Loire Valley

Over the course of four short weeks (with five weekends, two holidays, and a few extra days of my own time) I was able to explore Paris, Versailles, Nantes and the beaches of Pornic, Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo, and a good number of the Loire Valley Castles.

Tours is situated inside the Loire Valley¹ and located about one to two hours from Paris (depending on if you take the express train or not). The Loire Valley is located in the middle of France and is famous for its castles, culture, and wine. 

Castles:

All of the castles I visited are worth mentioning, but if I had to pick my favorite one to highlight, it would be the Chateau du Clos Luce. Although no royal lived there, the Located less than a mile from the Regal Chateau d'Ambroise is a humble but elegant building that was the home of Leonardo da Vinci. I took all of these photos myself so I maintain the copyright, please contact me on my website at kellyfelstedmitchell.com if you are interested in using them for a project.


Chateau Azay-le-Rideau

Blois

The Hall of States General (13th Century)



Charmont

Chenonceau


Clos Luce


Leonardo Da Vinci:
Hanging on the walls are various quotes by da Vinci and a few copies of his paintings, including the Mona Lisa and St. John the Baptist. In the basement and in the gardens there are intricate engineering models produced from Leonardo's sketches. From basic mechanical creations that are still utilized today to a primitive version of a tank, Leonardo proved over and over again that his mind was centuries ahead of his time.


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¹ Loire_(department) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 3 Jan 2015. Wikipedia.org. 9 Apr 2015 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loire_(department)>.

France Wine, Culture and Castles - History

Wine, Culture and Castles - History of France

When I left for France I wanted to do more than just learn a language or the history and culture of the French; I wanted to experience it all. I had a few vague ideas about what might be awaiting me, but not even my wildest dreams could have prepared me for what actually happened.

Over the course of four short weeks (with five weekends, two holidays, and a few extra days of my own time) I was able to explore Paris, Versailles, Nantes and the beaches of Pornic, Mont Saint Michel and Saint Malo, and a good number of the Loire Valley Castles.

Although at many times throughout the program I felt lost and in over my head, my host family was always hospitable and helpful. Even when I was starting to feel a little homesick, the platters of cheese, fresh tarts, chocolates and endless French bread always brought a smile to my face.
While school and learning French were my top priorities during the week, each weekend was reserved for getting out of the house and having fun. Students gathered either at place plume or Ganget. There one could find different music entertainment practically every night - from an outdoor screening of Pink Floyd to a talent show filled with students from our school program. And when not hanging out around town my fellow classmates and I went to the Tours central train station where we missed only a few trains on occasion.

In Paris, I explored all the bountiful museums, monuments, tombs and churches that I could find. My top favorites of the trip would have to be the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre is a literal palace, home to the French monarch until Versailles was built. Each room of the Louvre is a breathtaking marvel of art with such exquisite ceiling detail that no amount of writing could ever do it justice. Droves of people walked down the marble lined halls to an obscure room. There I saw the Mona Lisa for the first time, over the heads of a dozen or so people as they crowded up towards the painting trying to catch a hint of the lady's mysterious smile.

The Musee d'Orsay was an old railway station that was converted in 1977 to the art museum it is today. It housed many of my favorites, including the impressionistic paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edouard Manet. The Eiffel Tower was once a controversial radio antenna and now is an iconic French image that cannot be missed. After going all the way up to the summit, I was able to see all of Paris and felt like I was on top of the world.

From the prestigious halls of Blois to the ludicrously luxurious Chambord, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley proved to be similarly impressive. All of the castles I visited are worth mentioning, but if I had to pick one chateau to highlight, it would be the Chateau du Clos Luce. Located less than a mile from the Regal Chateau d'Ambroise is a humble but elegant building that was the home of Leonardo da Vinci. Hanging on the walls are various quotes by da Vinci and a few copies of his paintings, including the Mona Lisa and St. John the Baptist. In the basement and in the gardens there are intricate engineering models produced from Leonardo's sketches. From basic mechanical creations that are still utilized today to a primitive version of a tank, Leonardo proved over and over again that his mind was centuries ahead of his time.

Looking back, there is a lot more I wish I could have done and perhaps a few things I could have done differently - namely pack lighter and plan accommodation in advance. But even with those tiny set-backs and mistakes, it was all worth it in the end. I know that my time with the study abroad program was not just an experience I can put on my resume, but an adventure I'll remember for the rest of my life.

The Five Advanced Tips You Need to Know to Get Hired

Now that you have read about the first five basic rules to start any interview off right, it is time to examine the advanced tips that will set you a part from the crowd. In today's market, the most desirable jobs are almost as competitive as a pro football game. You need to bring your best defense and offence on the field if you hope to have a sporting chance. 

The Five Advanced Tips You Need to Know to Get Hired:

1. Know your weaknesses. 

One of the most popular questions a hiring manager will ask is, "What is your biggest weakness?" Don't let this question be your Achilles heel that sends your interview on a downward spiral. Everyone has blind spots as well as strengths, just like in sports, but the important thing is how you will interact in the team. The key is to sell your strengths and present your weaknesses strategically. Acknowledge your weaknesses, but provide a solution or a game plan on how to improve. This will show you in a much better light than if you try to justify it, sugarcoat it, or just brush it off. An example of this would be, "I'm a bit of a workaholic. But, I find that if I plan vacations or small breaks, I can balance this aspect of my personality." An alternative is to turn your weakness into a strength, which can be tricky to do and works in only some situations. An example of this would be, "My weakness is that I work too much, but that's because I'm dedicated worker and I love what I do." 

Watch what happens to habitual liar Jen from The IT Crowd, one of my favorite British Comedies, tries to get away with not knowing something vital for her job. Somehow she manages to turn her weakness into a strength, and therefore shows that she is indispensable. But be warned: she is a professional actress, do not try this at home.

P.S. IT stands for Information Technology, but Jen's explanation is much more humorous. Click here for The IT Crowd: Complete Collection of 4 Seasons.

2. Sell your strengths.

[Via Pixabay]

Another popular question interviewers ask is, "what is your biggest strength?" This is your opportunity to toot your own horn and show the hiring manager what you bring to the table. Show them how you will fit in their team and company, and how you will become irreplaceable. But be careful. You want to highlight your most marketable skills, but not sound like you are bragging or condescending. Strengths should also be carefully worded and relevant to the job at hand. A word of caution. Do not lie. I repeat, do not lie. You may be able to fool someone for a few minutes in one interview, but the truth will eventually come out. If you actually get the job and they find out that you lied, they have grounds for dismissal.

3. Get to know your interviewer and prospective employer. There are a few reasons why it is so advantageous to get to know someone before you come in to the interview. First of all people are naturally drawn to people who are similar or interested in them. Secondly, and more importantly, the more you know about something the more informed of a decision you can make.  This makes for a better match on both sides of the equation which will equal out to job satisfaction and employee productivity. Thirdly, the more you know about someone and their needs, the easier it is to market yourself to them. 

[Via Pixabay]

4. Know what behavioral questions are and how to answer them. Behavioral questions are just that, questions based on your behavior. But the key behind them is typically to see what kind of behavior you have exhibited in the past, and what you are likely to do in the future. Check out this great article to find out more about behavioral questions and how to answer them to your advantage: http://biginterview.com/blog/behavioral-interview-questions.

[Via Pixabay]

5. Leave a good impression. Last but not least, be sure to leave a good impression with your interviewer. Let them know you are the professional they have been looking for. Ask them when they can follow up with you and get a commitment on time. If a recruiter or hiring manager asks when you are available for another interview or when to start, then you know you are on the right track.

[Via Pixabay]

Did you like this article and my writing style? Vote for me for 'Awesome Writer of the Year'. Okay, there is no such thing, but the next best thing you can do is subscribe to my blog or like me on facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyfelstedmitchell. You can also follow me on twitter: @KJFMitchellQA for career tips or @KellyJFMitchell for writing thoughts and humorous tweets. See my LinkedIn Profile here.

The Top Ten Ways to Ace Your Next Interview

With the post-bubble economy still being in its tepid state, it isn’t enough to have the required experience and education to land your dream job. Nowadays you need to step up your game to stand a chance among a sea of hopeful applicants. As a seasoned professional recruiter who has placed hundreds of candidates, I know the industry secrets for successful interviews. Here are the top ten ways to ace your next interview, and insure that you get placed at the top of the pile of potential hires. For organizational purposes, I have divided the tips into a list of five basic musts and five advanced tips.

The Five Basic Rules to Start Your Interview Off Right:

1. Dress to impress. The best rule of thumb is to dress one level up from the standard dress code of the company you are interviewing with. Don’t know the dress code? Call ahead and ask the receptionist or the person who recruited you. Don’t be embarrassed to ask. It would be more embarrassing to show up underdressed—though if you have the personality of Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness [sic], you still stand a chance.

2. Show up on time. This seems simple, but as a recruiter I can’t tell you how many times that my whole schedule has been derailed because someone didn’t show up at the expected time. No matter what role you are interviewing for, time is of the essence. It is common courtesy to show up early or on time, and punctuality always leaves an impression of professionalism. If you can, try to show up fifteen minutes early. But if a delay is inevitable, let the recruiter or hiring manager know as soon as possible. 

[Via Pixabay]

3. Know the ins and outs of the job that you are interviewing for. Make sure you know about the job description before you arrive. Try to find out the scope of the project, skills required, and even goals—but don’t go overboard and try to memorize the job description. Some recruiters and hiring managers resort to using stock job descriptions, which may contain extraneous details that are not even relevant to the job. I’ve also even seen hiring managers ask for the impossible (i.e. Five years of a technology that has been out for one year). What does that mean for you, the interviewee? Be aware that the job description is generally a ‘big picture’ wish list. Be ready to help the interviewer see that you fit the general requirements of the job. Showing that you know what they want and what they need will get you one step closer to getting the job.

[Via Pixabay]

4. Bring a copy of your resume. Bringing something tangible to your interview is a great way to show initiative. Not only does it show the recruiter or hiring manager that you care, it also gives your interviewer something to refer to and focus on in your interview. Although a lot of hiring managers and recruiters will have a copy of your resume already printed, sometimes they don’t. There’s nothing more awkward than having to go over your work history without having your resume to back you up. Plus it gives them something else to look at, instead of staring you down.

[Via Pixabay]

5. Put your phone on silent. As more and more people become cyber-dependent on their smartphones, I find that it is more important than ever to stress the need to silence your phone when interviewing. While some people have legitimate excuses to answer calls during an interview (such as an on call doctor at a hospital), most calls can go to voicemail and be answered at a later time. If you don’t turn it on silent, you run the embarrassing risk of answering the phone during the interview. While it won’t kill your chances, it will most likely stall your engine at the start.

[Via Pixabay]

[Next, The Five Advanced Tips You Need to Know to Get Hired]

Did you like this article and my writing style? Vote for me for 'Awesome Writer of the Year'. Okay, there is no such thing, but the next best thing you can do is subscribe to my blog or like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyfelstedmitchell. You can also follow me on twitter: @KJFMitchellQA for career tips or @KellyJFMitchell for writing thoughts and humorous tweets.

A Quick Note On My Travel Blog for France

I've been meaning to update my travel blog for quite some time, but now in the aftermath of what happened on Friday 13, 2015, I have decided to postpone any more blogs on Paris. Instead, I will post what is possibly the most touching video I've ever seen.

 

It saddens me that we need to explain such senseless acts of violence to children, but in this video a father did just that while also teaching his child to choose hope over fear. 

Eiffel Tower

Virtual Tour using Google Maps

Thanks to Google Maps, you can see the view from the top of the Eiffel tower from the comfort of your own computer. But for those who can make the trip to France, there is no substitute for seeing it in person. There's nothing quite like looking out to the west, towards the United States, and seeing the world from another perspective.

The view from the top:

Be sure to check out each floor (3.5, 3, 2) and to click arrows to "move" around the tower. Top Floor:


Check out these Virtual Tours:
The Louvre

The Musée D'Orsay 

The Le Pompidou

The Eiffel Tower page
The Musée Rodin

Louvre

Virtual Reality Tour of the outside of the Louvre 




Check out these Virtual Tours:
The Louvre

The Musée D'Orsay 

The Le Pompidou

The Eiffel Tower page
The Musée Rodin