This one goes out to all of the new graduates at Cal State Sacramento! Okay, and I guess this applies to other graduates at other universities as well, but anyways... Go Hornets! Get ready to put your stingers up!
We are now reaching the point of freedom. We started with our GE courses in witchcraft and wizardry to finally completing those core classes that hopefully will teach us something in the real world. Sorry if I offended you Harry Potter and Twilight fans. (If there real to you, more power to you)
Speaking of fantasy and fiction, go see the Hunger Games if you have not yet seen it, one of my favorite movies this year!
Its time to figure out what we want to do and hopefully land that dream job that we all have been waiting for. Or hell, maybe you just want to go backpack Europe for the next 3 months.
If your jumping straight into the workforce, remember that competition is fierce and you are extremely outnumbered with applicants. But just like Katniss Everdeen, there is a small chance to win!
Talking to my finance colleagues, there seems to be a unsettling feeling in all of our stomachs when we talk to each other about what we will be doing post college. Besides one or two people in our circles, there have been no job offers as of yet and the interviews we have landed have been as shakier than grandpa before his hip replacement.
My best advice I can give you is to work on you interviewing skills. A resume is a resume, and it will always be just a resume. It is the bridge to the employer, and once you get through the screening process, its time to turn on your charm and practice your behavioral and technical questions until you have them memorized and personalized as your ABC's.
The joke that has been going around is that if you talk about any interviews you may have lined up or are waiting to hear back from, you must not say anything to anyone about it because it is bad luck and voodoo and the Interview God's will humble you without a job!
Unafraid of talking about interviews, I am currently on my second interview with one company, and third interview with another. Hoping to receive an offer, my game plan is to continually try to differentiate myself from any of other candidates that may have been interviewed.
For some tips on how to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack, my blog Hunt on the Hunt gives you some ideas.
Also check out my blog about the Hardest Interview Question that I have come across in all of my interviews.
Also before your interviews, remember a few things:
1. What sets you apart now is not what school you attended, but how well you will fit into this company's organization. They are most likely to want to know what type of person you are and what skills you have can relate directly to the position.
2. Research the company's ins and outs. Know who the key management team is, what they produce, who are their clients or customers, and determine how you can add value.
3. Bring copies of your resume
4. If you have any relevant work that you are proud of, AND IS ERROR FREE, bring it.
5. Dress Professionally
6. And finally relax, smile, and have fun!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Facebook Shmacebook
With valuations from 75-100 billion and stock price ranges somewhere from $28-35 per share, this company will be the biggest internet IPO of our time. My time referring to me being a "very" late 80's baby who was more worried playing on my PlayStation 2 consul landing crazy jumps on ATV Off road Fury and Tony Hawk's latest release.
From the little experience I have as an investor and a finance student, I've been taught that bubbles are created by over speculation of a company that causes the stock price to rise dramatically.
If my speculations are correct, assuming history repeats itself, Morgan Stanley and all of the other underwriters for $FB will so surprised when they see that they miss-price the stock and it ends its first day at, my estimate: $75.
Sound crazy with a potential valuation of over $200 billion at this price? Yes, It's a little crazy but I think it is also very likely. Look at LinkedIn trading at a multiple of 800+ earnings.
According to efficient market hypothesis in all forms; weak, semi, and strong form, information will become or is already available. This should be reflected in the stock price, but then there is "The Greater Fool Theory," that states that buying of securities at an overvalued price is acceptable, because there will always be a greater fool who is willing to buy that security at a higher price.
So, we will wait until next week when Facebook hits the market to see if my hypothesis will come true.
From the little experience I have as an investor and a finance student, I've been taught that bubbles are created by over speculation of a company that causes the stock price to rise dramatically.
If my speculations are correct, assuming history repeats itself, Morgan Stanley and all of the other underwriters for $FB will so surprised when they see that they miss-price the stock and it ends its first day at, my estimate: $75.
Sound crazy with a potential valuation of over $200 billion at this price? Yes, It's a little crazy but I think it is also very likely. Look at LinkedIn trading at a multiple of 800+ earnings.
According to efficient market hypothesis in all forms; weak, semi, and strong form, information will become or is already available. This should be reflected in the stock price, but then there is "The Greater Fool Theory," that states that buying of securities at an overvalued price is acceptable, because there will always be a greater fool who is willing to buy that security at a higher price.
So, we will wait until next week when Facebook hits the market to see if my hypothesis will come true.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Ultimate M&A LinkedIn is Overlooking
LinkedIn released Q1 earnings today, posting revenue growth of 101%, contributing to the 7th straight quarter YOY growth over 100%. The company is growing its membership rapidly and the subscription and advertisement revenue segments seem to be growing well past analyst estimates. The company just released that they will acquire SlideShare for $119 million which will help professionals be more effective and productive with the content they create.
Acquisitions have been the headliners in the first quarter for large tech and social media companies including the Zuckerberg giant $FB most notable acquisition of Instagram for a easy $1 billion. But still LinkedIn may be missing something that could transform it to a Goliath that trumps all professional social networking sites that will be sure to put upcoming apps such as BranchOut on Facebook to shame.
Citrix offers web conferencing products including GoToMeeting, GoToConference, and GoToTraining. They specialize in cost savings for companies looking to get everything out of your business meetings while only sacrificing a physical handshake. With an acquisition or merger with Citrix, there would be strong synergies. Combining the largest online networking site with the leader in web conferencing is like butter and bread.
Some other forms of applications to add to LinkedIn that would help the company become a destination for networking is the integration of instant messaging and interviewing software to allow recruiters to interact with their potential candidates through a central location with a strong community.
I am unsure if LinkedIn is currently looking into this with research and development or are searching for a potential buy out. From speaking to many professionals and interacting on online forums, the most desirable new addition to LinkedIn is an instant messaging application. The fear of this is that it will negatively effect the companies reputation as strictly professional as IM has always been used for social purposes for the most part.
As for now we wait and see as the tech industry tends to change direction daily.
Acquisitions have been the headliners in the first quarter for large tech and social media companies including the Zuckerberg giant $FB most notable acquisition of Instagram for a easy $1 billion. But still LinkedIn may be missing something that could transform it to a Goliath that trumps all professional social networking sites that will be sure to put upcoming apps such as BranchOut on Facebook to shame.
Citrix offers web conferencing products including GoToMeeting, GoToConference, and GoToTraining. They specialize in cost savings for companies looking to get everything out of your business meetings while only sacrificing a physical handshake. With an acquisition or merger with Citrix, there would be strong synergies. Combining the largest online networking site with the leader in web conferencing is like butter and bread.
Some other forms of applications to add to LinkedIn that would help the company become a destination for networking is the integration of instant messaging and interviewing software to allow recruiters to interact with their potential candidates through a central location with a strong community.
I am unsure if LinkedIn is currently looking into this with research and development or are searching for a potential buy out. From speaking to many professionals and interacting on online forums, the most desirable new addition to LinkedIn is an instant messaging application. The fear of this is that it will negatively effect the companies reputation as strictly professional as IM has always been used for social purposes for the most part.
As for now we wait and see as the tech industry tends to change direction daily.
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