Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Dress at least as well as those employed in your position. Dress conservatively. Clean up. Stick to the standards for men. Stick to the standards for women.

Answer: If at all possible, you should see how people in the position you are applying for dress on the job. Follow their precedent. Dress at least as well as them. For lower level positions you probably want to even dress a bit better than the standard work attire, though this is not so much the case for higher level positions, because you also want to refrain from being ostentatious. It is not common for bank tellers to wear a suit jacket when working. However, if you are interviewing to be a teller, you should. This is also true for women who should wear either a skirt suit or a pantsuit. Although bankers dress professionally, they are not fashionistas. Dressing in a way that would attract too much attention or make you stand out will work against you.  One of the most common objections at interviews is smell Wearing too much perfume or cologne can be a distraction and is frowned upon. Wear little if any.  Leave the bling at home. Ostentatious watches can create feelings of jealousy. Similarly large, showy jewelry is generally not considered appropriate. Wear something small and simple or nothing at all.  Don’t try to exploit your sex appeal. It is not considered appropriate to dress in a provocative way. Wear little makeup and stick to shades that are more or less natural.  Stick to simple patterns, if any. Usually ties, suits, shirts, and dresses of a single, conservative color are best. Refrain from bright colors or complex patterns. For a banking job you will want to devote less time to finding unique attire than to keeping what you have immaculate. Pay close attention to wrinkles, stains, scuffs, and your own personal hygiene. Banking is about paying attention to detail. Your attire should convey your abilities in that regard.  Iron everything that you wear to get out wrinkles.  If there are any stains or imperfections in your attire, wear something else. Shoes matter a lot in the banking world. Have your shoes professionally waxed. If there are scuffs, signs of wear and tear, or if the heels are falling off, buy a new pair.  Get a professional haircut and manicure. Your hair should be short and you should be clean shaven. Women should have gray hair colored. Keep nails short and clean.  Wear clear nail polish or none at all.  Remove body piercings and hide tattoos. These are becoming more acceptable in certain institutions, but until you find out otherwise, assume that they are not considered proper professional attire. Men in the banking world are typically expected to wear a handful of items. Usually these items are even expected to be of a standard color. These are as follows:  Wear a business suit that is gray or navy blue. Stick to a blue, green or red silk tie without patterns. The tie should come down to your belt buckle. Do not let it hang below the waist or sit far above it. Stick to a standard knot, like a Windsor.  The prototypical shirt in the banking world is a long-sleeve white shirt. Light pastel colors are increasingly considered acceptable as well. If you go this route, be sure that it matches with the tie. For more information read  how to match colors of a tie, suit, and shirt  Your pants should be the same color as your suit. Make sure that your pockets are not budging with keys or your wallet. Your socks should be the same color as your pants and your shoes should be the same color as your belt. As with men, there are a handful of standard outfits that are worn in banking. Stick closely to the guidelines and you should not have any trouble.  Wear a skirt suit or pantsuit in navy-blue, black, or gray. Stick to a white or light-blue blouse. The blouse should have a high neck line and long sleeves. Wear skin colored hosiery. Carry a spare, in case it tears. Wear low-heeled close-toed dress shoes. The shoes should match your belt. A brief case is considered more professional than a hand bag.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Determine if you have brass-plated metal. Wipe the brass hinge with soapy water. Use ammonia on unlacquered brass plate.

Answer: There are two kinds of brass hinges: solid brass hinges, and hinges made of brass-plated steel, zinc, or cast iron.  Place a magnet next to the brass hinge you’re interested in cleaning.  If it sticks, you’ll know it is not made of solid brass. If the brass hinge you’re interested in cleaning is made of brass-plated zinc, cast iron, or steel, clean it very gently or the brass coating might come off. Mix hot water with a few drops of liquid dish soap.  There is no need to measure the volume of soap or water – just get the solution sudsy.  Dip a warm sponge or cloth in the water and wipe the hinge down. After you’ve given it a thorough once-over, dip an old toothbrush in the water and clean any crevices or hard-to-reach places that you weren’t able to wipe down during your first cleaning. If your brass-plated hinges are unlacquered, you could wipe the hinge with an old toothbrush or rag dipped in ammonia if soapy water doesn’t do the trick.  Rinse the hinges off in your sink beneath swiftly-flowing water.  Dry with a clean, soft cloth.  Do not use this method if your hinges are lacquered, as you will damage the coating. To determine if your brass-plated hinges are lacquered, conduct a visual inspection.  The lacquer forms a thin, clear shell over the brass-plated hinge. Brass plate is almost always lacquered.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Get a warning system. Make sure you carry emergency contact numbers for your plumber or electrician in the event of receiving an alert.

Answer:
Even if you have backup power, you should be warned that your basement does flood.  Home alarm and security companies can provide you with an alert to your cell phone or pager when your power goes out or if your basement floods. Stand alone water alarm units exist that don't require a full security system.