When planning any event, think of those people. Always have one or more people in charge of seeking out people standing by themselves, who can introduce them to others. Make sure no one at your event is left standing alone. Or else, next time they won’t be there at all.

Courtesy http://www.cultureandmanners.com

Do not butter your whole roll or slice of bread at once. The proper way to eat the bread is to tear off a bite-sized piece, butter it and eat it. Do not tear off several pieces at once, butter them and line them up for take-off. Tear off one piece, butter it, eat and repeat.

Courtesy of the Culture and Manners Institute

A luncheon napkin is half the size of a dinner napkin — unfold it all the way, making a square in your lap.

At the end of the meal when you get up to leave the table, do not refold your napkin (even if you do know how to make one of those fancy cranes or roses). Place it slightly crumpled to the left of your place setting.

Courtesy of the Culture and Manners Institute

 More than likely, your potential employer will search your name on Google. What will he or she find?

 Recruiters may come across your high school sports statistics, any work you have had published or the blog you recently started. However, for the everyday student, the first two things that show up on Google’s search results will be your Facebook and Twitter.

 Your social media can be a great tool for job searching. It is your online presences. It gives employers a glimpse into your life. But, it can hinder your job search just as easily as it helps.

 Don’t let you social media accounts keep you from getting your dream job!

 Be care of what you tweet.

Don’t be negative. No employer wants to see how much you hate your past job. How do they know that you will not bad mouth their company if you’re doing it to your job now? Instead use your Twitter to let people know that you are looking for a job.

 It may be better that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Pictures are a great way to treasure the most important and exciting times of our lives.  But do all of them need to be shared with the world? Probably not. Your spring break trip to South Padre was probably an unbelievably experience, but your next interviewer can do without the pictures of you taking a shot on the beach. 

 If you want to share your pictures with your friends, keep your privacy settings tight. Facebook allows you to customize who sees your pictures, even those that your friends tag you in.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Be conscious of the image you are portraying yourself to be. Sure first impressions are not always the last, but when you are in a pool of 100 applicants they sure make a difference.

Check out this site for additional resources and more detail!

Traditional seating at a dinner party: the host sits at one end of the table and the hostess at the other. A female guest of honor sits to the right of the host and a male guest of honor sits to the right of the hostess. Everyone else is male female, male female… and spouses are not usually seated next to each other. (You attached at the hip, can’t keep your hands off each other, lip-locking, public spectacles — get a room.)

When planning a dinner party, select guests from a variety of backgrounds and choose at least two people who are masters at engaging others in conversation. This does not mean they dominate the conversation at the table, but they have the ability to bring out the best in others and let others shine.

Courtesy of “The Culture and Manners Institute”

The answer is, “No.”  And do not waste time chasing that last, elusive little pine nut around the plate like a hockey puck, trying in vain to scoop it up with your fork. It just wasn’t meant to be in your stomach.  Learn to let go.

How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie

If you had read this in the fourth grade when kids started to turn on each other, life in your formative years would have been much easier.  This is a timeless, entertaining, easy read on human nature and how to get along, great for those in business or interested in improving their social lives.

Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct — Dr. P.M. Forni

It is no surprise that Dale Carnegie was one of Dr. Forni’s heroes, as his book is like a continuation of How to Win Friends. Another entertaining read on civility and conflict-resolution, especially valuable for those who aspire to management or for those who just want to improve their communication skills.

The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

Just because someone shows all the trappings of wealth, does not mean they have it.  The authors speak about how many millionaires look like regular people, while other “Big Hat, No Cattle” people live beyond their means and end up with nothing.  This book is about using money wisely, saving and living well with humility.

Best of success to all the graduates!  Do not forget to write thank you letters to teachers, professors, coaches and guidance counselors who made a difference in your life.

Believe it or not, breaks can be much more of an opportunity than to take somewhat expensive trip, but exciting trip to Mexico or PCB or simply the trip home to the couch.

This year, I went on my first Spring Break trip…. To London for class. Yes, London, England. Iowa State has many opportunities like these. They are the chance to do something different and gain perspective you may not have right now. And back to branding – your experiences make up who you are and what you can put forth in your career.

Study abroad has opportunities for short trips, such as Spring Break or Winter Break. Also, check out programs like Alternative Spring Break. These are all opportunities perfect for your resume. They even give you discussion points for your next interview.

Don’t really want to go too far from home? Take the time you have to schedule a job shadow with a company you’d like to learn more about. Breaks are also the perfect opportunity to update your resume and cover letter, start compiling a list of companies you’d like to apply to, or simply figure out something you’re passionate about.

You often see coffee offered with dessert, but coffee can also be considered a separate course after dessert.

This is not to be confused with a typed-written thank you note for a job interview, where after re-emphasizing your skills and other fine qualities, you do ask for the job.

Courtesy http://www.cultureandmanners.com