by Solange Lopes | Oct 3, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Wool Suit – Photo credit: bananarepublic.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
I like my suits professional yet fun, like this inverted-collar lightweight wool number from Banana Republic. It’s a nice alternative to the traditional suit, yet one that lends comfort and versatility to your work wardrobe. The lightweight wool is perfect from season to season, while the added stretch makes this a comfortable and easy choice.
The inverted-collar lightweight blazer is both modern and original, and is $198 at Banana Republic. It’s also available in Tall sizes. I love the look of the long fluted sleeves with a slit detail at the back as well. The matching wool pants are $120, and available in short, regular and long sizes.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 3, 2017 | Career
If you’ve been working for some time, or even if you’ve just started your career, then you know that your career evolves with time. Whether you change jobs, remain at the same company, or start and grow your business, work evolves. If you already have a resume, then you also know that just as your career, it’s a living, breathing thing as well.
I remember stashing my resume for years while at the same job, and only digging it out when I started looking for another job. The result? Hours, sometimes days spent trying to remember what I did in prior or even current positions. I would end up vaguely editing it, and wondering if it even fit the professional I had evolved to be over time. Most of all, I kept wondering if it fit the career or job I really wanted to get.
The truth is, our resumes move with us, as we learn, grow and evolve over time. Failing to adjust our resumes as we evolve in our careers puts us at a disadvantage. To find the career you want, you also have to show up with the right tools. Hence the need to adjust your resume for the career you want.
Here are 7 things you can do to adjust your resume to the career you want:
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Start with Action!
One of the biggest turn-offs in resumes is the lack of action in them. Using passive language to describe what you’ve done doesn’t show that you’re strong candidate, for any position. Use action verbs at the start of every bullet point to define the various responsibilities you’ve held. Don’t forget to use varied language as well, to show the scope of your various accomplishments.
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Use the power of customization
Don’t just have a standard resume! Consider every opportunity you’re going after, and customize your resume accordingly. This may mean adjusting your job descriptions so they are relevant to the job you’re going after. Or moving some of your experiences higher up as they are more in alignment with the position you’re going after. Making these subtle, yet significant changes, can get you noticed by a potential employer.
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Update, update, update
One of my biggest past mistakes was to wait until interview time to update my resume. As a result, I would omit some of my proudest accomplishments, and get frustrated in the process as I wouldn’t remember all the things I had done since the last time I update my resume. Instead of waiting until the last minute, keep a record of all your work-related accomplishments. I have a career journal in which I document my significant career wins, so I can use them when it’s time to update my resume.
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List measurable results
Your resume is a great place to show off your career results, in a tangible and measurable way. This means not just listing a series of accomplishments, but actually make them quantifiable. Did you contribute to an award-winning team scoring an 80% growth? Did you increase your department or company’s revenue by 200%? List these quantifiable results to demonstrate how much value you’re able to bring to the position you’re going after.
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Believe in yourself
Last but not least, it doesn’t really matter if you have a strong resume but don’t have faith in yourself and your abilities. You have to be able to back up all the accomplishments, skills and talents listed on paper. Even if you don’t have as much experience or skills as you’d like, having the confidence to demonstrate your drive, passion and willingness to drive success in your career will go a long way.
What other tips would you add to this list?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 2, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Tweed Shift Dress – Photo credit: saksoff5th.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
This Karl Lagerfeld tweed tiered dress from Saks Off 5th is my new Fall crush. The frayed trim at the neckline and cuffs, as well as the tassel belt detail mix classic chic with modern edge. I also love the flattering split neckline on this elegant number. It’s available at Saks Off 5th and is on sale for 74.99.
In a similar style, I also like this Karl Lagerfeld Fringed Popover dress.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 2, 2017 | Make More Money
Disclosure: I have partnered with The Real Real to discuss making smart fashion choices through the power of consignment shopping.
Fall is one of my favorite times to “refresh” my wardrobe. By this, I mean (graciously) letting go of the clothes and shoes I keep hoping to “magically” fit in one day when my stomach gets flat again. In the age of consignment, when you can pocket some serious cash for cleaning your closet and home of unused goods, eliminating personal clutter has actually become the ethical thing to do. Think about it, instead of throwing away all the money you spent on those then-highly-fashionable mini-skirts from college, you can now let go of yesterday’s fashion with poise, elegance and a fatter wallet.
Consigning, or the modern art of reselling your unused goods, is also a great way to make sustainable, smart fashion choices while pocketing extra cash.
I first got into the world of consigning as a college student with a thin wallet and unabashed passion for eclectic, original yet moderately priced fashion wares. It was a fellow fashion addict with a similarly limited budget, who introduced me to the concept and led me to my first vintage Chanel bag.We’d travel hours to some of the best consignment shops in the most affluent areas around town, chasing those unique vintage picks. It was about more than just getting more stuff, it was the thrill of the chase, the history behind those vintage pocket books, the sense that life has passed through these stores. And also that we were contributing to saving fashion from utter waste (we all need a higher purpose, don’t we?).
In honor of the first-ever National Consignment Day, here are seven benefits of never throwing away and consigning instead:
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High fashion doesn’t have to mean high costs!
I’m the proverbial “frugal fashionista”. Which also means I don’t believe that you necessarily need to dish out high costs to enjoy high fashion. You can now get designer items in good condition on resale, while giving sellers the opportunity to sell more with less costs and labor.
Keep in mind that one of the pre-requisites of consignment selling is that sellers ascertain that the items sold are up to a certain standard. This also means you may be able to purchase great, even rare items, at a fraction of their price.
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Consigning is environmentally-friendly!
Instead of throwing away unused goods and adding to the planet’s waste, you can actually contribute to saving the planet through the use of consignment shops. Now, unused items can become part of someone’s wardrobe, while the seller can benefit from making extra cash. For both buyers and sellers, it’s an absolute win-win.
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By not throwing away, you’re helping a good cause!
Many consignment shops also serve as non-profit organizations. As such, they partner with local and national charities to dedicate some of their benefits to helping certain causes. As you participate in the consigning process, you may also be helping a charitable cause.
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Consigning is a great business!
If you have an eye for rare fashion and other finds, you may be able to turn the consigning process into an exciting business. There are many online marketplaces that specialize in high-value and/or original consigned goods. I know I love unique vintage items and rare art pieces that sometimes can only be found through the consigning process.
Every now and then, you hear about a lucky shopper who stumbled across a treasure at a consignment shop. That could be you!
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Consigning is budget-friendly!
Whether you’re in a budget pinch or just want to save a few bucks, consigning can be a great way to make or save extra money. You can cash in on all those unused dresses (yes, those with the tags on that don’t get past your left thigh) in your closet, and you may also be able to score original, unique finds at very reasonable prices.
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It’s like a fun treasure hunt!
One of the main reasons why I love consignment shops is the sense of adventure they bring. You never know what you’ll find there. I’ve dug out unique vintage fashion items, funny and original pieces from antique times, and rare décor in stores all across the country.
I always wonder about the story behind those items, and get inspired by the memories they may carry. Plus that sense of extra price when you beat the other shoppers and get the coveted vintage Chanel bag…
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You get variety and originality!
Last but not least, if you tend to get bored in traditional stores, consider the variety and originality you may find in consignment shops. From various designer labels to older, vintage picks, the options may be endless, and quite fun!
What has been your experience with consignment shopping?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 30, 2017 | Career
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
- The Glassdoor Blog shares these 31 companies that are hiring like crazy in October;
- This week, The Corporate Sister discusses why we need to stop hiding as working women;
- Calling all working moms! Here are 15 of the best companies for working moms;
- Looking for a job? Everyone’s Blog Posts lists 6 top apps for jobseekers;
- Ellevate Network discusses choosing mentors for an inspired career journey;
- Business Insider shares how Trump’s new tax plan could change your take-home pay;
- The Undercover Recruiter explains what it means to work with working mothers;
- Want to reduce your heart risk? Forbes Woman advises to take on meditation;
- Corporette shares financial tips for women lawyers just starting in Big Law;
- Are you social media guru? Ellevate Network shares 5 social media tactics that can boost your career;
- If you’re a student, Recruiter shares these 9 high-paying jobs that may be perfect for you;
- Using Google Calendar? The Muse shares these 14 Google Calendar tips you won’t know how you lived without;
- Do you have a women-focused business? Ellevate Network shares marketing strategies to grow it;
- If you’re into cooking, Serious Eats shares the 22 essential cookbooks for every kitchen;
- Fall is here, and WhoWhatWear has the coolest pointy-toe boots for every budget.
Cheers!
The Corporate Sis.
