by Solange Lopes | Jul 23, 2014 | Career
Drape Knit Jacket – whitehouseblackmarket.com
Ever been on the hunt for THE perfect summer blazer? Well, we may just have found it. This drape knit white jacket combines the comfy feel of a knit with the elegant structure of a blazer…and has a stretch fit to boot (hello large lunch!).
Loving the sophisticated notched lapel and flattering slight peplum flare. Perfect jacket for summer meetings or after hours! It’s $110 @ WhiteHouseBlackMarket!
If you’d like to send us suggestions of a great office fashion pick, or a picture of you wearing great office attire, please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 23, 2014 | Working Mom & Woman Tips |
Your kids are ruining your career – onemagusa.com
I am a mom of two, and for the longest time, I heard the same old proverbial warnings: “Make sure you finish school before having kids”, or “You know once you have kids, it’s over!”. Or even better, “Work hard before kids because afterwards it’s all downhill from there!”. Basically, before I even conceived the very idea of conceiving a child, the message was clear: “Kids will ruin your career, and oh, maybe even your entire life.”
I was reading this article from Politico yesterday, in which Ruth Porat, CFO at prestigious Morgan Stanley and also dubbed as “the most powerful woman on Wall Street”, was featured. When you hear of women like Ruth Porat, you don’t exactly picture the traditional mommy thing. No pun intended here. I am not a traditional mommy, and frankly never aspired to be. Yet what struck me (and even made me go awww) as I read the article is that Ms. Porat keeps a note from her kids on her desk telling her how proud they are of her and the work she does. I know, awww!!! Clearly, her kids did not ruin her career…
Yet so many of us women at work seem to think that we have to choose between a great family and a great career. It’s not even like we could strike in the middle, and have an average family and an unbelievable career. Or an average career and a great family life. It’s an all-or-nothing game, hence the disheartening number of women in high management positions, and the sprint-race speed at which women exit corporate ranks to stay home as they start having kids. Again, makes it really look like as much as we love them, kids really ruin your career.
So how come the Ruth Porat of this world could achieve the supernatural feat of having kids AND kicking a… in the career department? Luck, favor, spiritual incantations? In her interview with Politico, Ms. Porat seems to think a healthy mix of career and family is the answer, rather than delaying one in favor of the other.
I would add that reminding yourself as you tuck the kids in bed tonight, that as mighty as they may seem, they can’t possibly ruin your career (or the one you think you had, deep inside that career-oriented head of yours). Actually, they may just be the the best people you’ll ever have to negotiate basic cleanliness contracts with…
Just sayin’….
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 22, 2014 | Career |
Tattoos at work – pinterest.com
So I’ve got a couple of tattoos. And no, I’m not in my 20’s, nor do I work a blue collar, artistic or non-corporate job. I just happen to like them.
According to a 2013 Forbes article, while tattoo policies may vary from office to office, being inked is no longer a threat to employment. Even more traditional corporate, medical and educational fields are surprisingly growing more tolerant of inked employees. And since over 14% of the American population sports tattoos, it’d be hard to segregate anyways…
Besides, unless you’re a hardcore tattoo fan and have inked your entire body, you can always conceal your inked art under clothing. Or tattoo concealment policies at many companies can make you invest in appropriate clothing.
In any case, and although my body art is definitely more on the discrete side, I’d still wait for after hours to show it off…Just sayin’…
Are tattoos OK at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 22, 2014 | Career
Anneke mid-heel pumps – $59.95 – sole society.com
One of my favorite working girls’ blogs, Corporette, had a great sponsored post yesterday on the amazing sale going on at Sole Society (check out the post and great shoe selections here). And of course, as the bona fide shoe addict I am, I couldn’t help but be all over the shoe sale, hence today’s pick: these Anneke mid-heel pumps!
Love, love these summer-ready leather heels with the sleek pointed toe and original stud heels! Perfect blend of corporate classic and biker chic edgy! As a busy mom racing against the clock (don’t ask who wins most of the time), I can appreciate the classy (and comfortable) mid heel, perfect from running from meeting to meeting, and still picking up the kids on time (somewhat).
These heels are $59.95 at Sole Society, and are perfect with your favorite work sheath, or your (slightly) worn jeans on the week-end!
Work it, girl!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jul 22, 2014 | Career
Career Stress – clutchmagonline.com
Happy Tuesday! Yes it is Tuesday, day 2 of the week, and it was honestly so difficult to get out of bed this morning I thought we were closer to Friday. But it’s Tuesday, and while it may literally suck for some of us under some type or other of work pressure, there are worse things…
Like mustering up all the energy you’ve got to head to a job you’re convinced you suck at…Or dressing up the sum of our loudly quiet insecurities under a crisp white button-down and sleek pencil skirt (or deceitfully self-assured business casual attire)…Or constantly shaking in your pumps in anticipation of that fateful moment when someone, anyone will call your bluff…
This is a common problem with women at work. No matter our qualifications, expertise or talents, we simply think we suck at our job. And while we know it’s not true, we don’t really know how to stop thinking it:
1. Stop trying to stop thinking you suck at your job! Forcing yourself to change your thinking overnight doesn’t work. If anything, you’ll probably push your brain into overdrive negative thinking! There’s a reason why you think what you think. Stop fighting it, embrace your journey and try understanding what’s triggering these thoughts. Then when you finally start understanding yourself, slowly let go…
2. Repeat after me: “I am awesome” yes, just like that! I learnt about the power of affirmations in the midst of one of my worst career stints. Despite being on the edge professionally, I would practice the mirror game as described in Jack Canfield’s Success Principles. I would just stare at my own reflection in the mirror and tell myself how awesome I am. Crazy? I’d rather use the term “forward thinking”. And it works…
3. Now go tell someone else! I don’t like secrets, they are heavy and uncomfortable. And they end up stinking. Don’t keep your awesome secret to yourself. After you’ve invaded every brain cell you have with positive affirmations, share the wealth and go tell someone else! Tell your boss about that great report you submitted! Remind your teammates how your awesome idea turned the project from drab to fab! At the risk of bragging, give yourself a public pat on the back…after all, when in doubt, you’ve got to tell the truth.
Oh yes, and do some actual work too…
The Corporate Sis.
