for the job, and the company gave it to you not them. And for that you should be grateful. 7. Turn in assignments on time. And if, mid project, it seems like you won't be able to meet your deadline, tell your manager sooner than later that you'll need extra time, or some help to finish. 8. Be a self-starter. Offices can be busy places, and your manager isn't a babysitter. If you haven't been assigned a task, then ask for one. If he or she hasn't heard from you, your manager will assume you're busy working on, well, something. If there isn't a project for you to start on, ask if you can offer your help in another department, or come up with a project of your own. That stack of unfiled papers cluttering the copy room? File them! That messy office supply closet? Organize it! But sitting quietly at your computer checking Facebook until someone assigns you something? Also not cool. 9. Be neat. We're not suggesting you become the volunteer janitor, but the workplace is a shared space, so keeping your junk to yourself is just being respectful of the people around you. Tidy up your area before you leave each day, throwing away any food or beverages left around--or else, ew, bugs. posted by: mtvU

Job Interview Cheat Sheet: 4 Questions They'll Definitely Ask, And How To Answer Them

photo credit by: Getty Images Job interviews are like final exams: you have to show up on time, answer nerve-wracking questions, and are rarely graded on a curve. The good news is, just like a final exam, you can study up for a job interview ahead of time! Here are four common job interview questions you'll probably be asked and their easily mastered answers. Read up and ace that meeting! 1. What's your biggest strength/weakness? What they're really asking: Does you have a positive attitude? How to answer: The trick here is to take your biggest strength and turn it into your biggest "weakness." If you are a really hard worker, say your biggest weakness is that you sometimes take the job too seriously and forgo a social life until your work is done. If you"re biggest strength is that you thrive in group settings, say that you miss the thrill of a good brainstorm when you have to work on solo projects. Now you try! How NOT to answer: Candidly! It's not your job to convince the hiring manager that you're not the perfect match for the job because sometimes you drink too much on the weekends and have a tough time getting out of bed on Monday mornings. Keep your real weaknesses to yo'self. 2. What did you like or dislike about your last position? What they're really asking: Are you going to trash talk our company at their next job interview? How to answer: Positively. Keep your gripes and criticisms to yourself. Start with a like ("The people were amazing!" "I learned so much!"), and follow up with a "dislike" that applies directly to how the work impacted you ("I felt I was ready to take on more responsibility than the company

could offer at the time"), or that applies to how the company you're interviewing for differs from your last job, ("The company didn't offer the same opportunities I noticed are available in this position."). How NOT to answer: "My boss was such a jerk!" 3. What makes you a fit for this position? What they're really asking: What do you know about our company? How to answer: Step 1 is to do your research before you ever set foot in the interview chair! You should be familiar to what the company has achieved in the past five years or so, what projects or clients they're working with now and have a line or two about how those two things align with what you're looking for in a job. Step 2 is to listen carefully and ask questions when you and the recruiter discuss the nature of the job and the type of person they're looking for. For example, if the recruiter mentions that they're looking for an organized person who pays attention to detail, mention that you are a perfectionist and-jokingly-somewhat of neat freak. How NOT to answer: With vague, wishy-washy statements that could apply to any company ever. 4. What's your dream job? What they're really asking: Are you interested in this job or just having any job? How to answer: By naming a job you could see yourself in five to 10 years from now that having this job would help you get to because of the relevant experience you would gain. How NOT to answer: By being too vague ("I would like to be in finance."), naming a career that has nothing to do with the job you're applying for, ("I am applying to be an English teacher, but I would like to start my own web analytics company!"), or worse, being vague about a career that has nothing to do with the job you"re applying for, ("I'm applying to be an English teacher, but I would like to be in finance!") posted by: mtvU

Do's And Don'ts Of Writing A Great Cover Letter

photo credit by: RunPhoto/Getty Images Oh, the dreaded cover letter! It's that pesky little task standing between you and your dream job. But writing yours doesn't have to be so stressful. These days "cover letter" is just an intimidating term for "introductory e-mail." It's just a few short paragraphs letting the hiring manager know who you are and what skills you can bring to the table-sort of like a first date, without a check to awkwardly divide at the end of the night. Here are some tips to help you get through writing your first cover letter, in helpful "Do's" and "Don'ts" form! Don't address your cover letter to "Whom it may concern." How boring and impersonal! Even worse, how lazy! Most job listings include a contact person. Address your e-mail to them, exactly as it appears. If the name listed is John Smith, then: "To John Smith," or, "To Mr. John Smith," to be more formal. If there's no contact name listed, a little Googling can turn up a name at the company or a phone number to call and find out a name. When all else fails, lead with an enthusiastic "Hello!" Do demonstrate how you're qualified for the job through a past experience or achievement. Part of this "Do" includes a definite "Don't": Don't copy, paste and send the same generic cover letter without tailoring it first! There's no faster way to communicate to a hiring manager that you don't take a job opportunity seriously. But that doesn't mean you have to start from scratch every time. In the letter, after introducing yourself and naming the job you're applying for, include a short paragraph that addresses why you're qualified for this specific position, not just any position. Look to the job listing for clues: Are they looking for an organized self-starter? Mention that you're student government treasurer, and you're responsible for keeping the budget balanced. Are they looking for a team player? A quick sentence about your Greek affiliations would fit in well here. Do proofread. Which doesn't mean you can just hit spell-check. Sure, that Word document may be free of pesky green and red squiggly lines, but Bill Gates didn't program his software to know the exact spelling of the hiring manager or company to whom you're sending your cover letter (well, unless it's Microsoft). Re-read each sentence for grammar and clarity. Pay careful attention to names

and proper nouns. Here's a hint: Check them against the job listing. It may even help to read your cover letter out loud so you can hear if sentences sound confusing or too long. Don't write in "Businessese." Always remember, you are not an '80s-movie business stereotype. You don't say things like, "I executed the actionables to leverage the assets for positive growth," (that doesn't even make sense), so don't write your cover letter that way. Pretend that you're talking to the interviewer over the phone. Simply explain who you are, what you're applying for, why you're qualified and what you hope to bring to the company. Be friendly and conversational and resist the urge to check the Thesaurus. If that $5 word wouldn't pop into your head and out of your mouth mid-chat, best to leave it out of your cover letter. Do leave out that babysitting job you had when you were 14. When you're just starting out in a career, it can seem like a challenge to come up with relevant experience to share with a job recruiter. And the truth is, you won't have much! But that's okay, because job recruiters understand this and entry-level jobs are just that: for beginners! Including kind-of-relevant-but-not-actuallyrelevant-if-you-think-about-it job experiences, such as babysitting-which really only demonstrates that you can watch TV while a kid sleeps in another room-will just highlight how green you are. As a rule of thumb, leave out any high school-era work experience, unless it's directly related to the job you're applying for, i.e. you're applying to be a plumber and you were a plumber's apprentice in high school. Don't lie. No, seriously, not even a little bit about things that you think may not matter. They check these things! And when the truth comes to light, your employer will not only learn that you weren't actually the first person under 21 to top Everest, he or she will also learn that you're a liar. posted by: mtvU 5 Ways To Clean Up Your Social Profile So you've perfected your resume, nailed your interview, and feel like you're on the cusp of landing your first real job. Congratulations! It's a tough market out there and you've successfully cleared one of the biggest hurtles in your early career. But before you head to the bar to celebrate-where you'll undoubtedly be snapped in a few beer-in-hand party photos that will make their way onto Facebook the next day-there's one more thing to consider. Yes, you guessed it: those beer-in-hand party photos on Facebook. Unlike, say, 10 years ago, companies have gotten savvy about social media, especially when it comes to their employees-past, present and future. The content found on Facebook, Twitter, photoand video-sharing sites like Flickr, YouTube and Vimeo, your online dating profiles and anything else you've ever put on the Internet are now all fodder for background checks. And why not? No business wants to invest in an employee who turns out to be a liability, so they're doing their research before extending a job offer. Scary, yes, but it's not all bad news. You can clean up your online reputation for the job search in five simple steps. 1. Make Your Profiles Private The easiest way to make sure your information stays private is to, well, keep it private! This late in the game, all social networks offer customizable levels of privacy so you can pick and choose what content can be seen and by whom. When in doubt over how much you should allow others to see, go the safe route and choose the most private option. 2. Pull Down Racy Photos They say you should dress for the job you want. And with social media seeping further and further into our everyday communication, it's important to look the part even on your social profiles. Now, no one is expecting you to don a business suit and shoulder pads 24/7, but you also don't want your

coworkers peeping that photo of you flashing at Mardi Gras last year. If the pictures aren't yours, un-tag yourself and ask the owner to remove them. Saying "please" probably won't hurt your chances, either. 3. Un-tag Pictures Of Illegal Activity That keg stand you did during your first semester at college may have guaranteed you a spot in the best fraternity on campus, but it's not going to endear you to employers four years later. Add to that fact that you were probably underage when the picture was taken, and you've just told the corporate world everything they need to refuse you a job: that you're okay with breaking the law. Immediately remove any photos depicting underage drinking, drug use, vandalism, or committing a crime of any type. Remember, if you wouldn't want a cop to see it, you're future boss shouldn't see it. 4. Remove Offensive, Negative or Inflammatory Content (Especially If It's About Your Boss!) Racism, hate speech and violence against another person or group are unacceptable in and out of the office. (Hello! That's why HR departments exist.) Immediately delete any images or remarks that could be considered discriminatory or disrespectful. Once you're on the job, resist ranting about your boss, coworkers, clients and company when you're on the Interwebs, no matter how boneheaded any or all of them may seem at the time. You never know who might see it and forward it up the chain. That's one awkward conversation that's definitely to be avoided. 5. Delete Old Accounts Created By Younger You Remember when you were 12 and you had that LiveJournal that chronicled your passion for the Jonas Brothers? Oh shoot, you'd totally forgotten about it?! Good thing we reminded you. While adorable, those ungrammatical, emoticon-heavy declarations of undying JoBro love don't represent the serious young professional you are today. At the very least, make the account private so you can reminisce about the good old days of "Camp Rock" behind the safety of a password. posted by: mtvU What Do I Wear To A Job Interview?

photo credit by: Chris Mller/Getty Images Everyone knows that people are the best versions of themselves on job interviews-or at least they're striving to be. Your outfit and grooming not only make an impression on the person you're

interviewing with, they also influence how you feel about yourself. For example, if you know you look good with a new haircut and in a freshly pressed suit, you'll project more confidence than when you're rocking five o'clock shadow and rumpled khakis. With that in mind, here's how to dress to impress without breaking the bank. For men The saying goes, "Dress for the job you want." While inspirational, it's a bit of an oversimplification: If you're just starting out in your career, it may not make sense to wear a $3,000 designer suit-the kind you imagine you'll be wearing when you're CEO of the biggest corporation in the world-for an interview for an internship at the local accountant's office. What we can take away from that old adage is that you should tailor your interview outfit to the type of culture at the company to which you're applying. Does the company require employees to wear business suits and ties every day of the week? If so, it may be time to dust off the suit you wore to graduation under your cap and gown. (Better yet, take it to the dry cleaners!) Or it may be time to invest in a formal business suit. You can find affordable and stylish options at retailers such as Men's Wearhouse and many major department stores. Top off the formal look with a crisp button-down shirt and coordinating tie. And don't forget about those shoes! While those beat-up Converse served you well as you trekked back and forth across campus, there's no place for them at a job interview. If the dress code is "business casual," opt for stylish separates. Start with a pair of well-fitted slacksblack, brown, gray, tan or any neutral color will do-and button-down shirt or collared polo. Always tucked in! A blazer or suit jacket will add a bit of polish to your look. Make sure that any facial hair is neat (that includes nose hair!), fingernails are trimmed and clean, and you smell good! That doesn't mean pile on the Axe body spray. In fact, forgo stinky colognes in favor of good old deodorant. You never know what allergies your interviewer may have, and it probably won't help you land a job if he or she can't stop sneezing. For women Unlike guys, who can just toss on a suit and tie and call it a day, women have many more options when it comes to job interview outfits. Should you wear a skirt or slacks? A suit or dress? Hair up or down? What it really boils down to, though, is what you feel best in. You will project the most amount on confidence when you feel good in the outfit you're in. To start, consider what the company's dress code is. If it's formal dress, such as at a bank or law firm, your options are already limited: A smart suit with a starched button-down shirt and modest heels will do well here. If it's more of a creative environment, where people often wear jeans, you have many more options but should still err on the conservative side. Try a flattering day dress in a graphic but not-too-loud print, accented with a belt and tasteful jewelry. Here are some other things to keep in mind: 1. Skirts and dresses should hit around the knee and adhere to a "sit test." That is, when you sit down in them, the skirt doesn't creep up so high that everyone knows your family business. 2. Keep your cleavage to yourself. Low-cut and too-tight tops are inappropriate, plain and simple, unless you're applying for a job at, say, Hooters. 3. Hose or no hose? If the dress code is formal, grab those tights! If you're not sure if pantyhose are required, you can always wear slacks. 4. Skip the perfume. You don't know the perfume preferences of the person or people you are interviewing with (they may HATE the signature scent you've warn since high school) and you don't want to be remembered as the "smelly" job candidate. 5. Nails should be freshly polished, or be trimmed with clear or no polish at all. Chipped or cracked

nails convey a person who doesn't care much about their appearance. 6. When in doubt about your hair, wear it back in a neat ponytail. Otherwise it should be clean and brushed. You shouldn't have to fiddle with your hair-brushing it out of your eyes, tossing it over your shoulder. It's a job interview, not a photo shoot. 7. Makeup should be light and tasteful. Skip the bright blue eye shadow in favor of a neutral eye, rosy cheek and a flattering lip color. Check your teeth for lipstick right before you head into the interview. 8. You can't go wrong in a closed-toe, mid heel pump in a fairly neutral shade. Leave those sky high heels for those nights you hit da club, unless you're applying for a job at, oh, Hooters again. posted by: mtvU How To Network Like A Pro

photo credit by: Cultura/Zero Creatives/Getty Images Sure, the job market isn't the best right now and student loan debt is higher than ever, but the latest generation of job seekers has a powerful asset on their side when it comes to job hunting: the Internet. Not just that it exists, but that they're masters of it. Just think, today's grads have been on Facebook for seven years-since they were in high school. They know how to make friends and connections faster than any generation before them, and that's an important skill when it comes to careers. Making meaningful connections in your industry won't just get you friends, it can lead to job opportunities. Having a relationship with someone at a company that's hiring can be the difference between getting your resume on the fast track to a hiring manager or letting it sit in a recruiters email inbox. Of course, networking in the business world is different than online social networking. You wouldn't "poke" your boss in the hallway, for example. But the same governing principles still apply. 1. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself. For some, this is much easier said than done, especially in one-on-one situations where you can't

hide behind a computer screen and a "friend request" button. In social settings, such as at work, parties, or even networking functions where the express purpose is for people to meet other people, you simply need to go up to someone, introduce yourself and then ask them about themselves. A natural dialog should start from there. Later, take that connection online, and reach out via the social networking sites to which you belong. 2. Come prepared. You never know who you're going to meet and when. And there's nothing worse than making a valuable new connection, going home and completely forgetting their name or how to contact them. So, invest in a few business cards to keep in your wallet at all times. You don't need anything super flashy. A simple white or off-white card with your name, phone number, e-mail, website or URL to a social profile will do the trick. You can have them printed for minimal cost at Kinko's or online at VistaPrint.com. And if you meet someone without their own card whose information you'd like, jot down their deets on the back of one of your cards. Even better, many smartphones and mobile devices are equipped with address books and recordkeeping apps. When it comes time to swap information, whip out your phone and enter the person's information, then show it to them so they can confirm that you got it right. 3. Be interested in what other people have to say. Just like you have that one annoying friend on Facebook who only has one-sided conversations about how amazing/awful their significant other is, no one likes a narcissist in real life. That's why it's important to be a good listener. Conversations have two participants, and when you're swapping stories, make sure you're not the only one talking. That fastest way to do this? Ask questions that are positive and focused, that the other person can answer easily. That will keep them talking and you two connecting. 4. Be nice. Always. Just like no one likes a narcissist, no one likes a pessimist. Just like you know not to spew derisive comments about your current employer all over Facebook and Twitter, you shouldn't use your networking connections to vent. Be positive and upbeat. 5. Keep in touch. Think of your network as a garden. When you first reach out to people, you are planting the seeds for future career opportunities. But before you can pluck the roses of an exciting new job opportunity, to have to feed and water those burgeoning buds. That means responding to them when they reach out to you for help-it's a give and take. It also means sending an occasional email to say hello and check in (but really to make sure their contact information is accurate), or offering to catch up over coffee. posted by: mtvU