Outside-the-Box Interviews

With jobs in short supply and the unemployment rate growing to 9.8% in September, it's important to make yourself stand out from the crowd during a job interview. Some job seekers have decided to think outside the box when it comes to their interview techniques. But before you undertake unique ways to sell yourself to potential employers, first make sure your plan makes sense and doesn't go over the top. You don't want to leave an interview with the hiring manager thinking you have nutcase potential.

Some unique presentations may work, whereas others may fall short of their intended result and cause someone to file your material in the trash can.

For example, one student stuffed their cover letter and resume with colorful confetti to create an instant party when someone opened the envelope. Unfortunately, that someone had just finished vacuuming the area around her desk and was now ankle-deep in tiny pieces of colored paper. Not good.

Gifts are another way job seekers try and sway a decision in their favor should the competition be close. Some job seekers have even brought homemade cakes, pies, or other treats. Number one, many companies have rules against accepting gifts, and number two, how comfortable would you be eating something made by someone you don't know? Again, not good, and just a little scary.

Don't become a stalker either. Waiting to meet your interviewer leaving work, interrupting a dinner at a restaurant, or slipping notes in their home mailbox is over the edge. Not good, and very scary.

Unique tactics can work, but there are some rules to follow to make sure you don't overstep the boundaries of acceptable protocol.

Remember that a solid cover letter and resume are still the most effective ways to highlight who you are and what skill sets you bring to the table.
Whatever you may be thinking about, make sure it's relevant to the position to which you are applying. Your “tactic” should tie into the job or the industry, or it should connect directly to the person you are.
Don't go too far. Once you cross the line, there is little hope of recovery during the rest of the interview.

Some hiring managers may be more open than others to outside-the-box presentations, so you are taking a chance unless you know the person with whom you are dealing.

Avoid These 401(k) Mistakes

In our previous issue, we discussed 401(k) retirement plans. This month we've compiled a list of the most common mistakes employees make with their 401(k) plan, so you can avoid making them:

Failing to participate—Your 401(k) plan is a great way to save for retirement. Most employers will match your contributions, contributions aren't taxed until retirement, and earnings on your investments are tax-deferred until retirement.
Failing to contribute enough to receive the maximum employer match—Employer-matching funds are free money and are totally risk-free.
Borrowing unnecessarily from your 401(k)—You can’t reach your financial goals if you keep dipping into the pot!
Holding too much of your employer's stock—Most financial planners recommend that you hold no more than 15%–25% of your 401(k) plan assets in any one company… including your employer!
Being too conservative or too aggressive in your investment strategy—A good rule of thumb is to invest in stocks if you have 10 years or more until retirement; avoid stocks if you plan to retire within 5–10 years.
Cashing out your 401(k) plan after changing jobs—It's best to leave your money in the plan or roll the balance into your new employer's plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).

How to Rise Above Disappointment

We've all experienced that sinking feeling—the promotion that went to someone else, the coveted award we didn't get, the project that didn't receive the hoped-for acclaim. Invariably, in both our professional and personal lives, there are times when our hopes are dashed on the rocks of hard reality. Here are some words of advice to help you through those difficult times:

Seek support—But be sure to choose helpful (and hopeful) friends. Talk to people who believe in you, and avoid "complaint junkies" who will only encourage you to feel more victimized and disempowered.
Don't give up—Although you may lose something in the short-term, learn from this setback and come out stronger and more determined. You may need to sharpen your skills, approach the situation from another angle, or change direction entirely. Regardless, devise another strategy and give it another shot. Most successful people have been knocked down before realizing their dreams; Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for "lack of ideas."
Have faith—Believe in both yourself and the growth process. Remember, everyone experiences setbacks, so don't let a bad situation get the better of you. In fact, many successful people look on their past disappointments as blessings, knowing that they learned a lot from them and that something better was waiting down the line.

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