RA Magazine Issue 19 by Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.

APRIL 2014

Do Your Homework! Prepping for Tough Interview Questions

SAVE YOUR SKIN THIS SUMMER April’s Bulletin Board of the Month

DE-STRESS IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES! 10 Easy Ways to Relax and Rejuvenate

Is an Online Resume Your Best Bet? Pros and Cons of Sending Out an Interactive Résumé

Workplace Fashion

What to Wear When Wardrobe Rules Aren’t Clear

www.reslife.com

The

Interview Guide

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CONTENTS the INTERVIEW guide

The Key to unlocking Employment success

rÉsum

Save Your Skin This Summer

cover r lette Tips for Confrontations 3 3 CUSTOMIZATION – THE KEY TO EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS Advice on how to make your Résumé and cover letter stand out from the rest

Is An ONLINE RESUME Your Best Bet?

14 DO YOUR HOMEWORK! PREPPING FOR TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Be ready to answer the hardest questions with these tips

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 2 Movies That Connect 12 Monthly Must-Haves 13 RA Spotlight

6 10 EASY WAYS TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE Reduce your stress levels in five minutes or less

18 IS AN ONLINE RESUME YOUR BEST BET? The pros and cons of moving away from traditional resume attachments

20 Recommended Movies

8 BULLETIN BOARD OF THE MONTH: SAVE YOUR SKIN THIS SUMMER Ideas to promote staying safe in the sun this summer

10 WORKPLACE FASHION: DECODING TRICKY DRESS CODES Examples on what to wear when the dress code is unclear

Flip to PAGE 20 to check out Programming Ideas for this month's Recommended Movie!

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RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

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RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Letter

FROM THE RESLIFE TEAM

ith spring and the end of the semester right around the corner, it's a good time to think about jobs, internships and of course the interview process.

Within this issue, you’ll find articles and advice on how to put your best foot forward during an interview, tips on relaxation and rejuvenation techniques, programming ideas for your residents, the truth behind skin cancer prevention, upcoming spring movies and more!

We hope this issue gives you great ideas, helpful advice and interesting inspiration that you can use in your residence hall to both educate and entertain your residents. Remember, we are always looking for more feedback from our readers whether it’s submitting your RA Spotlight, sending us article ideas or even writing an article for publication! We enjoy hearing from you so keep sending your thoughts!

C HA I RM A N

M VIES THAT CONNECT [The theme of this issue is how to get, keep and learn the most from your employment opportunities, whether it’s an internship or a full time gig, so here are some movies that capture work life at its best…and worst. ]

THE NANNY DIARIES Annie Braddock is a recent college graduate from New Jersey whose nurse mother makes an unsuccessful bid to pressure her into a white-collared business career. Sidetracking this path for more colorful pursuits, Annie decides to become a nanny for the famously wealthy couples on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and accepts a position as a domestic servant for “The Xs.”

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

Chris Gardner is bright and talented but is struggling to make ends meet. When he and his fiveyear-old son are evicted from their apartment, Gardner takes a chance with a prestigious stock brokerage firm. They endure many hardships but he follows his dream to make a better life for the two of them in this inspirational true story.

JERRY MAGUIRE From creative filmmaker Cameron Crowe comes this cutting-edge comedy starring Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise as a fiercely independent sports agent who experiences his first moral dilemma when he suddenly develops scruples. Cuba Gooding Jr. costars in this touchingly funny film.

STEP BROTHERS Step Brothers is the tale of two pampered best friends whose single parents fall in love, decide to marry and kick their middle-ages sons out to fend for themselves. This ultimately leads them to becoming roommates and starting one hilarious job hunt.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Visit RAMAGAZINE.COM for additional movie suggestions RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Key to

Employment

Customization The Key to unlocking Employment success

Résum

é r e v co r e t t le

How can you save your résumé from landing in the bottom of the stack, and instead give it a chance to rise to the top? Is there a way to increase the chances of your cover letter ending up in the hands of HR instead of a recycle bin? The key is tailoring both your résumé and cover letter to the job you are applying for. RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

This will require a little more time and work on your part, but the results may just be worth it when you receive a call or an email from an interested company. Since résumés and cover letters go hand-in-hand, here are some tips to help shape both of them into strong competitors against the dozens of résumés employers receive. RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Key to Employment

rÉsumÉ Edit your rÉsumÉ to match the description

Your résumés should use some of the same language that the job description contains. This will help increase the chances of your résumé matching an available position, as well as your chance to be called for an interview. Choose important key words within the job description and work them into your résumé.

Make every word count The right skills should be the ones listed first. For example, let’s say you’re applying for a content writing position. While you have both writing, communications and marketing experience, first list the writing skills that apply directly to this position, like writing on your school’s paper or creating PR for a campus activities committee. Then, launch into other relevant marketing and communication skills. Also, edit your job descriptions and past experience to only reflect points relevant to this position. If your past experiences don’t seem to match up to what you’re applying for, think a little differently. For example, someone that previously worked retail but is now applying for an administrative position could focus on skills like communication and responsibility rather than specific job duties.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Think outside the position Consider what the company does as a whole and ask yourself if you have any relevant coursework or experience that you could list. For example, let’s say you’re applying for an accounting internship at an interior design firm. It may be helpful to list your interior design course since it would show that you have an interest in the company’s core business.

Tweak your objective Your objective is often the first thing that’s read on your résumé. With each job you apply for, you should tweak the objective to use the title, keywords and descriptions used elsewhere in the job description. Hrcareers.com suggests adding some extra focus to your objective by getting as specific as possible. For example, they recommend instead of writing “to utilize my skills and experience within an internship position,” you might write, “to contribute to the success of XYZ company by increasing departmental efficiencies through diligent results and learning thorough evaluation of processes.”

Ditch the template Most applicants use the same general résumé template, so by changing your format, it’ll be easy to make yours stand out. Design your own, just make sure it’s easy to read and uses a common font that is standard on most computers. Remember to keep it easy for the eye to follow.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Key to

Employment

cover letter Don’t underestimate its importance

When you’ve worked so hard on creating a great résumé, don’t let your opportunity go to waste with a subpar cover letter. A cover letter is often your first chance to make a good impression and serves to motivate the reader to contact the writer. In fact, according to a recent survey by leading staffing service company Team Office, 91% of executives polled said cover letters are still valuable when evaluating job candidates. Through demonstrating your desire to work for the employer, identifying the ways your skills can benefit the organization, differentiating yourself from other job seekers and piquing interest, your cover letter can entice the reader to take a peek at your résumé.

Keep it concise A cover letter should be brief and no longer than one page in length. Three or four paragraphs are usually plenty, starting with an introductory paragraph on how you found the job, why you’re interested and any referrals to the position or mutual contacts. The next paragraph should talk about why you’re a good match for the company and why you’re the ideal candidate for this position. Your last paragraph should include any additional explanations needed for your attachments or samples, contact information and follow up details outlining your next steps. Salary.com’s article “Seven Keys to a Killer Cover Letter” also recommends using statistics, bullets, bolded words and highlighted statements to simplify and draw attention to vital information.

Give some insight into who you are Your employer wants to know why you want to work for their company and why you want the position, so a cover letter gives you the perfect opportunity to tell them. Express what you can do for the company and what experience and skills you have to back up this claim.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Before you hit submit! Use this checklist before hitting send to avoid making any simple mistakes. • If listing a referral or mutual contact, is the person’s name spelled correctly? • Did you attach the correct resume? • Did you have at least 3 people proofread your résumé and cover letter? • Did you remember to list your website, blog or any other relevant attachment?

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

10 Ways to Relax

10 Easy Ways to

Relax and Rejuvenate Too much stress affects way more than just your mental capacity. When you become overly anxious, you can inadvertently put yourself into a full body meltdown. “We don’t always have control over what happens to us,” says Allen Elkin, Ph.D., director of the Stress Management Counseling Center in New York City. However, you can control how your mind and body respond to these stressful external stimuli. Try some of these tips to gain control of your mind and body when your surroundings are a little too hectic for your liking.

Take a breather, literally When you’re particularly overwhelmed, your breathing can become shallow, causing your heart to beat faster and your muscles to tense up, resulting in feeling even more anxiety. This is often why you hear people encouraging those under distress to “take deep breaths.” Deep breathing is a stress reliever, since breathing from your diaphragm introduces more oxygen into your blood, helping you quickly relax, according to co-author of the health tip relaxation book The Power of 5 Robert Cooper, Ph.D. To deepen your breathing, start by resting your hand on your stomach just below your navel. Inhale slowly through your nose and watch your hand move outward with your belly. Hold this breath for a few seconds before exhaling slowly. Repeat as often as needed until you feel less stressed.

Laugh It Up According to the online article “Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke” by the Mayo Clinic staff, laughing can cause 6

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

short term health benefits like revitalizing your organs by increasing your oxygen intake, relieving your stress response by lowering blood pressure and heart rate and stimulating circulation. Movies are a fantastic way to crack up, so make sure you have plenty of comedies from Residence Life Cinema playing on your campus channel!

Smile It may seem a little counterintuitive to smile when you’re freaking out, but smiling is actually a two-way mechanism. Yes, it happens instinctively when a cute guy or girl sits next to you in class, but smiling when you aren’t already happy can actually help you get out of your bad mood. How? According to Dr. Cooper, “Smiling transmits nerve impulses from the facial muscles to the limbic system, a key emotional center in the brain, tilting the neuro-chemical balance toward calm.”

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

10 Ways

to Relax

Fight Back

Crunch Some Carbs

When something annoys you, don’t just passively deal with it. Instead, try to come up with a solution if you can. For example, let’s say a member of your group project isn’t pulling his or her weight. Instead of making the rest of the group pick up the slack, confront this situation head on. Ask the person outright why they’re slacking and involve the professor if necessary.

According to Judith J. Wurtman, Ph.D,. and author of The Antidepressant Diet, "Carbohydrates help us endure stress because eating any sweet or starchy food (except the carbohydrates in fruit) allows the brain to make new serotonin." Try munching on some crackers, popcorn or pretzels.

Step Away from the Stress Taking a moment to step away from your stressor can help you collect yourself, avoid saying something mean or inappropriate and even give you time to determine your next best step. Whether it’s a call with your parents that you have to put on hold or a verbal confrontation with a resident that you need to step away from, taking a second to re-focus can save you from backpedaling later.

Release the Steam Hot water is another great way to release tension. Louanne Cole Weston, Ph.D., a therapist in Sacramento, CA recommends taking a hot bath or shower. However, if you’re short on time, follow this short cut: wash your face or even just your hands and arms with hot water.

“The key is to imagine that I’m taking a hot bath. It’s basically a visualization exercise, but the hot water makes it feel real” -Dr. Weston Use the Power of No Recite these words: "I can’t do everything." At some point, you’ll have to say no in order to avoid some serious stress, whether it’s missing a party to study or turning down a summer trip due to finances. Be clear about your limits and realize that you can’t make everyone happy all of the time.

Schedule Your Time to Worry Some stressful situations demand immediate attention, while others like to linger in the back of your mind. With the lowgrade stressors, Dr. Elkin recommends filing them away in a small mental compartment and deal with them when the time is right.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Fight stress and find serenity in Yoga According to the Mayo Clinic, Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of the body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha Yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management. Hatha is one of the most common styles of Yoga, and beginners may like its slower pace and easier movements. But most people can benefit from any style of yoga — it's all about your personal preferences. Yoga consists of a series of poses and controlled breathing designed to increase strength and flexibility. Breathing signifies your vital energy. Yoga teaches that controlling your breathing can help you control your body and quiet your mind.

TIP: Ask your roommate for an hour of alone time in your dorm room. Dim the lights and put on soothing music. Put on loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and search a few beginner Yoga videos on the internet. The quiet, tranquil enviroment will help you relax and channel your energy.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Bulletin Board of the Month

Bulletin BOARD OF

the Month:

Save Your Skin This Summer SCALP

BEHIND THE EAR Even if you have long hair, your ears (which often get neglected) need sunscreen too.

Melanoma on the scalp signals a worse prognosis than other sites.

EYE LIDS 5% to 10% of skin cancers occur in the eyelid. Ask your dermatologist and your eye doctor to perform a check.

UNDER THE LYMPH NODES When melanoma metastasizes (spreads), it usually occurs here first.

MOUTH If you have a canker sore-like spot that lasts for more than two weeks, get it examined by a dermatologist or a dentist.

BUTT You may not feel comfortable shedding your undergarments but it’s for the best.

UNDER THE NAILS

GROIN If your dermatologist doesn’t check here, just ask. If he or she seems uncomfortable, get a new doctor.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

BETWEEN THE TOES

Go polish-free so your dermatologist can look for irregular pigmentation.

Proof that we get sun exposure anywhere and everywhere: half of the people diagnosed with melanoma of the foot die within five years.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Workplace

Save Your

Skin

Fashion

This Summer

For many, summer is about achieving the perfect, deep golden glow, basking by the pool with a fruity drink in hand or heading to the nearest body of water for some fun. Yet, as the weather heats up and more skin is exposed, many don’t take the proper precautions to protect themselves from the most common of all cancers. To celebrate National Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, use these ideas to create your own safe-sun bulletin board to remind your residents to lather up this Summer to prevent skin cancer.

Idea 1: Present the Facts, Dispel the Myths Numbers can easily prove a point, especially when they’re as shocking as the figures for skin cancer. For example, did you know that each year, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed, with 76,600 cases diagnosed as deadly melanoma? Another surprising fact is that one person dies of melanoma every 57 minutes. Use this month’s bulletin board to present the shocking stats of skin cancer and shoot down some of its most popular falsities. You can also use this space to review the risk factors for skin cancer, how to prevent it, how to spot it and more. For more facts and information for this idea, check out the skin cancer facts on The Center for Disease Control’s site www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin and the American Academy of Dermatology’s site www.aad.org.

Idea 2: Cover Skin Cancer’s ABCs Skin cancer may be the most common cancer but it’s also the easiest to cure if diagnosed and treated early. Encourage your residents to stop any unusual spots by creating a board on how to do a selfexam. For most, a once-a-month over all check is ideal, and there are several early warning signs to look out for. Create a bulletin board that covers the ABCs of detection to help teach residents about life saving warning signs. For more information on the ABCs of skin cancer and what each letter means, log onto the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website www.skincancer.org. RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Numbers don't lie

3.5 million cases of

skin cancer are diagnosed each year. 76,600 cases diagnosed as deadly Melanoma

dies of every 57 minutes

One person Melanoma

In 2013, sunscreen sales approached

almost $1 billion,

yet Melanoma diagnoses have risen nearly 2% a year since 2000

Check out the ABC's of skin cancer Skin Cancer Foundation: www.skincancer.org

New guidelines American Academy of Dermatology’s website: www. aad.org

Idea 3: The Sneaky Places Skin Cancer Hides Sometimes skin cancer can occur where you least expect it. In fact, cancer can pop up on the scalp, eyelids, behind the ears, under the arms, between the toes and even under the nails. Do some research about the most common and unusual places skin cancer appears, and for your bulletin board, create a full body outline with arrows pointing to each place. You can also identify and explain the differences between the main types of skin cancer as well as post a list of skin smart ideas to stay safe this summer.

Idea 4: The Revamped Sunscreen Guidelines In 2013, sunscreen sales approached almost $1 billion, yet Melanoma diagnoses have risen nearly 2% a year since 2000, according to The New York Times blog titled “The New Rules for Sunscreen.” Remind residents that a golf-ball sized amount should be applied every two hours and not all sunscreens are created equal. Make a bulletin board that covers the new sunscreen rules available on the American Academy of Dermatology’s website www.aad.org or on the melanoma Foundation of New England’s site mfne.org/preventmelanoma featuring a huge graphic of a sunscreen bottle with a description of what’s new and different to get your message across.

Melanoma Foundation of New England’s site: mfne.org/prevent-melanoma RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Workplace Fashion

Workplace Fashion: Decoding Tricky Dress Codes

Selecting what to wear can be one of the most stressful details of attending a career fair, networking opportunity or even an interview. Each event has its own code of what’s appropriate versus what’s not, just like each work environment has it’s own idea of what’s too casual and what’s ideal. How can you make sure your outfit isn’t making you stand out in all the wrong ways? Follow these general guidelines on what to wear if you’re unsure.

BUSINESS FORMAL This is your chance to suit up and impress! Business colors like black, navy, gray or brown are all safe choices, according to Josh Warborg, District President of the human resource consulting firm Robert Half International. Use this style of dress for most interviews and career fairs.

USUALLY APPROPRIATE FOR: Administration, banking, personal finance, pharmaceutical sales, hospitality, healthcare management, biotechnology and law. MEN: Wear a business suit with a tie. Don’t forget to wear your polished black or brown shoes with black or navy socks. WOMEN: A business suit or business style dress with a blazer is your go-to, complete with heels. Keep jewelry understated and at a minimum. Avoid any skirts or dresses that are shorter than 1 inch above the knee and stick to classic business pumps (skip the ones with a platform) that are no higher than 4 inches.

One of the biggest mistakes in an interview or on the job is under-dressing. However, at many companies, there are no concrete rules to help you out. When in doubt, always go traditional and conservative.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Workplace Thanksgiving Fashion Traditions

BUSINESS CASUAL/BUSINESS INFORMAL For this type of dress code, judge based on your industry. For example, those in the more creative fields might be able to wear something a little brighter or less traditional, while those in more corporate professions like finance should stick to more traditional outfits.

USUALLY APPROPRIATE FOR: Working in IT companies, teaching, environmental agencies, retail industries, advertising/marketing/PR agencies, life science research and entry level government positions. MEN: Take care to appear polished. While a suit is not required for events that suggests this type of dress code, a dress shirt and dress slacks should be worn. Ties may be optional, but wearing one is an easy way to not appear too casual. Make sure to take the time to properly iron your attire, since a shirt that is not pressed and rumpled looks unprofessional and sloppy. WOMEN: Fit is key. Pants should fit well and be the appropriate length for your shoes. Tops need to be figure flattering, but not too tight. You can use details to add interest to your outfit, but avoid loud or distracting colors and patterns. Keep jewelry understated and simple. In terms of footwear, heels and dressy flats are both appropriate.

DRESSY CASUAL This calls for a dressed up version of your casual clothes, but does not mean jeans, tee shirts, sneakers or flip flops.

USUALLY APPROPRIATE FOR: Industry events that are more social and less business, conferences, weddings, meet and greet events, most dates, after-hour guest lectures and scholastic events. MEN: For this suggested style, men can either wear a buttondown shirt in an open collar style or even a pressed polo shirt. Loafers and loafer-style shoes are acceptable, as are khaki pants instead of dress pants. A seasonal sweater or blazer may also be worn. WOMEN: Dressy casual gives women a lot of options, but stay away from anything too revealing. Anything that one would wear out to a bar, party or club should be avoided. Dresses and skirts should hit at the knee, and casual heels and wedges are acceptable. A bright knee-length dress with a cardigan is a classic choice. This dressing style means you can get a little bolder with your accessory choices. Forbes.com advises that you dress as you want to be seen: Serious, professional, upward-bound and ready to meet clients. RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Laundry Solutions

Doodle it up!

Never turn a white sock pink again or have to call your mom every time you need to do laundry. Dormco.com has the solution to all of your questions with this canvas laundry bag. Instructions and tips are printed on the front for easy problem-solving on sale for $9.78.

Display your talent or simply jot down notes with the Doodle Duvet Cover! Washable markers and this blank canvas provide the ideal space to let your imagintation run wild. Never write a reminder on your hand or frantically search for a piece of paper again. Check out the Doodle Duvet Cover from notonthehighstreet.com for $78.66.

trendy musts for every college student

Monthly Coffee Maker Lifesaver Wake up to the aroma of coffee! Have you ever been late to class because you were waiting for your coffee to finish brewing? Don't be late again with the Bella Dots Programmable Coffee Maker. It comes in 9 different colors and the programmable timer allows you to set your coffee pot to start brewing at a specific time so it's ready and waiting for you. The variety of available colors will allow you to create an accent piece in your room or match your current decor. Bella and Dots Programmable Coffee Maker can be found at Target for $44.99.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Must-Haves No Muss, No Fuss, Residence Hall Recipe

Pancakes for Dinner! A bowl of cereal may win the award for fastest anytime meal, but microwavable pancakes take the prize for speediest in the hot-food category. Pancake mix Water Butter

1. Mix the pancake batter how you normally would with water. Quantity depends on how hungry you are. 2. Pour about 3/4 cup onto a buttered dinner plate. 3. Zap in the microwave for 45 seconds to 11/2 minutes. 4. Top with the usual condiments for breakfast, or drop shredded bits of ham and cheese into the batter before cooking to make this a dinner-worthy treat.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Spotlight

RA SPOTLIGHT

AM .R w ww

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to be fe

d in ou rn e h t e t et ligh l . p t m o t om Co Sp m a ine.c RA for agaz

[Get to Know Other RAs]

AAHS JACOBTHM DAKOTA NOR ERSITY STATE UNIV

Your school: North Dakota State University Where you live: Churchill Hall Your major: Criminal Justice Students living on your floor: 51 Favorite thing about being an RA: Getting the opportunity to have a direct impact on the lives of others. Very few jobs offer this privilege, and I take great pride in the responsibilities presented to me. What are the benefits of integrating movies into your RA programming events?: Movies provide residents with a unique chance to share a new experience with each other. Not only can a movie event provide fun times and laughter, there is always the opportunity for growth to occur among those attending. Describe your favorite program where you used movies to enhance program content. My floor started a tradition called "Terribly Terrific Movie Tuesdays" in which our entire floor was invited to attend a showing of some of the most well known poorly rated films. This program was designed to bring our community closer together by giving my residents shared experiences, inside jokes, and fun memories to reflect on throughout the year. What advice would you offer your future RAs? If I could break it down to one sentence, I would say: Don't make assumptions. It's easy to think that you know what your residents are going through because you've already done it once, but never forget that you have never been in their shoes in this time. Ask questions and find out for yourself. Being an RA means: Putting others before yourself. Sometimes you'll need to make sacrifices for the benefit of your residents and community, but in the long run, it's always worth it!

CAROLYN B

SANTA BAR BARA

URT

CITY COLL EGE

Your school: Santa Barbara City College Where you live: Tropicana Gardens Your major: Theatre Arts Students living on your floor: 38 Favorite thing about being an RA: I absolutely adore the staff I get to work with. Because this is such a unique job, we become very close during our training and become a family. During my first year at college my building was just where I lived, but now its become my home. What are the benefits of integrating movies into your RA programming events? I always have a section on my bulletin to promote one of my favorite movies that the residents have chosen to be played on our channel for that month. Describe your favorite program where you used movies to enhance program content. Me and one of my best friends put on our buildings first ever Winter Formal and it was a huge success. We had a lot of residents who wanted to be involved in the planning aspect which made the whole process easier on us. With the help of our staff, we were able to transform our Cafe into an elegant ballroom. There was a chocolate fountain, DJ, Photobooth with an amazing backdrop handmade by one of my coworkers, and donated ticket sales to Cancer Research. What advice would you offer your future RAs? The best advice I got was to set aside time for myself. Sometimes you just want to put so much of yourself into everything because you're so passionate about what you do. It becomes so easy to forget that you need to take care of yourself so that you can do your job. I try to give myself the breaks I need whether it be going to the beach for a bit to do some reading or hiding in my covers to pinterest my life away. Being an RA means: Being an RA means being a Role Model. You are going to be responsible for yourself and your actions but you are also responsible for your Residents and their well being.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Do Your Homework

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Prepping for Tough Interview Questions

Everyone gets nervous before an interview. You might have created a unique and clever résumé, rocked the preliminary phone interview and chosen the most professional outfit in your wardrobe, but when it comes to the big day, it’s hard to remain completely calm, cool and collected. However, by preparing yourself for what tricky questions may come your way, you can feel more relaxed and ready. Below are a few of the most common tricky interview questions, along with tips on how to best prepare for them.

The key to a successful and possibly prosperous interview is finding out what the employer or company wants and needs. 14

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Then, through your answers, demonstrate how you can help them get it. The best way to find out what the employer wants is to ask the interviewer probing questions, so before your interview, make a list of questions you want the answers to, including: • What does a typical day in the position look like? • What does your interviewer like best about working for this company? • Could you explain your department’s organizational structure? • What kind of management style does your ideal candidate possess?

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Do Your

INTRO The interviewer might ask: Take caution because… How to prepare:

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

Homework

“TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.” The trick to this question lies in its endless answering possibilities. Since there’s so much you can choose to say, it can set a positive or negative tone for the rest of the interview. First off, this question can promote rambling, so keep your answer to around two minutes in length. Preparing your answer before your interview allows you to make sure you mention all of your crucial main points, yet keep it under two minutes. To keep the interviewer’s attention on how well you would fit in with the position and the company, start with the present and talk about why you’re interested and how you’re qualified for it. Then, mention specific past examples that illustrate key qualities the company is looking for.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Do Your Homework

GETTING PERSONAL The interviewer might ask:

“WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS?” “CAN YOU NAME YOUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS?” “CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU’VE BEEN CRITICIZED AND HOW YOU RESPONDED?”

Take caution because…

How to prepare:

Most think this question about your greatest strength is an easy one. However, you’re walking a fine line with this question because you don’t want to come across as too humble or too boastful. The other two questions are tricky ways to get you to admit a weakness. For all three of these questions, proceed with caution. Examples are your best bet when answering any of these three questions. Instead of trying to come up with these on the spot, make a list of your greatest accomplishments, biggest weaknesses or reactions to criticism. Next, you’ll need to think of some examples to commit to memory. For your greatest accomplishments, briefly describe the situation and name what qualities helped influence these wins. Most employers highly value a proven track record as an achiever, honesty, dedication, enthusiasm and adaptability. For your biggest weakness, choose one or two of your lesser skills that are mild in nature and describe how you’ve strengthened them and what you’ve learned from them. In terms of the criticism question, give a mild example of a small, not-toodamaging learning experience from early in your career and relate it to ways this criticism has helped you grow. You may even want to mention the ways in which criticism can help you.

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

DoBoard Your Bulletin ofHomework the Month

THE FINAL SELL The interviewer might ask:

“WHY SHOULD I HIRE YOU?” “WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE YOU OVER THE OTHER APPLICANTS?”

Take caution because… How to prepare:

This is a killer question because it catches many off guard and can feel a little hard to answer. In essence, the interviewer is asking you to help make up his or her mind about hiring you. Memorize what the job description wants and how you meet this need. Then, answer this one in your interview by going over each detail of the job requirement and follow each point with a reason why or how your experience will help fill this gap. End the interview on a strong note by complementing what you know about the job description with sound bites from earlier in your interview, such as “As I understand, you said you’re looking for X and the job description is looking for Y. I’ve excelled in the area of X by example one, example two and example three and have extensive experience in Y from example four and example five. The job posting mentioned that you’re looking for Z, which I know through example six.” Each one of the qualifications and examples will increase your score as a valuable candidate.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2013

Online Résumé

Is An ONLINE RÉSUMÉ Your Best Bet? Employment activities are becoming more reliant on online channels for both job seekers and job fillers, as companies advertise open positions and candidates use the web to find hiring companies. So while the employment process is quickly moving more and more to the online world, where does this leave the traditional print résumé that’s often emailed to possible employers? Has the employment world reached the point where it’s time to ditch the résumé attachment in favor of a link to an online website? First, let’s talk about the available types of online résumés that are replacing traditional résumé s. Here are the top three types: 18

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

WEBSITE RÉSUMÉ In the age where everything is online, it pays to have presence. If you don’t have a personal website, it’s advisable to get one. It’s a perfect place to demonstrate what you’re passionate about, your thoughts and your experiences as they pertain to your career, your goals and your dreams. When someone searches for your name, chances are your website is one of the first links he or she will see. Make sure to list your résumé on your website and create a “contact me” section that contains contact information.

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

BulletinOnline Board Résumé of the Month

VIDEO RÉSUMÉ A video résumé has a huge advantage over a traditional paper résumé or emailed resume attachment. It easily allows the viewer to experience your personality and lets you tell your story. However, your video must be high quality and contain quality content to keep it from appearing too amateur. To keep it relevant and concise, shoot for a video around two minutes in length.

SHARABLE RÉSUMÉ Document-sharing websites like SlideShare and Scribd let viewers download, embed and share your résumé, so it can get into more hands, faster. These sites also rank high on search engines so they’re easily found during search queries and allow you to upload revised versions. The URL never changes, so you won’t confuse those who already have links to previous versions.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES TO ONLINE RÉSUMÉS While these three types of résumés have many advantages, there are a few areas in which they aren’t preferred.

BENEFITS • • • • •

Requires less work to access– just one click! Can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection Can be updated instantly without reprinting Gain extra exposure through social media links Easy to track with analytics

to be aware that online résumés don’t always parse well into Applicant Tracking Systems, which are used by thousands of companies to quickly search for job applicants who have the skills, experience, education and accomplishments the company desires. Plus, according to professional résumé writer Robin Schliner, founder of Robin’s Resumes, the reliance on ATS systems is, at the moment, much stronger than any reliance on LinkedIn, Twitter and any other social media site. In conclusion, Sean Weinberg, résumé expert and co-founder of resume analysis site RezScore, recommends that, “You shouldn’t choose an online one over a traditional one – the two are complementary and, at least for the time being, you need both.” Take care to also bring a hard copy of your résumé as forgetting to bring a paper résumé to an interview can hurt your chances at landing a job, reminds Jaime Klein, founder of Inspire Human Resources, which operates as an outsourced HR department for other companies. "A résumé on nice stock paper shows you have a sense of decorum, especially since the millennials are being interviewed by Gen X-ers or Boomers," says Ms. Klein, so whether you choose to use an online résumé or traditional one during your initial search, don’t forget to bring a paper one to your interview!

Online Résumé Examples!

DRAWBACKS • Length isn’t constrained by page length, making it easy to ramble • Cannot be tailored to each position for each opportunity, leading to information that can seem too generic • Can expose you to identity theft if crucial contact information is available • Formatting may not appear correctly on all computers and mobile phones

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU SEND TO POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS? While some think the paper résumé may be becoming obsolete, the transition period between Generation X’s tried and true methods and the technologically savvy Gen Y’s new code of conduct isn’t quite complete. Résumé analytics are very powerful to any job seeker, but it is wise RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

Movies

RECOMMENDED MOVIES [Suggested movie to show on your channel] Want to know the hottest movies of the season? RA Magazine brings you our picks for top movies your residents are sure to love! And this month’s pick is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the second in a trilogy of films adapting the popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the wizard Gandalf and thirteen dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost dwarf kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the company continues east. When they finally make it to the Lonely Mountain, they must face the greatest danger of all — a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself — the Dragon Smaug.

Make it a double feature by requesting The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey AND The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Ask your Resident Director to add this movie to your residence hall movie channel or streaming service provided by Residence Life Cinema! Don't have a dedicated residence hall movie channel or streaming service? Work with your Resident Director to contact us and find out how you can bring the magic of movies to your residence hall!

PROGRAMMING IDEAS:

CREATE YOUR OWN HOBBIT HOUSE Get your residents excited for your Hobbit event by transforming your space into a Hobbit House! Decorate your doors or entryway to the common area by creating your own unique Hobbit Hole. Cut strips of crepe paper in different shades of green and tape it to the door frame. Cut the ends at an angle and in different lengths to create the rounded-door effect. Hobbit Homes or Smials, consist of all circular shapes so transform your windows by cutting a hole out of a piece of large poster-board and hanging it from the sill. Hobbits are notorious for their appetite and eating habits so have some Lembas bread, cake or tea ready for your residents when they enter your Hobbit Home.

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RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

LEMBAS TREATS! Surprise your residents with The Hobbit themed treats! The magical Lembas bread is baked in the elfen hearths of Middle Earth. Elves, Hobbits and men ate Lembas in preparation for long journeys to keep them full and energized.

MAKE HOBBIT FEET • Get a pair of 'funny feet' and slip-on shoes in your size. • Glue around the inside edge of 'foot' and slop over toe of shoe. Hold in place until dry. • Make sure it's secure. A combination of super glue and gap filler works great! • Add detail! Toes, heels and balls of feet are slightly lighter. Paint nails a darker shade and coat with matte varnish. • Glue some hair to the top for the final hobbit touch. Wig trimmings or doll hair from your local craft store work well. Photos and tutorial courtesy of 9gag.com

You will need: 2 cups flour 2 tbs sugar + 2 tbs sugar, divided 1 tbs baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 sticks butter 2 eggs 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup half & half or whole milk divided 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Line a jelly roll pan or half-sheet pan with parchment paper and spray with butter spray. 3. Whisk together flour, 2 tbs sugar, baking powder, salt and one teaspoon of lemon zest and one teaspoon of orange zest. Cut butter into the flour until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. 4. Whisk together 1 egg, 1/2 cup half and half and yogurt. 5. Mix wet into dry slowly until a sticky dough forms. You may not need all of the wet ingredient mixture. 6. Press dough onto prepared sheet and form into a large rectangle, slightly less than an inch thick. 7. Whisk together remaining egg and milk, then brush pastries with egg wash. 8. Crumble sugar and citrus zest between your fingers until fully combined. Sprinkle over dough. 9. Run a knife through the dough to cut into 8 equallysized rectangles. 10. Bake for 16 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool completely before serving.

TIP: Wrap banana leaves around each piece to keep it fresh and create unique packaging. RESIDENCE LIFE CINEMA

RA MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

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