I love helping students prepare for internship interviews and, part of this is identifying questions you need and want to ask. Many people think of a internship interview as a high-stakes question and answer session where they must impress and convince the company to hire them. Before we jump into questions to ask at an internship interview, I want to challenge you to begin to think of the interview differently. It is a two-way conversation. While the company will want to make sure you are a good fit for the position and company culture, you (as the intern candidate) need to make sure the company and position are a good fit for you! Make sure an internship position and the company are a good fit by asking good questions during an interview!

10 Questions to Ask at an Internship Interview

1. What have been past interns’ favorite experiences with your company?

This question will keep the conversation light and give you great insight about past inters’ experiences. In fact, you may even have a past intern on the interview panel! Many companies will hire interns to be full-time employees after graduation. If you are fortunate enough to get a former intern on your interview panel, you’ll definitely want to hear about their experiences!

2. Can you provide examples and stories of the company culture?

By asking this question, you will get insight regarding the work environment. Company culture is very important and needs to be a good fit for you. Personally, I find that work environment and company culture make up 50 percent or more of my overall job satisfaction. A perfect-fit role with a toxic work environment will still leave you miserable. Ask this question, and another drill-down question if needed, to ensure the company culture is a good fit.

3. How closely does this role work with colleagues? Can you tell me about the team size?

These questions will provide additional insight about the culture but on a more intimate level. Try to gather information about who you will be working with most closely and how frequently collaboration occurs. Then, gauge how that fits with your work preferences and personality. If you are an extrovert, you might like a high level of collaboration and team interaction. If you are more introverted, perhaps you are looking for a more autonomy.

4. May I have a tour of the company/workspace?

First-hand perspective is extremely valuable. If you are interviewing in the HR office, ask for a tour of the company or workspace! Being able to observe the operation, environment, and workspace will help you make an informed decision about whether or not the company culture is a good fit.

5. I would enjoy learning more about you. Will you tell me about your professional journey?

This question is a great way to get a glimpse of the supervisor’s personality and background. If the manager responds with a history of working his/her way up within the company, you can probably assume that he/she is well-respected and/or that the company promotes from within and might offer you similar opportunities in the future. If he/she as worked for a lot of different companies, you might try to find out more information through your network following the interview.

6. Please tell me about the onboarding process for this role.

This is one of the most crucial questions to ask at an internship interview! I like this question because it provides information about structure and planning. I appreciate when an organization has already thought ahead to what the training will look like for the chosen candidate. Will it be a formal training off-site by the third party? Will it include travel to another corporate location? Will all training take place on-the-job? Get a feel for how thoroughly you will be prepared and trained.

7. Growth and development are foundations of internship programs. How are these elements included in this experience?

Life-long learning is important. Stagnation creates boredom for many and can lead to dissatisfaction. Asking about professional growth and development can be a good gauge for how heavily the company prioritizes growth and investing in interns. You want to ensure you will be doing more than grabbing coffee and filing papers.

8. What does success look like in this position? How will it be measured?

This question can provide insight to expectations and targets. Depending on the role you are interviewing for, this question can be reworded to fit the job and industry. I like to know that emphasis is placed on quality work over quantity. Perhaps you like a challenge or benchmark to work toward. The answer to this question will help you determine if your preferences and values align with the company’s!

9. What is/will be the biggest challenge in this role?

If you ask the previous question and still feel like you need more insight about the role, ask about the biggest challenges. It is ok to ask tough questions!

10. When do you expect to make a decision? What is the anticipated start date?

Don’t leave yourself wondering…ask these two questions! It will put your mind at ease just in case you don’t hear anything for a few days. These questions also express a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the potential to accept an offer.

Final Tips for Questions to Ask at an Internship Interview

Many times, intern candidates plan on asking their list of questions at the end of the interview. Rather than making it such a structured and rigid question and answer session, I encourage you to make it as conversational as possible. It will be more comfortable for both parties. In fact, you will likely be able to work some of the questions above into in the interview conversation as topics arise rather than waiting until the end and going down the list.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help preparing for your interview. You can prepare interview stories in advance and get feedback on responses to common interviewing questions by scheduling a career coaching call! I really enjoying helping candidates prepare for an interview so they walk in with confidence! Let’s chat and ensure you are ready to make a lasting impression!

Want help with your resume or internship search?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one with their career endeavors! Whether you want tailored resume help or assistance finding and landing your dream job, I can help!

Book a free consultation today!

Questions to Ask at an Internship Interview
Loren Kelly

I love helping people prepare for a job interview and, part of this is identifying questions you need and want to ask. Many people think of a job interview as a high-stakes question and answer session where they must impress and convince the company to hire them. Before we jump into job interview questions to ask, I want to challenge you to begin to think of the interview differently. It is a two-way conversation. While the company will want to make sure you are a good fit for the position and company culture, you (as the candidate) need to make sure the company and position are a good fit for you! You will spend a lot of time at work and unhappiness and discontent can and will spill over to your personal life. Make sure a position and company are a good fit by asking good questions during an interview!

FREE Download & Printable

Download this list of job interview questions to take with you and ask employers on the big day!

 

10 Job Interview Questions to Ask

1. Can you provide examples and stories of the company culture?
2. How closely does this role work with colleagues? Can you tell me about the team size?
3. May I have a tour of the company/workspace?
4. Will you tell me about your professional journey? 
5. Please tell me about the onboarding process for this role
6. How does the company encourage professional growth and development? 
7. What led to this vacancy? 
8. What does success look like in this position? How will it be measured?
9. What is/will be the biggest challenge in this role?
10. When do you expect to make a decision? What is the anticipated start date? 

1. Can you provide examples and stories of the company culture?

By asking this question, you will get insight into the work environment. Company culture is very important and needs to be a good fit for you. Personally, I find that the work environment and company culture make up 50 percent or more of my overall job satisfaction. A perfect-fit role with a toxic work environment will still leave you miserable. Ask this question, and another drill-down question if needed, to ensure the company culture is a good fit.

2. How closely does this role work with colleagues? Can you tell me about the team size?

These questions will provide additional insight into the culture but on a more intimate level. Try to gather information about who you will be working with most closely and how frequently collaboration occurs. Then, gauge how that fits with your work preferences and personality. If you are an extrovert, you might like a high level of collaboration and team interaction. If you are more introverted, perhaps you are looking for more autonomy.

3. May I have a tour of the company/workspace?

First-hand perspective is extremely valuable. If you are interviewing in the HR office, ask for a tour of the company or workspace! Being able to observe the operation, environment, and workspace will help you make an informed decision about whether or not the company culture is a good fit.

4. I would enjoy learning more about you. Will you tell me about your professional journey?

This question is a great way to get a glimpse of the supervisor’s personality and background. If the manager responds with a history of working his/her way up within the company, you can probably assume that he/she is well-respected and/or that the company promotes from within and might offer you similar opportunities in the future. If he/she has worked for a lot of different companies, you might try to find out more information through your network following the interview.

5. Please tell me about the onboarding process for this role.

I like this question because it provides information about structure and planning. I appreciate it when an organization has already thought ahead to what the training will look like for the chosen candidate. Will it be formal training off-site by the third party? Will it include travel to another corporate location? Will all training take place on the job? Get a feel for how thoroughly you will be prepared and trained.

 6. How does the company encourage professional growth and development? What opportunities are available for this role?

Life-long learning is important. Stagnation creates boredom for many and can lead to dissatisfaction. Asking about professional growth and development can be a good gauge of how heavily the company prioritizes growth and investing in employees professionally.

7. What led to this vacancy?

Asking this question will allow you to learn if this is a new role or if there has been turnover. A new role could be an opportunity to be creative and add your personal touch to the position but can also mean some growing pains as you and the company figure out how the new position fits in the existing company structure. If there has been turnover, hopefully, the hiring manager will explain if the person was promoted, moved to another company, etc. A lot of information can be gleaned from this question!

8. What does success look like in this position? How will it be measured?

This question can provide insight into expectations and targets. Depending on the role you are interviewing for, this question can be reworded to fit the job and industry. I like to know that emphasis is placed on quality work over quantity. Perhaps you like a challenge or benchmark to work toward. The answer to this question will help you determine if your preferences and values align with the company!

9. What is/will be the biggest challenge in this role?

If you ask the previous question and still feel like you need more insight about the role, ask about the biggest challenges. It is ok to ask tough questions!

10. When do you expect to make a decision? What is the anticipated start date?

Don’t leave yourself wondering…ask these two questions! It will put your mind at ease just in case you don’t hear anything for a few days. These questions also express genuine interest and enthusiasm for the potential to accept an offer. 

Final Tips for Job Interview Questions to Ask

Many times, candidates plan on asking their list of questions at the end of the interview. Rather than making it such a structured and rigid question and answer session, I encourage you to make it as conversational as possible. It will be more comfortable for both parties. In fact, you will likely be able to work some of the questions above into the interview conversation as topics arise rather than waiting until the end and going down the list.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help preparing for your interview. You can prepare interview stories in advance and get feedback on responses to common interviewing questions by scheduling a career coaching call! I really enjoy helping candidates prepare for an interview so they walk in with confidence! Let’s chat and ensure you are ready to make a lasting impression!

Want help with your resume or job search?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one with their career endeavors! Whether you want tailored resume help or assistance finding and landing your dream job, I can help!

Book a free consultation today!

 

Download my FREE GUIDE on How to Prepare for a Successful Interview!

Job Interview Questions to Ask
Loren Kelly

More and more young adults are considering a gap year. And rightfully so. It is tough to graduate in the current economic state, and maybe you want to experience the world and life before you begin your career! If you are wondering what to do during a gap year after college, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to give you some great options that won’t only be unique experiences, but they will look great on a resume. Think of a gap year after college as a resume builder, not a career wrecker!

What to Do During a Gap Year After College

1. Volunteer Abroad with a Career-Related Organization

If you want to travel and experience other cultures while also building your resume, consider spending a gap year after college volunteering for an organization and a cause for which you are passionate. Are you interested in agriculture? Some programs allow you to volunteer in age-related roles in foreign countries. How about a healthcare-related major? There are programs for you too! Go Abroad has a great list that you can use to begin exploring your options!

2. Become an Au Pair or Teach English in a Foreign Country

If expenses are a concern, but you have a strong desire to travel after college graduation, consider becoming an au pair or teaching English abroad! Being immersed in another culture can be intimidating; however, having a family or school to guide you through it makes it a lot less intimidating! Of course, you must have a strong love for children and a desire to be flexible and helpful.

If you are looking to enter any child-related career or customer-oriented field, au pair or teaching experience will allow you to acquire a highly sought-after skill set!

3. Internships for Recent Graduates

Contrary to popular belief, internships are not just for college students. Recent graduates can also apply to many prestigious internships! If you like the idea of a gap year and a paycheck, consider an internship!

Many graduates are excited about having earned their degree but just aren’t sure how to use it. One of the best ways to use a gap year is to get the first-hand experience in a career area of interest so you can make an informed decision about the future with a short-term internship commitment.

4. Leadership Development Programs

Does the idea of starting your career right after graduation seem unappealing because you aren’t sure what you want to do? Or, does the idea of choosing a job and then sitting behind a desk sound awful, BUT the idea of getting a steady paycheck is great? If so, consider resuming the job search but looking at Leadership Development programs specifically.

If you’re wondering what to do during a gap year after college for experiences and broadening your horizons, a leadership development program may do that for you! Leadership Development Programs and Rotational Programs allow graduates to rotate between departments, teams, and even locations over a predetermined period. This approach enables graduates to obtain a better holistic view of the organization and determine a department or role in which they would thrive.

Even if you are very tied to a more traditional gap year, I hope you’ll consider a leadership development program after your gap year. These programs give students the first-hand, trial-and-error perspective that it takes to make confident and informed decisions about the future.

5. Start a business, nonprofit organization, or a blog

If the idea of owning your own business has been in the back of your mind, why not use a gap year to pursue that dream? As an entrepreneur myself, I wish I had acquired some business experience sooner in life. Even if it is an Etsy shop or a local service-based business with low overhead, give yourself a year to start a business, learn, grow, and see how it goes!

A business can take many forms. Perhaps you have a unique passion and would like to start a nonprofit organization to service your community! A year of raising capital and forming your plan is just what you may need to make it a reality!

Finally, consider starting a blog, especially if your gap year experience involves any of the above four ideas. Think of all of the future generations you can impact by sharing your gap year journey and learning experiences! Or, if you are passionate about another topic and love to express yourself in writing, consider starting a blog to monetize it through sponsorships, advertisements, and becoming an affiliate!

I know planning for the future can be really intimidating. I also know how enriching new and different experiences are. I had the wonderful privilege of living abroad for three years, and it changed my life in all of the best ways. I consider that period of my life to have brought me the most meaningful experiences and growth to date and I love helping young people figure out how to have the same!

Let’s chat about your plans for the future!

I get it. Not only do you need a solid plan for your gap year, but you probably have friends, family, and loved ones wondering what your plan is after that. Let me help you sort through your options and devise a gap year plan that gives you career momentum! Together, we can plan your bright and promising future!

What to Do During a Gap Year After College
Loren Kelly

Hi everyone, Rebecca here! This week I wanted to share with all of you my career journey. It has been a long one and not the easiest, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It has led me to meet some amazing people and opened opportunities I never would have gotten if I had stuck with my original plan. Choosing a career is a hard decision, but if you put in the work and effort finding the right path is worth it.

The Beginning

I began my career journey at Wichita State University in the fall of 2018 as an art major. I was beyond excited for college and I thought I would graduate with the same degree I started out with. Needless to say, my plan did not go accordingly.

To start off my art education, had two art classes, foundation drawing and into. to 2D design. However, after my first semester as an art student, I was burnt out. Constantly creating projects took the joy out of art for me and I quickly discovered that I liked art better as a hobby rather than a career.

Undecided

After my fall semester, I changed my major to undeclared. I felt lost because for the longest time I knew what I wanted to do and now I had no clue what I was going to do. I went a year undeclared and during that time I did a lot of digging, researching, and shadowing. I considered being a dental assistant, an interior designer, a fashion designer, a dermatologist, an architect, and so much more. The list kept growing, but I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I could tell you what I didn’t like about every career, but I could find any better options.

Getting “Help”

As I said before, I did lots of shadowing and research, but I couldn’t find the right fit. I was running out of time. By the end of my fall semester in my sophomore year, I had to declare a major. As a last resort, I went to Wichita State University’s career development center. I waited so long to go because I was afraid they weren’t going to help me. I was right.

I made an appointment and I discussed everything I had considered, researched, and shadowed with a career counselor. I was there for an hour and the only piece of advice she offered me was to take a career assessment test. I paid to take the test, I went home, completed the test, and I came back the next week for my results.

My number one career match was a bartender. I was beyond frustrated and scared. I was so desperate for an answer and I was left with a sheet of paper telling me I’d make a great bartender.

The Game Changer

I am so thankful my mom was talking to a friend one day and happened to mention my struggle with picking a major. Her friend explained her kid’s similar situation and told my mom I should talk to Loren. I had nothing left to lose, so I took a chance and I am so glad I did. Loren was a tremendous help to me, an absolute game-changer. I discussed with her everything I had been through searching for the right major.

She began by helping me identify my career values. She gave me little assignments each week to study the top career fields I was considering. The next week we would go through the assignments and rate each career on a scale of 1 to 10. As the weeks went by I found that I was crossing off careers from my list and I was narrowing down my options. It was such a relief to finally be getting help.

Now

Thanks to Loren I declared my major in December of 2019. I declared my major as integrated marketing communications and I am happy to say I love it. I also recently added a minor in graphic design. I am unbelievably happy with my major and I cannot wait to graduate in 2022.

As many of you know, I got the chance to intern with Loren this summer. I am so grateful for the opportunities she has given me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Loren for all your help. You have truly changed my life.

Book a free career chat with Loren!

Career planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Are you struggling to determine a fulfilling path for the future? Look no further. We specialize in career planning for students and young adults. Remove the uncertainty and plan for the future with confidence! Book a free consultation today to talk about your interests and future!

My Career Journey
Heidi Charles

Your first semester of college can seem very overwhelming and scary, especially if you are a first-generation student. I am here to help by sharing advice for college freshmen. Some of the tips I am sharing I have either learned through experience or wish someone had told me my freshmen year.

Advice for College Freshmen from an Upperclassman

Get Involved on Campus

One of the best pieces of advice for college freshmen I can give is to get involved. There are so many ways to get involved on campus. For example, there are many clubs and organizations you can become a part of. There is also the option of joining a fraternity or sorority. Lastly, there are the events on campus all of this helps you gain connections and make friends during your time on campus. However, there are many more benefits to getting involved on campus.

Gain a Sense of Community

Getting involved on campus through organizations and clubs help college freshman gain a sense of community. This community can help you in numerous ways while you are getting your degree. For me personally, my community has helped me study for exams, kept me accountable for class attendance, and have events to look forward to.

Great for Building Your Resume

On top of gaining a sense of community, being involved in organizations can help you build your resume after college. These clubs and organizations can help you gain experience through holding positions and organizing events. All of which can be used on your resume to help impress future employers.


 

Keep Yourself Accountable

My next piece of advice for college freshmen has to do with accountability. One mistake I notice the most that college freshmen make is not keeping themselves accountable. Once you have lost your accountability it is very hard to regain it, by the time you do it might be too late.

Class Attendance

Most classes do not take attendance, meaning many students don’t come to class.  College professors are not like high school teachers, they do not care whether you show up to class or not.  As a result, students who skip class miss important information and fall behind in class very easily.

Classes that do take attendance, use the points for it in the grade book. As a student, it is very important to take every point you can get, you never know when you might need it.

Completing Assignments

Like I said before with class attendance, college professors do not care if you complete your assignments or not. It is your responsibility and the professors will not nag you to turn in your assignments, unlike high school teachers.

Buy a Planner

This is a tip I think is very important. Having a planner will help you keep track of due dates for assignments and important tests/quizzes. It can also help you plan ahead for studying as well as help you manage your time and prioritize.

In addition to helping you organize your tasks for classes, a planner can help you keep track of dates for events. Colleges should be a balance between classes and fun. An experience you should enjoy while working your degree.

About the Author

Hello! My name is Rebecca and I am Loren’s intern for this summer. I’m focusing on bringing you great tips on social media and informative blog content! I am majoring in integrated marketing communications with a minor in graphic design at Wichita State University. To learn more about me visit the Meet Rebecca page.

Advice for College Freshmen from an Upperclassman
Loren Kelly

Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end.” Have you ever paused to learn about the humble beginnings and career paths of successful people? Did you know Steve Jobs was fired from his own company? How about Michael Jordan’s cut from his high school basketball team? Every big-time success story includes bumps.

The Humble Beginnings & Career Paths of Successful People

I’m inspired to write on this topic because there is so much struggle in the world right now. Having graduated college in 2009 during “the Great Recession,” I know it can seem impossible to have a career success story when you are struggling just to find career opportunities. For a little encouragement and inspiration, let’s look at the career paths of successful people.

President Obama

Did you know President Obama’s first job was scooping ice cream at a Baskin Robbins in Hawaii? Everyone begins somewhere! From that experience, he likely gained some key customer service and communication skills that he continued to build on over the next 25 years until he would, eventually, become our nation’s leader.

What many young people fail to realize is that each opportunity and experience shapes us. We are gaining perspective and building a transferrable skillset. Transferrable skills, or soft skills, are skills that are valuable and applicable across a variety of situations and fields. Among the most sought-after transferrable skills are communication skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal skills.

Reed Hastings, Netflix

We often think of door-to-door salespeople as annoying and intrusive. We wouldn’t associate it with success; however, perhaps we need to challenge these perceptions! Reed Hastings, Founder of Netflix, was a door-to-door vacuum salesman 20 years before he began Netflix.

Hastings likely used skills he built as a salesman when he was selling his idea to investors. Think about the parallel between door-to-door salesman and starting a business. In both roles, he had to be creative and learn to sell his idea. He likely experienced a good amount of rejection in both positions and, from that, probably learned girt and perseverance. Remember, our humble beginnings shape us!

My Humble Beginning

I’m not famous; but, for fun, I’d also like to share my humble beginnings. Growing up in a very rural area in Missouri, there weren’t a lot of options for employment as a teenager. A lot of my friends either worked in the fast-food industry or on family farms. I was very involved in sports and extracurricular activities, so, summer jobs worked best for my schedule and allowed me to focus on school and activities during the academic year.

One of the few opportunities for summer-only work in our area was the seasonal maintenance crew for our school district. That’s a glorified way of saying I was a summer janitor. My job duties for three consecutive summers were painting walls, waxing floors, and cleaning bathrooms, bleachers, and classrooms. It was not glamourous. By the end of an eight-hour day, I was hot, dirty, and tired.

My Takeaways from My First Job

What did I learn from this humble beginning that I still use today? The first would be the value of education or technical skillset. At 15 years old, when I first began that job, I knew I did not want to scrape gum off the bottom of the gymnasium bleachers for the rest of my life. I did not want to breathe chemicals of floor wax and cleaner. I also learned the value of teamwork. I could paint a classroom on my own and it would take me two days of being cooped up in the same room, or, my teammates and I could work together and move through a classroom, or two, per day. Finally, I also learned respect. I have so much respect for the professionals who work tirelessly to keep the facilities that we use daily in tip-top shape. When I was in college and preparing to student teach, my professor told our class, “Always respect and make friends with the cafeteria workers and the janitorial staff.” While some dismissed the advice, I knew it was true and understood the value and sacrifice of the people in these roles!

Career Paths of Successful People

As you read through the infographic below that illustrates the career paths of successful people, I challenge you to think of the positives that came from your beginnings. We all start somewhere, and career paths of successful people are never without bumps. If COVID-19 is creating a bump for you, press on and persevere. You’ll have your success story, too! In fact, we can work on your career plan together. There is no time like the present to develop your action plan for career success! Let’s chat on a free consultation call!

Humble Beginnings & Paths of Successful People
Loren Kelly

If you’re anything like me, you are blowing through books right now on the quarantine and isolation order. So, I’m sharing my recommendations for the best books to read for personal growth! I’m really into good, quick reads that are easy to implement. If I don’t see relevance early, I move on. If you can relate, this list of best books to read for personal growth is going to be your favorite reference for the next several months!

The Best Books to Read for Personal Growth

Please note that this list of the best books to read for personal growth is in no particular order! I love them ALL! To learn more about each book, click the image and you will be redirected to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

1. Mindset by Carol Dweck

Calling all parents, students, teachers, managers, and young adults…well, calling EVERYONE! This is a book you can’t miss. We all know that our mind is a powerful thing. Dr. Dweck has spent decades researching how our mindset impacts our approach to challenges and learning. My favorite part of this book is the steps Dweck provides to help shift your mindset from fixed to growth thinking. Mindset is definitely on the list of best books to read for personal growth!

2. Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden

This book is a quick and easy read that will light the fire of motivation deep inside! It teaches us how to approach the future and the journey to success. My favorite quote from this book is, “Success is not earned, it is rented—and the rent is due every day.” My copy of Take the Stairs is full of highlights and sticky notes. I read it cover to cover in about five hours I spent on a train. Don’t miss this one!

3. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

If you aren’t familiar with Brene Brown’s work, it is time to dig in and get started! I love her books, TED Talks, Netflix special, and now her podcast. The Gifts of Imperfection outlines the keys to wholehearted living. It helped me learn to embrace the mess of imperfection and find the beauty that results during and after our imperfect moments.

4. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

After you’ve finished The Gifts of Imperfection, go ahead and jump into another book by Brene Brown, Daring Greatly. I just finished this book, and, ya’ll, if I had to just choose one book from this list of best books to read for personal growth, this would be the one. Again, it is a quick and easy ready but it will speak to you and summon courage. As a new mom, I especially appreciated the chapter on parenting.

5. The ONE Thing by Gary Keller

I deliver training for student support professionals in the California Community College system and I give every participant a copy of this book. It is that good. Time management, priority, and goal setting are the key topics addressed. You’ll learn a strategy that will revolutionize your work and your productivity. Keller also provides a number of excellent online resources and free guides to accompany the book.

6. Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help by Edgar Schein

Have you ever tried to help someone, and it just didn’t turn out the way you had envisioned? It happens to all of us. This book will revolutionize the way you think about giving and accepting help. I highly recommend Dr. Schein’s book if part of your professional role revolves around helping others. I found the principles and tips in the final chapter to be extremely relevant and I use them to guide my work today.

7. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It by Valerie Young

The title of this book implies it is for women; however, it really should be The Secret Thoughts of Successful People because, as Dr. Young points out early on, over 70 percent of the population struggle with imposter syndrome. What is imposter syndrome? It is the self-belief that you are inadequate and incompetent despite a track record of successes and competence. This book explores the different ways imposter syndrome rears its ugly head in our lives and how to battle it.

8. The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell

As the title implies, this book is all about growth and must go on my list of best books for personal growth. Maxwell is a brilliant author and has published a number of books; however, this one is my favorite so far as it jumps right into each of the fifteen laws and provides easy steps to follow. It is a longer read and implementation is a bit more involved that some of the other books; however, I found so much value in it. I took many of his ideas and have them as reminders in my office space.

9. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stainier

This is going to be one of the less heard of books, but it’s a great one! I read this book on a round-trip airplane ride and some airport sitting time. We are a culture that listens to respond. If you are a parent, manager, or work in a human-services-related role, this book is for you. It is a quick read and it really will change the way you lead and interact with others.

10. Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

I have to round out my list of the 10 best books for personal growth with Rachel Hollis. Her raw honesty is refreshing and challenging in the best ways. Yes, this one is addressed to women and, unlike Dr. Young’s book, it really is for the female audience. So, ladies reading this, grab a copy if you haven’t already and dig in. It also is a quick read and is nicely divided into three parts. Part one addresses common excuses that hold us back (get ready to build some more self-awareness and accountability here!) while parts two and three have a forward focus on behaviors to adopt and skills to acquire.

Welcome to a world of career opportunities! I’m Loren.

If you or a student in your life could benefit from some thoughtful planning or help to navigate the future, oftentimes an unbiased third-party can be a powerful tool! As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students one-on-one, meet them where they are, and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them!

Book a free consultation today!

Best Books to Read for Personal Growth
Loren Kelly

I get it. You’re stuck at home bored and wondering what things to do during quarantine. You are likely to fill your time by sleeping in, scrolling social media, and playing video games. What if I listed some things to do during quarantine that can get you ahead? Here are seven ideas to ditch the boredom and propel your future!

Seven Things to Do During Quarantine

1. Write Your Resume (or update it)

As a general rule, I recommend updating your resume every six months whether you are looking for a job or not. Why? Because you will have engaged in activities, professional development, and completed coursework that you might otherwise forget about if you only update it when you are searching for a job.

Writing or updating your resume is one of several things to do during quarantine that will equal success in the long run! I have several resources to help you with this task:

• Writing a resume for the first time and have no work experience? Use this guide.
• Writing a resume for the first time with work experience? Use this guide.
• Already have a resume and want to update and polish it? Use this guide.
• Want help with your resume so you stand out in a pool of applicants? Go here.

Once you’ve written a killer resume, consider writing a cover letter.

2. Write a Cover Letter

One of the most grossly underestimated actions a job seeker (or future job seeker can take) is writing a cover letter. Even if the job application doesn’t require it, write one anyway. Writing a cover letter is an excellent way to stand out and showcase your written communication skills. Are you not sure where to start? No problem, I’ve got a guide to writing cover letters, too.

3. Look for Summer Jobs and Internships

Times are a bit tough right now; however, many organizations will still be hiring temporary or summer help once the coronavirus has gone. Use the resume and cover letter you have written to apply to jobs and internships. Many companies are still conducting interviews via video conferencing software such as Zoom. Don’t miss out on awesome opportunities later this year simply because the virus is keeping us indoors right now. Learn where to find the best internships here!

4. Conduct an Informational Interview

An excellent quarantine activity is conducting an informational interview! You can never learn too much about your future career field. And, now is an excellent time to have conversations with professionals as many are working from home and have lighter workloads (unless you are considering the healthcare field). I have an excellent free guide that can help you set-up a great informational interview. It includes the best questions to ask while you are on the call or video chat!

5. Learn a new professional skill or take a short course

Quarantine is an excellent time to learn a new skill or complete a short-course or credential. Coursera is offering a number of free, online courses. You’re sure to find one that interests you!

6. Read a professional or personal development book

This is one of my absolutely favorite things to do during quarantine. In fact, I sat in the back yard this afternoon soaking up the sun and reading Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly. Need a list of ideas? Check out my list of favorite books here.

7. Find industry-relevant organizations to join

Add finding an industry-relevant professional organization to join to your list of things to do during quarantine. Professional organizations offer excellent networking opportunities, professional development, and also look great on a resume. Many offer free or reduced membership rates to student members making it very affordable. A quick Google search should uncover several options for you. For example, “Professional Organizations for Teachers” or “Professional Organizations for Engineers” is all you need to search for!

Want more ideas for things to do during quarantine?

Here is a list of more great ideas:

• Schedule a virtual college visit
• Begin learning a new language
• Attend virtual networking events
• Fill out scholarship applications
• Complete a mock interview
• Connect with an old friend or supervisor
• Listen to podcasts

Welcome to a world of career opportunities! I’m Loren.

If you or a student in your life could benefit from some thoughtful planning or help to navigate the future, oftentimes an unbiased third-party can be a powerful tool! As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students one-on-one, meet them where they are, and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them!

Book a free consultation today!

Things to do During Quarantine
Loren Kelly

You got the call and you made the cut for an interview—nice work! You’re likely excited and nervous at the same time. The best way to calm those nerves is to prepare! Preparing for a job interview can be done in these five, easy steps.

Preparing for a Job Interview in Five Steps

1. Review the Position Description

Most job seekers apply to multiple jobs. If this was the case, hopefully, you saved a copy of the position description for each one! Begin by carefully reviewing the document to remind yourself of the skills, experience, and qualifications they are seeking. Having this at the forefront of your mind as you prepare and right before your interview is important. It will allow you to tailor your answers and conversation to the needs and wants of the employer.

2. Research the Company

Next, I recommend spending some time researching the company when preparing for a job interview. My three favorite ways to conduct research are on the company website, social media, and a good Google search. Here are things to look for:

Company Website

Read about the history of the company. Find out about the business structure, size, and geographic reach. Look for department information related to the position as well as names and faces of people who might be on the hiring committee. Making note of the mission, vision, and goals is very important as well!

Social Media

After you have looked at the website, try to locate the company and hiring manager on LinkedIn. Review any published articles on LinkedIn as well as company updates. Looking at Facebook and Instagram accounts can also be helpful and provide insight into the company’s current focus.

Google Search

Don’t underestimate the power and information that can result from a thorough Google search! Perhaps the company has been recognized in the media recently. Having that information and insight might provide a positive topic for you to bring up in conversation during the interview process.

3. Prepare Interview Stories

One of the best ways to stand out as a candidate in the interview phase is to provide specific examples and tangible results in the form of stories during an interview process. This is so important that I have devoted an entire blog post just to stories when preparing for a job interview. Check it out! Providing generic, ambiguous responses to interview questions is the quickest way to be classified as an average candidate.

4. Write Questions to Ask the Interviewer

You’ve probably heard that is important to ask questions during the interview process. It’s true. Plus, you need to gather information to make an informed decision about whether or not the position is right for you should you be extended an offer! Again, because this is such an important step when preparing for a job interview, I’ve written an article focused specifically on this step! Write a list of good questions that you can work into the conversation to gain good insight.

5. Complete a Mock Interview

Finally, I highly recommend completing a mock interview when preparing for a job interview. Having feedback on your responses and body language can be extremely valuable. Do you need help knowing what questions to prepare for or an expert to help be your mock hiring manager? Book a coaching call today! I love helping candidates preparing for job interviews to own the room by answering and communicating with confidence.

Final Thoughts on Preparing for a Job Interview

It shows when a candidate spends time properly preparing for a job interview. Don’t wait until the night before and make sure you involve others in the process for feedback. My most valuable interview prep as always involved getting feedback from a more experienced mentor or professional before I step foot in the room. With my job coaching package, you can get help with the entire job search process! If you only need help with interview prep, schedule a one-time coaching call for interview question and answer assistance or mock interview practice!

Do you have an interview? I can help!

I love helping candidates prepare for an interview! If you have an interview, let me help you prepare interview answers and stories that will make you stand out and adequately illustrate your skills and experience. Are you short on time? No problem! An hour session is all it takes to help you confidently knock your next interview out of the park!

Book a coaching call now!

Preparing for a Job Interview – 5 Steps!
Loren Kelly

It’s March and, for many students, this means spring break is right around the corner—hooray! If your student needs some spring break activities to keep them busy, I’ve got just the solution. Not only will these spring break activities keep them busy, but they will get a head-start planning for the future!

Spring Break Activities: 3 Ways Students Can Get Ahead!

Research & Apply for Summer Camp Opportunities

Did you know colleges and universities across the nation host awesome summer camps to expose middle school and high school students to college and career options? If your student has an interest in a specific career field, research opportunities to get involved together. Most often, summer camp applications open in mid-spring. If your student needs spring break activities, have him or her start with College Consensus’ Top 30 Pre-College Summer Programs list!

Complete Summer Job Applications

Next, encourage your child to consider summer employment. Students who wait until school has dismissed to look for a summer job will likely have difficulty finding a position. Great spring break activities include writing a resume, looking for summer jobs, and completing job applications. By helping a student take ownership of the job search, you will be empowering him or her for the future! A few great places to look for summer employment include local government websites for park and recreation jobs, indeed.com for temporary or seasonal work, and company websites of a few of your teens’ favorite stores. If your child is interested in help writing a resume or would like help identifying summer job opportunities, have him/her book a free, 30-minute session with me and I’ll gladly help provide resources!

Company Tours

Excellent spring break activities include company tours or job shadows! Both activities are low-commitment, high-value career planning activities. Companies across the country open their doors to visitors allowing you to see the behind-the-scenes operations and all of the different people and careers it takes to make the production process happen! Your children won’t even realize they are being exposed to amazing career-related information and it will be fun for the entire family. When given the opportunity to ask additional questions on the tour, encourage the guide to talk about the different departments of the company, what they are responsible for, and how many people it takes to get your favorite products from the initial idea, to production, to your home. You can use this great resource, Factory Tours USA, to find a tour in your area or this great article by Popular Mechanics to explore options!

Would you like other career planning spring break activities? No problem, I can help! Book a free, 30-minute meeting with me to discuss your child’s career planning efforts! As a college educator and career coach, I specialize in assisting students with college and career planning. The earlier your child engages in college and career planning activities, the more confident he or she will be as they approach graduation. Don’t invest thousands of dollars in college education with a plan! Book your free consultation today!

How can I help?

If you believe a child in your life could benefit from some thoughtful planning, oftentimes an unbiased third-party can be a powerful tool! As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students one-on-one, meet them where they are, and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them!

Book a free consultation today!

Spring Break Activities: Three Ways Students Can Get Ahead!
Loren Kelly