Tipping Point Media

In 2000, I decided to donate my hair to help children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. I chose to donate through Locks of Love (www.locksoflove.org), a not-for-profit organization that accepts donated hair to make prosthetics for these children. In its first year of operation, Locks of Love provided 21 hairpieces. To date, they have helped over 2,000 children.

Children need these donations because of hair loss caused by a variety of reasons including severe burns, the use of radiation for the treatment of cancer, and the shutting down of hair follicles caused by an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata. Prosthetic hair is used to restore the self-esteem of a child suffering from hair loss, enabling them to confidently face the world and their peers.

To donate, I had to meet certain requirements. Locks of Love accepts hair from men and women, young and old, all colors and races. Hair may be colored or permed, but not bleached or chemically damaged. They only accept hair that is a minimum 10” in length (tip to tip) and bundled in a ponytail or braid. Once cut, hair needs to be clean, dry, placed in a plastic bag, and sent to them in a padded envelope.

On August 28 2009, I braided my hair and cut off 13” to donate. I sent it hoping some child will benefit from my effort. I believe it is a small price to pay to benefit a child in need. If my child had needed this donation, I could imagine what a heartfelt gift of generosity another person’s hair donation would be.

If you’re interest in donating your hair, Locks of Love is just one of many organizations doing similar work. Others include; Pantene Beautiful Lengths (www.beautifullengths.com), Wigs 4 Kids (www.wigs4kids.com), and Canadian Cancer Society (www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org).

Donna Goetz
Bookkeeper

As a 22-year-old recent college graduate, I’ve been on my share of interviews. Most have gone really well and some not so well. Recently I had an interesting opportunity to see the world from the other side. I am currently the Social Media Intern here at Tipping Point Media but I will be leaving the position soon and was given the chance to interview my would-be replacement. It was quite the interesting and informative experience. It made me think about interviewing in an entirely new way.

I remember all the classes and seminars I took in college where speakers would explain what to do and what not to do in an interview. While their tips were often ones I had heard time and again, they were still useful. Until now, I assumed most people had heard them and would follow their words of wisdom.

Key word: thought.

After being on the other side of an interview, it was weird to see what the candidates thought they should say and do. Keep in mind, they did not do anything ridiculous, say not wear pants. They just did little things that seemed to be the opposite of common sense. I decided to take note of what I witnessed and use this post to provide my own tips on what I believe you should keep in mind when interviewing. This is also a great way to vent my frustrations!

Ask questions! – Isn’t this interviewing 101? At the end of an interview, if you are asked what questions you have, ask something! Please! Even if it’s not the best or most specific question, keep one in the back of your mind that will work for almost any interview. Not having a question makes you seem uninterested, uninformed, and when I am interviewing, it will probably take you off my list.

Research the company – Standard practice, right? You should look up the company website; see what they do, who they work with, etc. During our interviews I assumed that since these candidates were interviewing for a position with social media in the title, they would come in knowing that our company is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and that we have a Blog. I hoped they would also be able to go a step further and comment on our activities. Several (yes, I said several) candidates did not know anything about our social media work. This information is not hard to find. Links to all of our accounts are on our homepage.

In my opinion, not taking the time to review the basics of what we do, made them seem unprepared and uninterested.

Be honest - Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear – My 1st question to our candidates was, “If you could work anywhere or do anything in the world, regardless of money, time, etc., what would your ideal career be?” Almost all candidates said careers related to advertising and media, our specialty here at TPM. Bull honky. The question was, “What is your ideal career?”

While that answer may be the truth, I’m betting they would rather be a professional athlete, a doctor, or a scientist who researches the possibility of putting colonies on the Moon. Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, just give me an honest answer, and maybe think outside the box!

Be enthusiastic – I learned quickly that there was nothing that turned me off more than someone who wasn’t enthusiastic about being in the interview. I wanted them to make me believe they actually would like to be a part of our company and were willing to fight for the job. If they had been the least bit enthusiastic I probably would have given them leeway in other areas.

So, what do you think? Do you have any other interview tips? Do you have horror stories of things you know you did wrong or witnessed from interviewees? Share them!

Ryan Smith
Social Media Intern

Hollywood is attempting to save the Cougar. No, not the endangered feline but the single woman. Last spring, the cable reality dating show “The Cougar,” debuted on TV Land. This new dating show featured a single, sophisticated woman with younger men all vying for her attention.

The new fall TV lineup has plenty to offer in support of this new phenomenon.
On CBS, “Accidently on Purpose,” starring Jenna Elfman premiers on September 21 at 8:30pm. Elfman’s character is left to lick her wounds after a bad break-up and seeks solace in the arms of a 20-something man. You can guess the “accident” part. She ends up experiencing life with her boy toy and his roommates, who turn out to be children as well.

On ABC, “Cougar Town” starring Courtney Cox premieres September 23 at 9:30pm. She plays a divorced mother who is persuaded by her friends to go on the prowl. Viewers will witness her attempt at dating younger men while trying to maintain her kittenish glow.

Rochester has even joined the trend. Every Friday night, Kimberley Ray of The Breakfast Buzz on WBZA-FM, hosts “Cougar Night” at Nola’s Barbeque. All Cougars are welcome to play and have fun.

The love/hate/pursuit of the Cougar is fascinating to watch. Why is it that a fabulous, successful, woman seeking the companionship of a younger man incites such controversy? Is she perhaps breaking the rules of the Old Boys Club?

I say more power to these ladies who get a bad rap for having fun. If Brett Michaels can do it, there should be no judgment cast upon the cougar.

Are Cougars going extinct? Not a chance this season!

Heidi Baller
Media Director