May Newsletter | Mother's Day B2B | Career Tips for Grads

Mothers Day is May 12th, and we want to help you show your appreciation! This month we're raffling off two (2) $50 gift certificates to any restaurant on our Business2Business (B2B) site. We'll draw two (2) winners on May 9th -- so stay tuned!

Career Tips for Grads

So you've made it through graduation day...now what?

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Use your school's resources. Most schools have career centers through which recent graduates can get help with resume building, job listings, and more. Take advantage of what your college has to offer.
Network, network, network. Online, sign up on LinkedIn. Facebook is great, but LinkedIn is the social network site for professionals. Set a profile and start connecting. Offline, reach out to family, friends, and professional contacts to let them know you're looking. Seminars, job fairs, and alumni events are great places to expand your network.
Volunteer. It's tough to get a job in your field without relevant work experience, so get out and volunteer! It can further your skills, make connections, and build your resume. Also consider other non-traditional work experience like free-lancing and part-time work in your field.
Practice interviews. Answering questions about yourself in high-stakes situations doesn't come naturally. Practice your answers to common interview questions and develop a 30 second answer to the question "Tell me a little about yourself" and use it at networking events and interviews.
Do your research. When you schedule an interview, do your research. Read the company's website, check out annual reports, learn about their products and services. Ask them knowlegable questions about the company and you'll come off as bright, engaging, and interested in the job.
Send thank-you notes. Never, ever forget to send a thank-you note directly to anyone who interviewed you immediately after the interview. Not only does it underscore your interest in the position, but also your professionalism and courtesy.

Above all, remember now is the perfect time to take risks and pursue what you love. Good luck, and congratulations!

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Health Tips to Kick-Start the Season

Spring is a time of renewal and re-growth - the perfect time to shed our Winter Hibernation Habits. It is the perfect season for adjusting your way of living, for eating healthier, and for spending more time outdoors. Here are some ideas to help you take advantage of the shift in seasons to shift your habits to healthier ones:

Eat fresh veggies. Chances are, throughout the winter your veggies were frozen, canned, or shipped around the world. For a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, catch your local farmers market for the freshest farm-to-table treats.
Move it! Take a walk on your lunch break. Bike to work or around your neighborhood. Take advantage of Vermont's GORGEOUS mountains and take a hike. Garden: not only does it make for a beautiful yard, but gardening also burns 250-350 calories an hour! Mow the lawn, pull weeds, and haul mulch for an excellent workout.
Worship the sun - safely. Vitamin D is essential to fending off depression, and helping you absorb calcium to form strong bones and teeth. Take time to warm your skin under the sun. Just don't forget to protect yourself from cancer -- most people don't apply sunscreen properly, and stay in the sun too long. The solution? Slather on sunscreen daily and reapply it often, especially if you've been in the water. Don't forget your lips and ears!

Integrate these tips and you'll be sure to have a healthy, happy summer!

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