Credit Cleaning Season

Are you in the market for a job, a home, or car ? If so, it has never been a better time then now to clean up your credit report. A dirty credit report can keep you from reaching your goals and aspirations. Good Credit is essential because it allows your lender to evaluate how well you manage your money. Having good credit can open doors for jobs, homes, cars, and so much more. With a good credit score there is no limit to what you can achieve. Cleaning up your credit provides peace, which is priceless.

Please see the FREE resources below that will give you access to your credit report and score.

Free Annual Credit Report from Experian, Equifax, & Transunion

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Free Credit Score

http://www.creditkarma.com/

NC State Is Making A Promise

Are you desiring a college education? Paying for college is not easy and students who have to borrow money to complete a bachelor’s degree often graduate with up to $15,000 in debt. The Pack Promises to help students eliminate the barrier of cost standing between them and a college education. Please click on the link below for more information.

http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/financial_aid/packpromise.html

What to wear for an interview?

Believe it or not, this is a major topic that is talked about in HR offices across America. A lot of applicant make this fatal mistake when they walk into an interview without wearing the appropriate attire. What you wear says a lot about you and who you are, the first impression maybe your only impression. With that being the case, you must approach every interview with excellence. Making a great impression will get you at the top of the list for the job and having the right skill set makes it even better. Look at the list below to get an idea of what you should look like, for your next interview. Remember your first impression is everything so please be professional.

Men's Interview Attire

· Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
· Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
· Belt
· Tie
· Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
· Little or no jewelry
· Neat, professional hairstyle
· Limit the aftershave
· Neatly trimmed nails
· Portfolio or briefcase
· Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.

Women's Interview Attire

· Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
· The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
· Make sure everything fits appropriately
· Little or no jewelry
· Neat, professional hairstyle
· Coordinated blouse
· Conservative shoes
· Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
· No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
· Neutral pantyhose
· Light make-up and perfume
· Neatly manicured clean nails
· Portfolio or briefcase
· Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.

What Not to Bring to the Interview

Gum
Cell phone
Ipod
Coffee or soda
If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)
Cover tattoos

Calling All Writers & Researchers!

Do you have a desire to write about or research resources that may be life changing for someone else? If so, please contact Yazmeen at agapecareers@gmail.com for more information. We need people, who love to find resources such as jobs, information on money management, career fairs, daycare resources, lending resources, home ownership programs, etc. Almost anything can be consider a resource, so please share your wealth of knowledge or expertise. Agape needs your help in changing the world, so partner with us today!

Always remember change can only happen when we come together!

Career Websites

https://www.allscripts.com/company/careers.asp - Careers @ Allscprits

http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php?pid=199 - Careers in the RTP

https://upsjobs.managehr.com/ - Careers @ UPS

http://pmjobs.com/ - Property Management Careers

https://redhat.ats.hrsmart.com/cgi-bin/a/searchjobs_quick.cgi - Careers @ RedHat

http://wakemed.org/topnav.cfm?id=346 - Careers @ WakeMed

http://www.rexhealth.com/Staff_and_Volunteers/Careers/ - Careers @ REX

http://www.sas.com/jobs/USjobs/# - Careers @ SAS

http://hr.duke.edu/jobs/main.html - Careers @ Duke

http://hr.unc.edu/jobseekers/search.htm - Careers@ UNC

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/humanresources/employment - Career@ UNC Health Care

See All Employment Websites Click Below:

http://www.joblinkcc.com/job_seekers/job_seekers_links.asp?p=164&c=Employment+Links%7CEmployment+Agencies -


State Jobs Click Below:

http://www.wakegov.com/humanservices/economic/employment/default.htm

Wake County Public School System :

http://www.wcpss.net/employment.html

FAFSA DAY 2010

Would you like free help completing your 2010 FAFSA?

The College Foundation of North Carolina is hosting its annual FAFSA Day this Saturday, February 13, at multiple locations around North Carolina. Financial aid officers and volunteers will be available to help you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Click on the link below to register for a participating location nearest you and for a list of important documents you’ll need to complete the process. Don’t forget to add your school code, it will allow your college to receive your information!

Can’t make it to FAFSA Day 2010? Then stop by the Office of Financial Aid at your school, and sign up for a time to complete your FAFSA .

https://www.cfnc.org/event/fafsa/fafsa_nc_map.jsp

Don’t forget to check your schools deadline for FAFSA forms to be completed!

What Are Your Saving Priorities? It's A Jungle Out There!

Do a little dance make a little noise get down with the 2010 Agape savings challenge! Are you ready if life just happens to you or your family. If not this article is just for you! I know that we all have heard our friends or family say, that saving money is important. Blah! Blah !Blah!

No, really it is important. Saving up for a rainy day denotes that you have wisdom and that you are ready for whatever comes your way. Just think, about how much money you could have saved by now if where not spending frivolously. Just the other day I added up all the money I spent on shoes, clothes, perfumes, hats, and the list goes on. I could have saved a total of $22,000 in 3 years. Say What!

Now, that I have your attention! I challenge you to document your spending habits for 2 weeks in an inexpensive notebook, each day tally up your daily expenses, and by the end of the 2 weeks tally up all your expenses. Believe me you will be shocked at how much money you could have saved by brining your lunch to work, buying snacks in bulk, fruits, and the list goes on. This budget exercise will help you become more conscious of your spending.


For more tips on saving click on the links below:

http://www.smartaboutmoney.org/FeaturedArticles/SevenFinancialNewYearsResolutionsfor2010/tabid/780/Default.aspx

http://www.savingadvice.com/

http://www.oprah.com/world/Michelle-Singletarys-Personal-Finance-Rescue-Plan_3

http://www.oprah.com/money/How-to-Build-an-Emergency-Fund

Pursue Your Passion!

Change your outlook on your career search! Searching for a job can bring on feelings of frustration, fear, and rejection. This is a time to have faith, believe in your ability, and encourage healthy thoughts. Begin to pursue your passion and think of different career options that would bring you fulfillment. Now is the time, to explore the vast amount of career paths you have not explored. Begin to open your mind to all the wonderful possibilities and always remember nothing is impossible.

Click below for more information on The Institute of Minority Economic Development

http://www.ncimed.com/

Free Training Opportunities

http://www.ncimed.com/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=eventlist&Itemid=128

Contact Alyssa Mako - Assistant Director of The Women's Business Center for assistance with starting your business at 919-956-8889.

Jobing.com offers great information about conducting job searches.
http://raleigh-durham.jobing.com/?j=22665587&e=ynirving@hotmail.com&l=15515354_HTML&u=258327950&mid=16004&jb=0


Contact Monarch Services for Temporary Openings

Preston Keaton @ 919-490-0004

http://www.monarchsvc.com/contact.html

This is a great article on a new approach to interviewing!
http://raleigh-durham.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=23209

Financial Fitness Tips

Changing the way you think and spend money is the first step to your financial freedom. Only you can change your future. Debt is a burden, knowing the difference between your needs and wants will make a difference in the way that you spend your money.

Click below on MyMoneyManagement.net this site provides consumers with access to financial information and educational tools to help in managing your personal finances.

http://www.mymoneymanagement.net/Home/tabid/1964/Default.aspx

Click below for listings of government approved debt education providers in your area.

http://www.ncmb.uscourts.gov/debtoreducation.php

Help for distressed homeowners:

https://www.hopenow.com/

https://www.naca.com/index_main.jsp

Information on homeownership:

http://www.wakegov.com/humanservices/housing/supportivehousing/homeownershipinfo.htm
https://www.naca.com/index_main.jsp

Financial Planning Services in North Carolina:

http://www.triwealth.com/ - Fee based
http://www.coastal24.com/financial/resources/financial-advisors.html - Free for Members
https://www.ncsecu.org/FinancialPlanning/FinancialPlanningOverview.html- Free for Members