"Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God, it even has a watermark..." (American Psycho, 2000)

Business cards, aside from resumes, are the pinnacle of follow-up discussions with potential customers, teammates, employers, etc. It opens the door for possibilities down the line, and it makes people easier to find. Everything from the creation, design, contact information, and delivery of the card is crucial. Standing out amongst competition may be difficult, but following these tips will put you ahead in your best career in no time. 

In the digital age, there are many alternatives to traditional paper business cards. Making contacts is an essential part of building a successful career or business. Having a strong network of contacts can open new opportunities, provide valuable insights, and help you achieve your goals. Since the idea of the traditional paper business card, there has been many great ways to accomplish this. In this blog post, we will discuss these alternatives in more detail and explore the benefits they can offer.

Have you ever stopped to consider what makes you truly unique and
special?

What sets you apart from others and makes you stand out in a crowd? In order to
unlock your full potential and achieve success in life, it's essential to know
yourself inside and out. That's where a self SWOT analysis comes in. SWOT stands
for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and by taking a closer look
at each of these areas, you can discover your own superpowers and unleash your
full potential.

A person’s cover letter is arguably one of the most important things a person can write to set themselves apart from others when competing for a highly sought after job. Learning how to work with the systems that sort through these letters at larger firms is the key to unlocking a competitive advantage and getting your letter seen. There are some obstacles in getting your cover letter seen by a human and that is the ATS program that searches through the thousands of applications received by these big companies. This guide is for anyone in the workforce who is applying to a larger corporation that may be using an online application portal to accept resumes and cover letters. I am going to show you how to nail your application every single time.

Did you know that recruiters spend an average of 5-7 seconds looking over a resume? Formatting a resume can sound stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some dos and don’ts for your resume that will make you stand out from the crowd.

• Preparing for an interview can be stressful as it is, what is even worse is not knowing where to even start in getting ready for this monumental moment.
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  First impressions are very important, especially for the job interview process. Dealing with one’s anxiety can be very hard, but in order to release some of the stress, it’s important to become prepared or at least know some tricks to help the process along the way. Below are tips and tricks for your next interview to relieve some anxiety.
   

  Want to Save Some Time? Pick Your Interview Outfit Early.

  One of the first impressions you’re immediately going to make before introducing yourself is your physical appearance. It can be stressful trying to pick a great outfit but have your outfit laid out and ready to go at least the night before. Not only will this relieve some anxiety on that day, but trying on the outfit beforehand will make you feel confident! If you look confident, then you will feel confident as well. Being prepared with that process will also give you more time to think about personal questions and what-if scenarios and how to answer those questions.

   After Looking in that Mirror to Get Ready, Practice Some Questions!

  Some anxiety can come from the unknown- not knowing what questions the interviewer is going to ask. One topic you do know is about yourself. Practice some questions in the mirror about yourself as it can ease your thoughts and make you way more comfortable in the interview. It’s important to practice because if one does not then they can fumble their words and not leave a great impression.

  Act as You Own It

  Arriving at the interview and going in can also be a very stressful part of the process. Making sure to focus and visualize your success can help relieve the negative thoughts going through your brain. Going into the interview, have your head held high and act as you own it. Acting confident is important and focuses on what you have to offer, not what you can’t provide for the company. Having questions for the employer can also bring attention to them and give you a moment to gather your thoughts together.

  Be Prepared for All Questions

  Indeed.com suggests you use the STAR method to answer questions about how to situations. The STAR method involves “discussing the situation, task, action, and result” of the problem. Reflect on what you would do in the situation and give examples if you had experience with that before. This is the time to share your qualifications and your strong qualities. Don’t share what you don’t know, only what you have accomplished!
  

  You’re Done! What Now?

  When wrapping up questions, make sure to give a nice handshake and a proper goodbye for your last impression. Now that you completed the interview you can finally relax! One last thing to do before completing your day is to write a Thank You Note. Expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of the process is a standard practice in the interviewing world. Many do this so that the employer knows that they appreciate their time spent and it provides another way to have your name stuck in their head.
  
  
  We know that anxiety doesn’t just disappear with a couple of tips and tricks. Preparing for an interview though can become a high-anxiety situation and it is important to know some advice that you can keep in the back of your head. Many of these tips are great for everyday situations to reduce anxiety and stress. Following these tips and tricks will help you become more prepared for your next interview.
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  For more interviewing tips in your job search process, visit Our First Job Search for interview blogs and resources to help you today!
   

By: Emily Lilly