So what are the new skill sets required to be a success in today’s marketing world?

1. Marketing or business degrees will not sufficiently prepare you for the current marketing environment.

Digital marketing is moving at such a rapid pace that it is virtually impossible for universities to even consider keeping up. The syllabus for many marketing degrees and business degrees is desperately short of up to date best practice in marketing. In the universities of the 80’s and 90’s a good dose of Philip Kotler would form the backbone of many marketing modules and whilst this remains a great book the impact of digital marketing has revolutionised best practice so much that it leaves many lecturers quite out of touch.

We had a ‘1^st class’ graduate complete a dissertation on Google Adwords whilst working on a placement with us. It was an excellent piece if work but she received a 2:2 for the dissertation and when we challenged this it turned out that the professor marking the paper simply could not appreciate the impact of Adwords on businesses.

My advice – If you really are serious about a career in marketing then you may want to think about options other than a marketing biased degree.

…..which brings me onto my next point.

2. Creativity remains important but the need for data analysis and more generally great maths skills has risen dramatically.

In the past the ‘stand out’ marketer might be someone with great insight into human behaviour (Psychology) or perhaps an amazing knack of getting the perfect copy (English). Now the need for rapid analysis and the ability to quickly interpret data has shifted the balance of skills towards maths. For this reason at Push we have changed our recruitment policy away from favouring ‘A’ grade English to and absolute requirement for A grade maths at an advanced level.

My advice – get your sums right.

3. Grabbing attention is becoming a lot more important.

AIDA still applies as a useful framework for marketers but perhaps the shift is towards ATTENTION. In the past much of an Ad Exec’s role has been about creating DESIRE. Trevor Beattie, the man behind some of the UK’s most famous TV ads including Wonderbra’s Hello Boys and French Connection’s FCUK, has claimed that modern technology has killed the 30-second TV commercial and the focus should be on just 5 seconds. Just think about your own behaviour for a second. Do you take the time to dwell on TV commercials or skip through them on the fast forward whilst hovering over your iPad?

My advice – You cannot get to Desire if you have lost someone’s attention. Get great designers to inspire in an instant.

One final thought….The best place to develop your career right now is more likely to be in an agency rather than ‘client side’ in a large company.

By Ricky Solanki  who leads an internet marketing agency in London that employ young graduates who are good at Maths but love getting results for businesses around the world

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Ask Smart Questions

Most interviewers pay more attention to the questions you ask them than the way you answer the questions they ask you. Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead ask questions that show you have the knowledge and experience to do the job you’re interviewing for. For example, if you’re interviewing to be part of a marketing team, ask the interviewer about their current marketing processes and marketing successes or failures. Ask questions that show you understand the marketing field and want to find ways that your marketing experience would be a useful addition to their company.

Don’t Answer with a Single Sentence

When you’re answering a question during the interview, tell a short story instead of giving a short answer. Anticipate the questions you are likely to be asked and come prepared with complex but concise answers that include stories about your past experiences. This gives the interviewer some insight on your personality and makes them feel like they’re conversing with you instead of interrogating you.

For example, if the interview asks why you would be a good fit for the job, don’t answer with cliched answers like, “I would be a good fit because I’m a hard worker and detail-oriented.” This doesn’t help the interview understand how you could be an asset to the company. Answer with specific examples like how you helped another company grow their customer base by 50% or reduce costs in the warehouse by $1,000 a month. Show the interview you have skills that can benefit their company.

Make Eye Contact and Listen

Don’t stare at the people interviewing you, but be sure to make eye contact whenever possible. Maintaining eye contact helps you appear confident and ready for the job instead of shy and uncomfortable. Candidates who make eye contact stand out from the rest of the candidates. It’s also important to take notes during the interview. Leather notebooks are great for taking notes during an interview because they look sleek and professional. Take a few notes on key points, but make sure to keep eye contact during most of the interview.

Bring a Sample of Prior Work

If you are interviewing for a job in your industry, be sure to have a sample of prior work you have completed to show the interviewer your skills. Make sure that the sample is not more than a couple of pages so that it doesn’t overwhelm the interviewer or make you appear arrogant. If you’re in the technology or design industry, your portfolio should be online for the most part. If your work is not online, bring one short but powerful example of your best work if possible.

For example, if you’re interviewing for a marketing position, don’t just bring in your resume. Bring in a sample of one of your marketing campaigns and show how it helped the previous company you worked for. Show off your work and help the interview understand how you made a difference at the other company. Don’t just show your resume and think that’s enough. Stand out from the other prospective employees.

Know the Company You’re Interviewing At

Most companies have a list of core values or a mission statement on their website. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the company’s values and be prepared to explain how your values and experience line up with the company’s objectives. The interviewer is likely to ask you why you want to work for their company. This is a great time to discuss their mission or core values and how they are relevant to your experience and goals.

This article was written by Dixie Somers. If you’re looking to impress in your next interview, leather notebooks are a great way to take notes and look stylish for your interview.

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Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once.

When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

When facing a current or upcoming task at your job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time.

Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking.

When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get that job promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you will never get one.

Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty.

Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you are at your place of work and you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything.

In dealing with your anxieties at your  job, learn to take it one day at a time.

While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage.  The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you.

If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem.  By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice.  The more you practice, the better you will become.

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com.

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Some people are not in a position to help. Perhaps they don’t know the right people. Perhaps they are too low in the organization. Often they just don’t know how to help. So, if you are serious about career success or getting a job you have several actions to take. If you don’t take these actions, in most cases, no one else will and you will the one left out in the cold or left behind.

Here is a true story. When I was a global executive for a Fortune 500, during my annual review of each employee I would ask him or her the following question, “How can I help you move up in your career?” With only one exception, the replies were similar to this, “I don’t know. What do you think?”

As a busy executive, I was on the road frequently and focusing on the business, my responsibilities, my family, my issues, company politics, and the host of challenges before me. Probably similar to many of you reading this article, I was preoccupied with daily life and the alligators that kept popping up.

I was focusing on the people in my organization exceeding the goals that lined up with my organization’s success not on their personal career next step.

However, I was always interested in helping others as much as possible. This was especially true if they were a high achiever and had potential for climbing the career ladder. However, there was a problem.

If they could not tell me what they wanted to do, what area of the company they saw as aligned with their career ladder ambition, and the series of steps they discovered were necessary to get there, how could I help them? I was not and am still not a mind reader!

The NUMBER ONE MISTAKE for careers and jobs is “NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.”

You have to help me to help you by telling me what you want to do! Then I can start giving you advice, suggestions, introductions for informational interviews, and a host of other actions that only I can provide. But if you cannot tell me what you want to do, I will only ask once a year. I will not try to help those who don’t appear to seriously want help. After all, if you want help, how can I help you? I don’t know what you want to do!

There are a host of options that you can take to figure out what you want to do.

First, take assessments or get a career coach.

They can be invaluable to help your career take off.

Second, when you think you know but are not sure, ask your manager to ask the manager of the targeted department to let you come by and do an informational interview.

This is simply asking about the job, the culture, the responsibilities, their opinion of how this fits as a potential next step, and how you can be successful. If it looks promising, ask others in the department what they think, what they do, and how well they like the job. You may find out that they hate the job and you might too. If not, this may be the next home for you to pursue.

Here is a secret. The more you know yourself and what you want to do, the more others can help you…and the process of talking to others to find out is the beginning of developing relationships with new people who may also be able to help you.

Do you know what you want to do?

Oh, by the way. The one person who gave me a solid answer…he got his promotion that year. It was my pleasure to help him.

Help others to help you by telling them how they can help you.

Jim Villwock

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If you’re ready to get to the offer stage, it’s time to craft an informative answer that demonstrates how hiring you would be beneficial move for you and your future employer.

The Don’ts.

Don’t be generic. Answering the “Why should we hire you?” question with a hollow response like “Because I need the job” or “Because I know I can do the job” can cost you the position. Forego these generic replies for a powerful statement that clearly summarizes your achievements and experience relevant to the specific position you want.

Don’t compare yourself to other applicants. While your fierce competitive streak may urge you to put down your competitors and profess yourself as the best of the bunch, don’t do it. This approach can easily come across as negative. Avoid talking about how much better you are than the other applicants and simply let your strengths and talents speak for you.

Don’t skimp on the research. This interview question gives you the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what you know about the industry and your future employer. Failing to research the history of the company, its current standing, and its future goals is a missed opportunity to demonstrate your passion, initiative, and resourcefulness.

Don’t sound rehearsed. There’s a difference between being prepared to answer a question and sounding as though you are making a prepared statement. Cliché as it may sound, being yourself really is the best strategy. Unless you can sneak a teleprompter into the interview room, answer with confidence and sincerity instead of trying to deliver rehearsed response.

Tip: You’re not being tested. It’s perfectly acceptable to refer to your notes when responding to an interview question. Jot down a few bullet points or key phrases to help ensure you communicate important facts and details.

The Dos.

Sell yourself. Demonstrate what you can do for the company. Instead of saying that you are the best candidate, show it by talking about key accomplishments in your professional background. A straightforward statement such as, “In my current position, I helped increase our customer base by 350%, increasing sales by nearly $2 million. I am ready for a new challenge and feel I can help Gringotts Savings and Loans achieve similar success,” provides a solid response.

Highlight hot button requirements. The job description is your best guide for how to answer the “Why Should We Hire You?” question. In poker, this would be the equitant of the company showing their hand: they are giving you the precise requirements of a hirable candidate. Pinpoint the most important qualifications by examining which are listed first and which are accompanied by the most detail then match those requirements to three or four of your own talents.

Create an elevator pitch. An elevator pitch isn’t some wacky new strongman competition – it’s a succinct summary of your most enticing qualifications that can be delivered to a potential employer in less than 60 seconds. When crafting your elevator pitch, be sure to emphasize how you will add value to the company by providing specific details that illustrate your success and skills.

Consider these examples for an effective elevator pitch:

“I have heard that you want to boost sales revenue among your 18-35 demographic. In addition to my eight-year history of exceeding yearly sales quotas, I have managed a dozen campaigns targeting this demographic, which resulted in an annual revenue increase of 23%. I am ready to bring this same level of enthusiasm and results to your team.”

“Based on everything I have gleaned from the job posting and our previous conversations, I know I possess the passion and problem-solving skills to lead your programming department. I am committed to fostering a work environment that is energetic and productive, combining current coding trends with a consistent work ethic. I believe in thinking outside the box while maintaining optimum performance standards that streamline systems and save thousands of dollars.”

Taking time to craft a thoughtful response to the “Why Should We Hire You?” interview question can quickly change your perception of this enquiry. Instead of dreading it, you may find yourself looking forward to the prime selling opportunity this interview question provides.

Kimberly Back is the Content Manager and Social Media Strategist for Virtual Vocations, an online job compilation service that helps job-seekers find legitimate telecommute opportunities while also providing useful and educational resources for remote workers. Follow Virtual Vocations on Facebook.

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Sure, you can create, edit and send a tweet in 30 seconds. It is great that you know the difference between their and there. But, are you capable of competing in the PR job market? Every PR job seeker should be aware of four things.

Involvement with PRSSA

Ah, Public Relations Student Society of America, the greatest resource available to any college student. Although it is a society fashioned for PR students, its countless benefits make the nationally affiliated organization fit for many diverse majors. PRSSA infuses ethics, professionalism and poise into its members. Each year there are national and regional events that provide members with the opportunity to network with potential employers and other students, receive leadership training, and interact during small group workshops. If you have already graduated college, there is PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) that you can join. Employer after employer has said that any PR major who was not involved in PRSSA seems questionable and frankly, lazy. If you join in time to run for an officer position, do so. Leadership experience is priceless.

It’s a Blog, Not a Journal

Each of us has that friend who thinks that PR is lollygagging on Facebook all day. That same friend probably calls your blog a journal or diary. If you do not have a blog, I suggest doing so immediately. A large component of PR is the capability to write. A blog will offer you an online portfolio to attach to your LinkedIn profile, give you a pool of options for writing samples and keep you fine-tuning your skills. Make sure your content is something that is informative, appropriate and laced with bits of your personality.

You’re Wearing That?

In a world where first impressions can mean job or no job, making sure your interview attire is proper is crucial. In addition, the PR industry is an industry of creativity. The good news is that you do not have to limit yourself to monochromatic pantsuits!

Do:

-        Wear properly fitting clothes. Women, this means no cleavage, short skirts, etc. Make sure your clothes are not obviously too big or small

-        Check that it is neat and clean

-        Try it on the night before

-        Show off your personality

Don’t:

-        Holes are never appropriate

-        Try to avoid overly trendy items. PR is much less conservative and traditional than something such as investment banking. However, having sequins cover you head to toe is not a good choice

Not sure how to spice up your outfit? For men, a fun pocket square, tie, briefcase or watch can set you apart. For the women, pattern is your friend. Accessories and a great blazer should be considered one of your closest friends.

Network, Network, Network

Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, you should have it all. Part of being in PR is keeping up with trends in social media. When something new comes out, you need to be the first to try it. My theory is to try it, see if it trends, if it does, I keep it. If it never catches on, I delete it. The contacts that I have not met through PRSSA I have met through social media. It is also important to immerse yourself in your community. Even if you are not living somewhere you plan to live long-term, people know people. Those people know other people, who know more people. Are you getting the idea? Networking will more than likely be responsible for getting you your first real job. Now, that brings us to self-branding. While it is wonderful to have all of these tools, you must be posting relevant and appropriate content. A future employer and the rest of your professional following are not interested in reliving your booze-filled weekend one duck face photo at a time. If you REALLY need those pictures, keep them in a group message between your friends. Once it is on social media, it is very difficult to permanently remove it. If you have to think twice about it, chances are it is not something you should post.

Emily is a 20-something majoring in public relations and event planning. She is the co-founder of Parties and Press Releases (@PartiesandPR), a brand dedicated to unifying young PR pros by offering lessons learned, advice, news in the industry and a place to bring #PRprobs. Find her on Twitter at @emmy_knows_best or email her at elangford10@gmail.com

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One area that gives many students pause — or might even keep them up at night — is the variety of graduate admissions tests. Depending on the type of program you’re applying to, the admissions department may require that you take and pass a specific test to show that you have the basic knowledge necessary for success in the program.

While some tests are designed for specific types of career paths — the LSAT for law school and the MCAT for medical school — if you are applying to a business-focused program, you have several options: the GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, or the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admissions Test.

Start at the Beginning

In some cases, the choice of which test to take is already made for you: the admissions criteria specifically lists which scores the committee wants. In that case, you need to take that test, even if you’ve already taken a different one. Standardized admissions test scores give committees an objective measurement by which to compare otherwise comparable applicants; since most graduate programs only have space for a limited number of applicants, your test scores can make the difference between being accepted or not.

In other cases, test scores aren’t required for admission or they are optional. If the program doesn’t require a test, there’s really no reason to take one, as they can cost several hundred dollars to take and require an investment of time, both for studying and taking the test.

But when test scores are optional, taking an exam can improve your admission prospects. Solid scores on a graduate admissions exam can help bolster an otherwise lackluster application, showing that you have the ability to manage the coursework even if your undergraduate GPA is lower than you’d like or you don’t have an extensive work history. Taking a subject-specific graduate exam like the GMAT can also give you a taste of the type of work you’ll be expected to complete at the graduate level before you enroll.

Choose the Right Test

In the absence of any specific guidance, which test should you take? In general, if you’re applying to business school, or a business-centered program, the GMAT is the better choice. Most top-tier business schools only accept GMAT scores, as there is a clear connection between a high score on the test and success within the program. Also, the GMAT has a greater focus on mathematical concepts, including probability and statistics, than the GRE, which places more emphasis on vocabulary.

Choosing to take the GMAT even if it’s not required can also improve your career prospects, as many recruiters for top-level corporations review applicant test scores as part of the screening process. Many firms, especially those in banking and investments, will only consider candidates with competitive GMAT scores and won’t accept GRE scores.

However, the GRE is still a valid option for many students. Because the GRE scores are good for five years, many students opt to take the GRE soon after finishing their undergraduate degrees while information is still fresh, even though they have not yet decided on a graduate study path. Students with a liberal arts background, who may not have the mathematical skills of a business major, may score better on the GRE than the GMAT, thanks to the focus on verbal skills. It’s this focus on verbal reasoning that make the GRE a good choice for those applying to business related programs, such as a master in public administration, or for an MBA with a concentration in a humanities or liberal arts subject.

Regardless of which test you opt to take, you should aim for a score within the 80^th percentile or above. This generally means a focused program of study on the test material using study guides or a formal course, and taking multiple practice tests to get familiar with the testing process and the type of questions you’ll be asked.

And of course, even the highest GRE, GMAT or other test score cannot take the place of an impressive application packet. If your essay, personal statement, resume and recommendations are all top-notch, any test score will only be the icing on the cake – or the crackers in the alphabet soup of graduate admissions.

Olivia DuBois holds an MBA with a concentration in health care administration. She serves as an alumni representative on her university’s admissions committee, coaching prospective students on their applications and the admissions process.

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Enjoy Sunday evening

There is no point in wallowing in the fact that your weekend of fun is essentially over. Make some nice plans for Sunday evening. No excessive drinking or partying obviously – just something fun with friends. Get people round for a lovely home-cooked meal; get take-out or just chill in front of a movie. You’ve got an evening of freedom ahead of you so just relax and enjoy it. Don’t dwell on the fact that you have to work tomorrow. Ban all talk of work. In fact, don’t even think about work – this is a work free zone.

Cook too much food

When you cook for yourself on Sunday evening, cook more than you’ll need. This is not so you can eat yourself into a food coma – being too full to move is not a legitimate excuse to miss work. Cook yourself a nice big meal and then you’ll have enough left over for lunch on Monday. This means you won’t have to sort out any food in the morning and leftovers are (nearly always) guaranteed to be delicious. Plus you can congratulate yourself for being money-savvy and generally good at life for not wasting money on buying lunch.

Prepare yourself well

Before you go to bed on Sunday have a shower, wash your hair and sort out your clothes for the next day. Do whatever you need to do to make your Monday morning go as smoothly as possible. You pretty much want to be able to hop out of bed and be on your way almost immediately. Trying to accomplish basic tasks on a Monday morning is very taxing. All you’re really good for is having a strong cup of coffee and some breakfast. If you try and pick out what you’re going to wear in the morning you’ll probably end up in a pair of odd shoes and a shirt you’ve haven’t worn since 1987.

Have a good breakfast

I find it very distressing when people tell me they don’t eat breakfast. How can you possibly have a good productive day when you give your body nothing to run on? You wouldn’t start your car without putting any gas in it would you? It just doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t have to be a man vs food type meal – just a little something. If you don’t feel hungry in the mornings, it’s probably because your body isn’t used to eating breakfast. After a few weeks of having breakfast, you’ll find yourself being hungrier in the mornings and much more awake and alert throughout the day.

Realize you’re not alone

Everyone gets the Sunday blues. Nothing is worse than feeling down apart from feeling like you’re the only one in the world who is feeling down. Remember that you’re not, everyone feels just as bad as you (unless they love Mondays, in which case they’ve got bigger problems) so don’t worry. All you can do is make it as easy as possible for yourself.

Frankie Pocock is a marketing assistant and online researcher at the Graduate Recruitment Bureau in Brighton, UK. Her work involves PR outreach and writing interesting and informative blogs for young job seekers.

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First Things First

One of the most common mistakes people make is not fully completing their profiles. There are reasons those ‘about me’ blocks are there; people who look for that information genuinely want to know. By not filling in the available blanks, you are depriving those people of information that they may not be able to get elsewhere, not to mention hindering your ability to show up in search engines. Besides, you can present yourself however you want- it’s a great chance for you to market yourself.

Speaking of marketing yourself, that’s what a big part of social media is: you sharing yourself with the world. So be careful what information you share. You don’t want a prospective employer to see that crazy weekend you had in Vegas, or how you celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with 50 of your closest friends.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to not show anything on your social media profiles that you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see. If they would disapprove of certain behaviors displayed, prospective employers will too. If you have photos like this on your profiles, take them down or untag yourself. A few photographs are not worth losing a job over.

Sign Up Here

Different social media platforms serve different purposes. Are you using them to your advantage?

• LinkedIn: a network of professional profiles, you can upload your resume and work history, and connect with different companies and prospective employers. You can also communicate with business colleagues and grow your own business network.
• Facebook: one of the founding social media sites, Facebook tends to be a more casual platform on which to work. But be careful! Censor yourself and display only the best sides of yourself on here. Some employees have been fired for what they post on Facebook, and many hopefuls have been turned down for information or photos on their profiles as well.
• Google+: it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a way to connect professionally, personally, or both. You have the most flexibility with G+ due to its circles feature, and since it’s still relatively new, you can expect it to keep expanding and growing in the near future.
• Other platforms, like FourSquare, Twitter, and Pinterest: the same rules apply for these. You can definitely use them to your advantage, but be careful that you post quality material that won’t leave potential employers with a bad taste in their mouths.

Content Sharing

One of the biggest and best ways to get noticed on social media is to share high-quality content that is relevant and interesting. Connect with companies whose mission you believe in. Follow or circle companies you want to work with, and share information that they’re posting.

By interacting with companies and people within those companies, you are virtually building a network of potential ‘ins’. Did they post something interesting that you think more people would like? Comment on the original post, and share it to your page so your friends can see it.

Make sure to explain why your friends should read an article or watch a video. Let them know why they should care, and they will. If you don’t, it’s more likely than not most people will just skip it over.

One simple rule to follow when posting and sharing content is Be Positive. You’re allowed to have your opinions, but bashing the opinions of others, including what could be the opinions of your potential employers, is petty, unattractive, and unprofessional.

If you’re careful and take steps to build exceptional profiles, you can create a social media presence that can become an impressive way to market yourself in the digital age.

Sarah Hill is the Video Storyteller for Veterans United Network. Connect with Sarah on Google+ or tweet her @SarahMidMo.

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But how do you know which career path will lead you to true happiness? To answer this question, follow your interests and challenge yourself with projects that motivate you to succeed. If you constantly strive to learn something new, your passions will become crystal clear.

Learning Isn’t Just for the Classroom

People who think that school is the only place for education are at an extreme disadvantage. You don’t need to be enrolled in a university or registered for an online course to learn about the world. This is an especially important concept for current students and young adults who have just entered the work force.

Yes, traditional schooling is a great way to identify your interests and zone in on a particular focus, but this marks the beginning of your real education. Get out in the world and discover life’s lessons first hand. Your greatest insights won’t be confined to classroom lectures. You will enhance your career aspirations by actively seeking new knowledge.

Try New Things

Take risks and pursue every opportunity to try something new. If you stick to your guns and become too comfortable with the status quo, you are just limiting your potential. Pick up new hobbies, activities or take on new job responsibilities. Talk to some fresh faces and build as many diverse relationships as you can.

When you see something interesting that you’ve never tried before, ask yourself: “Why not give it a go?” What do you have to lose? Worst case you discover that you don’t enjoy the activity, but hey—you can cross it off your list. The more you try, the more you will understand what makes you tick.

Learn About YOU

If you’ve ever prepared for an interview, you know how tough it is to critique yourself. This can be an uncomfortable and self-conscious process, but it’s essential to your growth in life and in business.

Sit down and ask yourself the tough questions like who and where you want to be in five years. What are your interests? Which skills do you wish to improve? Finding the right job is contingent upon these answers.

Sometimes you need a jumpstart to begin this personal investigation. Try taking a career placement or a personality test to highlight your strengths and weaknesses. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, for example, can provide you with a better understanding of where and how you might fit in the world.

Read, Read, Read

Reading books and blogs that interest you will open your mind to fresh ideas that you might never have considered otherwise. For entrepreneurs, this might mean pushing your idea into a new direction. For job seekers and students, you can uncover new markets, industries, or skills that you might like to explore.

There’s nothing wrong with reading fiction from time to time, but you won’t draw as many practical pieces of information from The Lord of the Rings than you might from the vast sea of nonfiction titles. Whereas fiction gives you an escape from reality (and sometimes inspiration), biographies of successful people and instructional books can teach you how to get ahead in life.

As you read more, you will want to dive deeper into topics that interest you. You’re definitely on to something if you can recognize the subjects that capture your attention. Follow these interests!

Mike Darche is a 21-year-old student at the University of Notre Dame whose mission to inspire other like-minded young entrepreneurs.

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