Author: Rebecca Kravitz

Here’s How To Ask Someone You Professionally Admire To Coffee

We can all admit that leaving college and entering the real world is quite a terrifying transition. There is a ton of pressure, and it hits hard once you make it to senior year. Everyone around you is constantly asking you what your plan is post-graduation. Not everyone knows what they want to do right away, and that is totally okay.

One thing that may make this transition period easier is if you know someone that is a professional in a company that interests you. Here are some tips on how to approach that person regardless of your relationship with them.

1. Research

So you notice that an old acquaintance you have not been in touch with for years has your dream job. Understandably, you want to reach out, but before you press that “Send” button, do your research. Make sure you know what that person has been up to and what his or her current work entails before you send that “Hey, what’s up?” email. It can be a bit jarring for someone else to receive an email out of the blue, so the more personalized your message, the more likely you are to get a response.

2. Keep Your Email Short and to the Point

Now that you have done your research, put yourself out there. What’s the worst that can happen? The hardest part is figuring out how to set up your email. The most important thing is to keep your message short (only three or four sentences), and make your ask clear.

Whether it’s grabbing coffee to talk about breaking into the engineering field or discussing how you can be an even better job seeker, make your request easy for the other person to fulfill.

What should a coffee meeting email say? Here’s a brief template:

Hi [name],

Long time, no talk! I’ve been busy [explain your situation in 3-4 words], and it looks like you’ve been doing huge things at [explain person’s situation in 3-4 words].

I have a very quick favor to ask you. I’m [explain what you’re looking for in 1-2 sentences] and would really appreciate your help. I would love to grab coffee with you sometime to really hear your thoughts on [add one sentence explaining what you specifically need].

I totally understand that you’re really busy, so it’s okay if you can’t take this on right now! Either way, I’d love to catch up soon.

Best,
[Your name]

If you want more helpful tips for crafting a networking email, check out this article.

3. Follow Up

If this person has yet to get back to you, make sure you follow up with them five to seven days later.

This message can be something like this:

Hey [name],

I just wanted to follow up with you about grabbing coffee sometime soon to discuss [write 4-5 words about your initial inquiry].

If you are too busy to do this, I totally understand, and if it’d be easier, I’d absolutely be open to doing a phone or Skype call. Let me know what works best for you, and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Best,
[Your name]

Regardless, remember not to take offense if someone doesn’t get back to you. People are busy, and typically a lack of response has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the other person’s schedule!

4.  Get Logistics Out of the Way Quickly

Let’s say the person responds to your follow up message or better yet your initial approach! The biggest thing to do before your meeting is to get logistics out of the way.

Now it is time to make a decision about where you are going to reconvene. Suggest a nearby coffee shop (and since you’re asking for the coffee meeting, you’re the one paying!), and make sure it’s convenient for the other person to get there. Another logistical must-have? Get your contact’s phone number; if something happens, you don’t want to be stuck trying to email him or her!

Everyone has been where you are, and people will be more understanding and helpful than you may give them credit for. Put yourself out there and see what greatness unfolds!

Here’s Everything You Need To Prepare For A Nerve-Racking Job Interview

We all know how stressful and scary interviews can be. You don’t know what hiring managers are going to ask, how much you should know about the company and so many other things. Before you start getting all worked up, take a deep breath and remember that ultimately, if it is meant to be, it will be.

Below are five things I’ve done before heading into nerve-wracking job interviews, and they really helped me keep calm.

1. Remember that employers already like what they see.

Chances are you’ve already given a hiring manager your resume and cover letter, and you’ve made it to the next round! While it’s definitely important to be prepared for some difficult questions about yourself and the company (you can use the WayUp Guide to prepare here), it’s important to remember that the employer’s already shown interest in you and wants to hear all about your experiences. That’s why you’re here in the first place!

2. Do something beforehand that makes you feel confident.

So, you’re about to walk into a room to impress a bunch of strangers. Make sure you can walk into that room like you just won a Grammy. Okay, maybe that’s a bit excessive, but treat yo’ self beforehand, so that you walk in there feeling your best.

Indulging in some of the things you love is a great way to feel awesome before an interview. Listening to your favorite hype song or sneaking a piece of chocolate may make all the difference. As the old saying goes, look good to feel good.

3. Give yourself plenty of time.

Try and wake up at least two hours before the interview. You don’t want to leave a groggy first impression now, do you? Make yourself a nice cup of coffee (if coffee is your thing) and something to eat so you’re as alert as possible. Take some time to go over your notes, and minimize any possible pre-interview morning anxieties.

4. Use Google to your advantage.

You have all the answers on the world-wide-web right at your fingertips. Use it. Research the company beforehand to look into common interview questions (again, did we mention we have all that information for you here?). Remember, there’s no excuse for a lack of preparation, especially in the digital age. You’ll have some peace of mind knowing you looked up everything you could.

5. Get some help meditating.

If you just can’t get rid of those pre-interview jitters, check out some meditation apps. Once again, take advantage of all the billions of resources technology provides at your fingertips! My favorite is the Calm app, but another great one is Headspace.

Remember, this interview is just one tiny part of your life story. If this job doesn’t happen to work out, there will be plenty more opportunities for you down the line. Regardless, this is a learning experience, and you’re going to rock it!

In a Rut? 4 Ways to Snap Out of It Today (Like, Right Now)

As a college student, I think it’s safe to say that time management is the devil. You know there is always something productive you could be doing, but leisure time is also so incredibly important to staying focused and motivated throughout the year. Making sure you find that perfect balance between work and play is imperative to a life of joy and success.

How can you keep yourself from burning out and recharge in a productive way? Here are a couple of my favorite things to do.

1. Get Some Steps in When It’s Convenient

Believe it or not, it has been proven time and time again that exercise helps to stimulate the mind. Maybe you don’t feel like you can spare two hours on a regular basis to make the schlep to the gym, shower and then hit the library again, but there are other ways to still get a few steps in without making this huge time commitment.

If you find yourself having an awkward 45 minutes in between classes, take a longer, more scenic route. Try and embrace your surroundings, and clear your mind a bit. You’ll thank me later.

2. Hit the Gym

If you do think you can spare those extra two hours a few times a week, do it. Getting into good habits at a young age will lead you to live a longer, happier and healthier life. Join your local yoga studio, or make your way to your gym on campus. Maybe watch some Netflix while you’re on the elliptical, or listen to your favorite hype playlist.

By doing this, you are stimulating your mind and treating yourself by watching or listening to something you enjoy.

3. Get Ahead of the Game on Assignments

Stay on top of all assignments and get ahead if possible. If you notice your schedule is light, but you have an assignment due in a week, begin looking into it. It can’t hurt! Leisure time is important, but it’s also important not to overindulge in it because that is when bad habits start forming.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand laziness happens, but if you’re feeling stimulated and proactive, take that energy and put it to good use. Then, when you are feeling super lazy a week later, you’ll already have an outline for that upcoming assignment or even the assignment itself completed. Maximize your potential, people!

4. Take Advantage of Your University’s Resources

Calling all freshmen: Discover your likes and dislikes right away and get involved! As a senior, I can admit I did not quite do this and I wish I had. If you love TV and movies, don’t be afraid to be independent and check out that movie club you heard about. You are very lucky to be attending a university that has so many different resources available at your fingertips. Don’t waste your time and money by not taking advantage of them.

Fill up your free schedule with courses, clubs, intramural sports teams and possible internships or jobs that actually interest you. Doing this will both help you learn more about what you are interested in and meet people with similar interests. Not only will this make your resume look great, but it will also make you a happier, better you.

If I am being completely honest with you, I wish someone had told me these tips day one freshman year. I most definitely do all of the above now, and I’ve never felt so confident in myself and my future. Of course your GPA matters, but what it all boils down to is experience. Are you doing all that you can with your time to maximize your potential?

If the answer is no, follow my advice and make the answer yes to get yourself out of that college slump once and for all.

Know Nothing About Personal Finance? 4 Tips That’ll Make It Easy to Get Started

It goes without saying that budgeting is a difficult task. It’s not easy to regularly keep track of your spending, and make sure you are paying back your credit card on time. However, all young people should learn how to budget, so here are some tips to follow to make this easier.

1. Keep Track of Every Expense as Soon as It Happens

It may seem a bit tedious, but at the end of the day when you’re wondering how much money you spent, at least you will have answers. It is as simple as this; after you go to the grocery store, jot down the amount you spent. You will thank me later.

2. Create a Budget in Excel

The great thing about Excel is that it does the math for you. Why not take advantage of what you have at your disposal and use this great resource? Not only will it help you to keep track of your finances, but it will also enable you to advance your skillset in this highly useful application. This can eventually lead to proficiency in the program, which you can put on your resume!

If you need help getting started with creating a budget, here’s a great resource to learn how to build an Excel budget template. If you need a little bit extra guidance, check out the YouTube video below!

3. Invest In A Budgeting App

Maybe the notes and excel method is not for you. No worries; there are totally other alternatives! Not only will Mint help you budget, but it will also help you track all of your personal finances and learn how to improve your credit. You don’t have to worry about the price since it’s free, so you may as well give it a try.

If Mint is not doing it for you, there is also the option of using the Level Money app. This app is basically a GPS for keeping track of your monthly spending. Confused about how many Ubers you are calling and how much you are spending on them total? This app is perfect for that.

4. Research Credit Cards

Now you may not realize this just yet, but it is extremely important to start building credit. Credit will help you buy your first car, rent your dream apartment in New York or achieve whatever other aspirations you have your sights set on.

Now you may be thinking, “What even is credit, and have I already started building it?” Credit is what you are creating when you are swiping a credit card; you’re trusted to pay back your credit, usually on your credit card provider’s app or website. By doing this, you’re building up your credit score. Your credit score indicates your ability to pay back a loan and will help you make bigger purchases later in life.

When you get your first credit card, it’s crucial that you are paying it back monthly. To play it safe, you should pay it back about a week before it is due. Maybe it will harm your bank account in the short term, but you will fare just fine.

Some credit cards I recommend beginners start with are:

Be independent and build up that credit score sooner than later!

Maybe five minutes ago, you were completely lost in the sauce about your finances. With these quick tips, you can alter the entire financial playing field. You can be financially savvy in no time, so what are you waiting for?

This Celebrity Should Be Your Life Inspiration (and Not Just Because Her Instagram Rocks)

Let’s face it: We all have those random celebrities whom we admire and stalk regularly. Gigi Hadid is a high fashion supermodel and television celebrity from Los Angeles, and she is most definitely the girl to look up to.

While she’s known for her trendy Instagram and modeling experience, there is a lot more to Gigi that is worth mentioning. In fact, I strongly believe she can actually be a great life inspiration, and here’s why.

1.  She Stands By Her Values

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLJm_llDcYf/

About a week ago, a stranger picked up Gigi while she was walking in Milan during Fashion Week. She did not pretend that this treatment was okay; she elbowed him in the face and yelled at him as he ran away. Soon after she tweeted about the experience due to all the buzz claiming that her reaction was “lashing out.”


Some thought Gigi’s actions were unprofessional, but I think she handled the situation quite well. In this instance, Gigi is redefining societal norms of how a woman should “behave.” She is acting like the strong, confident woman she is and is sticking to her values, a great lesson for anyone.

2. She Knows How to Hustle

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLBBZT2D6uQ/

Some people might look at Gigi Hadid and think that many things were handed to her. Regardless, her list of most recent accomplishments prove she knows how to hustle:

  1. She co-designed a new Tommy Hilfiger collection for this fall titled TommyxGigi.
  2. In 2015, Hadid won Daily Front Row’s title as “Model of the Year.”
  3. Hadid hosted the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Video Awards.

The bottom line? She’s working every opportunity she’s given and is expanding her work to not just include modeling but also fashion design and general entertainment. Regardless of the industry you’re in, it’s important to broaden your horizons, learn new skills, and take on different challenges.

3. She Treats Herself

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIXz2MajNt1/

Gigi lives by the motto “Eat clean to stay fit, eat a burger to stay sane.” Of course Gigi doesn’t just live off burgers and fries, but she’s definitely not afraid to take a breather. Gigi says that she cooks for herself all the time, but she would always prefer a double cheeseburger to tofu.

The point? Gigi knows the importance of treating herself, something we could all do a better job of. When you’re a college student or recent grad, it’s easy to get caught in your school work or entry-level job, other activities, and social life. It’s crucial to take a step back and enjoy the little things; if you love reading or exercise, for example, don’t deprive yourself of those things!

There you have it. If there’s anything you can grasp from this glimpse of Gigi Hadid’s life, it should be that strong values, drive, and a bit of indulgence can lead you to a successful, happy future. Hadid is a trendy, radiant, cheeseburger-loving chick; what’s not to love?

Cover image courtesy of Flickr.