I just recently had a week full of interviews after applying to over a hundred jobs online.  Off to NYC for a week! How exciting!


During my trip I was reminded of a bunch of interview tips as well as some new ideas to add to my list!

Before going into a string of interviews make sure and review your OWN resume and refresh your memory of everything listed.  If you have any new experience be sure to add it to your resume.   (ex. I forgot I had written punctual and organized and a potential employer asked me about it!  Thank goodness I arrived right on time!) 
 Plan what you are going to wear ahead of time to avoid running late!  Based on my experience if it is a traditional corporate company go dressed more conservative but, if it is a creative company put together a business casual outfit.


 Take advantage of  your trip and schedule as many meetings as possible!  I had the opportunity to meet with the head of  HR  at a corporation. It wasn’t  an interview for a specific position, but it was a wonderful meeting!  I had the opportunity to speak with 3 employees who offered invaluable advice!  I was lucky enough to gain industry contacts and I received valuable feedback on my portfolio.

Don’t forget, this is your chance to interview the company also.  Take your time asking questions and discovering how the office works and where you will fit into that system. 

I always ran into more people at the company than planned so I was glad that I had stashed some extra resumes in my bag! 

When job searching and planning for interviews keep an open mind to your career possibilities. Most importantly, always be ready to go, you never know who you might run into and where you will see them.  Someone may email you last minute to come in for a meeting! 

Have some fun, enjoy the city, and snag a great job!

Taking steps toward a greener lifestyle isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about doing the best you can.

1. Need to stock your kitchen? Buy groceries at the Farmer’s market.
2. Buying water instead of drinking tap? Recycle the bottle. Or, better yet, purchase a reusable water bottle and fill it with filtered tap water.
3. Eat in or take out? It’s best to eat in. Not only do you help your local restaurant but you also cut down on material waste involved with packing your food.
4. Paper or plastic? Neither! Carry your goods out of the store or bring a reusable bag with you when shopping.
5. ATM receipts? Say no to ATM receipts and do your banking online.
6. Does your food have miles? Reduce the miles your food has to travel. Purchase seasonal produce and buy locally.
7. Taking a trip to the coffee shop? Bring your own mug and cut down on waste.
8. Buying new software? Opt for a download versus a tangible purchase. You’ll cut down on wasteful packaging and a trip to the store.
9. Burning the midnight oil? Light a candle instead of using electricity. Also look for all-natural candles, usually made of soy or beeswax.
10. Are you an electronics geek? Unplug all unused adapters and chargers.
11. Frequent traveler? Travel lightly. When flying, each additional ten pounds per traveler adds 350 million gallons of jet fuel per year. More baggage also means more energy is required to scan and move your luggage.
12. Recycling? Remember, you’re not really recycling unless you’re buying recycled.
13. Look for a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content when shopping.

A simple way you can start consuming responsibly is examining your actions.

1. Buy local food
2. Support your local economy
3. Buy organic
4. Buy fair trade products,
5. Purchase vintage products
6. Think of your dollar as a vote (cash in, make change!)
7. Use energy efficient light bulbs
8. Use fewer household chemicals
9. Turn off unnecessary lights
10. Turn your thermostat down by 1 degree
11. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
12. Use energy efficient appliances
13. Reuse and recycle all that you can
14. Use a mug instead of a coffee cup
15. Use both sides of every sheet of paper
16. Buy things with less packaging
17. Choose a fuel efficient car
18. Use public transportation
19. Give a neighbor a ride to work
20. Spread the word and be a good example
21. Spend less time consuming

Also, don’t forget to be a part of the Rainmaker Network—help us get closer to our goal of reducing the carbon footprints of college students and employers all across the USA.

Whew.

Also called downshifting, many people opt for a simpler lifestyle for good reasons: wanting to live a more fulfilling lifestyle; clashes between their values and their current environment; or wanting to live in harmony. Considering the current economic climate it doesn’t take a genius to understand that consuming less can definitely lead you to a deeper appreciation of the things you currently have. The timeless adage, “Less is more” definitely applies to the environmental cause.

You don’t have to replace all of your current wares with the most green items on the market. However, you should consider eco-friendly purchases when it comes time to buy new items. For example, when replacing paper towels for the kitchen, why not purchase recycled
towels or hand towels instead?

Green isn't hip. It isn't fashionable. It is a choice and a way of life.

Let's keep it that way by combating myths about green lifestyles.

You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to make better decisions.

However, you will have to outweigh your current cost of an item to its long-term cost. For instance, if you are looking to purchase new bath towels, 100% cotton may be the cheapest. However, its absorbency and softness will last a year before you have to purchase a new set. How about a 100% organic bamboo towel set instead, which will last you longer but cost a little more money at the outset?

Not only can you recycle your old clothes, batteries, cell phones and iPods but you can donate them to charities or organizations that matter. Here are some sources to help you get started.

www.komputers4rkids.com / 562.860.7463 / info@k4rk.org
Komputers 4 R Kids is a 501 c(3) public charity and a State Licensed Collector of e-waste. They ensure that computer systems are reused and recycled and that they benefit kids.

www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com / 1.800.426.1031 /cellphonesforsoldiers@recellular.com
Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas in 2008. To do so, Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month through a network of more than 3,000 collection sites across the country.

www.apple.com/environment/recycling / 1.800.MY.APPLE
Customers can bring iPods they no longer want to any of Apple’s 100 retail stores in the US for free environmentally friendly disposal, and those who drop off an iPod, iPod mini or iPod photo will receive a 10 percent discount on the purchase of a new iPod that day.

Know of more programs? Post them in the comments!

Most campuses have implemented recycling programs. However, any true Rainmaker can pinpoint several ways to make their current programs more efficient!

• Contact Facilities Management at your local university to request a recycling bin next to every trash can on campus.
• Bring your own mug every morning for coffee and ask for a discount. If there isn’t a discount in place, talk to Dining Services about arranging one.
• Is the dining hall still using Styrofoam plates? Make formal, written requests to the University to replace Styrofoam with recyclable paper or plastic plates.

Have more ideas? Post them in the comments section.