It’s embarrassing to admit that prior to hearing about her interview in the Library of Congress, I hardly knew a thing about former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder. My shame augmented after realizing we are both from Colorado and have connections with the University of Minnesota. I was in for a pleasant surprise last Wednesday, when I received the opportunity to learn about a truly fascinating political figure at an event hosted by the Library of Congress.

Her interview, conducted by Deputy Librarian of Congress Robert Dizard Jr. in the Jefferson Building, inspired and fascinated me along with the rest of the audience, judging by the volume of their applause. The worry that their discussion would bore me to tears dissipated almost immediately upon the realization that Patricia Schroeder’s sense of humor is on par with her intelligence. Dizard excelled at extracting entertaining anecdotes from Schroeder as well, kicking off the interview by asking her what initiated signing her name with a smiley face in the letter P. She recalled being one of many Patricia’s growing up, and instead of going by Patsy as one of her teachers suggested, she proposed the smiley face in the P method of distinction instead, and it forever remained with her.

He also called her out on a discrepancy between a story in her recent memoir and that of her husband, Jim Schroeder, regarding how they first met. According to Mrs. Schroeder, he approached her in the library of Harvard, where she attended Law School. Whereas he claims that she initiated their first conversation. However, the debate remains unsettled.

She also brought up the one-liners she used repeatedly when dealing with insensitive questions during her years as a politician. For example, when asked how she could be a congresswoman and a mother, she would answer that she had a “brain and a uterus that both worked.” I realize that she must feel like a broken record, but her clever remarks still drew hearty guffaws from the audience.

Of course, the humorous moments intertwined with serious issues and topics including Schroeder’s current concerns regarding family and women’s rights. She also touched on the struggles she encountered while getting involved in the male-dominated world of politics, especially at such a young age. She recalled the negative reactions of her two male seat neighbors in one of her first courses at Harvard, and the general sexism she encountered while studying there as one of merely 15 women in her class. When she first arrived in Washington, she frequently faced criticism by her fellow politicians as well as citizens who asked her if she even considered the negative impact her career surely had on her children.

Though the program ran a mere 45 minutes or so, it packed a punch, Schroeder and Dizard filling every second with pertinent information, concluding with a question and answer session. One of the inquiries from the audience was what Schroeder’s priorities would be if she were elected President. She listed the environment, the overpowering involvement of the United States in other countries’ affairs, family issues, and the massive pay difference between classes. By the end of her interview, I felt inspired and honored to shake hands with a woman who truly made a difference in her country.

Come back soon to read the details of my personal interview with Pat Schroeder

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Marisa Mostek (@MarisaJ44) loves globetrotting and writing, so she is living the dream by writing while living abroad in Japan and working as an English teacher. Marisa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a certificate in journalism from UCLA. Contact Marisa at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Marisa Mostek]

Marisa Mostek

Marisa Mostek loves globetrotting and writing, so she is living the dream by writing while living abroad in Japan and working as an English teacher. Marisa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder and a certificate in journalism from UCLA. Contact Marisa at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post My First Encounter with Congresswoman Pat Schroeder appeared first on Law Street.

Job hunting is hard. The resume that you spend so much time and energy perfecting will likely go largely unnoticed among the hundreds that employers receive for each position. Your cover letter might be scanned, at best. It’s essential to separate yourself from the crowd and an online portfolio is one major way to do just that. Below are the top seven reasons why having one is a crucial addition to your career search.

1. Increase your online presence: When an employer googles you, your online portfolio — complete with all of your professional achievements and work samples — will appear instantly, making you a more attractive candidate.

2. Display your versatile skill set: Set yourself apart from the masses by demonstrating your work and experience in a modern, relevant way.

3. Earn your interview: Applicants who go the extra mile to stand out are more likely to hear from employers in a competitive market. It’s nearly impossible to convey your personality in a standard resume, but an online portfolio brings you to life for hiring managers.

4. Show all of your work in a concise and organized fashion: Most companies require some demonstrated sample of your work prior to even inviting you in for an interview. You paste links or attach samples to your application, which inevitably get overlooked or lost in the shuffle. Job hunting is tough from the employer’s end as well. An online space where your work samples, resume, and contact information are organized, clear, and really pop will help keep you in the forefront of the employer’s mind, and help you brand yourself.

5. Demonstrate eagerness: Everyone has a resume. Everyone has probably polished it. Not everyone has taken the extra step of adding another level of professional depth to their pitch. It shows that you are eager to work, motivated to get the job, and would be someone who puts in the extra effort.

6. Showcase your talents on a platform that you create yourself: The portfolio is all about your ability to set yourself apart and get noticed by employers. There’s no better way to prove your skill set and tenacious work ethic than to provide it on a platform that you were creative enough to produce yourself — especially you aren’t even a graphic design mastermind.

7. Enhance your job search regardless of career path: You might think that having a portfolio would only really benefit someone hoping for a graphic design career but that’s not true. You can have this tool customized and tailored to your specific career goals, including writing samples, professional references, web development or design samples. The list is endless.

Convinced? Want one? Yeah? Yeah! We can help. There’s still time to participate in the Capitalista Contest. Click here for details!

Happy hunting!

xo

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

The post Top 7 Reasons You Need an Online Portfolio appeared first on Law Street.

An interview is often thought of as a one-sided question and answer routine. A nerve-wracking one at that. Remember, though, that an interview is supposed to be a dialogue. Your interviewer wants not only to hear your responses, but to hear what you’re curious about. Asking appropriate questions will also minimize the risk of confusion or surprise if you’re offered the position. Unawareness won’t help either side. This is your chance to see if this is the right fit for both of you. So, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask. Just don’t interrupt.

Below are a couple examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to interview questions. I’ll post about this often, so keep checking back!

What are the responsibilities the position entails? What does a day or week typically look like? Even if the job description is detailed, it is good to know the day to day. If you apply for an associate editor position it might be a surprise if they have you filing or answering phone calls. This way you can cross check and minimize the risk of disappointment.

How long have you worked here? What do you like about the position? Talking to an employee about the company is a good way to judge the work environment. If they have only been there a short time, and mention that everyone is new (and it’s not a start up) this might raise a red flag about turn over rates. If no one wants to stay, it’s likely that there’s a reason.

There is, however, a line. And too many people cross it. Below are the things you just don’t ask yet.

How much will I make? I can’t even. I am always so surprised when people think this is an acceptable question during an interview. Especially an initial one. It’s presumptuous. It’s tacky. It’s going to hurt your chances of getting hired. Of course, this is a factor that you might weigh while making a decision about your career, but save that chatter for when you’re officially offered the position. Employers want you to be more “You better work, bitch” and less “If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense.”

How much vacation time do I get? Really? You’re asking about time off before your first day? Don’t be lazy. Or, don’t appear lazy at the very least.

Stay tuned for more interview advice here every week!

Happy hunting!

xo, The Capitalista

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

The post Q&A appeared first on Law Street.

The truth might set you free, but it also might ruin your chances at landing the job. I’m not condoning lying per se, but there are just some topics that are best left avoided when in a professional interview. This is one of those situations in which a first impression is everything, so you have to make it count. Think of it like a first date. Would you tell the new guy from Ok C how your last boyfriend left you because of your tendency to pick meaningless fights and be cranky every morning? No. Would you say something equally as ridiculous to a future employer? Hopefully not after reading this. Read the following to get an idea of some ways to dodge potential bullets. 

Things Your Interviewer Does Not Need to Know

1. That you’re occasionally/perpetually/sometimes late. Don’t be late to the interview. I’m a big proponent of the early is on time, on time is late, and late is not hired philosophy. If they ask what your biggest flaw is, being late should not be the answer. Even if it is, maybe consider this a new opportunity to say goodbye to your tardy ways.

2. Anything negative about your previous employer(s). This should go without saying, but you never know. I’ve been there. You’re in an interview and then you’re asked why you’re making a transition, or why you decided to leave a past position. Maybe your past employer was a maniac. Maybe she was a serial killer. Maybe he was just the worst person in the world. Regardless. Bite your tongue. Trashing anyone from a past work experience will just leave your interviewer with a bad taste and the fear that someday he or she will be on the other side of your wrath.

3. Anything about your personal life. Hey, it’s great to have friends at work. I love having coworkers I can chat with and feel comfortable around. But let’s get you hired before you start dishing out details about yourself that aren’t directly related to the position. Keep it strictly to work and the weather.

Happy Hunting!

xo The Capitalista

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Featured image courtesy of [val.pearl via Flickr]

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

The post Shh! What Your Interviewer Knows Can Hurt You appeared first on Law Street.

Congratulations! You got a job interview! After days/weeks/months of hunting, searching, and groveling you landed yourself thirty minutes of face time. Go, you. Give yourself a pat on the back. Have a cookie. Hell, have a drink.

Ok. Now, back to work. Who knew unemployment would be such a full time gig, huh? After getting the news that you have an interview, it is so important to take some time to prepare. It’s really tempting to trust that you know enough about the position, I mean, you got the interview! That must mean something, right? Wrong.

Taking a few hours to do a little digging and research (how did people live without Google?) can greatly improve your chances of kicking ass once you get in the door.

1. Google the company. This seems so obvious to me but it is amazing how often this step gets overlooked. Look through the company’s website, go on LinkedIn, google the CEO. Search the person conducting the interview. I am giving you permission to stalk unabashedly.

2. Figure our how you fit into that information. You’ve done some research. Now, use it. Really understand the position you’re interviewing for. Read and re-read the details of the job description. Why does this company need your qualifications? How will your experiences fit into the bigger picture?

3. Prepare for the interview. There will be more on this in another post, but make sure you’ve done your homework and thought of potential questions, your answers, your questions. Don’t go in blind. Even if you aren’t expecting some of the questions, having solid answers in your back pocket for others will show that you took the time to get ready.

Good luck on your interview! Happy hunting.

xo, The Capitalista

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Featured image courtesy of [David Hilgart via Flickr]

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

The post You Got a Job Interview! appeared first on Law Street.