Cooking 101

I am severely addicted to food.  Today, I realized that there are many steps to creating a perfect dish, and I can not figure out which I enjoy the most.  As far as I break it down, there are 5 basic steps to inventing a recipe, while having fun:

1.  Dream.  

If you allow yourself to conjure up combinations of flavor without bounds you can open an entire new world of cooking possibilities.  And if you end up with a failed attempt, at least you should know what not to do in the future.

2.  Be picky.

I do not know how long normal folks spend in the grocery store to buy a week's worth of food, but I have got them beat.  I start at the same end of the store each time, working my way down the aisles.  Produce is always last, and my favorite section.  I study each piece until the prize fruit, vegetable, or herb is found.  Tomatoes, basil, onions, limes, mushrooms, cilantro, leeks, potatoes, spinach - nothing makes me happier.  Except...wait...garlic! Oh, the garlic!

3.  Prep well.

I might like this step the best of the five for one simple reason.  My passion for cooking is held in a 7.5 inch Santoku knife.  Chopping veggies to hear the snap of a clean cut is by far the best part of cooking - end of discussion and moving on.

4.  Be alert.

Not every oven or stove cooks the same, and a minute too long can ruin the doneness, consistency, and even the flavor of some foods.  Be watchful when the flame is on, and stir if it calls for it.  Catching a mistake early can save an entire meal.  

5.  Enjoy!

This step still takes second place to prepping, but it is the culmination of an afternoon in the kitchen.  Plating and garnishing the food is fun, but destroying the evidence of hard work is delicious and intoxicating.  

Cover Letters Uncovered!

The advice given at CollegeGrad.com seems reasonably credible, and after reading other sources on cover letters, was one of the most helpful.  I am glad that this class provides me with the tools I will need to be more successful as a professional - before doing this and other research, I was unaware of their value and the extent of their use.

Cover letters are application wrapping paper.  From what I learned about the reality of cover letters, employers tear through stacks of applications with one initiative: review resumes.  A cover letter is often overlooked at first to expedite the process of getting a position filled with a quality employee.  

One piece of advice that I have not allowed my mind to be convinced is a good idea is to hand-write a postscript (P.S.).  To me, with all the other documents being professional-looking and standard typed, a handwritten note on the front seems like a killer.  I do understand the concept of the employer seeing this first and perhaps reading the cover letter sooner, but I can not see it boding well as a technique to present the possible hire as professional.

I can relate to the tip about not sending mass emails because I delete eighty percent of mine without reading them.  I am sure employers looking to have a position filled get plenty of emails a day, and those that go by the offices likely have better chances of getting the job.  However, if you were referred to someone who is expecting to hear from you, an email would not be a ticket for a rejection letter.  

The value of cover letters is not diminished if they are crafted succinctly and skillfully.  They can be a beneficial addition to a resume or an ineffective impediment to getting the job.  If you consider a resume a gift, it is best to wrap that gift in the gold wrapping paper that is a compelling cover letter.

Job Interview Articles

Response to "Six Common Job Interview Questions" by Tom Musbach:

This article caught my attention immediately as something valuable I would need to know in order to be confident in an interview. Prior knowledge of these common interview questions can prepare me to have a solid response that would only better my chances at being given the job offer. I can easily see fielding any of these questions in an interview for a position I might want to fill.

Questions like "Why did you leave your last position?" are aggressive and demand a calm and legitimate response. I learned that one should always be honest, and refrain from speaking negatively about a previous job. The ramifications are obvious, as potential employers might feel that that the person is unable to cooperate, or that he or she holds unhealthy grudges.

Questions like "Can you describe a previous work situation in which you...?" and "What is your ideal work environment?" can give insight to interviewers about how a person might fit into the company mold. A sense of cohesiveness among coworkers is necessary for a successful business, and responding with strong, objective driven answers can really impress a future employer.


Response to "The Second Interview" by Caroline Levchuck:

This article was most helpful in providing good points relating to how to handle a second interview once passing the initial. To me, the second interview seems like perhaps the most important time spent with potential coworkers before terms of hire are agreed upon and settled.

During this time, one should be personable, approachable, and distinguishable as a worthy member of the business team. This is another good time to meet many new people, develop a list of contacts, and provide concrete examples of how your skills and experiences could add value to the company and it's objectives.

Determining the proper steps to take as follow up is just as important as preparation, and can make or break a job offer for a candidate. I was unaware that one should never take a job offer on the spot, but instead avoid hasty decisions. I could have easily seen myself getting overly-excited and biting at a handsome offer.


Both of these articles were very helpful in preparing me for the importance of the many factors that contribute to a successful interviewing process. I will likely read the others, and any other tools provided for me through this course as it can only foster a desire to achieve a high level of success in any endeavor I choose.

Ten Years from Now...

As a second year senior, I have been forced to think about my future all too often in the recent year or so. I know that when people ask me, "What are you doing after you graduate?", I always end up listing my plans by importance, without regard to a budget. The list is short, but if each was fulfilled, I would be completely satisfied. It is as follows:

1) Travel to Europe.
This is first on my list because I have never been, and I feel it necessary to experience before I continue on any other endeavor. The only issue is my finances, and if they will hold up enough to allow me to go to all the European cities I would like. They include: Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Genoa, Rome, Athens, among others.

2) Get a job.
I would like an entry-level position in a financial analyst firm. I cannot be too picky on a location, but I am hoping to get a job offer somewhere in the southeast. My preference would be Charleston, then Greenville, and then Athens or Asheville. I have been very interested in my new major (Economics) and am anxious to begin work.

3) Buy a new car.
I have always driven the lower priced cars (Corolla, Camry), so when I start getting a decent paycheck, I would like to purchase a new, more valuable car. I am a sucker for speed and beauty, so an Audi (or something comparable), would be my vehicle of choice. I am also excited about learning how to finance assets, build credit, and manage money, and buying an expensive car will force me to do that.

4) Buy a house.
To finally settle down in a house and have a place to call home will be a great feeling. My dog will hopefully have a big yard to run around, and I will have the perfect kitchen. I would obviously like to call one of the aforementioned cities home, but I am prepared to move most anywhere. If I become successful in my profession, I will likely have to live around larger cities for some amount of time.

5) Build a family.
A wife and a few kids will complement my dog, Penny well. All I can ask for is a woman who invests the time and love that I hope to invest in her. I would probably like to have two or three children, at least one girl and one boy. Having a supportive, loving family is the most important thing about my future, and if all goes well, the list can end here.

I'll be 34 in ten years, and I would like to have accomplished all of the above by then (minus one kid, maybe). Now when I'm asked that question about my post-grad plans, I can simply say, check my blog.