Out With Fancy Spas, in With Budget Salons

By KAYLEEN SCHAEFER

November 26, 2008

UNLIKE some New Yorkers who can’t get enough of hand-pulled noodles or facsimiles of designer purses, Sheila Hurtado doesn’t make a habit of going to Chinatown to shop or dine. But in recent weeks the 35-year-old office manager who lives in Park Slope has found another reason to make the trip there — to see Wineeta Ranftle, an esthetician from Bangkok, who gives deep-cleansing facials in what was once an office supply closet for as little as $32.50.

“I’m trying to be frugal,” said Ms. Hurtado, who used to get $65 facials at the Rompal Salon in Park Slope, where the lighting is dim and the waiting room is stocked with chocolate and wine. In contrast, at Ms. Ranftle’s small fluorescent-lit space in a beauty supply warehouse, treatments are accompanied by a sound-track of wind chimes emanating from a portable CD player that hardly masks the ringing of office phones and thumping music from the clothing store downstairs.

Still, Ms. Hurtado said, “Wineeta gives me really good facials, and I can’t believe the price.”

In an era of economic austerity, Ms. Hurtado is among those who are trading down for luxuries they just can’t give up. Sure, budget beauty seekers have been haunting Chinatown and Koreatown for years, but the ailing economy is making $300 for a massage seem excessive — even for those who can afford it.

Take Meredith Haberfeld, 34, an executive coach in Williamsburg who has tried out expensive spas in New York, Las Vegas and elsewhere. “I’m repeatedly disappointed by the fancy spas,” she said. “Often, I feel like I just spent $300 and I didn’t even like it.”

Recently, Ms. Haberfeld’s quest for the ultimate foot rub led her to Feet Island in a basement on Mott Street, where a man she calls Dr. Joe works on her feet for 75 cents a minute.

Owners of budget salons in New York that offer everything from facials to eyelash extensions to hair-styling say that more and more women who claim they were once regulars at spas like Bliss or Haven in SoHo are showing up for treatments that will cost them less than half the price.

For example, at Sai Kay 21 on Bayard Street in Chinatown, where an hour and a half facial costs $55 — albeit in a room with a couple of other customers — the esthetician, Mandy Wong, said she recently noticed more non-Asian women at the salon.

“They come in groups to eat and get a facial,” she said. “Everything is a little cheaper here. It’s the Chinese style.”

“I thought my business would decrease in this economy,” said Grace Gao Macnow, the owner of Graceful Services, a Midtown spa that charges $60 for an hour qigong massage, “but instead it’s increased — some of my clients have a black Amex card and still they come here.”

The transition to a spa without rainfall showers, candles or mud baths, and space to pad around in a robe and slippers can be rough for some.

At Graceful Services, for example, there aren’t any lockers for customers to stash their shoes and bags in, which Ms. Macnow said was a problem for a recent visitor carrying a Gucci purse.

“She said, ‘I’m not putting my $2,000 purse in a bin with my shoes,’ ” said Ms. Macnow, who told her to “just lie down.”

The woman did, and after her massage, Ms. Macnow said the more-than-satisfied customer apologized for grumbling.

Recently, Ms. Ranftle, the beauty esthetician who works out of the warehouse on Broadway, said she had a new customer who, before she could begin the facial, asked Ms. Ranftle: “Did you wash your hands?”

“Some people are going to like my room and some people are going to say it’s not for me,” Ms. Ranftle said. “I don’t take it personally.”

Of course, there are those who have been partaking in unadorned spa experiences before the economy made them a necessity and are sorry to see their “secret” places flooded with bargain seekers.

In the last few months, Agnes Park, 29, a lawyer who lives in Manhattan, has noticed more non-Asian women than Asian women at Ebenezer Eyelash on 32nd Street in Koreatown, where lash extensions cost $90 for a full set, compared with about $300 at places like Shu Uemura. “It’s really hard to get appointments now,” she said. “I have to beg them. And this will be on a Tuesday night, not a Friday night when girls want to go out with their lashes.”

Jenn Falik, a beauty and style expert who’s made appearances on the Today Show and E! News, frequents salons like Hair Party 24, a 24-hour Korean hair salon on Madison Avenue and 28th Street, and a Chinese qigong massage place on 14th Street in the meatpacking district that is decorated only with a giant fish tank in the front. In the last several months, she has noticed that the latter has become decidedly busier.

“There was never anyone there,” she said. “It would be me, my husband, and the taxicab drivers with their cabs in neutral idling outside.”

But this summer, the waiting area was packed with guys who looked like they worked in investment banking and women who appeared to be on breaks from their jobs at local boutiques. “The cabdrivers would just get 15-minute treatments and be gone,” Ms. Falik said. “But these people were getting longer treatments. We had to sit in the dank waiting area and watch the fish eat the algae.”

Some hope they can fend off the crowds by refusing to reveal their cheap finds. Anna Bennett, 42, who lives in the Bronx and is an assistant to the dean at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, won’t review her Chinatown spots for facials on Yelp, a Web site for posting reviews, even though she writes about other places in the city. Her co-workers feel the same. One gets her hair straightened for $12 somewhere in Chinatown but refuses to give Ms. Bennett the name of the place.

“No matter how many times I ask, she won’t tell me the name of it,” she said. “She doesn’t want anyone to go there.”

Life Coaching To Lose Weight

By Susan Yara

May 30, 2006

If you just want to look better in a swimsuit, go on a diet. Or you can try a newfangled tactic: hire a life coach.

“I was in the career and life-mission mode, so I thought we would talk about my job,” says Heather Lord, a communications and special projects manager at a private family foundation in New York City, who hired a life coaching company last year. “But when you start, one of the things they have you do is look at all the areas of your life, because they are connected. Turned out, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with being a size 14.”

Lord had tried crash diets before. She visited a “diet guru” who helped her lose 30 pounds in six months, but she was unable to maintain that weight. She didn’t plan on crash dieting ever again. Then she found she didn’t have to after working with Lauren Zander and Meredith Haberfeld, owners of Personal Evolution.

A month into the life coaching sessions, Lord started eating healthier and took up running. Since January 2005, she has lost 45 pounds and has kept it off.

“It worked because I was no longer focused on just trying to fit into my skinny jeans,” she says. “That wasn’t enough to keep me away from sweets. It took tying weight loss to the big picture–my dream life.”

Life coaches aren’t counselors or therapists; they are not qualified to diagnose or treat mental health matters. They also aren’t necessarily experts–in fact, they don’t claim to be. But they do aim to train clients to reach goals instead of dreaming about them, and those objectives can include weight loss. The trend is catching on at health clubs across the nation, which are implementing programs to teach members that changing their thinking can help them get in shape.

“Places like Jenny Craig don’t deal with why a person is overweight,” Zander says. “It’s a deeper issue–a result of not being happy or dealing with other issues of your life.”

Equinox, a high-end fitness center with locations in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago, offers aerobics classes called “Intensati,” created by life coach Patricia Moreno. The workout is a series of exercises that combine yoga with strength training. Throughout the class, the instructor (usually a life coach) makes positive affirmations.

Crunch Fitness, also a national fitness center, will soon offer clients “Muscle Up Your Mojo,” a life-coaching fitness program created by life coach Marie Forleo. For $199, current members get a month and a half of weekly individual coaching and fitness sessions to help them get in shape. The program is followed up with six more weekly group coaching sessions. Forleo says the program is part of building a life habit, not just losing weight.

“How you do one thing is how you do everything,” she says. “If you’re always late for meetings or break your word often, you will most likely have a tough time losing weight and getting in great shape.”

Of course, private attention doesn’t come cheap. Life coaching techniques vary and can cost from $150 to $400 for weekly hourlong sessions.

While Zander and Haberfeld’s coaches go through a yearlong coaching and training process before they can work with clients, they don’t deny that some companies offer little more than weekend certifications. Haberfeld says the best way to find a good life coach is to pick someone who personifies your ideal lifestyle–having lots of money, for example, or a successful marriage and an optimistic outlook–and by getting a referral from someone you trust.

The Personal Evolution Coaching process starts with an evaluation of 18 aspects of a person’s life, including finances, intimate relationships, family, body and home. In order for the sessions to work, it’s up to clients to be honest about the areas where they are lacking and explain why.

“One of the fundamental principles that we develop in people is that the only way you can make any real changes is to deal with Basic Integrity 101,” says Zander. “If you say you’re going to do something, do it.”

Look More Beautiful—Instantly!

Increase your allure with these 10 surprising beauty tricks

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

September 08, 2008

Ways to Look More Beautiful—Instantly!

We’ve all had one of those days where we just feel blah about our appearance—maybe your hair isn’t falling the right way and those dark circles under your eyes just seem a little, well, darker. Luckily, we’ve found news that will help break the funk next time you’re having an “ugly day.” Studies show that beauty isn’t about the perfect body, long blonde curls or the latest designer fashions; in fact, your outward appeal is largely influenced by surprising factors such as how you treat others, spatial clutter and even the company you keep. We’ve researched 10 unexpected ways to enhance your looks—naturally. Read on for the beauty secrets!

Remember the Golden Rule

Being dishonest or disrespectful changes your appearance—for the worse. According to character coach Susanne Alexander, acting ungraciously “makes you more likely to frown or raise your eyebrows in arrogance, causing forehead lines,” while lying “causes tightness around the mouth and lines around the eyes.” Even prolonged resentment or unforgivingness can cause unhappy facial lines, such as a downturned mouth. To enhance your natural beauty, act graciously whenever possible. Practice acceptance, gentleness and patience—all of which reduce facial tension and can increase your natural beauty.

Stay engaged

“People are flattered when you find them appealing—and they naturally reciprocate,” says Ann Demarais, PhD, psychologist and coauthor of First Impressions: What You Don’t Know About How Others See You. One of the easiest ways to increase your natural beauty is to accept and be interested in other people. “Showing interest in others is a component of confidence,” says Dr. Demarais. “And when you’re confident, you appear more attractive.” To feel more confident and appear that way to others, make an effort to smile often, make frequent eye contact and maintain a positive aura.

Do work you love

Debra Condren, PhD, business psychologist and author of Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word, says, “Loving your work and unapologetically following your dreams is the secret beauty elixir women never hear about. Doing meaningful, challenging work will make you glow with an inner and outer beauty that no cosmetic or surgery or makeup can imitate.” Dr. Condren advises checking in with yourself daily to stay in touch with your ambitions and desires. The more tuned in you are to what you really want out of work and life, the more beautiful you’ll be—inside and out.

Focus on your personality

Feel bloated, blotchy and blah? Don’t fret. As it turns out, Mom was right: Your personality counts more than your looks. Research shows that if you’re cooperative, dependable, hardworking or intelligent, people will think positively of you—and perceive you as beautiful. On the flip side, in a study conducted by evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, rude or unfair people were rated less attractive than those who were kind and cooperative—no matter their appearance. Next time you feel like you’re having a bad hair day, just remember: Minding your p’s and q’s will keep you looking lovely.

Surround yourself with supportive people

One recent study revealed that if you’re worried about rejection because of how you look, you’ll feel anxious, neurotic and insecure—making you appear less attractive to others. “[In our study], a reminder of one’s strengths or close relationships was enough to reduce the damaging effects of thinking about negative aspects of one’s appearance,” says Lora Park, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Buffalo. “These findings emphasize the power of…close relationships to help people cope with insecurities regarding their appearance.” Surround yourself with the people who know and love you best to instantly feel more beautiful.

Free your inner “Iman”

Have you ever daydreamed about striking a pose, Heidi Klum–style? As it turns out, a modeling session with a professional photographer can be liberating, enlightening and just plain fun! “I see women transform and step into their natural beauty on a daily basis,” says photographer Lone Mørch, whose sessions help women express their sensuality. One of her plus-size clients shared this about the effects of her recent photo shoot: “I recently attended two big parties, and I was on the dance floor the whole time. It was fantastic, and there’s no doubt the photo experience put an extra sway in my gait and a glint in my eye.”

Embrace your wrinkles—and sunscreen

Research shows that skin tone influences beauty more than wrinkles, laugh lines or crow’s-feet. “An even skin tone can give visual cues about a person’s health and reproductive capability, so it’s considered desirable,” says Bernhard Fink, PhD. His research shows that uneven or blotchy skin tone, caused by cumulative sun damage and natural aging, can add 10 to 12 years to a woman’s appearance. Luckily, skin tone can be improved! Your skin reflects your overall health, so make sure you’re exercising regularly, eating right and drinking plenty of water.

Reveal your weaknesses and warts

According to life coach Meredith Haberfeld, “not being yourself” is a common theme for women, and it decreases natural beauty. “[One of my clients] tried for two decades to be someone she thought a man would want, but each time the relationship fizzled. After she turned 40, she stopped shaping herself into what she thought others wanted,” says Haberfeld. “She risked being herself and losing her new boyfriend—and now she’s happily married.” Despite all your fears, letting your true personality shine through—flaws, weaknesses and all—will only increase your appeal.

Give yourself breathing room

“If you live in a cluttered environment, you tend to feel overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted,” says life coach Dana Korey. “How you feel affects your appearance: If you’re tired, depressed or anxious—common reactions to disorganization—then you’re also not happy or approachable.” Once you organize your home and workspace, you may be surprised by just how much more beautiful you look and feel. Says Korey, “The feeling of nirvana that overtakes organized women creates radiance and inner peace…and that’s something no cosmetic could duplicate.”

Establish your personal definition of beauty

What do you think makes a woman beautiful? If you don’t establish your own definition of beauty, you’re more likely to waste precious time, money and energy chasing other people’s ideas of beauty. Instead, focus on the activities, thoughts and behaviors that make you feel good about yourself. If you love a day at the spa, then book it into your monthly schedule. If you feel smart and energized after making a speech or accepting new work challenges, then pursue those opportunities. Doing things that make you feel good about yourself will make you happy—and a happy woman is a beautiful woman, indeed.

7 Tips for Navigating Maternity Leave

How to plan for your time off after you have your baby!

Learning you are pregnant can be an exciting and joyous time; however, for women in the workplace, navigating maternity leave can also cause stress. The Family and Medical Leave Act (1993) requires employers to allow for 12 unpaid weeks for maternity leave. Depending on your company, a portion of that might be paid, or your company may offer additional unpaid leave beyond that 12 weeks. Whatever the policy is, it’s important that you are familiar with your company’s conventions and that you are able to finesse the planning of your leave. We went to Meredith Haberfeld, an executive coach based out of New York, who went over the dos and don’ts of taking maternity leave.

When to Disclose Your Pregnancy

Let your company know when you can no longer hide it – for some women this is four months, for others this is six months. However, if you feel secure about it, earlier is totally appropriate. You need to be sensitive to the culture you are in. Follow expectations. If more senior women in your office have disclosed their pregnancies right away, then you should follow those guidelines. You’re far better off going off what is common for your work environment than going off of conventional advice.

Tell the Right Person First

Typically, if you work in a small organization, you go to your boss first, then human resources. And typically, if you work in a larger organization, you go to human resources first and then your manager. But if you have a good working relationship with your boss, your boss will always be happier if he or she knows first.

Have a Plan

Come to the table with your proposal for how you’ll transition out. Who will cover for you? How much contact will you have with this person and with the company as a whole? How much time will you be taking for maternity leave? When do you plan on returning?

Decide How Long You’ll Take

In this era, it is not uncommon for women to take full maternity leave with no contact with their company. But it’s also common to be available for phone calls and emails and maybe even the occasional meeting. Use friends who already have kids as a sounding board for what maternity leave was like before you set expectations with your employer.

Think Ahead About Childcare

If you are taking maternity for fewer than six weeks, make sure to set up your childcare plan before you have your baby. Also consider what option is best for you. If the childcare program you’re interested in has a waiting list, you’ll want get on that list as early as possible.

Prepare a Smooth Return

Expect that it will be emotional and that you may second guess yourself, even if you know that deep down you want to go back to work. Being a parent and a professional requires more planning than just being a professional. The more you plan how you’ll handle the balance, the better you’ll handle it. It’s good to over-plan in this instance. Think about things like:

-Meals for the week

-Alternative babysitters

-What to do when your child is sick

-Date nights

-What to do when you have to work late

Work Harder at Work

Whatever parameters you determine to be the appropriate work/life balance for you, it’s inevitable you’ll have fewer hours to work. So make sure you put in more than 100 percent to your job in the hours that you have designated for your job. Women who dive right back in are recognized for it – and that doesn’t mean you have to work crazy hours.

With over ten years of coaching and training experience, Meredith Haberfeld is co-founder and CEO of The Institute for Coaching. Meredith is sought out to work with entrepreneurs and senior executives at leading institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Forbes, Disney and the World Health Organization; and has advised in the development of the life coaching curriculum at MIT.

By Susan Yara

September 2010

10 Days to a More Youthful You

Want to look and feel younger and more confident? Employ these easy-to-follow tips for the next 10 days to make long-lasting improvements to your life

Who says you can’t quickly improve your life and embark on a path to everlasting youth in just days? To prove it, we turned to Meredith Haberfeld, life coach and co-founder of Meredith Haberfeld Coaching and the Institute for Coaching, to tell us simple, healthy habits you can start now and continue for 10 days in order to look and feel younger for the rest of your life.

Day 1: Be playful

If you’re trying to channel your youth, you need to get into the mindset of someone younger. A surefire way to do that is by bringing out your playful side. “As we grow-up we get ‘responsible’ and toss our playfulness with our school books,” says Haberfeld. “Our maturity is ours now, we don’t have to protect it. So … be silly. Be flirtatious. Play. It will help you feel, and appear years younger and more beautiful.” Need ideas? Swap your usual cookie or ice cream dessert with smores. You’ll have fun making (and eating) them with your husband or boyfriend and kids (of course).

Day 2: Start a new skincare regimen

Part of looking and feeling young is, well, having younger-looking skin. This means, if you haven’t already, it’s time to use a skincare regimen that includes more than just cleansing. Starting today — wash your face with a gentle cleanser, apply an antioxidant like Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, 24.95 to protect your skin from free radical damage, then apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15).

And don’t neglect the skin on your body either. Once out of the shower, moisturize daily with a healing body lotion like Jergens® Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, $6.99 to keep skin supple and glowing.

Day 3: Learn something new

At this point in your life, you’re probably wondering what more you can possibly learn … but there’s plenty. If you haven’t learned something new recently, it’s probably because you haven’t tried. So today, class is in session. “Most of us stop growing and learning after a certain age,” says Haberfeld. “Learn a new language or to play guitar. Get back to your vibrant student mentality.” Plus, she adds, “Alzheimer’s research has proven [learning] helps keep the mind nimble.”

Day 4: Up your exercise level

Research shows that exercise — even 15 minutes a day of vigorous activity like running, can make us look and feel younger. The reason? It reduces stress and prevents the deterioration of the body’s cells that fight disease and aging. That means today, it’s time to get active (or up the ante on your current workout regimen). If you’re just starting out, go for a walk, but after a week of the same routine, turn it into a light jog, then eventually — a run.

Day 5: Update your wardrobe

Haberfeld says, “The [clothes] you loved years ago may be dating you now.” And she’s right — just because retro styles are trendy, doesn’t mean you should be wearing the same sweater you bought 15 years ago. “Get rid of the old and bring in a little new and current,” says Haberfeld. “The Salvation Army will thank you for your donation and your friends, family and colleagues will take note of your new, fresh look.” Remember, updating your wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to buy all new clothes — even adding just a few accessories like a colorful belt can freshen your look.

Day 6: Make water your drink of choice

Instead of reaching for sugary drinks like sodas or juices, which can cause you to gain weight, opt for good ol’ H20. And avoid over indulging on alcoholic beverages that are also calorie-filled and cause you to become more of a stick-in-the-mud rather than the energetic youngster you’re striving to be. Drinking at least eight cups of water a day might be your inexpensive fountain of youth because it flushes toxins from your body and keeps you hydrated — which equals happy, younger-looking skin.

Day 7: Update your hair and makeup

It’s always great to hear a Chaka Khan song and remember your days as a young diva in the ’80s. What’s not great is trying to wear the same big hair and over-the-top makeup you wore back then too. It’s time for a makeover, even a slight one. A good way to get started is by switching up a few of your makeup colors. Haberfeld says her approach is to, “take a few outings to your favorite department store makeup floor and get a mini-makeover from a makeup counter.” When you’re done, decide which new colors and makeup tips are your favorites — and which you can easily replicate at home and adopt those.

Day 8: Add color to your plate

A week has passed and with only two more days to go before you’re on the path to eternal youth, it’s time to go on a diet — a color diet. From today on, aim to eat foods rich in color like broccoli, spinach and apples instead of bland and colorless ones (think white bread or potatoes). Colorful foods are high in antioxidants that protect the cells that prevent various diseases (including cancer) and slow the aging process. So when you hit the grocery store, try to add every color of the rainbow to your shopping cart — green, orange, red, yellow (okay not every). Each one contains a different set of nutrients to keep your body and skin healthy.

Day 9: Get plenty of sleep

When life gets busy, it’s easy to skimp on sleep, but doing so not only makes you a grouch in the morning (sorry to say it, but it’s so true), and it takes a toll on your skin and overall health. When you sleep, your body uses the time to regenerate skin cells and proteins … plus, your body gets a surge of growth hormones that repair tissues (like muscles and bones) while you snooze. So tonight, get into bed a little earlier and if you have a hard time falling asleep, start a pre-bedtime ritual that signals to your brain that it’s bedtime. A good one to start? Apply cuticle oil and a body cream like Jergens® Overnight Repair Nightly Restoring Moisturizer, $6.99 and let them work their magic on your skin while you’re dreaming.

Day 10: Learn to mange stress

Stress is a doozy. When you stress your body pours out a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can cause your cells to function abnormally, which can make your skin more prone to breakouts, and make it look dull or sallow — which doesn’t equal a very youthful, glowing appearance. So make it your goal today to start an activity that will help you manage your stress — since we all know it’s pretty unavoidable. Take up yoga, try deep breathing exercises, sing your favorite song at the top of your lungs. Do whatever it takes to blow off steam — the reflection in your mirror will thank you.

By Carrie Kreitner

December 2010

Follow these tips for a good first and last impression—and get the job.

Interviews Start in the Waiting Room

One of the biggest mistakes that job hunters make is thinking an interview starts behind the closed door. “You are being watched as soon as you step off the elevator,” says Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions. “It’s important to be engaging and friendly to anyone you meet, whether it’s the receptionist or the assistant who escorts you down the hallway.”

Have an Icebreaker
Start the conversation lightly to help the other person relax. But keep it professional and avoid getting too personal: Commenting on wall décor or a desk accessory is acceptable, but saying you like someone’s shoes may be stepping over the line, says Kerry Hannon, author of What’s Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job.

Do Your Homework
Come prepared with knowledge about the company. As soon as your interview is scheduled, set up a Google news alert to make sure you are aware of what’s happening, especially if it is a larger corporation. But be careful about how you present your knowledge: There’s a fine line between being full of information and being full of yourself. “You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard,” says Meredith Haberfeld, a business and career coach.

Make a Connection
An interview is as much about chemistry with the interviewer as it is about having the skills to do the job. “They are only going to interview people talented enough for the position, so you’re already in the cluster for consideration,” Oliver says. “It’s really about establishing a quick, emotional bond so that they like you better than the other candidates.”

Present Your Resume
Think of your resume as your host (or hostess) gift. By taking it out at the beginning of the interview, it becomes an asset, rather than an afterthought. “If there are areas or responsibilities that you want to emphasize or explain, the interview is your chance to draw attention to them,” says Hannon. “People think if something is on their resume, that it’s clear, but those bullet points don’t always speak for themselves.”

Decide if the Interviewer is a Listener or Talker
“It’s important to match the interviewer’s energy and talk at her pace,” says Haberfeld. Practice punchy and concise answers to potential questions so you sound confident and powerful, she says.

Ask for a Business Card
Even if you have already been communicating with the interviewer through email or phone calls, asking for a person’s contact information shows a definite interest in wanting to follow up and pursue the job. “You should always ask what the next step is, how they prefer to be contacted, and follow that exactly,” Oliver says.

Know Your Selling Points
It’s easy to get off topic in an interview, and writing down and practicing three main selling points about yourself beforehand can help you stay focused. “Towards the end of the interview, do a mental check to make sure you have discussed each of your topic points,” Hannon says. Politely saying that you wanted to make sure you mention X, Y, or Z is a good way to emphasize these points, she suggests.

Don’t Wait to Bring Up Big Topics
If the interview is nearing its end (most last 30 to 40 minutes), you don’t want to bring up anything that could be used against you, says Haberfeld. Rather than addressing issues like technological skills or an extended period of time out of work, switch the conversation to a lighter topic, like company culture, she suggests.

Salvage the Interview
Make a mental note to come back to any questions you stumbled on or didn’t answer well before you leave. If you still need more time, bring it up in your thank you letter, says Hannon. “This is your last correspondence with them before they make a decision, so this is your platform to wrap up and emphasize areas you may have struggled with.”

With the national unemployment rate hovering around 9.5%, finding a job can seem like an endless search.
While experts agreed the labor market is less than friendly right now, there are steps candidates can take to increase their chances of finding employment.

“The state of the economy does not indicate how your job search will go– those who get sucked into this kind of thinking generally have a really tough time,” says Meredith Haberfeld, executive and life coach.

Here are some common job-hunting myths that can prevent you from securing a job.

Myth 1: No one is Hiring, so I Shouldn’t Even Bother
While the unemployment rate has steadily climbed over the past few years, the misconception that companies will not hire in tough times is simply not true.
When looking for employment make that your full-time job, suggest the experts.

“Those who recognize that for this time, job hunting is their job and structure their time accordingly and do an incredible job at this job over the long haul do find opportunities,” says Haberfeld.

“These days, it can take anywhere from a week to a year and those who put in the diligent effort day after day and don’t get stopped by set-backs find the right position.”

Myth 2: I just Graduated from College, No one will Want Me
If you’re a recent college grad, you may feel insecure about your lack of experience. Don’t get discouraged-apply to openings anyway.

“To a recent college graduate, the good news is that there has been an uptick in the job market that’s been going on all year,” says J.P. Hansen, author of The Bliss List: The Ultimate Guide To Living The Dream At Work And Beyond.

Haberfeld says if a company is having a hard time finding the right person to fill a position, they will often turn to college graduates they can train on the job.

“Every single field requires entry level employees that [companies] can train and cultivate,” she says. “I have yet to ever find a field where entry-level employees were not needed. Companies rely on that.”

Myth 3: The Best Way to Find a Job is Online
The experts agree the Internet is a good tool to find job openings, but it cannot be your only method.
“[Searching online] can be a component, but overall, get away from the computer,” says Haberfeld. “Talk to people through every phase of your job search and authentically cultivate relationships. This is the single most powerful force leading to successful job offers.”

Career expert Deborah Brown-Volkman points out that every career has an association–get out there and attend meetings or networking groups to meet people. Although you might be nervous at first, keep practicing by talking to people in your field of interest.

If you are a college student, use your available resources-head to the student career center and talk to people.

“It’s the college student that goes in physically, makes a good appearance at the career center, does some research, perhaps looks for an endorsement with the various people in that center who generally can line up interviews, ” says Hansen. “From there, you have a much better chance at getting a job.”

Myth 4: Limit Your Resume to One Page
Not everyone has to squeeze their experience one page, according to the experts.
“For college students, [one page] may be the most appropriate,” says Hansen. “But don’t limit your resume to one page if you have other content.”

Myth 5:  They Have My Resume, They Know My Strengths
When it comes time for an interview, your resume cannot speak for you. You need to be your biggest promoter, so practice your professional spiel.

“Beginning to promote yourself and network on your own behalf is a skill that requires practice,” says Haberfeld. “It’s not comfortable for almost anyone at first, but the more you get out there and do it, day in and day out, and recognize that it’s not some cheesy, fake sales pitch you’re making, but that you’re actually cultivating real connections with people.”

“It helps you to hone your 30-second pitch,” says Brown-Volkman. “You’ll be more effective on interviews.”

Myth 6: Interview Went Well, the Ball is Now in Their Court
After a job interview or initial contact you want to show the employer you’re interested in the job without becoming a nuisance.
“There is a fine line between desperate and desirable–I always say that you have to adapt an attitude of’ I care, but not that much,’” says Hansen. “Daily calls and communications–that’s called pestering. I don’t think it is unreasonable once a contact has been established to look for contact every other week. People that do it daily appear desperate and that’s a knock-out punch.”
Haberfeld suggests following up with a hand-written thank you note.

“It’s all the more valued now in this era of digital communications,” she says. “But after the thank you note and an after-hours voice mail message thanking the interviewers and sharing your enthusiasm for the job, re-focus your energies on building and nurturing your network.”