10 Tips to Sucess at a Job Interview

1.       Bring your resume. Make sure you resume is not just with you, but also up to date and clear. This is the first place your employer will go so it’s time to let your skill shine.

2.       Wear a watch. This goes hand in hand with “be on time”. Wearing a watch looks professional, but only if you look at it.

3.       Tie or comb your hair back. This shows a good amount of professionalism and gives the message to employers that you are ready to get your hands dirty.

4.       Stay healthy. This one may seem obvious, but when you look healthy, you feel healthy. The better you feel, the better you will handle high stress situations.

5.       Outshine the competition. Make sure you have an answer for every interview question they throw at you, practice beforehand, and make sure to highlight your strong points even in a negative question.

6.       Show initiative. If you are being interviewed at a group interview, which happens sometimes, just stay cool. When the interviewer asks a question, take the initiative to be the first to answer, so then no one can steal what you were going to say.

7.       Know thyself. Make sure you know your strengths and weakness’, make sure you don’t over-power the interviewer, and are clear and not contradicting.

8.       Dress nice. There is nothing worse than someone who couldn’t take the time to get into something other than blue jeans and a t-shirt. Is this how you will represent the company?

9.       Smile. Sometimes this is the small little push that is needed, it might be the deciding factor in the making or breaking of this deal.

10.   Go the extra step. If you are going for a photography job, make a small portfolio showcasing your best work. If you’re interviewing for a writing job, bring along a writing sample. This helps show a business what they are investing in. Not you in particular, but what you can do for them.

Business is Slow this Summer

Recently I switched jobs to a serving job at one of our local pizzerias. The business is just not coming in, and me being the new waitress, is under-trained, under-experienced, and therefore under-appreciated. Most of my shifts are being cut before I even get there, and my full time hours quickly dwindled to part time, then half of part time...whatever that is. UCF both contributes to and helps this problem by sending kids in dorms home for the summer. This is a huge loss of customers for many food service/restaurant businesses, although maybe it's good dorm-dwellers are not allowed to stay here to overpopulate the Orlando job market. Its a tricky system, yet it only allow for us summer stayers to take on 2nd and 3rd jobs just to make our bills..

Best Breakfast Places Around UCF

If you’re like me, you can’t start your day without your morning iced coffee and a breakfast bagel. There are only a few places you deem worthy for this, and so you end up going to the same place over and over again. Well here are some breakfast places around UCF that you could head to when you want to switch it up, or get your morning started.

1.      IHOP. Here’s a traditional favorite. If you have time to sit down and eat, IHOP pancakes are worth the wait. Located on University, close to campus. There is also another one in Oviedo right before Michell Hammock, type in 32826.

2.      UCF's Marketplace. If you’re on campus waiting for a class or just finishing an early morning class, the UCF Marketplace is ideal. You could either get a meal package or pay daily. This place has a buffet of whatever breakfast foods you’re into, and the best part is the omelet station stays up all day.

3.      B2 Cafe. Located on Alafaya, in the BP plaza across from campus, this place is very original. Think bagel topped with cream cheese, topped with cheese, ham, and tomato. Sounds crazy, but it’s delicious.

4.       Keke's Breakfast Cafe.  Want to sit down and have a gourmet breakfast? Keke’s Breakfast Café is the place to go. There breakfast is high class and very delectable, although it might hurt the wallet a little.

5.       Student Union. The student union is packed with breakfast places for those students with early morning classes. From Mrs. Fields, to Subway, to Burger King, and others, that serve a full breakfast until 10:30, there’s no way to go hungry here, there’s something for everyone.

6.       Smoothie King. This is great if you want a light, yet healthy breakfast quick. Smoothie King is both on campus and across from campus, with not only smoothies but also organic breads, chips, and protein bars. Great for anyone about to head to the gym.

7.       Einstein Bros Bagels.  On campus, this little delight is hidden in the engineering building. Once you find it, there breakfast is great, serving bagel sandwiches, yogurt, and other healthy options. Decently priced.

8.       Dunkin Donuts. So this is the type of place you get stuck going to everyday because their iced coffee is too delicious. Especially when there are coupons in the mail for free donuts. Although, be careful, it could get fattening real fast and turn that freshman 5 into a freshman 15.

9.       McDonalds. Quick and right across campus, this is a perfect way to start your morning. Also one of the cheaper breakfast places, just don’t make it a daily thing, switch it up.

10.   Starbucks. I wouldn’t recommend this if you want your full eggs and bacon breakfast, but if you’re on the run and just want a coffee and snack or sandwich, it could work out for you. Be careful though, the price tag can rack up fast.