by Solange Lopes | Sep 21, 2014 | Career |
News round-up – huffingtonpost.com
Happy Sunday!
Hope everyone is having a great week-end! Dear hubby’s stepfather came to visit all the way from the Cape-verde Islands, and we basically spent the majority of the week-end grilling, drinking wine, and yelling at the kids to stop digging out the worms. Hopefully, your week-end has been worm-free, and as you’re relaxing today, here is our weekly news update:
- This week, Working Mother rounded up the list of 100 best companies to work for;
- Forbes writes about the new mentor in the millennial workplace, and introduces their new e-book Their Roaring Thirties: Brutally Honest Career Talk from Women Who Beat the Youth Trap;
- Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve heard about the absurdly inflammatory piece from the New York Times depicting Shonda Rhimes as an “angry black lady”! And you’ve probably heard the thundering response from the entire Internet, such as this one in Slate, or this one in Vox;
- In women making headlines news, Bloomberg News writes that the Reynolds tobacco merger is the biggest deal every made by a female CEO (and we’re so giggling inside);
- Meanwhile, Tech Times wonders if the movement to empower women online will work after all (hello pessimism);
- In not so bright news, Inc. Lists the 10 dumbest (and funniest) corporate emails of all time;
- Ever thought of making gender equality official? Well, Fastcoexist writes about the new stamp of approval for employers truly committed to gender equality (and yes, I’m jumping in place);
- Fortune Magazine confirms women make groups smarter ( we did suspect it, but it’s making us feel all warm inside to read it);
- Missing summer? Project Eve showcases 5 must-have apps to go from workaholic to beach-bound in no time;
- Last but not least, The Corporate Sister ditches the motherhood penalty and instead recognizes that being a mom helps your career. Oh, and I also like the Poacht app.
Happy Sunday, and happy reading!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 19, 2014 | Career
Poacht app – Photo credit: poachtapp.com
So turns out there are quite a few things you can do on the down low, including looking for a job without alerting your current employer you may be coveting greener professional pastures. And of course, this is 2014 and there’s an app for that…Poacht (available on iOs and Android) will let you do just that.
Basically, you call your price (read desired salary level, benefits and perks), and the app matches you to one of the registered companies. You can even schedule an interview with a single tap…Lazy job hunter, you’ve been served…
My $0.05: Great tool for a low down job hunt! Yet, basing a job search primarily on salary level could have the risk of limiting prospects. Well worth the try though…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 19, 2014 | Career
Circle skirt – $29.99 – jcpenney.com
Everyone (gentlemen may abstain) needs an easy, flouncy and feminine skirt to transition from Summer to Fall, and this circle skirt form JC Penney may be just it!
Loving this elastic was it, fit-and-flare skirt, perfect for casual or more conservative workdays. I’d pair it an elegant cardigan like this one.
This circle skirt is now on sale for $29.99 at JC Penney.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 19, 2014 | Career
As you may have been able to tell (or not), I kinda like blogging. Maybe even a little bit more than shoes, or hazelnut chocolate (ok maybe not hazelnut chocolate)…Seriously, in a world where 43.7 million new posts are published every month, is the work we’re putting forth as bloggers making a difference in our careers?
The answer is, it does…In todays’ crowded market, standing out professionally involves doing a little (even a lot) more than having a great Linked In profile and/or outstanding resume. Actually, blogging can take your career through levels you may not have thought of before, and even get you a brand new career and/or business.
Read more on: 4 simple steps to create your WordPress blog with Bluehost
Here are a few ways blogging can help catapult your career:
Blogging Improves Your Professional Image!
If you plan on starting a blog related to your current industry, or to the industry/business you plan on entering, it will certainly improve your professional profile. It’s a great way to show hiring managers what you know, how you can help them, and what a difference you can make for them and their organizations.
You don’t need to have a lot of experience either. Being able to research and solve problems inherent to your industry or business will do wonders to establish your brand. It will also show your motivation, consistency and passion, as well as how well you’re acquainted with your niche.
Blogging Gives You Unique Exposure!
The unique digital footprint and online exposure that blogging gives you is truly unmatched! How else would you have the opportunity to publish a blog post, have it shared on mainstream social media and elite newsletters, thereby attracting the attention of leaders in your field? This means that large hiring companies, major decision makers, and influential people could notice and contact you much faster than traditionally.
For me, it’s translated into opportunities to guest post on influential sites and blogs, as well as to make great contacts in the blogging world that have opened even more doors for me. It’s also how I met amazing mentors who have been providing me with precious insights, advice and connections.
Blogging Enriches Your Network
You’ve heard the phrase: “Your network is your net worth!” By letting you establish your digital footprint, blogging also expands and enriches your network in unique ways. People can find you more easily through a blog, and reach out to you through your social media contact (please make sure to include it on your blog).
Networking is crucial to growing your career. However, it does require much time and effort, both of which can be minimized through a strong blogging presence!
Blogging makes you know yourself better!
Writing about just about anything brings you back to yourself. First, because we all are somewhat selfish. And second, because you will first look at anything through the lens of your own experience. And that’s how you realize how much you’ve learnt in that same corporate gig you loathe, and how you, yes you, can start making a difference right where you are…
Blogging turns you into a lifelong learner!
Our new work environments force us to learn on a continuous basis. So does blogging. From personal introspection to research skills and others, blogging will foster a thirst for information that can only help you as a professional.
Some of the valuable skills you can acquire through blogging include:
- Writing
- Social Media
- Use of CMS like WordPress
- Using analytical tools like Google
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Most of these skills are much valued by employers, and can help put you on the map!
Blogging Shows Leadership!
Every time you create content, share solutions, advice and tools with others, you help them! Helping people is one of the most important pre-requesites to effective leadership. It establishes you as an expert and an authority figure in your niche, in a way that very few traditional career accomplishments could ever do.
This is also one of the qualities that is very much valued by business and employers.
Blogging IS Entrepreneurship!
We all have entrepreneurship muscles (most of them dormant), eager to be exercised in our careers. Whether in our current career or the one we are building, blogging will definitely exercise this muscle… a lot!
Your blog can be the platform through which you grow your business, become a freelancer, and even get contacted to write a blog. Just look at blogger and best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi’s success story: from her successful blog came the opportunity to publish her first best-selling book!
Read more on: 4 simple steps to create your WordPress blog with Bluehost
Do you plan on starting a blog? How has blogging changed your career?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Sep 18, 2014 | Career
Keyboard Memo Pad – $8.75 – Photo credit: http://www.muji.us/store
I was just saying the other day if I didn’t have my head screwed on, I would need a reminder to put it on…And I know I’m not alone…
For all the other kings and queens of reminders, phone alerts, sticky notes, these keyboard memo pads has just made its way on our list of must-haves. These keyboard memos with symbols of Call, Email or Urgent are to be folded and placed right there between your computer keyboard!
I could use many of these, and I’m sure you could. These are $8.75, and come 25 sheets per symbol (or 75 sheets per set). Now I’m going to need a sticky note to remember to get these…
The Corporate Sis.
