“I’m caring for a loved one.”

Your loved one is so lucky to have a thoughtful caring person like you. We understand you may feel overwhelmed by these extra responsibilities and want to delay your education. Know that during our 30 years of offering adult degree programs, many students taking care of loved ones have felt this way. However, once enrolled, their fears were quickly relieved. They found our professors are just like them, with loved ones to care for and lives outside the classroom. These students also found that because they gave so much of themselves to their loved ones, they got immeasurable value from school and the time they took to do something for themselves and their future.

We want you to be the best student and caretaker you can be, which is why our flexible and affordable degree programs meet the needs of today’s busy adult learners. ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ offers multiple options to accelerate or decelerate your degree as needed, and a dedicated student success coach will be there for you every step of the way. We mean it when we say, you’ve got this and we’ve got you.

“I’m moving.”

We know the pain of moving. If we weren’t so busy helping our students, we’d volunteer to move those boxes right alongside you! We also know the ordeal of moving may have you thinking twice about pursuing a degree. Not to worry. Many students have gone through the same thing while enrolled at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€”and they’re glad they did.

You’ll have a few things going for you at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝. First, we designed our flexible, affordable degree programs especially for busy adults who have a lot going on in their lives, and you’ll have multiple ways to adjust your degree program based on current circumstances. Second, you’ll have a dedicated student success coach to help you navigate the ups and downs of school, moving and transitioning to a new home. Finally, once you enroll at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, you’ll always be part of our family, no matter where you are. We offer career services to all students and alum, so if you ever need help, networking contacts or advice, we’ll be here for you.

Our advice: »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t delay

Life is full of twists and turns. Pursuing a worthwhile goal, such as earning a college degree, can help you power through the challenges. It’s always the right time to go after your dreams.

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1. Chill out. You worked hard all semester; now it’s time for a little R&R. Sleep late, take naps, skip the workout for a few days. You deserve it.
2. Read an actual book. Put down your iPad, pick up a book and find a quiet place all to yourself.
3. Turn off your phone. You »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t have to be available to everyone every minute of the day. Give texting and emailing a rest too; you might be surprised at how good it feels to unplug.
4. Experience something new. It’s okay to forget the serious stuff for a minute. Take a beginner’s yoga class, sign up for a photography workshop or master a new game with your kids.
5. You can do something good without making a long-term commitment. Look for projects in your area like a park cleanup, serving meals at a mission or helping with a toy drive.
6. Meet up with an old friend. Is there someone you’ve gone too long without seeing? Make plans for coffee or a long walk to reconnect.
7. Update your resume. You never know when opportunity will knock, so be ready with a current resume. Add new work experience and skills, refresh the language with searchable key words and have a friend read it with an objective eye.
8. Prep for next semester. Getting a jump on school while you have time will make things a whole lot easier when the semester starts. You might reorganize your study area; map out your class schedule; apply for internships, scholarships or job shadowing opportunities; or look into career planning resources.
9. See a movie. A lot of the year’s best films come out during the holidays and with all your free time, you could be the first in line! Take your family or a friend and splurge on the jumbo popcorn.
10. Be a kid again. Think back to things you loved when you were young, then do those things again! Ride a bike, go roller skating, shoot hoops, play board games, ride go-karts or jump on a trampoline. In other words, let yourself go!

ĚýSchedule an appointment by January 7th to have your tuition deposit waived!

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Work through negative thoughts that might arise as you pursue your degree:

I haven’t been in school for years, I won’t be able to do the coursework.

As an adult returning to college online at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, you will be provided with all the tools, resources, and support you need to succeed. You are not expected to know everything; you will continue to learn as you move forward in your academic journey. You’ll have the ideas and thoughts of your peers, the help of your instructor, and the ongoing support of other professionals at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ to guide you. Everyone at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ is rooting for you and wants you to succeed. We understand that many students haven’t had to read anything scholarly or write a paper in a formal academic format for years – no problem! You’ll have everything you need to excel – so »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t let the thought that you haven’t been in a classroom (virtual or real) for years stop you from pursuing your dreams.

I’m too old to go back to school.

No, you’re not. You are never too old to learn something new, to accomplish a lifelong goal, and to better yourself and your circumstances. Your life experiences will contribute more to a class discussion than someone who is just graduating from high school. (Plus, no one in your class is going to ask you how old you are or care!) When you go back to school as an adult, you’re motivated, ready, and eager to embrace the opportunity – often more so than a high school senior who transitions right into college after just a summer off from high school.

I work full-time and really »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t have time to go on with my education.

Most adult students who pursue their degree online at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ are working full-time. Don’t let the negative thought or excuse of not having enough time get in your way of accomplishing something you have wanted to do for many years. One of the many benefits of going back to school online is the freedom and convenience the experience gives you. Unlike having to drive to a classroom on a college campus, you have the convenience of working on your weekly assignments at your leisure at home.

Embrace positive thoughts that can help you as you pursue your degree:

Other adults have returned to college and succeeded; I can, too.

There are many adults returning to college and successfully earning their degrees online. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the same students to “see” each other in different courses as they progress through their particular academic program. By developing and sustaining relationships with other adult students in your courses, you’ll feel positive about your decision and realize that you are not the only adult college student in the world – or at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝!

I will be able to prioritize and manage all of my responsibilities successfully.

Everyone has a lot on their plate. From working at a job to being an active family member to maintaining friendships, all adult students have other responsibilities outside of completing their weekly coursework. Taking a course online and working towards a degree will be a temporary change in your normal schedule. You will actually be surprised at how much more you are able to accomplish each week by adding college coursework to your “t´Ç-»ĺ´Ç” list. If you keep telling yourself that you can successfully handle all of your responsibilities, you will!

I deserve to take care of myself and follow my dreams.

Most adult students who return to college have spent years sacrificing their goals and dreams in order to help others. Some have worked full-time for years to contribute to the household income. If you’ve postponed achieving your long-term academic goals for similar reasons, tell yourself that you are worthy and deserving of taking the time and focus to accomplish this important goal for yourself. Earning your college degree will provide you with a valuable tool that can help you accomplish even greater goals in the future.

Your thoughts are powerful. If you focus your thoughts on the moment – on what you need to do today to get you one step closer to where you want to be tomorrow – your positive thoughts will help you to follow through with your goals and succeed in college and in life.

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Sustaining that high level of interest over time in this new venture, however, is sometimes easier said than done. If purposeful actions aren’t taken, it’s easy for the excitement to subside. The same holds true for adult college students who are pursuing their degree online. Initially, the dedication, commitment, and motivation are steadfast and at an all-time high. After a few courses, however, the motivation may seem like it’s starting to wane.

Here are some tips to staying motivated – even when life seems overwhelming (and you have a million things on your “to do” list in addition to your coursework):

#1. Take note of the details along the way

Instead of saying to yourself, “This week I have to do my online coursework,” be more specific with your time. Write down, “Saturday mornings from 7 AM – 10 AM and Monday evenings from 7 PM – 9 PM, I will do my homework.” Block off that committed time on your calendar as if it were an appointment for your hair, your nails, or to meet your buddies at the local gym. By making a commitment of your time, you won’t spend the whole week stressed out thinking about what you have to get done or wonder when you are going to do it – you already know that Saturday mornings and Monday evenings are reserved exclusively for your coursework.

#2. Focus on the finish line

While attending to the particular details of your academic goals each week, you also want to keep your big, overarching goals in mind – to complete the particular course in which you are currently enrolled and, ultimately, to earn your degree. Once you have completed all the requirements for your degree, you will have a credential that no one can take away from you and that will forever enhance your personal and professional life in numerous ways. You can stay motivated through the academic process by continuously envisioning how earning a degree will inspire, influence, and improve your life and the lives of your loved ones.

You can stay motivated through the academic process by continuously envisioning how earning a degree will inspire, influence, and improve your life and the lives of your loved ones.

#3. Tell someone

You’ll stay motivated in your academic pursuits if you tell others about your plans and your goals. It’s a lot easier to drop out of a college course (or a gym membership) if you’ve never told anyone that you are actively pursuing it to begin with. If you share with your family members, your circle of friends, and/or your colleagues at work, they will be able to help celebrate your milestones and keep you accountable and motivated to continue. During the moments you feel overwhelmed and like you just want to give up, they’ll help remind you of how much you’ve accomplished thus far and how close you are to achieving your ultimate goal.

#4. Reward yourself

While the big rewards are the completion of another college class and the earning of the degree, reward yourself along the way as you continue to move forward on your academic journey. You can reward yourself after completing your first week of coursework, at the halfway mark, and once you completed a course. The reward could be something as simple as purchasing a new coveted notebook to ordering dinner from your favorite restaurant. Completing a college class online is a big deal. It is a big accomplishment. Knowing that you will reward yourself at certain milestones along the way will help to keep you motivated.

#5. Connect with other students

You’ll be meeting new people in your virtual online classrooms who share many of the same challenges, issues, and concerns that you will be experiencing. Connect with them. You can email them and look for their postings on the discussion boards each week to respond to and show your support in their efforts. In addition, take the time to read the stories of other students who have been where you are now. You’ll be motivated and inspired to continue once you discover that you are not alone and that if others can continue on through their academic journey, you can, too!

#6. Make a list of why you decided to go back to school

Make a list of the reasons why you decided to go back to school, print it, and look at it often. Reminding yourself of why you first embraced this new journey will help to motivate you and keep you focused. Perhaps you decided to go back to school to secure a better job or to be considered as a viable candidate for that promotion. Perhaps you are the first one in your family to earn your degree, or maybe everyone else in your family has earned a degree except you. You might have decided to go back to school because it’s a goal you have had since you were in high school. Maybe others in your life look up to you and you know that pursuing and accomplishing this goal will inspire them. Whatever your reason(s), print them and look at them often. They’ll keep you moving forward during the moments you feel overwhelmed.

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We have four (4) daughters and have instilled in them through life that it does not matter how long it takes to complete a task, just complete it. After allowing my husband and my daughters to move forward and complete their respective degrees, I have finally taken the time to complete something I started some time ago (leading by example).

Why did you choose ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? ĚýĚýĚýĚýĚý

My husband is an ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Alum of the MBA program and I loved how the program worked for him, so it was an easy decision, when I decided to finally complete my degree, and ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ was my first choice. The support from the school is great. My schedule is very busy with life, after-retirement work, my network marketing business and singing with a band, so I needed a program that fits into my schedule. The GPS program is just that. I do not have the luxury of having the time to go to a brick and mortar building for class. Being able to go online or on my smart phone, at my convenience, and submit my work is the best method for my lifestyle.

Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:

One tip is hard, so we’ll count this as one. Work ahead of schedule if at all possible and do not wait until the last minute for preparation of papers, etc. I print out my complete assignments for the upcoming week, in advance, keep a copy with me at all times, and check them off as completed. Any down time is used for research, which I save and then compile it all together. Also, save a backup of everything on a flash drive (technical problems will occur, but you will be prepared).

What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?

The fact that I can show my children and grandson how being persistent and consistent pays off in the end is priceless to me. Also, if at all possible, get it all done before the responsibilities of a family, etc. are added to the equation. I can show them better than I can tell them, any day. They have seen the struggles and the appreciation for hard work, and ultimately the joy of finishing what is started!!

The fact that I can show my children and grandson how being persistent and consistent pays off in the end is priceless to me.

What is your anticipated Date of Graduation?

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Class of 2018.

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Tips to Accomplishing Your 2018 Goals

#1 Put it in writing.

It doesn’t matter if you can quickly rattle off three goals you want to accomplish this year without thinking twice about them (because they have been the same goals you have been trying to accomplish for years now) – write them down and put that list some place where you will see it every day. Whether you print the list and post it on your refrigerator, jot them down on a sticky note and tape them to your bathroom mirror, or use them as a screensaver on your electronic device, make sure your goals for this new year are in plain view. There is a lot to be said for that old adage, “Out of sight, out of mind!” Visually seeing a list of your goals every day will remind you that every choice you make throughout each day, week, and month this year will either bring you closer to accomplishing those goals, or take you steps farther off the path and away from your desired, ultimate destination.

In addition to listing your 2018 goals and making them visible, keep a journal. You »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t have to write something profound every day, but keeping a daily log of how you chose to spend your time and what you chose to do on each date will help you to see things that you might need to eliminate from your life or what you need to continue doing.Ěý You can keep the journal on your laptop and simply label it “2018” or you can buy a hardbound art book filled with blank pages at your local craft store and write, doodle, and paste pics in it each night before you go to bed. A year from now, you will be grateful that you took the time to be mindful of each of the days of your life in 2018.

#2 Remember: baby steps matter.

Before you can run a marathon, you have to take baby steps. It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s one step at a time that makes you stronger and brings you closer to the finish line. So, each day, purposefully do something that will lead you closer to accomplishing one or all of your goals.Ěý For example, if you want to build physical strength and develop your biceps and triceps this year, have a 1 or 2 pound dumbbell within sight and within reach of your desk or favorite chair, and periodically throughout the day, lift the weight and do reps of 12. Perhaps during the commercials of your favorite TV show you’ll do the reps instead of your traditional workout of reaching into the bag of chips and lifting the chips to your mouth that you did last year while relaxing in front of the TV. J

#3 Be kind to yourself.

Having a slice of pie, a soda, or fries with your salad is not going to remove you completely off your goal-centered path. So, »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t beat yourself up if you make a choice that you know you probably shouldn’t. More importantly, »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t think that because you had some cake at the company party that you “blew it” for the whole day, week, or month and should now just throw in the towel and eat whatever fattening or unhealthy thing you can get ahold of. Be kind to yourself so that you can be kind to others, and so that you can expect others to be kind to you, too.

Possible goals to include in your new year’s new plan.

#1 Financial goals.

Everyone wants to be debt free. Some accomplish that with dedication and discipline and others still struggle to make their minimum credit card payments each month. If being debt free is truly one of your goals for 2018, it can be done – there are just a few things you have to do. For starters, think – and think again — before you make any purchase. Ask yourself if what you are about to buy is something you really need (detergent for laundry, milk for breakfast, or lightbulbs for your lamps) or is it something you want to purchase because…it’s on sale, it’s pretty, or you feel you owe it to yourself (perhaps another sweater, a new handbag, or your third coffee for the day). Every single unnecessary purchase you make will bring you further away from your financial goals. If there is a fabulous dress on sale for $20 at your favorite store, but you really »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t need it and have no place to wear it, leave the store without it. That $20 you just saved can be an additional payment on a credit card this month. In your daily journal, jot down everything you purchased each day – gas, lunch, movie tickets, groceries. At the end of each week, take a look at your list and see where you could have made better choices.

#2 Academic goals.

Don’t let another year go by without starting and pursuing your academic goals. The longer you put it off, the longer you will have to wait for that promotion, for that boost in your self-confidence, for that pay raise, and for that opportunity to be an inspiration to others. Check to see if your employer will pay for all of or most of your college degree. That’s just one simple phone call for you to make to your company’s HR Department. If they do pay for employee schooling, ask about the specifics:

• what grade do you need to earn in each course,
• how many classes can you take at one time,
• do they pay for it upfront or after you’ve completed the course, and
• do you have to major in a certain field of study.

If you need to figure out a way to pay for your college degree on your own – no big deal. Financial help is out there. Call ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, explain your academic goals and your current financial situation, and one of our counselors will guide you seamlessly through the whole process of being enrolled and getting started. Even if you just take one course at a time, you’re on your way to achieving a goal you have had since your high school days. Of all the purchases you make in your lifetime, the investment in your academic career is the one that will continue to pay off, pay for itself, and add value to your personal and professional life for the rest of your life!

Don’t let another year go by without starting and pursuing your academic goals. The longer you put it off, the longer you will have to wait for that promotion, for that boost in your self-confidence, for that pay raise, and for that opportunity to be an inspiration to others.

#3 Physical goals.

Everyone either wants to lose weight or get in shape. The few who are “already there” want to maintain their physique – which also requires establishing and keeping goals. While joining the local fitness club for $10 bucks a month may seem like a deal, it won’t be if you never actually go there. Instead, start out working with your dumbbells at home. Turn the music up loud and dance for 20 minutes. There are plenty of free workout sessions online that you can watch to do exercises at home – in the privacy of your own home. You »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t need the commitment and stress of a gym membership to add to your monthly bills and guilt for not going. In addition, while you »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t have to give up all those foods you love (and that got you where you are physically today), Ěýyou do need to eat in moderation, purposefully, and thoughtfully. A few chips with a spinach-wrapped sandwich are better than a whole bag of snacks with a jar of dip that has an expiration date of five years (!). Drink lots and lots of water. Make fruit smoothies and throw in some kale and spinach. Everything you fuel your body with will either add to your body’s strength and health, or take away from it.

Whatever your personal, professional, academic, physical, financial, or spiritual goals this new year, write them down, review them, and make choices that lead you closer to them. Time is going to pass anyway – in less than a year from now, it will be another new year. Set yourself up so that you can look back at this year with pride and satisfaction knowing that you established goals and accomplished them.

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1. Create six lists before the end of this year.

To be a well-balanced, well-rounded individual, it requires more than simply having a great job, or being physically fit, or intellectually stimulated, or spiritually grounded, or financially secure, or personally joyful. It takes all of those, together. So, in preparation for the new year, make a list for each category – finances, academics, health & fitness, spirituality, career, and personal. Under each heading, create a list of what you specifically plan to accomplish (or stop doing) this new year within that category. For example:

Finances

• Save at least $___ a month.
• Pay all bills ahead of schedule or on time.
• Significantly improve credit score.
• Don’t use more than 10% of credit available on credit cards.

Health & Fitness

• Join a local fitness facility.
• Use the facility at least three times a week.
• Don’t eat past 7 PM.
• Grocery shop mindfully; »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t buy/eat fast food.
• Whenever possible, park far and take the stairs.

Academics

• Research ways you can go back to school to finish your bachelor’s or pursue a master’s degree.
• Ask the HR Director at work if the company pays for college tuition.
• Start your degree program in January with the momentum of the new year.
• Get each week’s coursework done ahead of schedule.
• Strive to excel in every course.

Spirituality

• Pray or mediate every morning and every evening.
• Meet with other like-minded individuals once a week for prayer, services, and celebration.
• Read something each day (a quote, a passage, a chapter) related to my religion or beliefs.
• Volunteer at my local place of worship.
• Let my light shine through my actions and words.

Career

• Take a close look at where I am compared to where I want to be.
• Decide if I could be a candidate for a promotion or if I should look for another employer.
• Identify what interests me most for a career.
• Look for ways to make processes, procedures, and protocols better at work.
• Meet and talk with people who are doing professionally what I want to do.

Personal

• Stay in touch with my extended family on a regular basis.
• Get organized and minimalize.
• Leave things better than how I find them.
• Pay it forward whenever I can.
• Stay optimistic, hopeful, and positive.

2. Print and posts your lists.

Put your lists somewhere you will see them on a daily basis.

3. Update and revise your lists.

Review your lists and update them as needed.

Create your lists that demonstrate and affirm what’s most important to you.

Instead of waiting until January 1^st to decide what you want to accomplish (or stop doing) this new year, think ahead. Create your lists that demonstrate and affirm what’s most important to you. It’s super easy for time to slip away before you know it. Whether you get caught up in watching some reality show, viewing the same movie you’ve already seen three times, or just feel stressed and exhausted from the day’s demands, you can take control of it by writing down what you want and how you plan to go about achieving it. Remember, however, it’s important to be flexible and resilient in life (because “stuff” inevitability happens that we never plan for, count on, or expect). So prepare today for the new year around the corner, and plan how you want to achieve your goals in every facet of your life.

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The purpose of sending your resume to a company is to get noticed and be invited to participate in a phone interview or an in-person meeting. It’s not to land the job outright (though sometimes that does happen). It’s to be given the opportunity to explore the position and the company further to see if it might be a place where you’d love to spend 40+ hours of your life each week. If you’ve been employed at a number of different places for short periods of time, or if you have gaps between jobs, how you choose to present that information will make all the difference in whether you get considered as a viable candidate.

When you have gaps in employment…

Instead of including the specific months and/or years when you worked at a particular company, simply put the number of years you were at each position.

So, instead of writing this on your resume:

Assistant Manager, 2012-2014
ABC COMPANY city and state

Lead Customer Service Associate, 2004-2009
XYZ COMPANY city and state

You would put this:

Assistant Manager, 2 years
ABC COMPANY city and state

Lead Customer Service Associate, 5 years
XYZ COMPANY city and state

When you lost or quit your job this ˛â±đ˛ą°ů…

Whether you lost your job in January or you just quit a month ago, present that job in the present tense. You are more marketable if it looks like you are still employed. If you put the end date of employment as 2017 on your resume, it will raise that proverbial flag. The reader would wonder why you are not still there if you did such an awesome job while you were there. Since you won’t be sitting next to the hiring manager when he/she first reads your resume, you won’t have the opportunity to explain why you left or what happened. Once you get the phone call or the in-person interview, you can then share that you just haven’t updated your resume yet, but didn’t want to miss the opportunity to apply for the available position.

So, instead of writing this on your resume:

Account Manager, 2012-2017
ABC COMPANY city and state

You would put this:

Account Manager, 2012-present
ABC COMPANY city and state

When you’ve had a lot of jobs in a short period of time…

If you’ve worked over 90 days at a company, and if that company is in the industry where you want to be, then you can still include it on the resume (as long as you left on good terms). Perhaps you had to relocate, or they had to downsize, or you were recruited by another company. There are lots of acceptable and understandable reasons why you might leave a company after a short period. If, however, you did not make it to 90 days and the employer told you it just isn’t working out, »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t include them on your resume. 90 days is typically the trial period to see if a new employee is a good fit. There’s no sense sharing with a prospective employer that another employer wasn’t interested in keeping you on board after working with you for less than 90 days.

So, instead of writing this on your resume:

Machine Operator, May 2016-September 2016
ABC COMPANY city and state

You would put this:

Machine Operator (no dates whatsoever!)
ABC COMPANY city and state

Again, the purpose of your resume is to get the chance to learn more about the position and see if it would be a good fit for you. It’s not to share every single detail about your past employment. By leaving dates off and by changing the actual dates to the number of years, you open up the opportunity for conversation, and you give the prospective employer something to ask you about when he/she calls. Keep a printed, hard copy of your resume near you once you start sending it out, and be prepared to share the actual dates of employment (if/when asked) and the reasons you are no longer employed (if/when asked).

Since your resume will be the first piece of information a prospective employer will receive to learn about you, you might consider hiring a professional resume writing service to develop and design your resume package. If you know you are qualified for a position but do not hear back from the prospective employer, the chances are pretty good that there was something wrong with how you presented yourself on your resume.

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According to the social media recruitment survey conducted in 2016 by , 60 percent of employers check out a candidate’s social media sites prior and/or after interviewing the candidate. Further, 59 percent of today’s hiring managers Google an applicant’s name or use other search engines to research a candidate further.

60 percent of employers check out a candidate’s social media sites prior and/or after interviewing the candidate.

According to the annual survey, here are the top 5 pieces of content that influence a prospective employer not to contact, interview, and/or hire a viable candidate:

• Provocative photographs, content, or videos (your Las Vegas bachelorette party would have stayed in Vegas had you not posted every moment of it online)
• Photos or content implying or affirming drinking or drug use (even if marijuana is legal in your state, you »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t need to post pics of yourself smoking it)
• Comments, photos, or content that discriminates others because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual preference (even “liking” or “sharing” someone else’s discriminatory post can be detrimental to your career)
• Content where the candidate is complaining, gossiping, and/or bad-mouthing his current or previous employer or colleagues
• Poor grammar, spelling, and communication skills

That’s interesting. And scary.

It’s interesting to think about how others can perceive what you thought was just an innocent post; it’s scary because it means that:

• no matter how awesome your professional resume reads and looks,
• no matter how specialized your cover letter is to a particular position,
• no matter what your GPA in college was, and
• no matter how highly your references speak about you,

you could miss an opportunity to be called for a job interview or to be called back for a second interview simply because of what you chose to post about yourself and your life on social media platforms.

While it’s not recommended you erase all evidence of you anywhere on the internet (41 percent of participants in the 2016 social media survey shared they are less likely to interview a candidate if they can’t find any information about that person online), here’s what you can do:

• Be mindful and purposeful about what you choose to post. Think before you press “send.” Is what you are about to post something you would be proud to have your grandparents see? If not, »ĺ´Ç˛Ô’t post it.
• Carefully go through each of your social media accounts and delete photos, comments, and shares that are even potentially offensive (you know which ones those are).
• Sift through your list of “friends” on your accounts. If you have no idea who someone is, how you know them, or why you ever accepted their friend request initially, delete them. Prospective employers aren’t looking to see who has the most friends or likes, they’re looking to see who has integrity, common sense, and the right skills to fit with their company.
• Delete all political rants. Sharing your political party online is simply inviting heated discussions, comments, and posts from any of your friends.
• Start posting and sharing positive and relevant articles, blogs, and links that inspire others. Share appropriate pictures of yourself enjoying life with your family and friends.

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Here are some tips to help create the best reference list possible:

Contact Your References First (Before You Have Others Contact Them)

Just because someone told you four years ago that you could include him/her as a reference, doesn’t mean you can still include him/her today. Their job title, contact info, and memory of you may have changed over the years. Contact each reference you want to use for your list and ask if you may (still) include that person on your list. If they have a vague recollection of you or what you did at your former job, but still say they will serve as a reference, thank them and then delete them from your list. There is no reason to have a reference on your list if the person does not really know you, your work ethic or your skills.

Compile a List of 3 to 5 References

One or two references are not enough; more than five is too much. Your reference sheet is a list of individuals who will speak highly of you. It’s not to prove you’re a name-dropper. It is not a list of people in high-ranking or powerful roles who attended a private party where you worked part-time as a bartender. Each reference should be able to place your name with your face – and with your disposition!

• You can include a relative, as long as that cousin, uncle, or sibling has a different last name from yours. If contacted, the relative would simply say he/she grew up in the same neighborhood (or school) with you and has known you all your life.
• Ideally, your list will include at least one reference from a recent
• Be careful when including a reference from your current employer and only include someone that you trust implicitly. Plenty of people have lost their jobs while looking for a new job because the word got out that they wanted to quit.

Seven Things You’ll Need for Each Reference + One Thing You’ll Really Want

In addition to the reference’s name, you’ll want to include:

• his/her title,
• the name of their employer,
• the city and state where they work,
• their email address, and
• their phone number.

When building your reference page, include direct quotes from some of your references. Send them an email and ask them if they would write a few sentences about you that you could include on your reference sheet. You are not asking them to write a full-length reference letter; you simply want a few sentences from them. By including this unique component directly on your reference sheet, often times the prospective employer will simply read those quotes and not bother to call the reference directly.

Your reference sheet should match your resume and cover letter in layout, design, paper, and font. Bring a copy of it with you on each interview. At the end of the interview, hand a copy to the person who interviewed you and say, “Please feel free to contact my references!” It’s a nice way to end the interview, and it shows that you are organized and well-prepared.

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The post Get Your References in Order Before You Need Them appeared first on ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Online.