Photo credit: nordstrom.com
Loving this Adriana Papell pleated crepe dress from Nordstrom! The lively color is perfect to go from the office to the board, and the cut is absolutely slimming!
This dress is $98 at Nordstrom!
The Corporate Sis.
Photo credit: 12kaky.com
When I started my career as a young associate in Big Accounting, I thought this was it. I had a nice, polished degree from a nice, polished college in one of the most educated cities of the world. I had gotten a gleaming offer from a great accounting firm, I was on my way to bigger and better things, and that paycheck would definitely not hurt either, especially in the shoe department. Life was good…
Until I started on my very first inventory assignment out of town, in some remote hospital where I had to perform a count in the…morgue. And did I mention the “busy season” busy work hours, which would not end until I had put on an extra 10 pounds and worked more than I ever thought possible…Life had become more real than it was good. That’s also when I started noticing the stark difference between those who could manage their careers successfully, and those who let it just happen to them, natively believing in some imaginary “Career Fairy” that would magically steer towards a path filled with promotions and amazing work opportunities.
Many young and seasoned professionals alike do still believe in this “Career Fairy”, doing their work day in and day out, not quite sure of their next career step, trudging along as they help others meet their goals and achieve their objectives. All the while hoping all their hard work will take them where they ought to be someday…Except where most end up being is buried in a bottomless pit of unfulfilled career dreams yet still growing work expectations.
1. Be clear about your goals! Whether you really want to become an entrepreneur or you’re eyeing the corner office, set clear goals for your career. While these may evolve as you develop in your career, keep communicating them clearly as you go. This will help you monitor your own progress, ask for advice, and attract the right people and opportunities to get you closer to your objectives.
2. Use your talents! Do not hesitate to use your natural talents to further your career. Even if you’re not sure of your final career destination, capitalize on your strengths to help steer you to the work you’re best at. Ultimately, it is your best work and the mastery of the tasks at hand that will make you noticed, and push you in the direction of your career dreams.
3. Raise your hand! Refuse to stay on the sidelines, doing your work head down, and not participating in the conversation. Let your opinions be heard, share your insights, add your own approach to the work, and contribute to the larger scope of work. It is by being present and visible that you will make an impact, and get closer to opportunities that otherwise will not reach you on their own.
How can you stop believing in the career fairy and start managing your own career?
The Corporate Sis.
Happy Sunday!
Hope everyone’s having a great week-end, we’re enjoying the sun on this side of the blogosphere. And while we’re at it, here are the news that made our week:
Happy Sunday!
The Corporate Sis.
Print Front Zip Cardigan – Photo credit: nordstrom.com
Nordstrom is having its Designer Sale, and we’re liking what we see. This Tracy Reese print-front zip cardigan packs a serious punch, with its original prints and shorter cut. I like the 3/4 sleeves, perfect for the office in the summer (think A/C blasting all day), and the shorter hem which makes it a contemporary option to pair with your best bottoms.
This print-front zip cardigan is on sale for $148.50 at Nordstrom!
The Corporate Sis.
The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job Done
Today, I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing fellow career blogger and published author Zena Thomas, about her first book, “The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job.” I had the pleasure to collaborate with Zena on earlier “Ask HR” posts on the Corporate Sister, and am so happy to feature her once more on the blog.
In this interview, Zena tells us about her amazing book, and provides us with valuable career advice. The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job is a great go-to for anyone searching for a job, or even looking to refresh their job-hunting skills. Here’s Zena:
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what prompted you to write this book?
There are so many things that I could say to describe myself or answer the “tell me about yourself” question but in short, I’m passionate about helping others succeed at work. I found my “calling” and I’m truly working in my purpose. At the moment I live in two worlds. I’m a HR professional at a tech company in the DC area where I support 200 employees. But more excitingly, I’m the founder of Her Savvy Career, a company dedicated to helping women navigate the world of work.
I started Her Savvy Career in 2014 out of my desire to reach more women and provide them with the tools and resources they need to be successful at work. Not long after I started blogging I knew that I wanted to write a book. I wrote The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job so women would have a go-to guide to walk them step-by-step through the job search process. The thing that makes this book unique is the real talk advice from a Recruiter and Hiring Manager perspective.
In your book, you give valuable tips about “getting the job”. Which one is the most important to you?
The book is about “getting the job” but it’s really deeper than that. There is no magical formula to landing a job. There are tons of little steps you need to take everyday and start to commit to habit in order to create a situation where you are in a position to land the “right” job for you. Almost all of the tactics and advice I give in the book can fall under one category, preparation. If you are intentional and deliberate about your desire to find the “right” job, then you will put in the prep work to make it happen.
Would you say your book is more targeted to millenials in particular?
That’s an interesting question. When I think about my ideal reader, she is 25, college-educated, on her second job, and trying to discover her passion. However, I’ve found the advice I give in the book is applicable to readers of all ages. Some of the topics I discuss you’ve heard many times but not from an HR perspective. On the other hand, there are tips you may be hearing for the very first time. While this book is not specifically targeted to millennials, the sooner you read it, the easier your job search process will be for the rest of your career.
Would your advice apply to both professional men and women, or would you make some distinctions?
Most of the advice in The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job is applicable to both males and females. The process of landing the “right” job is challenging for everyone.
What change do you hope your book will have on professionals?
I want this book to be read, reread, and shared. I wrote The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job because there is so much information about landing the “right” job that candidates never know. They don’t know how to land the job of their dreams because the people with the information never told them. I want to make it easier on job-seekers to find the opportunities that will provide them with successful and rewarding careers. Specifically, I want women to have all the tools and resources they need to be in the driver’s seat of their career choices and achieve career-happiness.
Last but not least, when is your next book coming out?
Great question! I have not started writing my next book but I promise The Corporate Sister community will be the first to get the inside scoop.
Zena Thomas is an author, blogger, entrepreneur, and Human Resources professional. With an education in Marketing and Human Resources Management, she has worked for small start up companies and Fortune 500 organizations. Zena is passionate about helping women achieve career success and provides tools and resources through her blog, Her Savvy Career. Additionally, she is a contributor to several blogs and websites on the topics of work and careers. Beyond the web, she is considered an expert in developing professionals into leaders.
