by Solange Lopes | Nov 3, 2016 | Career
Our Wear to Work section features selected pieces of professional and business attire for women at work.
I’ve been obsessed with camel coats lately. There’s just something about this classic piece that defies time, trends or styles. Hence today’s Wear to Work pick, this Camille coat from Sole Society.
Love the distinctive length of this sleek essential you can pair with your favorite jeans or your most elegant suit! The slightly oversized look adds some edge to it, while the simple cut makes it a wardrobe classic. It’s $218 at Sole Society.
I also like this Karen Millen fur-collared version, as well as this double-breasted Cinzia Rocca number available at Bergdorf Goodman.
Plus Sizes.
In plus -sizes, this Lauren Ralph Lauren Reefer Coat from Nordstrom is available in sizes 14W to 24W. I also like this Via Spiga faux-fur version in sizes 16 W to 24W, on sale at Macy’s.
Petites.
In Petite sizes, this luxe camel coat from Talbots has me doing the happy dance. I also would gladly do a twirl or two in this Eliza J stand collar wool version from Nordstrom.
Which one is your favorite?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 3, 2016 | Career
Note: This is the answer to a question asked on Quora, which i wanted to share on the blog.
I remember being in the hot seat, interviewing for a new job after having been at my current job for less than a year. I knew the question was coming. “Why are you looking for a change?”
I had mentally prepared a generic response to it. Something to the effect that I was seeking more advancement opportunities and stimulation on the job, etc. Yet as I was getting ready to spit out my carefully rehearsed answer, I realized the lack of authenticity was not even fooling me. The words of one of my mentors came back to me:
Every time you present yourself in a way that is unauthentic, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The trick isn’t in the message you have to deliver, but in how you frame it.
So I sat up in my interview chair, and calmly explained that I was looking for a change because I couldn’t handle the travel expectations, in addition to not seeing eye to eye with my manager. At which point I was ready to grab my purse and be excused…
The opposite actually happened, as I drew the attention of the interviewer. Not only did she value my honesty and straightforwardness, she also could relate because she had been through the same experience earlier in her career.
The trick for me was to frame what could have appeared as negative circumstances as an opportunity to be transparent while emphasizing the positive side of the situation. I made it clear that I had learnt a lot and was thankful for my experience at my former position, but was looking for an environment that would be more conducive to mine and my future group’s growth.
My point is, while you certainly must be diplomatic in how you explain seemingly negative circumstances, you can gain more by being transparent rather than vague or even worse, unauthentic.
Besides, it allows you to make a real, human connection with the person on the other side of the table, which can be an invaluable asset right off the bat.
You should also keep in mind that in certain industries, there are chances that your former co-workers or managers know your future group members, and may share information about you. Think about damaging your reputation later on…
All in all, try to be as forthcoming as possible, while framing your answer as positively as you can. The more you can paint a picture of growth and progress in spite of obstacles, the better you can present yourself in a strong and authentic light. And the more you can make a unique, powerful connection.
How have you handled this question in interviews?
PS: Join the conversation, click HERE to follow me on Quora!
To your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 2, 2016 | Career
Our “Wear to Work” feature presents selected pieces of professional attire for corporate and business sisters.
Adriana Papell Sweater Dress – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
This dress is available in black and grey, as well as in wineberry. It’s $118 at Nordstrom.
I also like this Cynthia Steefe beautiful long-sleeved collared sweater dress from Neiman Marcus (only available in medium and small though). And this Marc Jacobs sweater dress from Shopbop is absolutely gorgeous.
Plus Sizes.
Jessica Howard Geo-contrast Sweater Dress – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
In Plus Sizes, I absolutely love this Jessica Howard Geo-Contrast sweater dress from Macy’s, available in sizes 1X through 3X. I also like this Vince Camuto lace version from Nordstrom, available in sizes Plus 1X through Plus 3X. Lastly, this Eliza J turtleneck sweater dress from Lord & Taylor, in sizes 1X through 3X, is a great addition to any work wardrobe.
Petite Sizes.
Jessica Howard Petite Fit and Flare Sweater Dress – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Which one is your favorite?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 2, 2016 | Start Your Business
Disclosure: Please note this post has affiliate links.
Whatever your career path or the kind of business you’re creating, branding holds a special, if not crucial place, in establishing yourself. From getting to know yourself in terms of your “why” and business motivations, to articulating your brand message and mission statement, determining your brand identity is a necessary and challenging process we often skip altogether.
In her #LaunchLove Brand Identity Workbook, Amanda Spann of Spann & Company, co-founder of tiphub, an investment manager built around a community of entrepreneurs in Africa and the African Diaspora as well as the Founder/Co-founder of a few apps including Alchomy, TipOff and ChatArt, aims to help you do just that. Amanda is an expert at branding, being a former publicist herself who now specializes in marketing & ecosystem development for new and emerging brands. She’s been honored as one of Business Insider’s 30 Most Important Women In Tech Under 30, Walker’s Legacy 2016 Power50, Rolling Out’s 25 Women you should know, BET’s Blacks on the Brink of Greatness, as well as one of the 5 future leaders in technology by Black Enterprise Magazine.
As a career woman and an entrepreneur, I particularly enjoyed the simplicity and straight-forwardness of this excellent workbook. Through expertly framed questions, Amanda leads you to shape your own brand purpose, message and mission statement. I love that this workbook walked me through thinking about, and writing down all of the crucial elements necessary to discover and refine my own brand.
You can use this workbook whether you’re working in the corporate world, building your business, or doing both. While there are some elements that specifically apply to building your business (like identifying your tagline, or defining your target audience), most of the items discussed and developed in the workbook can be applied to any career or business path.
Overall, I think this is a powerful tool to brand your career and/or business, whatever field you may be into. I highly encourage you to get it and make the time to go through each and every one of the steps to implement your very own branding strategy.
Click HERE to get your copy of the #LaunchLove Brand Identity Workbook!
PS: Don’t forget to check out all the other #LaunchLove products by Amanda Spann as well! Click HERE for the #LaunchLove e-store.
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 1, 2016 | Career
Today, I’m sharing a passage of the revised edition of my e-book “Girl, Take Back Your Career” with you! Here are a few tips on establishing your power network, whether you’re a corporate or business sister…
In other words, who’s in your “Who’s Who” list? Not that you should play “Corporate Groupie of the year”, but knowing and being known by the cream of the crop in your team, department or company does open up a world of opportunities, knowledge and wisdom for you.
But how do you get to know the who’s who, the cream of the crop, when you don’t report directly to them, and have literally no work interaction with them, other than seeing them on the Intranet’s front page day in and day out? Do you just crash the Director’s office on a random day with a smile and a thousand questions (please don’t)?
There are ways to go around the “I don’t know all these high-powered people” problem. Start by seeking one or multiple mentors, which is nothing more than asking someone you highly admire in your team, department or company to share their experience and show you some of the Big Corporate ropes. Most high-powered executives have themselves had mentors who helped them further their careers through networking, opportunities and oodles of corporate wisdom. And most would be happy to send the elevator back down…
Joining professional associations and groups, as well as attending professional conferences and events, is also a great way to meet and network with high-powered execs in your field.
Even in your day-to-day interactions and meetings, pay close attention to the individuals you come in contact with. Networking doesn’t have to be this formal exercise in meeting other human beings. And it doesn’t have to be restricted to after-hours venues, or golf courses for that matter. It could be as easy as sending an email to someone you may have come across to ask for advice, or pick someone’s brain in the hallway at the end of a meeting.
All in all, it comes down to purposely and consciously leveraging your professional interactions, whether they happen in the hallway at coffee break time, or in a more formal professional event, or even from afar with someone you greatly admire.
Have you started building your power network yet?
PS: Click HERE to get the full copy of “Girl, Take Back Your Career!”.
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
