University Writing Center Logo & Slogan Opportunity

Another opportunity to build your portfolio!

From University Writing Center:

The University Writing Center is holding a Logo/Slogan contest. The contest is open to all current MTSU students, and we’re eliciting original logo designs and/or slogans. All entries will be considered by the Writing Center administration, and the winning design will become the official Logo of the Margaret H. Ordoubadian University Writing Center—a great way for someone to leave their mark on MTSU! Obviously, we’re looking for fresh, creative, and dramatically appropriate material—no umbrellas, quill pens, light bulbs, or sheep, please. I’ve attached a copy of our flyer, and I encourage you all to pass word along to your students. The deadline is November 1^st (for now). Please direct any interested students to the Writing Center should they need more info. We appreciate your help in this matter!

de la Blue assignments for 9/30 - 10/6

Research: conduct primary research from the target market through survey

Media: What radio stations, local publications, and billboards reach our target market? Get pricing.

Social media: What social media can reach our target market? How can these social media be used for Alexander Chevy?

Copywriting: What are the benefits and competitive advantages of Alexander Chevy?

Art: Look at Alexander Chevy's past advertising (website) and compare it with its competitors (other dealerships in our geographic area) advertising. What are they emphasizing? What's the appeal?

Remember, information on target market and base research is available in your folder.

Notes on Online Networking/Cover letters/References

Valuable info from Nancy Stubblefield

Online Networking

- Creating your online presence

- Careers of the future

- Linkedin groups

- Facebook Groups

- Facebook Appolications

- Cover letters

- References

Difference between social networking and business networking

- casual vs professional

- friends contacts vs work contacts

- social need vs job need

Why network online?

- Recent recruiting changes

- Employers use:

- job niche boards

- social network sites

- online groups

- new technology for recruiters

- .job domain (Google .jobs for hits)

- click monitoring on job traffic

- employee referrals

Hot future careers:

- freelancing from home

- offices of the future

- youtube:

Best sites - Online Networking

- Linkedin

- world's largest professional network with over 43 million members in over 200 countries

- helps exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with your trusted contacts

- a new member joins every second.

- Facebook

- founded in 2004

- if Facebook were a country, it would be the 4th largest in the world.

- half of Facebook users are outside of college.

- fastest growing demograhic is 30 and older

- check your photos and email addresses; make sure your profile represents someone a company would want to hire. Even if your profile is private, there are still ways to see those photos.

Linkedin

- Profile - online resume

- employment history

- biography (takes place of cover letter)

- specialties (takes place of skill summary)

- recommendations (takes place of references)

- documents (takes place of portfolio)

- Features

- groups: you can join up to 50

- email can be turned off for notifications of blog traffic

- join groups which are in your career interest area

- applications: 10 apps allowing you to do things like post documents or link your Wordpress blog. Most are free.

- Most effective profiles have:

- good industry connections

- relevant skills specific to your industry

- power phrases/key words

- coursework/professional training

- accreditations and licenses

- recommend others and have them recommend you to complete your profile

Asking about jobs online

- College students are like puppies.. everyone wants to help. Alumni are like stray dogs.. they appear desperate. Use your time in college to your advantage.

- Don't directly inquire about a job. Ask who they know/what they know about things in the industry, but never say "I need a job. Do you have one?"

Successful Networking = Job Success

- Employers anticipated a 22% decrease in hiring in 2009.

- Are your networking skills ready for your future job search?

Cover Letters

- aka application letter, prospecting letter, letter of inquiry

- copy your resume header to compliment and offer unity

- use proper business letter formatting

- like an objective, the cover letter should be relevant to the position

- traditional format letter used for job openings where you know the contact's information

- blind job lead format - used for things like newspaper ads which give little detail

References

- never use personal references - not considered credible.

- include 3 to 5 in a separate file for email and on a separate sheet of paper for hard copies

- ask your references before committing them

- include the person's name, title, company, address, phone number, and email address