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Roomies

I met my college roommate the day we moved into our freshman dorm. Months earlier, I filled out a survey and ta-da; there she was with her entire life in tow. She seemed nice enough and although we weren’t the best of friends, we got along fine. One night, she didn’t come home from a party and since this was before cell phones were a thing, a few of my friends and I went to find her. We found her alright – completely wasted and unsure how to get back to the dorm. We helped her find her way back, got past the security guard and R.A. before we practically carried her up two flights of stairs to our room where she promptly passed out on my bed.

It was then that I knew I was officially in college.

Unfortunately, she turned rather mean as the semester went on and I decided to move to another room which turned out to be a much better fit.

I’m reminded of this story because today we met my daughter’s roommate at Admitted Students Day. They have been Face Timing each other for the past month and a half and when they saw each other they embraced as if they had known each other for years. They were adorable and inseparable–taking selfies and walking shoulder to shoulder through the student activities fair remarking on how cute college boys are and how awesome it was to be there. We parted ways with her family after lunch and they were texting each other on the way home.

I can only hope that they stay friends and avoid the girl drama that high school tends to bring on. I hope they help each other navigate their way around campus and inevitably back from college parties. It’s an exciting time for her and for all of us. It is the beginning of a new era and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

 

Are Cover Letters Extinct?

What happened to the art of writing a cover letter?

A few weeks ago, I posted a job for a staff writer and it was amazing how many resumes came in without a cover letter? Did I mention this is a writing position?!

If the best writer in the tri-state area didn’t send a cover letter, it immediately went into the “no” pile. Why? In my opinion, cover letters help candidates stand out among a sea of writers with all too similar qualifications. Bachelor’s degree in writing, check. Editor of your school paper, check. Proficient in Microsoft Office and WordPress, (zzz….) check.

Cover letters are literally a different story. They prove to me that you can write and show how you organize your thoughts and tell your story. And here’s a piece of advice, if you are applying for a staff writer position and I specifically state that I want a cover letter, not writing one is just plain lazy.

I did a little googling on this subject and one article said that only 15% of hiring managers read the cover letter. If this is true, count me as a proud member of the minority. I read all cover letters. They give me insight into who you are as a person and a professional.

Upon further research, I found that most career advice articles tell job candidates to write a cover letter because it’s an opportunity to stand out in a pile of applicants and show that you would be a great hire. Even if the hiring manager doesn’t ask for one, sending a cover letter shows you are a motivated candidate who will go the extra mile.

And that’s what I’m looking for. A little motivation. A little creativity. A little extra effort. Is that too much to ask?

The Name Game

I have a first name that you will never find on a key chain or a coffee mug.

Once though, I found it on a nail polish label. I hated the color, but I bought it anyway. Just so I could have something with my name printed on it.

As a child, my sister always found her name on everything. Karen is an easy name to locate. I was a little jealous. I always had to settle for Lisa and then draw a big E in front of it to spell it right.

It took my rabbi three times to spell my name correctly in the prayer book I was given at my bat mitzvah. Somewhere out there are two prayer books that have the inscriptions Mazel tov Alisa and Mazel tov Elissa.

Collectors items, right?  I’m sure of it.

I also have the kind of first name that is hard to pronounce. One person will say Alyssa, with a short i. Another says Elisha with an h. Still others say Eliza. That one is where I draw the line. There is no z in my name and when I’ve been going to the same doctor for 20 years, you would think he would get it right.

I’m extremely appreciative of the people who ask me how to pronounce it or if they got it right. I think it is a kindness to do this. Sometimes, I get so tired of correcting people and, let’s face it, there are worse things in the world so I just let it go. Call me whatever you want, I think. But then, someone called me on that too. A friend pointed out the right way to another friend and that person was mortified that she was saying it wrong all this time. And she was upset that I never corrected her.

I can’t win. Honestly, I never could figure out the proper etiquette for this kind of thing.

For all of high school, I went by Lisa and I didn’t mind. It helped me fit in with my fellow classmates. But after college, I gained a lot more self-confidence and realized my name was pretty and different and I embraced it whole-heartedly. From day 1 of my career, I introduced myself as Elisa and never went back. Now, I no longer care if I ever find it on a key chain or a coffee mug again (although I’m happy when I do 🙂 ).
So thanks Mom & Dad for giving me a beautiful name.

And for the record, it’s pronounced Eh-Lisa or Uh-Lisa. But, its okay. I still love you if you get it wrong.

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