MicroPlace

Being an eBay Inc. enthusiast, one of my first steps in exploring new career opportunities was to check out MicroPlace , an eBay Inc. start up that had launched on October 2007.  Common sense dictates that when it comes to investing, you are taking risks, and can never guarantee 100% success. MicroPlace is ready to disagree, and has proven that in fact when it comes to investing you can finally have your cake and eat it too.

When the company had first launched, my fiancé and I immediately registered and made a small investment of $100 via Calvert Foundation for a loan to LAPO, a lending institution in Nigeria, an investment that would vest 36 months later with 2% annual percentage yield (APY).

In order to prepare the interview, I was asked to submit various writing samples, and also to draft a blog posting for MicroPlace –so I began to do my research and compare various investment vehicles with MicroPlace.

Examining other forms of marketable securities, in particular: CDs and money markets, it dawned on me that in fact the best thing I could do to my money was to invest it through MicroPlace. With the stirring economy, and the continuing fluctuation of the interest rates where profitable saving accounts such as ING have declined from a 4.5% APY to a mere 3%, I foresee a continuous decline, therefore it makes more sense to invest where I can be guaranteed a locked 3% return on my investment. Plus with MicroPlace, I feel that I am guaranteed 100% success, because not only am I investing and ensuring my money gives me a most reasonable profit, I am also making a huge impact on someone else’s life, and fulfilling some of my social responsibilities.

Here is a summary of my research on the available current rates through various investment options which convinced me MicroPlace is offering a reasonable and competitive interest rate. Another thing I really appreciated about MicroPlace was the superb customer service agents they had. I called in several times to each of the banks to discuss the various options, and by far, the MicroPlace customer service reps were the most educated about their products, and took the time to patiently answer all of my questions.

As with all other investments and like most securities, you should be aware that if the issuer of my choice, Calvert Foundation, experienced serious enough financial conditions or bankruptcy, they may redeem all the securities and this may result in my losing some or all of my investment. On the MicroPlace site, you have the option to read the detailed prospectus associated with each security to know exactly what you are getting into. I feel pretty comfortable with my investment, knowing that in the very worst scenario, if I don’t make any interest (which is highly unlikely), at the very least I have taken a small step towards alleviating poverty. For me, that equals 100% success, where as in a traditional investment, I know I won’t be impacting anyone’s life but my own, and I still risk losing all my assets, should a catastrophe happen in our economic situation.
Investing is exciting, but it can also be very risky. I am conservative by nature, and feel that in the US we have no job safety, so I would advise that you first make sure you have a safety net of at least 6 months salary saved in a traditional savings account before investing.

What to wear to the Interview?

Remember back in the day when applying for a job meant buying a conservative black, dark brown, or navy suite,  (skirt suit for the females with dark pantyhose, sensible fashion-less pumps and a string of pearls?) We were told by our career councilors to put our hair into orderly buns; making sure it was well tugged in behind the ears.  Once we got the refined look in order, we would step into the job searching adventure, often literally walking into companies, door to door and handing our resume to the hiring manager.  If you are a generation Y, you probably don’t know what I am talking about, and that is just as well, because it seems that today’s Silicon Valley job hunter will never have to wear a conservative suit again. Personally I do not seem to be able to do away without it, in order to feel at the height of my confidence, I need to wear some type of a suite, along with a perfectly ironed blouse. Back in Iran where I grew up, the females in my community would never be caught dead leaving the house without immaculate makeup and shinny high hill shoes. (Ironically I grew up under the current regime, which does not allow women to wear make up and scorns on anything fashionable). I entered the professional world as a Concierge for the Ritz Carlton Hotel which led me to a career in the world of luxury and fashion, where not only was I required to wear designer suits, and carry the latest in season handbags, I had to make sure that each piece of my outfit was in perfect harmony with the rest of my ensemble. These days, I have done away with the Ritz Carlton slick black suite, and to much delight, have completely given up the sticky itchy pantyhose, but continue to remain faithful towards my moderately priced ready to wear pant suits from the Limited and the Express.  I now also allow myself the luxury of wearing any kind of shoes I want, and a handbag that ages back as many as 3 or 4 seasons!!  I must admit that I still find myself overly dressed compared to the rest of the job seekers, and almost always more formal than the hiring committee.  Will I have to change my dressing patterns in order to land the good jobs in the Web 2.0 arena? Only time will tell!!

lafillequibouge starts blogging!!

Having been laid off a few weeks ago from eBay, I am in the midst of my job search. The process has been an enriching experience so far, providing me with the opportunity to learn first hand about all the innovative companies that are flourishing and currently hiring in the Silicon Valley. I have been laid off before, and considered myself an experienced jobseeker. However, right in the beginning of my search I noticed some major changes in the hiring requirements/process.  I learned that being Web savvy in 2008 no longer means you are the Google guru or that you have completed your profile on Facebook. Nowdays, most employers expect you to have a blog or two, tons of recommendations on LinkedIn, and a few associations/organizations you volunteer for on a regular basis. After my first couple of interviews where I had to shamefully admit to the hiring managers that all of my writing samples were in the forms of previously published newsletters or word attachments, I thought it wise to put an end to my embarrassment as soon as possible, and get on with the groove.  Struggling for a good topic to blog about, I approached my neighbor Diana, whose fascinating Marketing Blog has captured my attention for a few months now.

Diana, what is your secret? How do you find time to blog in addition to your photography business, the CD you are recording, and all of the other projects you are involved in?  Diana suggested I write about something I am an expert on, or feel passionate about so that I don’t’ have to spend much time on the research. Well what I feel most passionate about right now is the job search, and landing the perfect opportunity, in addition, I am truly enjoying learning about the various companies I am interviewing at. So I think I have found my topic, please feel free to leave your comments and criticism, and I’ll be sure to write about all of my upcoming adventures!