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I recently wrote a blog that concentrated on the importance of career networking. It provided a few examples of methods you can use to build and maintain a network of professional support.

Knowing how to network is incredibly important – especially when you’re searching for a new job or career. And, knowing what NOT to do is just as important.

Here are a few networking tips on what NOT to do:

1. Don’t tell everyone! While it’s definitely a good idea to tell your friends and family that you’re interested in finding a new job, there are a few people with whom you shouldn’t be so forthcoming. Namely – all of your co-workers.

It makes sense that you may start to feel like your co-workers are trusted old friends after working with them for a good amount of time. Sure, you may even have in-depth water-cooler chats with Tom from HR on a daily basis. However, that does not make him a good person to talk with about your job search. Trust me, when it comes to your job search, people like Tom are not your allies. You’re better off keeping this information to yourself around the office.

2. Don’t advertise your job search on social networking sites! Even though networking groups like LinkedIn.com can be a great resource for career networking, if you’re currently employed, make sure your page doesn’t give “job hunting” as one of the reasons you’ve joined the site. That lets all of your professional connections know about your job search. And, if your current employer gets wind of this information, you may get the boot before you’ve found a new position.

3. Don’t use your real name online! If you’re searching for a new job, it’s a good idea to use a pseudonym on any web sites that might make you seem unprofessional. For instance, if your MySpace or Facebook page displays photographs of you partying, make sure you use a fake name. Many potential employers are in the habit of Googling their job candidates. So make sure that your name doesn’t ruin your chances for future employment. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your personal pages – as long as you make sure to separate them from your professional pages.

Sometimes, job networking can be an art in subtlety. Make sure you’re talking to the right people, at the right times, at the right places. Does anyone have any other networking no-no’s to share?

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There are plenty of standard do’s and don’ts for any regular job interview. But what about when certain important things that you’re not prepared to explain or avoid spiral out of control? We thought that just going over a few crazy scenarios that could possibly arise – with simple-to-remember directions to start them off – might be appropriate.

1. Avoid dog poop.
“I really, really needed this job. So the fact that I was riding to the interview on an ailing public bus that was having a hard time keeping the engine running was making me even more nervous. The bus pulled to a stop at my corner, and I was already standing at the door waiting to burst through to make it on time. I leapt off the bus, hurried to the receptionist desk, where she was waiting to lead me in immediately. After about two minutes of small talk and an official question, I noticed a quickly overpowering smell in the office. My interviewer and I quickly discovered the cause, to my horror. Always look where you’re walking.” – Chris F., San Francisco, California

2. Turn off your cell phone – especially if you have a ring tone that sounds like farm animals.
“I had an interview for an MIS position. I’d spent the night before in a less-than-civilized fashion in another city in an overcrowded house with several friends, catching up. I got back into town tired and stinking of drink, smoke and sweat to frantically try and put myself together.

“I arrived 10 minutes late and still looking like a carnival freak. Mere minutes into the interview, my cell phone begins ringing. I’d forgotten one of the basic tenets of job interviewing: turn my ringer off. Of course, with me being a geek, the phone didn’t sound off with just any everyday, boring ring tone. I’d created a special one from an old punk band on my digital audio workstation, complete with cursing and cow mooing effects. My interviewer didn’t try to hide the fact that she wasn’t much of a music fan.” - Megan H., Lawrence, Kansas

3. Keep your computer virus software updated if you’re sending your resumé electronically.
“I sent a digital resumé and cover letter via e-mail to apply for a position as a technical writer. Within a few hours, a message from the director in charge of hiring came via e-mail. Full of anticipation, I opened it to find a terse message: ‘Your resumé is infected with a virus and has been quarantined.’ You just can’t recover from explaining an infected resumé during an interview. I did not pursue the position further.” - Ed B., Madison, Wisconsin

4. If you’re bringing along a purse, case or European Carry All©, make sure you know what’s inside it.
“I was a bit flustered and nervous during a particularly specific set of questions given me, which caused me to shift in my seat and knock my purse from the table to the left. Out burst three condoms (three of a large number still in my purse given to me during a street festival I attended the day before). I was mortified. The interview lasted approximately one minute after that episode. I didn’t get the job but was told that I ‘interviewed well.’” – Teresa B., New York, New York

Bonus Round:
Try not to wear perfume that smells like bacon.
“During a particular interview, I was the subject of someone who had brought his dog to work that day (or maybe every day?). The dog took an interest in my leg. I defended my ‘honor’ as quietly as possible, but my interviewer took no notice of the dog at all. Uncomfortable as this was, I was actually wondering if it was some kind of test to see if I could maintain my concentration.” – Sherri S., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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As a member of the U.S. Armed Services, you understand the true definition of commitment. You’ve committed to your fellow soldiers, to serving America, and to protecting peace. Now that you’ve completed your tour of duty, it’s time to make a new commitment – to your own future. It’s time to get the education you deserve!

There are many programs designed to assist service members in covering the costs associated with education. Check out some of your options below.

The Montgomery GI Bill: Active duty, Selected Reserve and National Guard service members can earn this education benefit. The GI Bill was designed to cover the costs of education for service members and eligible veterans. Many programs are available and vary according to eligibility and duty status.

Time-saving programs: Many programs have also been designed to help service members and veterans cut back on the time and cost of education. Such programs include credit-for-service, credit-by-exam, DANTES and Veterans Upward Bound.

State-provided benefits: In most states, veterans are eligible for educational assistance like tuition fee reductions and waivers. Educational benefits are sometimes provided to dependents – especially for children of deceased and disabled service members.

Tuition Assistance: Armed Forces Tuition Assistance covers up to 100% of education expenses for members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Eligibility for assistance will vary by service, and money is usually sent right to your school.

Scholarships: Service aid organizations and associations provide grants, scholarships and low interest loans to help pay for education. More than $300 million in scholarships and grants are available to service members, veterans and their families.

Federal loans and grants: Requirements for Federal Student Aid include a high school degree and enrollment in an eligible school or program. Federal Student Aid is available as needed to those with a U.S. citizenship, or a valid social security number if eligible non-citizen. Registration with the Selective Service may also be required.

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Years ago, I was freaking out because a “B” in art class (ART CLASS!) was killing my perfect grade point average (GPA). I was in my freshman year. I had hopes of graduating at the top of my class. I wanted to get a great scholarship to a great college. But a simple art class was making my dream go down the drain, like so much unused watercolor paint.

It wasn’t the end of my college plan, however. With a lot of hard work, I took the college prep courses and made decent grades. I didn’t get a 4.0, but I did manage to graduate in the top 10% of my class and I still went to college.

The truth is that grades are not the only means by which students are measured, but they do matter in certain circumstances. If you want to play it smart – and if you plan to go to college – you need to know how, where, and why high school grades are important.

High School
The grades you make in high school, contrary to popular opinion, do not end up in your “permanent record.” Getting a C in trigonometry isn’t going to doom you to a life of minimum wage manual labor.

The real strength of a GPA is what it says about your ability to learn. A good GPA will usually translate to good test scores on the SAT or ACT. Like your GPA, these tests are valuable when trying to get into the college of your choice.

Applying to Colleges
Although it varies by institution, it’s safe to say that if your GPA is below a 2.0 you may have trouble getting into the college you want. Many colleges and universities post the GPA requirements for undergraduate admissions on their web sites. Keep in mind that most institutions are interested in more than statistics. If your GPA is only a 3.5, but you exhibit qualities of leadership, creativity and work ethic, you may look better than someone with a 3.8.

Getting Scholarships
Most merit-based scholarships look at your GPA. Some research of several scholarships in my home state supported this. Many scholarships required applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. One stated that the average applicant has a GPA of 3.90. So, if you hope to earn scholarships to pay for college, get your grades up.

College
Once you make it to college, your struggle to keep up your GPA is not over. Aside from keeping any merit-based scholarships you have, there are other reasons to keep up your GPA.

Avoiding Academic Probation
We all know those stories about freshmen who flunked out after the first semester. It isn’t always at the party schools or the high-stress Ivy Leagues, either. A poor GPA can lead to academic suspension anywhere. Keep up your GPA, and you won’t have to worry.

Picking a Major
Many universities have different requirements for their majors. In other words, if you want to get into the business program at college, your undergraduate GPA may need to be higher than if you wanted to be a theatre major.

Applying to Graduate School
Many graduate schools are even more selective than undergraduate programs. If you plan to get a Master’s degree, a high GPA in college will help open doors. Your GPA needs to be stellar if you want to attend a dream school like Yale Law or Harvard Medical School.

The Real World
When the only experience on your resumé is your academic transcript, employers will look at your GPA to see a snapshot of who you are. A good GPA tells employers that you can set goals and accomplish tasks. Be sure to include your GPA on your resumé, because many employers will consider its absence to mean it is low.

Nevertheless, don’t be shy about including a low GPA on your resumé. Emphasize your academic strengths as much as possible. Another suggestion is to include the GPA in your major if it is significantly higher. Some employers are more interested in your work toward your chosen field than your overall academic picture.

Keep in mind that a GPA is merely a reflection of your studies. It’s a scorecard, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Don’t let your GPA drive you crazy, but have a healthy respect for how it will affect your college plans and beyond.

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The general opinion about traditional colleges these days is, “If you want to get anywhere in life, you need to get a Bachelor’s Degree from a good college. And this is true, for the most part. But the last census revealed that 1 out of 3 college students drop out! Too many people are falling through the cracks.

Even if you’ve dropped out of college, a higher education is still one of the most valuable assets you can have. Fortunately, because such a large section of people are trying to get back into an education, there are other alternatives!

Alternative 1: The Associate Degree
The first place to look would be a local community college. Why an Associate degree? 2-year degree programs can prepare students for entry-level work. It’s also a great preparatory track for a Bachelor’s degree. Associate degrees and community colleges also have the advantage of often being far cheaper, which can be a great help if you’re one of the many students who need to continue working to pay for school.

Alternative 2: Career College
Career college, technical institute, skills training – whatever you want to call it: it’s a great way to get moving quickly. In technical institutes, students receive a very targeted education, specific to their chosen job fields. Since you don’t spend any extra time learning about subjects outside of your specific profession, you can get finished much faster. If you want to get trained and get hired, a career college great option.

Learn more about your alternatives! Career colleges also have customizable financial aid support. Remember that many career schools have flexible schedules that help you work around your classes. No matter what option you go with - education is the best way to achieve future success.

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