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🌸 ฅ՞•ﻌ•՞ฅ Hi girlies!

 It looks like the universe played with my algorithm because this week brought so many amazing opportunities. from paid remote roles to scholarships and programs for undergrads and high school students, there’s something for everyone.

before you dive in, make sure to check out the free resources section on our site — just scroll down a little for downloadable templates, guides, and more. if there’s another free resource you’d love for us to create, please comment or email us at [email protected].

and don’t skip the advice column this week — it’s all about how to think like a strategist when applying so your story stands out. 🌸

✨ Advice column ✨

This Week’s Reflection: What a “Sales” Book Taught Me About Applying to Anything

Hi! I know last week’s advice was very advice-y, but I wanted to let you know that for the past week, I’ve been reading a book …. One that’s technically about “sales” and was recommended by my manager. Now, why am I telling you this? Well, the book is all about how to sell products and services to clients, people, and companies. While not everything directly applies to you, I started realizing that anything we apply to college, internships, scholarships, or jobs .. has the same foundation. Because at the end of the day, every time we apply for something, we’re selling ourselves.

This what the book talks about when you are selling something:

I recommend you to think about this when writing your essays, resume, or even sending a cold email.

By the way I created a google doc and took pics of the book, if you want to directly read what it says.

1. Buying Influences = Admissions Officers, Recruiters, or Committees

One of the most powerful ideas is the concept of “Buying Influences.” In any major decision, there are four types of people who guide the outcome:

• Economic Buyer: gives final approval — like a Dean of Admissions or Hiring Manager.

• User Buyer: experiences the outcome — professors, teammates, or program coordinators who’ll work with you directly.

• Technical Buyer: checks whether you meet requirements — HR staff or admissions officers reviewing your GPA, essays, and eligibility.

• Coach: someone helping you from the inside — a mentor, teacher, or recommender who believes in your story and guides your application.

It’s not always easy to know who plays which role — especially in college admissions where much of the process happens behind the scenes — but you can still apply this thinking:

1. During interviews: listen for what your interviewer emphasizes (results, teamwork, or goals).

2. When researching: look up the program, recruiter, or department online — find what they care about and use that to shape your message.

3. When writing essays: remember that different readers look for different things — story, structure, and self-awareness.

And here’s something I loved: your Coach isn’t always someone you personally know. Sometimes it’s an admissions officer or recruiter who reads your application and decides to quietly advocate for you — and you’ll never know who they are. Your job is to make it easy for them to say yes. That means being clear about your goals, giving specific examples of impact, and making sure your “why me” and “why here” are unmistakable.

So how do you actually use this to increase your chances?

• Speak to the Economic Buyer by highlighting measurable outcomes and results.

• Win the User Buyer by showing curiosity, collaboration, and fit.

• Impress the Technical Buyer by being complete, organized, and detailed.

• And empower your Coach by giving them a story worth advocating for.

So even if this week’s advice came from a “sales” book, the lesson is universal: you’re not just applying — you’re positioning yourself. And when you do it intentionally, that’s when real opportunities start saying yes back.

2. Red Flags = Gaps in Your Application

In sales, a “Red Flag” signals risk — something that could block a deal.
In applications, your Red Flags might be:

• Gaps in experience or GPA

• Weak recommendation letters

• Unclear personal story

Just like in sales, you don’t ignore them → you address them strategically. For example, if your GPA is low, your essay can reframe it by showing resilience or growth. You turn “danger” into a story of progress → the same way a salesperson turns an objection into trust. This what you call a “Show, Don’t Tell Essay”.

3. Response Modes = How People React to Change

In The New Strategic Selling, the authors explain that every decision-maker falls into one of four Response Modes — Growth, Trouble, Even Keel, or Overconfident — and the same applies to people reviewing your applications.

• Growth Mode: They want innovation. Admissions officers or recruiters in this mode look for creativity and initiative. Use stories that show new ideas you’ve built or changes you’ve led.

• Trouble Mode: They need help now. You’ll spot phrases like “hiring immediately,” “apply ASAP,” or “we need 40 students.” Show reliability, speed, and problem-solving — they’re drawn to people who get things done.

• Even Keel Mode: They’re content but open. Scholarship reviewers here have seen hundreds of good essays — stand out with authenticity and purpose, not perfection.

• Overconfident Mode: They think everything’s already working. Offer quiet value — insights or experiences that expand their perspective without sounding like you’re fixing them.

To know who’s who, read between the lines. Job descriptions, program pages, and emails reveal tone: words like innovative or building = Growth; urgent or hiring = Trouble; consistent or community = Even Keel. You won’t always identify every mode, but the more you listen for what the opportunity values, the better you can mirror it in your story.

4. Win–Win Thinking

The best salespeople focus on long-term relationships — not just closing a deal.
That’s exactly what strong applicants do: they don’t chase prestige; they look for a genuine fit where both sides “win.”
You’re not begging for an opportunity — you’re showing how your skills, goals, and values align with what the school, company, or organization stands for.

_{All opportunities down bellow divided by section}🎀_☺️🧸🌸

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