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

Fraud Alerts On The Rise

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Nov 2nd, 2009 | View Comments

This past week saw several government warnings and alerts about financial frauds as well as several credit unions reporting other scams that could spook some accountholders. But these are no Halloween pranksters.

Keesler FCU reported that at its base in RAF Mildenhall, England, about 100 members saw fraudulent charges on their accounts this month (Stars and StripesOct. 28). All affected accountholders had visited Spain sometime this year, Michelle Foster, a loss prevention manager for Keesler told Stars and Stripes.

The losses were from Visa debit cards. Visa said it is aware of a possible security issue in Spain but said the investigation was ongoing and it couldn’t comment. Visa Europe contacted several affected banks and credit unions when the fraud was discovered.

One Keesler member reported charges of $539.16 from boutiques in Chicago suburbs. She said the only time she used her debit card while in Spain was at a mom-and-pop store near the beach.

Another credit union , Service CU, which has 15 locations in Germany and 17 in the U.S., saw less than one-half of 1% of members’ cards compromised by the breach, the newspaper said.

In another situation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) Thursday issued an alert warning financial institutions of an increase in schemes to recruit individuals to receive and transmit unauthorized electronic funds transfers (EFTs) from deposit accounts to individuals overseas.

The recruitees or “money mules” are solicited on the Internet by criminals who have gained unauthorized access to the online deposit account of a business or consumer. The criminal will originate an EFT from a victim’s account to a money mule’s deposit account. The money mule is told to quickly withdraw the funds and wire them overseas after deducting a “commission” of 8% to 10%.

The schemes often occur in the context of online job posting websites, advance fee scams, mystery shopping jobs, and social networking sites. Some hesitant money mules have been threatened by their criminal “employers” if they don’t make the transactions quickly and secretly, said the FDIC. The personal identifiable information provided by the money mule may be used later to commit identity theft or account takeover.

SIU Credit Union has systems in place to monitor for fraudulent activity. But if you suspect you account has been compromised, contact us immediately. For more information on how to protect your accounts, visit our fraud prevention page.

–CUNA News Now

Why Credit Unions Aren’t Banks

Posted by SIU Credit Union on Oct 28th, 2009 | View Comments

When we are out and about in the community, we often hear two things. What’s a credit union? and I didn’t know I could join. To be clear, if you are living in Southern Illinois you are more than likely eligible to join SIU Credit Union. And no, you don’t have to been connected to Southern Illinois University to join the credit union.

But when you explain what a credit union is, it’s almost guarneteed to be followed with … so you’re a bank. Um, no. Here’s the difference.

Banks and credit unions may offer similar products and services. But the similarities stop there. Crucial differences exist–in ownership, in cost of borrowing money, and in use of services.

* You own your credit union. Credit unions are member-owned nonprofit financial cooperatives dedicated to improving members’ lives. More than 90 million members own 7,905 U.S. credit unions with combined assets of $869 billion. Stockholders own banks. Banks make money for stockholders, not for customers.

Credit unions are the only democratically controlled financial institutions in the United States. You and other members elect a volunteer board of directors to oversee the credit union. The manager or reports to this board. Bank directors, however, are paid and legally bound to make decisions that benefit stockholders, not customers.

* Credit unions have the best rates. Credit unions price loans, pay interest on funds you’ve deposited, and charge fees to provide you with high-quality, low-cost services. Banks price products and services to make a profit.

Credit union loan rates also are better. Money market, savings, and interest checking accounts carry higher rates–giving back more to members. Interest rates on credit cards and auto loans average one to one-half percentage points lower than bank rates. Credit unions make consumer loans and some member business loans. Banks offer consumer loans, but really emphasize business loans.

Because you’re an owner of SIU Credit Union you have a say in how we do business. Let us know how you think we’re doing, and what services you want at your credit union.

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.