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Job Interview Etiquette for Women

Job Interview etiquette

The Proper Interview Etiquette… If you are looking for a job and have an interview, there are some key things to remember before going in for the interview. In terms of interview etiquette, you need to give yourself the best chance possible to get the job you are interviewing for. Having a good first impression is important and you want to make sure you set yourself apart from other potential employees.

Attire: No matter what job you are interviewing for, whether it is through a staffing employment agency or a company, you should dress professionally. This means wearing business attire no matter what job you are interviewing for. You should carry yourself with confidence and reflect that in your clothing. Since your clothes are the first impression that you make, you should make it a good one. While you want the interviewer to focus on your skills and personality, what you wear will be consciously or unconsciously judged.

Preparation: As you prepare yourself for your interview, it is important to come with the right knowledge and documents. This means first researching the company you are interviewing for. You should be familiar with the actual job and what it entails. You should also know the history of the company, the mission statement and any other information you can gain from its website or other media outlet. You should come to the interview prepared to ask some questions at the end. You will more than likely be asked if you have any and it is a good idea to have something in mind before you arrive at the interview. You might also come up with more during the interview, which is fine as well. Even if the company already has your resume, it is good interview etiquette to bring several copies of your resume as well as a list of references. You do not want to be asked for any documents and come up short-handed. You are in competition with other applicants and you want to set yourself apart as much as possible by coming as prepared as you can.

Essentials: As you make your way to the interview, you should make sure you have plenty of time to get there. It is recommended to arrive a few minutes early and to be friendly to the first person you meet. Usually it will be someone at the front desk and they will often talk to the interviewer afterwards about what they thought. This is a great opportunity to be professional no matter who you meet. Once you meet the interviewer, you should have a strong and confident handshake. You should always make good eye contact throughout the interview. Your nonverbal cues can be just as important as what you say. You should talk yourself up and focus on your strengths and why you are a good fit for the job. It is sometimes difficult to talk so positively about yourself, but it is crucial to do so.

Going in for an interview can be a stressful experience. To lower your stress level, you should come prepared by bringing the right documents and doing the research needed to feel confident during the interview. By following these tips, you are sure to land the job you want.

{This post was compensated as a guest post from Link Vehicle. Photo credit to bpsusf.

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Free Local Family Fun Passes to Print Today – And More!

“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you”- Ralph Waldo Emerson If you were an early reader of this site, you’ll remember that I started out as a much more “Frugal Living” style of blog. One of my first big successes was my How to Get Free Stuff series, where I showed pics of the amazing amount of goodies I got completely free from things like entering giveaways, joining awesome mailing lists, or signing up for the best rewards programs. I still do all of that stuff, but as the blog evolved and grew into something a little different {I call it Smart Solutions for Busy Moms} – I stopped sharing as many of my frugal-style tips and tricks. But – sometimes I come across a new program that is so awesome, I can’t help but share it with you guys… And as you have probably guessed, I have one to share with you ladies today. It will rock your socks.

Scott's Shared Values - free stuff for families

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship”- Benjamin Franklin

So what is this awesome new program that I think is worth joining? Why join yet another rewards program? I know those are the questions you’re thinking right now, lol. Well – first off, the more programs and mailing lists that you’re on, the more amazing cool stuff you’ll get. I mean, I get super cool free samples in the mail I’m not even expecting – simply because I’m on a list of interested peeps somewhere. I find super helpful emails each day with the best new offers for free or deeply discounted deals on things I need for the fam – just because I’m a part of so many great rewards programs. So this stuff is seriously worth joining. {Get a list of great newsletters I recommend to get freebies and cool stuff here.} And this new program from Scott’s is one of the cooler ones that I’ve seen in a long time – It’s actually simple to join and get started, the rewards are the type of things that you actually want and need, and it’s just really honestly cool.

free family fun passes

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin

When I signed up – for Yakima, Washington, and then entered my zip for a Family Fun Pass – They let me choose from the location I wanted, so I requested a free admission to our local skating rink – Skateland. They emailed within a minute, printed my voucher – easy peasy, and done. Seriously – sign up to see what free Family Fun Passes are available for you this month, then keep checking back each month for new ones. No strings – just free, and super cool.

how to get free values for your family

Want to get started earning free family rewards asap??

Of course you do. It’s simple. It’s free. It gives you cool free stuff. And it’s from an awesome brand. If that hasn’t sold ya – here are a few more goodies – You can buy super cool ticket packages to see of the best racing events this summer. Or get 3 full free months to try out that new Blockbuster movie by mail program. You can get super sweet discounts on Hertz car rental too. Or get great coupons instantly for Scott’s brand products. Awesome, I know. So use this form to sign up now – without even having to click through to another site.

If the form doesn’t load or work for you – you can also find it in my sidebar all month, or click here!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up, get your freebies – then use the tweet button below to share with your own friends or networks. Or use my easy peas share buttons to post to Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, or whatever social media you love most. Because, friends don’t let friends pay full price, right? And this is such a sweet program you totally have to share it! It’s brand new, so most of your friends may not have even seen it yet! And it is rockin’ – for real.

 Join Scott’s Free Rewards Program for New Freebies Every Month – Including Free Family Fun Passes for August! 

{Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Scott. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating and am able to earn additional rewards throughout the campaign.}

 

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10 Creative Ways to Give Your Child an Academic Advantage

“A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.” – George Santayana… As moms, we all want what’s best for our kids. We put aside so many of our own needs and wants, to make sure they have the very best. We invest in their future financially – things like life insurance, savings accounts, college plans – but it’s also super important to be investing in their future lives in a different way too… The adventures you take them on, the books you encourage them to read, the projects you complete together – those activities will have a huge impact on what type of person that they grow up to be. For more info and tips, check out this super helpful infographic that I am seriously in love with….

Give Your Child An Academic Advantage
Academic Advantage Infographic by InfoCarnivore.com

What do you think?

The ideas here are so worth pinning and remembering – I definitely need to get the kids more involved with volunteering, since that’s something that has always been incredibly important to me. And I’m loving the apps and links it mentions here for additional resources. And – I’d love to hear from you guys… Did you find an idea here that’s super helpful for you? Or do you have a great tip to share? Leave me some comments below – I love to learn from you smart ladies too!

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” – Malcolm S. Forbes

 

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The Busy Moms Guide to Simplifying Auto Insurance

How to find the best auto insurance for busy moms… Whether you drive a Swagger Wagon, an SUV, or an old clunker that can take the abuse a toddler dishes out – you need to keep it, and your family, protected with good auto insurance. But – when you’re a super-busy super-mom, it can be challenging to find time to search out the best option, am I right? Well, it’s a challenge no longer – I have an awesome new tool that is going to be a HUGE help to you. Keep reading to find out what it is. {It rocks, trust me.}

How to find the best insurance for YOUR Swagger Wagon

With something as important as auto insurance, you definitely want to do some research, and shop around before settling on a plan. You don’t want to find out that something isn’t covered, or that the company you chose has horrible service – after something goes wrong. But who has the time or energy to figure it all out? Well, I found an awesome insurance site that is pretty much perfect for busy moms like us. It’s called Auto Insurance EZ, and these are a few of the tips I learned  today, that you should keep in mind when comparing auto insurance providers:

  • Financial Strength: You want to make sure that the company you choose is stable enough financially that you can be sure you’ll be able to collect on a claim if needed.
  • Customer Service: You want to make sure that it’s easy to reach someone when you need help, that the claims process is easy, and that the company really values their customers.
  • Coverage and Payment Options: Is the company flexible with payment plans, so that you can be sure to get something that fits your needs? Do they offer the extra features that are important to you, like roadside assistance?
  • Personal References: Ask friends and family if they have any experience with the company. Check out their social media pages to get more real-life opinions on the site and services. This can give you a great idea of how responsive they are.
  • Other Reviews: There are tons of independent websites such as ConsumerReports.orgJDPower.com, and FreeAdvice.com that all let you read real-mom reviews about various car insurance companies. Make sure to check them out too.

So, now you know what’s important to look for, and how to find a great insurance company, right? But how do you FIND companies in the first place? I mean, there are loads of big name national companies, but there are also a lot of great local businesses too. Auto Insurance EZ helps you with this part too – Just click through to your state to find a huge resource filled with providers you can quickly and easily compare. When I clicked to check out the auto insurance providers in Washington State, I was really impressed by all of the info they have collected in one spot for me – a bunch of providers to choose from, Washington state insurance laws, driving laws that are specific to my state, speed limits, and the contact info for all of the places I might need for help. Awesomesauce, for reals. HUGE time saver.

Free 10-Minute Guide to Auto Insurance – Amazing resource!

Shopping around can save you up to 50% off on average on your auto insurance bill – but so many moms don’t do it because they don’t have time, or it feels intimidating. But this site is going to totally change that for you – they make it SO simple to compare your options.

What do YOU think? If you use this site, let me know what you think in the comments!

 

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Back to School 101: Getting Ready for the Big Day

Plum District, the leading daily offers site for moms, by moms, recently surveyed 2,403 of its members to find out how moms really feel about the back to school season. They learned what real moms were thinking – what traditions they love most, what challenges they face, and what worries they have as the new school year approaches. And to help alleviate the pain of back to  school time for mom, during August, Plum District will feature special offers that will help Mom check items off her back to school list, including deals for lunch boxes, kids clothing and school supplies and books. Keep reading for some surprising finds…

back to school infographic

The Moods of Moms During Back to School Season

Just like kids have a ton of mixed emotions when returning to the routines of their school days, us moms have a lot of emotions going on too! Here are a few more facts pulled from the Back to School survey Plum District did recently:

  • Many Moms are Excited: 39 percent of Moms feel excited, yet another 26 percent feel relieved.
  • Moms are More Sad than Kids: 40 percent of Moms say they are the MOST sad family member, followed by the kids at 33 percent… and the dog at 21 percent.
  • Moms’ Top Worries: The top reason Mom is worried about her kids going back to school is surprisingly not bullying (that’s #2) — it’s whether or not her kids have a good teacher.
  • Moms are Likely to Cry: 54 percent of Moms say they are likely to cry on the first day of school.
  • Moms Plan to Write a Special Note:  57 percent will likely tuck a hidden note into their kids’ bags.

Which one of these do you relate to most? My little girl isn’t old enough to head off to school yet – she’s only 2 years old. But my live-in nephews are 6 and 8, and I remember crying as I sent Cole off with his big brother last year for the first day of school! It can definitely be an emotional thing – I was so excited for him to start his new adventure as a student, but couldn’t believe he had grown up so much already. Crazy, right?

If you’re still finishing up your back to school shopping – Check out Plum District for the more unique selection at awesome prices!

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Is Your Wireless Company Just Not That Into You? #HelloBetter

Do you love your wireless provider?… I can answer that with a big ol’ NO WAY JOSE!! The last time my phone broke, and I had to head to the local cell store to get a new one, the clerk either made a mistake, or purposely tricked me – either way, I ended up signing up for things that I did NOT realize I was going to pay for, and sure as heck didn’t need. It was another big mess to get it all fixed after I figured it all out. So, if you’ve had bad experiences with your provider too, you’re gonna love this new campaign from US Cellular called Hello Better. What is it? Well girls, keep reading and I’ll tell ya all about it! 

Hello Better with US Cellular

What does Hello Better mean? It means saying goodbye to things like plans that don’t include enough data, minutes, or option, and saying hello to unlimited plans for single lines or even whole families. It means saying hello to a super sweet rewards program that lets you earn points for things like free phones and accessories. It means saying hello to a company that has surveyed women across the country to learn what they really need in a wireless network – and are now totally delivering it.

“By introducing the Hello Better campaign to the public, U.S. Cellular is encouraging people to say goodbye to dysfunctional wireless relationships and say hello to a better experience. Goodbye neglect, hello respect.”

Do you hate your cell phone plan?

It’s not you – it’s them!

Where do you fall on this chart? I’m part of the 54% of peeps in the Pacific Northwest who are totally unhappy with their service provider – and it looks like all across the nation, the amount of women who are not feelin’ their cell phone providers love is pretty similar – almost half in most areas. That’s crazy, right? If half of Americans are unhappy, don’t you think someone should do something about that? Well lucky for us, US Cellular is that someone!

Start seeing other carriers

Are you ready to “see other people?”

If so, then US Cellular will be the plan of your dreams. Check them out today to get sweet unlimited plans that don’t have a ton of strings, that awesome rewards program that I told you about, and really personal service and help when you need it. Here are a few more reasons why they are rockin’ the wireless world right now:

  • In addition to passionate associates, U.S. Cellular provides customers with unique benefits such as the industry’s only points-based rewards program, no contract after the first contract ends, free incoming calls and texts, free Overage Protection and free Battery Swap for your device.
  • U.S. Cellular believes that people deserve better. A mobile phone is supposed to make life simpler and easier to get things done. Your relationship with your wireless carrier should be the same. US Cellular treats their customers like neighbors, not numbers.
  • Out of the 1,208 participants polled across four regions of the country, 56 percent of the respondents admitted to being unhappy with their carrier over the past year but only 35 percent of all respondents have ever broken up with their provider. That’s why US Cellular is working to make it much easier!

It’s no secret that people are frustrated with their wireless experience, but people tolerate less because they don’t believe there is a better option. You deserve better! So say hello to better with US Cellular today. Seriously.

 

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5 Steps to a Bathroom Mini-Makeover for Summer Guests #CGC #CleanHands.

Bathroom Mini-Makeover Tips for Summer Entertaining…. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we do a ton of entertaining around here, especially in the summertime. {See some of my fave ideas here – Party Drinks and Party Foods. Very fun stuff.} And with a ton of people here all the time, and a pool that people need to change in and out of swimwear for, my bathroom gets a lot of traffic. It’s clean, but it needed a little spruce up. So I’ll share a few fun ideas you can use too to make your own bathroom a little more guest ready. Easy peasy and very fun – keep reading…

Tips for a Bathroom Mini-Makeover

It doesn’t take a lot to make a bathroom more welcoming to guests – A few nice touches that show that you’re thinking of them can really make an impact. If you do a ton of entertaining too, whether it’s all summer, or year round, making your bathroom more guest-friendly is a great way to be a nice hostess. Here are a few of my tips for making over your bathroom to make it ready for visitors…

  1. Guest Basket: I love this list of items to include in a guest bathroom hospitality basket – things like band-aids, lotion, soap, tums, etc. Leave it on the counter, or in an easily accessible cupboard, so that guests that come to visit can easily find anything that they might need in any type of emergency. Super helpful, super smart.
  2. Clean House: Cleaning a bathroom can be a totally quick project, and really easy to keep up with. Basic maintenance, like using cleaning wipes each time you’re in there, a quick cleaning spray in the shower, or a quick steam mop on the floor – those all lead up to a nice clean room that’s ready for guests. Use this bathroom cleaning checklist to get you started.
  3. Wall Art: A few cool pieces of art on the wall can really jazz up a space, and make it much more fun for guests. If you’re looking for rad ideas, check out my Creative DIY Wall Art Ideas board on Pinterest. Tons of cool stuff to create, on a budget. Which means that you can update for every season.
  4. Clever Gadgets: I absolutely love clever little ideas to make the bathroom more fun, and functional. Things like an awesome fabric holder to store an extra roll of toilet paper behind the main roll, the Aqueduck that helps kids wash hands on their own, a disinfecting toilet brush holder,  cool idea products like this make life a little easier on your guests.
  5. Convenience:  It’s great to have hand towels for guests to dry their hands on – but at the same time, when you really think about it, it’s kind of weird to reuse the same towels that 5 other people have used right before you! To make sure each of your guests have a fresh place to dry their hands, pick up the super awesome new Kleenex Hand Towels. They are more sturdy than tissues, and super helpful for guests. And, you can customize the package really quickly to make them a bit more fun – keep reading for a bit of inspiration.

Use these few tips to inspire you to spruce up your own bathroom for summer entertaining and all of the guests that come along with it. Whether you jazz up a guest bathroom, your main bathroom, or the Master Bedroom bath like me – a few simple touches that show guests that you care and are thinking of them, make parties a lot more fun, and guests will memorable.

bathroom mini-makeover project

Makeover Your Kleenex Hand Towel Dispenser

This is a simple project – and you’ll throw it away eventually. How many craft projects do you create knowing you’ll toss it in the trash in a few weeks, lol? But – it takes only a couple of minutes, is super inexpensive, and adds a fun little detail that’s a big help to your guests too. Here’s what I did – Step 1: Grab some adhesives. {This is an awesome time of year to stock up on school supplies super cheap, so you have extras crafty stuff all year.} Step 2: Gather a few fun scrapbooking embellishments. I chose sparkly die cuts and pretty rhinestones. Step 3: Glue on your goodies! Now you have a super fun addition to your bathroom that guests will really appreciate.

Join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels, and click here for savings and more!   

{Disclaimer: I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective. Bathroom sign photo credit.}

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