Problem: Article: Type the name of the company into your favorite internet search engine. Review their website, then check out their recent postings on social media. Next, look for news articles about the company. Learn as much as you can so you can show that knowledge in your interview.  Pay attention to the company’s mission statement, their current goals or projects, and their future plans. Look for materials that were provided to employees, shareholders, or potential investors. Learning about your interview allows you to build a rapport with them. Additionally, you can tailor your answers to them, which might help you get the job. Check out your interviewer's profile to find out where they went to school, where they've worked, and what jobs they've held. Try to find some commonalities with them.  For example, if you both studied the same major in college, you might be able to bring that up in your interview. If they don't have a LinkedIn account, see if you can find them on other social media sites. However, don't stalk your interviewer and be careful with information that isn't related to work. Your interviewer won't be impressed by your knowledge about their family life. Your interview is your chance to show why you’re a good fit for the job, and the job description tells you exactly how to do that. Read over the job description to identify the skills and abilities the company wants in a successful candidate. Then, connect your work and education history to what they’re looking for. For instance, let’s say the job description includes “self-starter,” “able to create innovative solutions,” and “team mindset.” You might identify instances where you’ve worked alone and met deadlines, examples of creative solutions you’ve implemented, and stories about your successes on team projects. While some employers throw in random questions, there are several popular interview questions that appear in most job interviews. Review these questions and develop a good answer based on your work and education history. Then, practice delivering your answers. Here are some common questions:  What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Why do you want to work for this company? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What about 10 years? Why are you leaving your current company? What do you think you offer that no one else will? When did you make a mistake in the past? What happened? What is an accomplishment that makes you proud? Doing mock interviews helps you practice giving your answers to another person. Pick someone who is supportive of you but will give you honest feedback about how you can improve. Then, give them a list of common interview questions that they can ask. Treat the mock interview just like a regular interview.  Ask the mock interviewer to bring you into the interview space and sit you down. Then, answer their questions just like you would in a normal interview. If you can't get someone to interview you, film yourself answering the questions aloud. Then, watch the video to see how you can improve. Asking questions in an interview shows that you’re interested in the job and took the time to prepare. Based on your research and the job description, identify 5-10 potential questions that you might ask at the interview. Write your questions down so that you’ll have a few options in mind when you go in for your interview.  For instance, you could ask questions like, “Are there opportunities for growth here?” “How big is the team?” or “What resources are available for the project?” Ask about the biggest projects you’ll be working on. This shows your employer that you’ve closely read the job description and are anticipating taking on the role. It’s okay to ask questions that come to you during the interview. Your list of questions should be a fall-back. Telling a story can help you demonstrate that you have the skills for the job. Think about times that you accomplished something significant, created a solution, handled a difficult situation, overcame an obstacle, or demonstrated leadership skills. Then, practice explaining those experiences in a way that highlights your best qualities.  For example, you might explain how you handled someone stealing credit for your work at a past job or how you got the best out of a team that wasn’t collaborating well. Similarly, you might highlight your accomplishments by telling a story about how you attained your most lucrative client or how you solved a problem that could have been a major liability for your company. Your interviewer likely has a copy of your cover letter or resume, but having your own copies makes you look ultra-prepared. Take a folder containing several copies of your resume and cover letter to the interview, just in case. Additionally, bring a copy of your work portfolio if that’s common in your industry. For instance, you might bring a portfolio if you’re interviewing for a design job. However, you probably won’t need one if you’re interviewing to be a nurse or a barista.
Summary: Research the potential employer before the interview. Find the interviewer on LinkedIn so you can learn about them. Review the job description so you can explain why you’re a good fit. Practice answering common questions before your interview. Do a mock interview with a friend or family member. Make a list of 5-10 potential questions you can ask. Identify career or education-related stories you can tell in the interview. Bring copies of your resume and portfolio if you have one.

Problem: Article: Remember that mildew starts to grow wherever moisture is present. Be aware that damp dirty clothing can start to stink up before it ever makes it to the washer, even if it didn’t smell bad when you first stripped it off. Use wet clothes as an excuse to start a load as soon as you take them off. If this isn’t possible, don’t ball up your wet clothes and dump them in the hamper. Let them air-dry on a hanger, drying rack, or clothesline before adding them to your other dirty laundry. If you forgot all about your last load sitting in the washer, wash it a second time to get rid of any funky smells that may have developed in the meantime. Use the highest temperature possible that’s still safe for your fabrics. Instead of detergent, however, choose between adding color-safe bleach or chlorine to kill the mildew and eliminate that smell. Or, if you want to avoid chemical products, use plain white vinegar instead. These all smell pretty strong in their own right, so you may need to wash your clothes a third time with laundry detergent to get rid of any residual smells. If you’re really prone to forgetting about that last load in your washer, take preemptive action. Add several drops of lavender essential oil to your load when pouring in the detergent at the start of your cycle. Use this mold-resistant product to protect your clothes from developing mildew for longer. This can stall mildew from growing for at least a couple of days. If the washer itself is the smelly culprit, fill the drum with hot water. Add 2 cups of white vinegar. Let the water sit for 30 minutes or so. Then start a regular wash cycle without adding any laundry. Give it a test sniff once it’s done and repeat if necessary. Remember that mildew loves moisture and darkness. So don’t shut your washer’s lid or door once you empty it. Either leave it open all the time for more air circulation and light, or give it at least the length of your dryer’s cycle to air out before you close it. If the washer tends to stink up on its own pretty frequently, reduce the amount of liquid detergent and fabric softener that you use. Keep in mind that these are thicker than water and don’t always dissolve all the way during a wash cycle. This means that residue is left inside your machine, which can be a breeding ground for mildew. Remember that many detergents are concentrated, so you only need a little bit. If you experience buildup in your machine, check the detergent's directions for recommended amounts.
Summary:
Wash wet clothes right away. Rewash clean clothes left in the washer. Prevent mildew with lavender essential oil. Deodorize your machine. Air your washer out after each use. Cut back on the detergent if needed.