Author: FerryGodmotherBIZ

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Productivity Tips for New Interns

Internships are a gateway between university coursework and the start of a career. They can also help prepare for careers using schedules, assignment deadlines, and individual workloads. All of which can teach one how to be productive. 

For instance, new interns may not be prepared for the expectations and demands of a work environment. An internship is an opportunity to learn the foundations of a career. 

Continue reading to learn about productivity tips for new interns that could be helpful.

To-Do List

Creating a to-do list can be helpful for completing tasks and setting up new goals. A list can remind one of the projects that must be completed and keep track of current tasks. Apps like Apple’s Notes App or Google Docs can help organize, highlight, and prioritize daily or long-term plans and goals.

In addition, a weekly or daily to-do list can remind one of questions to ask that can be forgotten. Additionally, a list can include one’s tasks and help one set up a schedule to help achieve a work-life balance.

Creating a Schedule

Internships require time, and creating a schedule can help balance and integrate an internship into daily life. Like a to-do list, a schedule helps set up goals to accomplish while also setting up a routine to complete.

A schedule also allows one to be in a working mindset during specific hours instead of random times. Likewise, it should also include personal breaks, whether for exercising, unwinding, or self-care. Including breaks in a schedule can help clear one’s mind and regain energy before returning to work.

Moreover, new interns are exposed to many new experiences that need attention and time, so keeping to a schedule will help optimize their time. Abiding a schedule is a trial-and-error process, so mistakes are inevitable but educational.

A very colorful planner notebook.

Learning from Mistakes

Learning from one’s mistakes is a perfect opportunity to learn and understand an internship’s standards and processes. One should ask questions and learn from their mistakes to avoid turning in a mediocre project.

Continuing to work in the same manner and allowing mistakes to become repetitive can cause a project to become delayed. Ultimately, mistakes should be treated as opportunities to change something different in one’s work.

Conclusion

Interns can improve their productivity from organization, the desire to learn, and meeting high standards. Staying productive can lead them to better positions and jobs.

A personalized schedule or to-do list can manage goals and help balance work with personal life. Ultimately, productivity can help new interns become a professional individual who creates high-quality work. 

For more internship tips, visit the rest of FerryGodmother Biz.

Man tired while working on his laptop.

The Downsides of Working From Home

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses adapted to new working conditions and transitioned to an online work environment. This caused the number of companies that had employees working remotely to increase dramatically. While this change has some positives, it also highlights some downsides to remote work.

Keep reading for some of the negatives of this new work environment.

Difficulties with Transitioning

Many employees and employers must determine whether working from home is a good idea. Unfortunately, some businesses and social jobs are not designed to transition online. 

For example, hospitals or restaurants cannot function online or remotely since they are designed and require physical labor and interactions. Being removed from the necessary work setting can also contribute to a lack of motivation.

Silhouette of a woman on her computer.

Lack of Motivation

Working remotely can be mentally and physically exhausting for everyone involved. According to a study by Forbes, 40% of employees reported feeling mentally exhausted from video calls while working from home. Staying motivated while working alone in a home office can seem unfulfilling.

The lack of a sense of community between employees can factor into this. Coworkers  are not interacting face-to-face, and Zoom calls and emails do not fulfill the social aspect of a work environment. Feelings of stress and anxiety combined with workplace disconnect can harm an employee’s mental well-being and productivity.

This creates a harmful situation for companies which can only lead to disaster due to not properly prioritizing employee wellbeing. Employees feeling stressed and anxious may struggle to work remotely and have trouble managing a sustainable work-life balance. 

Possible scattered work hours and a less structured daily routine may lead to distractions and a lack of focus. While some people thrive in these conditions, not everyone will

In Conclusion

Working remotely has become more accessible in recent years, which opens new possibilities and concerns. When determining whether to take a remote role, one should consider the downsides of working from home. Remote work is not for every business structure or individual. 

For more about the business world make sure to visit the rest of FerryGodmother.Biz.

Illustration of youtube video interface.

YouTube as a Marketing Strategy

Marketing can be performed through various platforms, but YouTube is underrated for business despite its wide range of practicality. Business owners can use YouTube to reach a large customer base with little cost. It can be a practical marketing strategy for businesses at any level.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from using YouTube as a marketing strategy, Continue reading to learn more.

Video Types

Potential customers often look for product reviews, tutorials, or alternatives when purchasing a new product. Take workout benches as an example. They often differ in quality, durability, and price, but customers can compare benches on YouTube with product reviews.

Businesses have taken notice and often sample or sponsor a video with their own products to YouTube creators. Customers can learn about one’s product or service firsthand through sponsored videos or a businesses own YouTube channel.

The video platform can act as free marketing as videos can reach a wide market with no advertisement cost. However, there are many factors that affect a video’s ranking.

YouTube Features and Services

YouTube algorithm enables exposure at a low cost, but a business should understand its features and services. For example, tutorials and guides should have chapters to break up information into separate parts covering different and specific topics.

YouTube Shorts, on the other hand, are more for trends and short-form content, such as time-lapses. Smaller businesses could benefit greatly from doing either long or short videos, as they can create engagement with direct or similar communities.

Another feature that goes unnoticed is the posts feature, where companies can post updates and accomplishments or promote new videos. YouTube often boosts videos that use its services to engage a viewer. Although, how does one determine what content is right for their business?

Video player graphic.

Video & Content Production

A company’s channel should revolve around its products or services but must keep video and content production in mind. For example, video game companies like Playstation upload many game trailers with their logo and intro, making their brand involvement clear.  

Tesla uploads highly edited and stylized videos to match the quality of the vehicles and brand. Likewise, smaller businesses may use shorts to showcase the process of a product in a time-lapse. Whatever the case, customers can identify professionalism and quality through the production level.

Small-business owners can invest in free or cheap video editing software and produce their own videos or commercials. Additionally, most phones have great camera quality, so videos can mimic high quality commercials for cheap. Ultimately, people will share, comment, and like videos that meet their needs and answer their questions.

Your Reach

YouTube is an opportune marketing strategy and resource that can provide growth and exposure to businesses of any size. People constantly go on YouTube for guides, trends, answers, and more. Videos can also greatly represent a company’s identity and brand, so a professional and memorable video will surely stand out. 

For more business tips and guides, make sure to visit the rest of FerryGodmother Biz.

Woman in an interview with 2 other people.

5 Best Internship Tips for College Graduates

Internships can become overwhelming and may feel like missed opportunities, but there are several resources a student can utilize. Students are expected to find opportunities on their own but may not consider obstacles such as time or unrecognized resources. 

College graduates can be distinguished and better prepared by following the internship tips below.

1. Time Limit Awareness

Graduate students may consider taking time for themselves after graduating but may not be aware of potential internship time limits. For instance, many internship postings may indicate a graduation time frame such as a six month post graduation time period.

Time may also be an obstacle as internships revolve around school calendars and can be offered seasonally. It is best to keep time in mind since many internships look for recent graduate students.

2. Internship Hubs

One may ask: Where’s the best place for internships? Chegg Internships can be a fantastic internship resource that can filter internships based on keywords, location, and education level. Graduates should also research their own student portal or school services that may offer exclusive internships which may go unnoticed.

A Google or LinkedIn search for nearby internships may result in convenient and nearby opportunities as well. However, those services may rank outdated or unrelated search results.

3. Network Recommendations

Professors may have job or internship recommendations from their respected fields to offer students, so it’s worth asking. Likewise, program counselors or advisors may also have exclusive internship opportunities only offered to their programs.

Students can also count on their professors and advisors for guidance too if they cannot offer an internship opportunity.

4. Distinguished Internship Resume

Resumes can be the first impression hiring managers have of recent graduates so it’s best to have a distinguished resume. Career coach J.T. O’Donnell advises that show don’t tell is an impressive tactic that surpasses adjectives.

Relevant information relating to the job will be much more important and crucial for recruiters to recognize, according to O’Donnell. A resume can also stand out for its format such as colors other than black, experience listings, and skill list.

Students should experiment and dedicate time to make a well made resume with help from a workshop or instructor.

5. Interview Tips

Interviews can be the most crucial step in an internship process. Interviewers often look for students who can communicate well and leave a great first impression. Internship descriptions can be an indicator of what a hiring manager expects.

It is helpful to reiterate their desired qualities as fundamental to one’s own experience in an interview. Again, professors, advisors, and school workshops can also be great resources to utilize. Additionally, they can offer real world advice besides resume help that can go unnoticed.

Apply Now...

Job hunting can be an overwhelming experience that demands various requirements, but college students can combat this through their resources.

Professors or an online internship service can lead students to new and prestigious entry level opportunities they wouldn’t have discovered 

For more about internships guides visit FerryGodmother.biz

Graphic of a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to a default website design.

5 Ways to keep Visitors at your Website

Websites can be a great first impression for visitors, but what makes one stay? Businesses of all sizes should consider a welcoming first impression, like a homepage or featured content on a homepage. That first interaction can either attract or repel new consumers. Following certain guidelines can help well-designed business websites keep people engaged for longer and rank higher in search engines.

The following is a list of website tips to consider.

1. Polished Layout

A home page is typically an overview of a website where its services or products are prominently presented. Paywalls, restricting access to a website’s content, or overuse of ads can cause a visitor to question the website’s legitimacy.

Advertisements that awkwardly break up a website page can inconvenience visitors and cause them to leave. Consider Spotify, the music streaming service, as an example. 

Spotify’s homepage is modeled after its branding and lets visitors know where to download the app or sign up for their services. Additionally, their homepage also acts as a convenient directory to other questions, menus, and pages.

2. Convenient Drop Down Menus & Pages

If a visitor cannot find a specific service or product on the home page, then a drop-down menu can help. For example, Spotify has a menu bar that covers important features of its music streaming service, such as a “download” and an account “sign-up” page. 

Chegg Internships also provides additional services related to its “Career Advice” tab. For instance, “Career Profiles,” “COVID Support,” and “Getting The Job” can be found under the “Career Advice” tab. A drop-down menu should keep all topics or services in a convenient place.

3. Product Previews

Many businesses showcase product previews so new visitors can read other customers’ thoughts about the product or service.  Clothing and fashion-based companies often dedicate pages to clothing, presenting them from multiple angles. Additionally, a zoom-in feature can enhance the image for a better-detailed picture.

Google open in laptop.

4. Outlets Promoting the Website

Promoting one’s website can be a great way to gain traffic and new customers. Social media bios can be a strategic start because these platforms have the potential to attract many consumers. If a consumer is willing to visit their social media profile, they may be additionally drawn to the website. 

Another outlet worth considering is a Google Knowledge Graph, where brief information about a searched term is given. The Google Knowledge graph also directs interested consumers to the company’s website.

5. Search Bar

A search bar can be a helpful tool for new visitors to locate specific content. It can keep consumers engaged by recommending other pages, trending content, or recent search results.

Ultimately, it can act as  a final resort for new visitors to utilize to find the content or product they wanted.

In Conclusion

Websites can be a powerful tool to introduce new visitors to one’s company, products, and brand. Maintaining a prolonged website visit can be difficult, but focusing on the first impression can lead to success.

Features such as a polished homepage or product previews can establish legitimacy and professionalism and help maintain longer visits. Finally, business websites can achieve brand recognition and growth from a welcoming and helpful website.

For more about the business world, visit the rest of FerryGodmother.Biz.

A man at a computer

Home Office: Benefits and What They Need

Remote work continues to gain popularity due to the convenience of being at home. It is beneficial to set up an area to work, whether a separate room, or a desk. Creating a home office space can keep work organized, and assist with providing a better work-life balance.

Please continue reading to learn more about the benefits of a home office.

The Benefits of a Home Office

Having a home office allows for a work environment to provide exactly what each remote worker needs. An office allows for work to remain organized, a quiet workplace, and flexibility. Setting up a place at home will allow for less commuting and provide less commuting and provides a safer environment.

What to Include

To create a work space there are several things to be sure to include. Having a desk, a comfortable chairs, handy supplies, and the proper tech and devices. The furniture wont be bulk purchases, but instead can be tested and enjoyed by the worker. Having a desk, and a way to keep papers and information organized is a must. Without a easy-to-access spot to work on it could create a less-efficient workplace.

At home the perk of unlimited office supplies in the supply closet is gone. Having pens, papers, printer ink, paper clips, etc. is crucial to keep a well-stocked and efficient place of work. Technology is also important to include, such as, a computer, printer, and phones, without them conducting a business from home can be difficult.

Office supplies in containers and on top of a desk.

Creating a Work-Life Balance

Many office workers can find traveling to and from work just to sit at a computer mundane. If the possibility of doing this work from home is possible, then the appeal of going to an office reduces. However, when working from home it is crucial to understand how to keep our work schedule and home life balanced?

A home office can allow for work to be stored and performed in one area, keeping the rest of the home separate. Maintaining a schedule can also assist with creating a work-life balance so that time can be allotted for both. Its also important to actually work in the home office, rather than checking emails in bed. This creates a boundary for work, without overstepping into personal life.

Remote working continues to grow annually. Whether companies are offering it to save costs, or starting a small business it can be a cost-reducing way to work. It benefits by allowing the worker to create an individual and comfortable space to work. Its crucial to keep all needed supplies handy and the home office well-stocked. Lastly, it’s important to keep work in the designated office area, and away from personal life.

To read more about remote work, check out our site!

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Instagram is Perfect for Small Businesses!

Instagram is an easy-to-use tool to help any small business grow. This social application has features designed to help reach many people. It is an opportune tool for building a larger business, but finding a starting point can be tricky. 

What Instagram features can help a small business grow? Continue reading to learn more.

#The Perfect Hashtags

Including relevant hashtags in any post or reel is highly recommended to gain traction. Instagram’s Explore page recommends posts based on the user’s interaction with a hashtag or page.

Therefore, it can be crucial to research hashtags relative to a post. However, the amount of hashtags to include can be unclear. According to SproutSocial, a media management service, the use depends on frequent posting, captions, and comments.

For instance, they recommend “3-5 hashtags, but up to 30 is acceptable within a post’s first comment.” If a post is highly “liked,” it may also be featured on the hashtag’s top posts page.

This can result in further exposure and legitimacy in a niche field. Additionally, business branding through posts and profiles can encourage new consumers to visit one’s Instagram profile.

Profile Branding

First impressions matter, and a business profile bio can give further insight into a business’s services. Frequently featured posts can encourage new customers to visit one’s business profile and bio detailing a business’s services.

Later, a social media management service, claims “a bio is informative, and gives potential followers a well-rounded idea of what services they can expect.” An effective bio can include a “call-to-action, contact information, story highlights, and a personal link,” as recommended by Later. 

Notably, a link can be a useful route to one’s business website and encourage further interest in new customers. In addition, potential customers can learn where the business is located and directly place an order, if possible.

Furthermore, services like Linktree, a link grouping website, can also direct clients to other relevant outlets and platforms run by a business. Lastly, the “highlights” feature can give quick summaries of what a business has accomplished in the past.

As the name suggests, it highlights key moments shared through the “stories” feature, but selected stories can remain in one’s bio. Likewise, the feature can be used for contact information, progression of projects, testimonials, and more. The profile and bio can be a favorable first impression depending on the professionalism and quality of the profile.

Person checking an Instagram post.

Reels

Finally, Reels is a short video format that can also be another opportune way of posting. Instagram states that Reels are “15-second (to 90 seconds) multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and new creative tools.”

Smaller businesses can use this feature to showcase a major project through a time-lapse or a day in the business’s life. Interested clients can also understand what kind of business is presented and what it has accomplished. It can give the company an identity and provide free marketing as well.

#Conclusion

Instagram can be the platform to build a customer base and grow a trustworthy reputation and brand. Smaller businesses can also create an inviting profile and bio that summarizes what their services can provide.

Moreover, features like Reels or hashtags can highlight a business’s best moments and services. Ultimately, the social platform can transition customers from new to frequent and build a trusted brand.

For more about the business world, visit the rest of FerryGodmother.Biz.

Woman face down on her laptop.

How to Identify Job Scams for College Students

College students often seek internships or entrylevel jobs after graduating. Scammers often target new graduates seeking a job, so learning their techniques is important. Many scam job offers are convincing and realistic, which can trick unsuspecting students into a terrible situation.

Keep reading to learn the signs of a job scam and how college students can avoid them.

Appearing out of the Blue

One obvious sign of a job scam is receiving a job offer from a position the student never applied for. For instance, some of those emails may start with greetings such as “Dear applicant” or “We have received your application.”

These emails will likely contain vague details about the job. These are obvious signs of a job scam, but others scams may be a lot more convincing.

The Real Deal?

College students may receive convincing offers with betterformatted emails and closing signatures that appear trustworthy. For example, the more convincing scams may impersonate smaller companies and their employees because of their smaller social presence.

Always research the supposed person that sent the email through the company website or LinkedInIf the search comes up short, try researching the company to see if they are actively hiring.

Often impersonated emails and personnel of a company are reported through LinkedIn posts or a company’s website. Besides wellformatted emails and realistic signatures, scammers can still be identified by the contents of the email.

Man offering a handshake.

You've Got Mail!

Even if the email is well-formatted, scammers often make mistakes within the body of an email. For instance, in Gmail, a false Zoom invitation will only contain a link, whereas a real invitation will embed a calendar reminder.

Take note of the punctuation in the email as legitimate, professional emails typically have proper grammar and punctuation. If the email contains a vague job description this can also help indicate a job scam.

Conclusion

Most college students will receive job scam offers. Learning what some of the indicators are will better prepare students, so they are not caught up in a scam. Researching websites, profiles, and other platforms may lead to reports made by others, or show any discrepancies.

Ultimately, being educated on how to recognize job scams will keep college students safe from potential harm. For more job hunting advice, visit FerryGodmother.biz.

resume on table

3 Ways to Boost Your Resume

When applying for a job, one of the first things you’ll be asked to show is a resume. One sheet of paper is supposed to entirely reflect you and your experience, so what appears on it is extremely important. If you are trying to boost your resume, there are a variety of different things you can do.

Here are three ways to take your resume to the next level:

celebrity resume example

1. Design

The first thing a hiring staff looks at on your application is the formatting and design. The font, colors, and organization makes a strong first impression so making the wrong choices can dramatically influence the presentation. Ultimately, your design should be clean and simple so that the focus is your accomplishments.

You should use a professional font like Times New Roman and make intentional use of font size and headings to draw the employer’s attention to the right sections. Most resumes will be read through quickly since your audience will have specific things they are looking for.

Everyone will have a different resume based on their experience. It’s a good idea to look at references online and get feedback from others.

2. Make It Personal

Making it personal doesn’t have to mean adding private information. You can personalize a resume to better reflect you through the organization. If you are still a student with less work experience, your resume likely will look different than a college graduate.

For instance, when you are in school still, it can be beneficial to utilize more space for your educational experience. The most important thing is to put your most current experience at the top. Your resume should reflect you and the position you are applying for. If you are applying to a marketing internship, your education and job experience should follow this track.

3. Keep It Simple

In line with the other two ways to boost your resume is keeping it simple. A disorganized, overpopulated page will overwhelm the employers and make it difficult to find the information they need. If you have a series of accomplishments, it might be beneficial to hone in on the ones specific to your field.

If you are applying for an animation internship, your dog-walking experience should not take priority over your animated short award. While these extra accomplishments can be helpful to showcase your range, the things specific to your field should always take the forefront of your resume.

Conclusion

When applying to a new position, a cover letter and resume could make or break your application. Since these are typically only given a quick read over, it’s important to make the page attention grabbing and easy for employers to read. When putting together your next draft, make sure to keep these tips in mind.

For more things internship and business, check out Ferrygodmother.biz.

three girls in school

3 Benefits of Internships

Internships are often unpaid; however, they can regularly introduce unique opportunities and benefits, such as new career-oriented possibilities. These roles can introduce the business world to an opportune mindset. Additionally, it can be a precursor to a desired career position.

Continue reading to understand the benefits of internships in the work environment.

1. Resume Boost

Any internship can be an opportunity to expand one’s resume. However, a short resume lacking experience can be dissuading for hiring managers who require discipline and special skills. Indeed, a job listing website explains that “job listings require minimum job experience that internships can simulate and serve.”

Resumes are designed to market individuals for specific careers by highlighting their experience. Without experience, employers will be reluctant to trust or hire someone for a professional position. In addition, the more sought after the job is, the more experience one may be expected to have, primarily to compete with other candidates.

2. Learning Opportunities

Internships can be exceptional in helping garner new skills and develop existing strengths. A business is a structured environment with standards and procedures that can be difficult to understand without proper experience. Whether drafting an email or filling spreadsheets, being able to absorb niche business tasks around a professional setting can make a significant impact.

These experiences teach responsibility, real-world experience, and how to be successful within a company. The U.S. Department of Education blog explains that individuals learn to be accountable to their work and coworkers. They add that interns can also make significant contributions to a workplace setting. Every interaction is essential and could mean the difference between a stagnant position and a monumental career. Internships can be a forgiving environment to try new things and see what one prefers within the business world.

3. Potential Promotion

Lastly, one of the significant benefits of an internship can be the potential for promotion. These unpaid starting roles can lead to fulfilling careers and form lasting relationships with the company. However, not all businesses offer a higher wage or a full-time position, so individuals should keep that in mind.

Moreover, internships can act as a transition into a full-time job and a higher salary. Santa Monica College suggests that “experience can justify asking a future employer for a higher pay rate.” They add that the individual “has gained the specific skills and probably will not require much training compared to non-interns.” Likewise, these chances are created through hard work and dedication that requires devotion to the work.

Conclusion

Many internships are unpaid, making them unappealing or intimidating to apply for. Other factors may work against new interns, such as no promotion incentive or time commitments. However, these experiences set up driven individuals with additional benefits that make the opportunity worthwhile. 

For more insight into all things internship and business, check out FerryGodmother.Biz.