Going on Your Next Employment Interview

Posted by Tracy Frischkorn on Nov 4th, 2009 | View Comments

Job interviews can be challenging and stressful.  Planning ahead and being prepared for hard questions will give you an edge. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth interview.

Tips:

1. Practice interviewing ahead of time so you are comfortable with the process.
2. Make sure your qualifications are appropriate for the position at hand.  Be ready to demonstrate your proficiency in the tasks associated with the job.
3. Be prepared. Learn all you can about the company ahead of time.  Have an understanding of the business and the services provided.
4. Dress appropriately. Project an image of workplace professionalism.  Understanding the environment of the business is critical.
5. Speak slowly and with confidence.  Be prepared to sell yourself without being overbearing.   If you don’t know the answer, be honest.  Eye contact is essential and body language should convey a positive attitude.
6. Don’t lie!  Exaggerations about previous jobs or experiences can, and will, come back to haunt you.  Employers do background checks, including previous positions and duties.   Be honest about what skills you have.
7. Don’t interrupt the interviewer to interject your opinions or responses.
8. Don’t bad mouth your old company or supervisors during the interview.
9. Ask questions when given the opportunity.  For example, show interest in the position by asking specific questions about the tasks or ask questions about where the company sees itself in 5 years.

Send a follow up “thank you” letter to the interviewer showing your appreciation while conveying your continued interest in the position.

-Tracy Frischkorn, HR Director

SIU Credit Union Can Put You in Business

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 27th, 2009 | View Comments

SIU Credit Union is here to help small-to-medium size business. Credit unions have established a relationship with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to expedite loans to credit-worthy small businesses. The SBA’s finance programs enhance the ability of credit unions to provide long- and short-term loans to small businesses that might not qualify through other lending channels.

SBA loans can only be used to finance the start-up, operation, or expansion of a business. You can’t use the funds to repay other debts, reinvest in financial instruments, or speculate in real estate, financial, commodity, or other markets.

To obtain an SBA loan, you must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan from the cash flow and profits of the business and meet other eligibility criteria.

The credit union makes all necessary arrangements to secure a loan with the SBA. Both fixed and variable interest rates are available for an SBA loan.

Borrowers should be prepared to pay closing costs on SBA loans, including all recording and packaging fees, title company and environmental reports, appraisals, and attorney fees. Total closing costs average between 3% and 5% of the loan amount.

SIU Credit Union may be able to help you with your business; visit our business services representative, Angela Williams-Barke today to see how SIU Credit Union Business Services products can help you. Call 618-457-3595 to schedule an appointment.

Wind Energy Facts

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 21st, 2009 | View Comments

• The U.S. wind energy industry installed a record 8,358 mw of new generating capacity in 2008, enough to serve more than 2 million homes.

• 2008 growth increased the nation’s total wind generating capacity by 50 percent.

• New wind projects in 2008 accounted for 42 percent of new power-producing capacity added nationally.

• United States wind generating capacity is 25,170 mw, enough to power 7 million homes.

• For every megawatt of wind energy produced, $1 million in economic development is generated.

• Texas leads the states in generating capacity with 7,116 mw, followed by Iowa, California, Minnesota and Washington.

• About 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry.

• About 50 percent of turbine components are manufactured domestically.

Source: American Wind Energy Association, 2009

Selecting a Credit Card

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 20th, 2009 | View Comments

Having a credit card is much easier and safer than carrying large amounts of cash with you.  But are the credit cards in your wallet really offering you the best deal?

To find out, start by asking yourself how you use your credit card(s). If you pay your balance in full every month, interest rate isn’t an important consideration. Instead, look for a card with no/low fees and a 20 to 30 day grace period. However if you’re among the other 82%of college students that already have a balance, be sure to do your homework and shop credit card rates.

The good news is that often you can transfer your existing balance from a high interest rate card to your credit union low rate credit card for little or no cost and realize instant savings.

For the Freebies

Don’t forget to also consider rewards. Some cards allow you to build points with every purchase towards free gift cards, merchandise or airline miles. Check with your credit union to see what rewards programs they offer.

Plus, Build Good Credit

Remember every time you use your credit card and then pay off the balance, you’re building yourcredit. Not sure what your credit rating is? Just contact the credit reporting bureaus. They are required by federal law to provide you with one free copy of your credit report per year upon request:

Equifax

www.equifax.com

Experian

www.experian.com

TransUnion

www.transunion.com

ACS Taste of Hope Carbondale

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 19th, 2009 | View Comments

SIU Credit Union has been an active supporter of the American Cancer Society. This year, we raised over $4,000 for the Carbondale Relay for Life.  But we know we can do more. So, won’t you help us get the word out about the second annual Taste of Hope Carbondale? Read below for more information.

Hello from your American Cancer Society,

The Relay For Life of Jackson County Carbondale is partnering with local Carbondale restaurants for the second annual Taste of Hope Carbondale. We need your help! Please dine at any of the restaurants listed below on Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00pm until the close of businessand 20% of the net profit will be donated to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Jackson County Carbondale.

• Quatro’s Pizza
• Houlihan’s
• Newell House
• Tres Hombres
• Giant City Lodge

The first annual Taste of Hope raised more than $1,800 in our fight against cancer. A special thank you to the above restaurants for their past participation in Taste of Hope, and for their continued support of the American Cancer Society.

Please forward to anyone you think would be interested. We would love to see the restaurants packed for our fight against cancer. Thank you for your support of our lifesaving mission.

Get Back in the Game After a Job Loss

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 8th, 2009 | View Comments

A major challenge when losing a job is to move ahead and find new work, while trying to process what happened.

These steps can help jumpstart your job search:

* Get the word out. In addition to getting moving as soon as possible, the most important thing to do is communicate. Let everyone know you’re looking for a job.
* Network. The more people who know you’re looking for work, the better, and don’t forget former co-workers. Experts agree that the best way to find a new job is through personal and professional contacts. Job seekers have a much easier time job hunting if they keep current a copy of their contact database and personal files.
* Establish a daily routine. The job hunt is your new job.
* Be flexible. Finding new work will be easier if you are. For example, consider alternatives to one traditional job, such as a couple of part-time jobs.
* Consider temp work, especially if you need work now. Some income is better than none at all, especially if you need it to keep you or your family financially stable. Don’t make the mistake of holding out for your dream job or for a job with a salary that’s unrealistic in the current economic environment. Besides bringing in some much-needed money, you can try to work on weeknights and weekends, leaving time for job hunting during the day. It also can be a good way to position yourself for a full-time job.
* Consider retraining or going back to school, especially if the hiring outlook in the field you came from is bleak. If you’re deficient in a basic skill, many state employment services offer computer classes, for example.

Remember that perseverance and fortitude may be tough to measure, but they’re indispensable if you’re going to be successful in finding new work, especially if nothing breaks right away. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself too. Find some balance, and keep your mind engaged by continuing to read publications related to your field of expertise as well as recreational sources.

Contact SIU Credit Union. Our professionals are here to help. Don’t wait until you’re in even deeper trouble financially. We can help you through this difficult time.