Check out our “Cash-for-College”
Challenges

One of our commitments at SmartStart is to help students with their college expenses. We do that by running regular quizzes and challenges with cash awarded for the first correct response received.

But this challenge is not for them (see rules below); it’s for you. The point is to highlight some of the useful information our SmartStart Mentoring Program members are learning to ensure they have an unbeatable competitive advantage in the workplace!

So, if you are a parent (working or non-working), a student about to enter or already in college, or someone who has joined the workforce already who is curious and would like a chance to compete in a challenge, see the questions below and send me your answers.

RULES:

1. You must be new to the program or not a member yet to participate.
   
   
2. Send your written answers to the questions below to me at . Make sure you include CHALLENGE in the subject line or your entry will be disqualified!
   
   
3. The first person to submit the correct answer(s) will be notified and congratulated!
   
   (You must agree to let me publicize your name and responses to the challenge questions as I see fit in the future.)

“THE $1000 CHALLENGE” QUESTIONS:

Getting Hired and Starting a New Job

1. What is the single, most important question you have to get the answer to at the start of any job interview, before you begin talking about yourself. If you really want the job, it’s a must to know this.  
    
   (Miss this and odds are you’ll just be wasting your time and theirs.)
   
   
2. Name the #1 thing a new employee must do starting on Day 1 of any new job.

Working (in general)

1. Name the one thing to ALWAYS have on your desk and two things to NEVER have on your desk if you want to be seen as someone worthy of moving up the ranks.
   
   
2. What is the biggest mistake people make when meeting with the boss. (You pay the price in more ways than one if you make it and most people make this mistake at least once in their career!)

Communication

1. There are two little words that, when used to begin a certain type of email, help you create personal credibility, establish your professional reputation, and protect you from any potential disasters that may occur in future.  
    
   (I’ll give you a hint, the first word has two letters, and the second has eight.)
   
   
2. One statement, commonly used to close email and end your telephone conversations when a “next action” is involved, has the opposite effect of what you intend because this innocent 3-letter word is mindlessly included. 
    
   (Chances are good you are guilty of this; your boss likely is too.)

Getting Promoted/Getting a Raise

1. List the 3 times you have the most power and likelihood of getting what you want and deserve in your pay cheque.
   
   
2. Name the one thing you need to do within 24 hours of being promoted or given a raise. (Hardly anyone knows this or does it (except for my students of course!) but I’ll tell you what it is).

Giving Presentations

1. Describe the foods you should never eat before entering any situation where you need to be mentally sharp and must be able to think fast on your feet.
   
   
2. Name two things you must never wear on the day you are giving your presentation and one thing that will get you through even the worst trial-by-fire.

Career Management (in general)

1. How to tell if you are being well paid. And what to do and how to fix it if you find out you are not even close. (This one is bound to shock you! But once you know the formula, you'll know what to do to get and stay well paid.)
   
   
2. Identify what you never put in writing in your personal performance plan (and what you always put in its place instead).

Networking

1. Volunteering for this event too often is the kiss-of-death for career advancement. On the other hand, certain events are critical for you to participate in—not doing so will also hold you back. Give one example of an event in each of the above categories.

“THE $100 CHALLENGE” QUESTIONS:

If you are the FIRST person to answer all 3 of the following questions CORRECTLY (and are not a former student), I’ll give you a cheque for $100.00!

1. What is the #1 purpose of a resume?
   
   
2. What is the #1 cause of "death by meeting"?
   
   
3. When is the #1 least effective time to discuss getting a raise with your boss?

“THE $50 CHALLENGE” QUESTIONS:

If you are the FIRST person to answer either one of the following questions CORRECTLY (and are not a former student), I’ll give you a cheque for $50.00!

1. What is the #1 enemy of success?
   
   
2. What is the hidden test in expense reporting?