Are You "Linked In" ?

If you don't already have a professional profile of yourself boasting with your achievements and chalked up with previous employer recommendations, I highly suggest you sign up for one. LinkedIn is Facebook with future co-workers and employers. The newsfeed is filled with business tips, interesting articles, new connections, and the latest viewer on your personal profile.

You might even learn something more valuable than who is dating who and where your ex went last weekend. LinkedIn puts the drama aside and everyone's best foot forward. But even if you appear clean cut and ready to work on LinkedIn, I suggest your Facebook mimics that look. Once an employer or a crucial connection finds you and skims your background, it isn't long until your name is "Googled" and your Facebook profile is hand picked and hooked like a fish out of water.

Why am I a strong believer in LinkedIn? After posting Help Wanted , I got the break I was looking for; a chance to prove myself as a professional and not just a college student.  If you hadn't had the chance to read Help Wanted, I suggest you do so now. I was exposing my inner thoughts of the chances of me getting hired in the next few weeks as the fall semester is approaching. Okay, maybe I was ranting or rambling of the frustration of having and losing a summer job.

Whatever the case may be, I extended my experience to others who might be in the same boat. Then...SPONTANEOUS BLISS HAPPENED. No joke. At midnight I posted #ShareACoke on SB and LinkedIn. Some guy from a marketing company connected with me weeks ago read my posts,  + Energy and #ShareACoke, and literally gave me a thumbs up on each piece. Then he sent me a detailed email informing me of how much he connects with my writing and loves my written personality.  He claims it was fate, and the stars aligned have connected us on LinkedIn. I was little unsettled by his comments of not knowing me but wanting to hire me when I graduate. Then he sent a second email, even longer than the first, considering that maybe later will be too late and now is the time for me to build my work experience and potential. He hired me as a freelance  copywriter for his marketing firm.

WAIT WHAT?!

I went from blogger to freelance copywriter in a week. Now do you believe in Spontaneous Bliss?

                                                                                                               xox SB

Help Wanted

Qualifications...

-At least 3years of extensive experience

-Flexible availability hours

-Strong attention to detail, good prioritizing skills, and the ability to work tight deadlines

-You must have strong verbal, written, and visual presentation skills

-Knowledgable in blah blah blah

-Strong, Tall, and Handsome

(Wait, wrong qualification list)

The biggest fear I have when applying to a new job is not fitting their criteria of a perfect candidate. As a college student, I already know I lack experience; not due to the lack of trying, but the lack of study in courses I haven't had the chance to take yet. Then my "flexibility to work" is restricted nine months out of the year and built around my first priority as a student, my class schedule. I pay "attention to detail and prioritize my skills" effectively but how can I prove that without the opportunity to prove it. Maybe you might consider my babysitting experience; I could jot down a gracious neighbor's phone number. Or maybe my professor from my public speaking course could write a letter of recommendation praising my "strong verbal, written, and visual presentation skills". And as far as being "knowledgable" in your company,  I am up to date on your latest projects thanks to your Facebook page, tweets, and Pinterest boards. 

I understand, finding the ideal employee is crucial and hard to come by, but what about the students.  We are the future economy and your companies are trying so hard to keep up with our world of social media and constant desire to stay current with our friends' activity. The way I see it, college students have a lot of time on their hands and most are willing to learn a new trade or skill outside of school. Not to mention, we can easily be bought if compensation is involved. 

If more businesses, big and small, considered having positions that were more flexible to college students, more students would graduate with a foundation of experience under their belts. Rather than leaving with a college degree and still resorting to serving or retail, we can pursue our passions as business men/women, physical trainers, educators, and designers.

I have had my fair share of the hustle and bustle in the restaurants and barely survived the temptation to sell products to myself in retail. These experiences have taught me how to work with others, approach employers with confidence, and maintain a steady work ethic. I do not take these jobs for granted, but how do they look on my resume as I apply to be a freelance writer, graphic designer, or event planner? How can I honestly explain the relevance of these experience without exaggerating with the use of key words such as: "determined", "self-motivated", "punctual" and "competent"?

The standard resume does not fully grasp one's experience. Just like the SAT's, I do not think a resume fully reflects one's intelligence and understanding. To the college students looking for a job, my advice is to not be afraid to stand out. Make your mark through pictures, through blogging, through a portfolio; anything you have made or experienced, show it off. To the potential employers from big companies or small "mom and pop" businesses, give college students a chance. Look beyond the uploaded resume on your computer screen. Give them a call or schedule an interview.
Don't think our extent of knowledge in the field is a store in the mall and babysitting. 

                                                                                                                                xox SB

#ShareACoke

Coke has come a long way from their warm fuzzy polar bears playing in the snow with penguins. In more recent years, Coke emphasized the refreshing taste with the sounds of "ahhh". You know that breathy sound you make after taking a sip for dramatic effect. Along with the sound you make, Coke utilized their glass bottles to make a band out of chiming Coke bottles in their commercial just last year. Coke has hinted the focus of their product was to bring friends and family together. Personally, I don't think Coke effectively executed this message until now. 

When I saw this commercial in a movie theater, I was blown away. Not because there are commercials before previews before a movie....yes, we have come to this; but it was this very commercial posted above. Coke illustrated the bliss of summer. Those summer days of being a teenager, without a care in the world, simply enjoying each others company. Not only did Coke bring more and more friends to the streets in this video, but the idea of a personalized gift, a Coke with your name on it, was distributed. 

Personalized monograms on clothing, jewelry, cars, ect. have been in high demand. Who would have thought that personalizing a beverage in print would become a "must have" for a quick selfie or an accessory piece. 

So what else can be said about the sentimental value and personal pride in a name stamped to the side of a Coke bottle? What makes it different than a personalized key chain, back pack, or license plate? Coke is classic! We all know someone who has a collection of Coke ads and bottles from the 1900s.  It's more than just a sugary fizzy beverage, it is the leading company in marketing in the beverage industry. 

As mentioned before, Coke has come a long way from it's arctic animals. I stumbled upon an article from BuzzFeed and learned a thing or two. And oddly enough it mentions the theory that Coke itself has molded our idea of Santa Claus. If Coke has that kind of influence on us, what else can Coke make us believe. In the late 1800s, when Coke was first established, Coke had wine and cocaine in the beverage. These substances that alter one's state of mind are easily blamed for Cokes control over us. But roughly 25years later, alcohol and cocaine was removed from the beverage. 100 years later we are still mesmerized by the creative marketing schemes of Coca Cola.

The #ShareACoke craze has begun and I have yet to find my name. Have you found yours?

-SB

For more information visit http://www.shareacoke.com/#bottle