Showroom Shine

There's nothing quite like a freshly-waxed car. From the smell to the blinding reflection, it’s a refreshing sight when it’s done right. To many folks, simply splashing some spray-on wax and hitting it with an electric buffer is enough to seal the job. However, if you really want to achieve the wet-gloss look that grabs attention and rejuvenates a beaten paintjob, it’s best to follow a battle-tested plan.

To start off, you’ll need a clean car. Most of the time it’s fine to just run it through an automatic car wash, but it’s not a bad idea to break out a bucket and hose to get the job done manually. This should minimize the dirty spots that may have been missed in an auto wash. Once you’re sure the car is free of dead bugs and dirt, make sure to be thorough with the towel-drying process. A microfiber towel is great, but any old towel will do. You just want to be sure that all surfaces are dry and ready for the next step: Wax application.

If you’re using a standard carnauba wax, you’ll want a sponge-like applicator and a smooth, dry towel for buffing it off. Microfiber works great here, as well. Take limited dips with the applicator at first; you’ll always be able to add more later if you think it’s needed. Use a smooth, circular motion for putting it on, but don’t be too forceful. You just want to lay it down on the surface. Continue applying the wax to every painted surface on the car, being careful to avoid plastic headlight housings and other types of non-waxable surfaces. You’ll likely notice the car changing to a whiter shade, as the wax dries to a hazy complexion. This is natural, and a necessary process. Allow it to dry for several minutes.

Once you’re sure it’s dry and looking sufficiently frightening, it’s time to bring the car out of the cocoon and into the spotlight. Take your dry buffing towel (Or electric buffer if you’re really lazy) and lightly buff the wax out. When buffing, use the same circular motions (Reversed: Use clockwise for buffing if you applied with counter-clockwise motions) and very gentle pressure. You want the wax to fill the surface evenly, and not be forced into the paint. Being forceful does nothing for your shine. Be gentle, be precise, and be thorough.

After the buffing is complete, take about 12 steps back from the profile of the car and admire your work. If it’s done right, break out a razor and move in close to the door panel… You had better be able to shave in front of it!

Job Hunting?

Electronic media is an increasingly popular field of study for young Americans. With modern technology increasing at a rapid pace, the job market within electronic media has expanded in kind. Careers for Electronic Media majors have never been brighter, but for many people graduating from universities around the country this semester, finding those high-paying and enjoyable careers can be harder than earning the degree in the first place. I've always found it helpful to cover all the bases and check the field for any obstacles before going up to bat, so I've prepared a bit of a rundown for those of you who may need a couple of firearms in the circus that is: The Job Hunt.

Before you begin searching for a career, it's best to know exactly what you expect to get out of your employment. Many factors come into play here, and it's important to consider whether the position you seek will be temporary or permanent. Are you going to want full benefits and a desk with a view, or would you be happier with a low-pay, low-stress position as a coffee runner and copy machine guru in a corporate office? Sometimes it's not a bad idea to take a dead-end job somewhere local in order to use it as a springboard of experience to help you later. Down the road when you're applying for a more lucrative position somewhere else, that lowly position may give you the edge on other candidates who have similar talent. Job Web offers some great tips for college graduates who may be taking their first dip into the real-world workforce. They'll also help you out with some solid advice for digging out from underneath all of those nasty college loans that may have gotten lost at the Strip.

Once you've narrowed down the type of job you're looking for, the next step is to begin a search. One of the first places for any viable job search to begin is Monster. This practical website offers the promise of doubling your chances of landing a job. There are thousands of job postings, and an abundance of openings in a number of electronic media fields. Their site offers an easy-to-use search feature that will allow you to search within a given field (Photography, scriptwriting, etc.), or even search within the postings for keywords you may be interested in. Past locating a good prospective job, they also assist in creating an outstanding resume in order to help you get selected for the job you want. Career Builder is also a solid alternative with additional job listings, in the event that a particular job you are looking for is not listed with Monster.

After you've got your job all picked out, and the resume is looking stellar, the final roadblock to successful employment is the interview. It can be excruciating if you're not well-prepared. Job Interview is a very useful online service which actually performs mock interviews with you. They will provide a job description and some commonly-asked questions, and then walk you through the best ways to respond to them. Finding the right words can make an indelible impact on your potential employer, and create a lasting impression that can be the difference between "Don't call us, we'll call you" and "You start on Monday!"