by Solange Lopes | Feb 21, 2014 | Career
Yesterday, we wrote about those things no one tells you about starting a new job, including being borderline romantically involved with IT…After your first day or week or so at your new job, and after all the welcoming smiles, luch invites, the warm-up period is officially over. Now it’s time to get in the flow of things, and actually…work! What? Whoever invented the concept…
When it comes to starting anything, be it a new job, new exercise program, or new habit, the two most common schools of thought are, either you start strong and learn to consistently pace yourself, or start slow and go for the marathon pace.
Well, I recently started taking kickboxing classes, and as with most high-intensity sports disciplines, you’ve got to pick the right approach for you. So I decided to start strong and fight from the start. Why? Well, why not…
Why not establish a competitive advantage from the start, in sports as well as in your career. Your professional reputation is your personal brand, and to build a great one, the best, you’ve got to start at the beginning…And you’ve got to start strong, at least I believe so:
Actively start building your network! Go around and introduce yourself, and respond positively to those who come to introduce themselves. Stop by the big wigs’ offices every now and then to say hi. And don’t forget to offer your help, and ask for them to keep you in mind when interesting projects come along.
Learn, learn, learn! Put on your learning cap and get to digest as much new information as you can. New processes, new people, new titles, new systems…While everything is new and can be quite overwhelming at first, use these first few days and weeks to get acquainted to all the new stuff. Ask as many questions as you can think of, and don’t be shy! The expectation is that you will have questions, so ask away…
Polish your work! Some may think that errors are more acceptable in the beginning, as you’re getting accustomed to the business, company and your department. While some level of learning curve is to be expected, I also believe that as you build your brand and reputation in a new company, showing your best work at first puts you a step ahead of the competition.
As my kickboxing trainer puts it so well: Ready….Fight!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 20, 2014 | Career |
Crosby Street Slim Leg Pants – $52.95- newyorkandcompany.com
For our lunch break today, we are looking at these Crosby Street slim leg polka dots pants from New York and Company. One of the big trends this Spring is polka dots, not that our work wardrobe should subscribe to trends, but this one is easy and fun to pull off at work… I like the unique design of these pants, and the much refreshing take on traditional pants they offer. The fit is also great, I favor slim leg pants for their elongating and slimming effect on just about anyone. Plus it doesn’t hurt that New York and Company is having it semi-annual pant event, with a buy one get one free offer currently going! And you get free shipping on all orders over $50! These pants are $52.95, and for the price and perks you get on this, they’re worth it! Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to recommend? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | Feb 20, 2014 | Career
achikeummuna.lawoffice.com
So you’ve gotten the job offer you were waiting for and accepted it! You’re anxious and excited at the same time, eager to start. And before you know it, day 1 arrives and there you are, the newbie! In the best case scenarios, you are welcomes with open arms and made to feel part of the team. In the worst case scenario, well, you are not…
Yet in any case, there are those infamous rites of passage that differ in magnitude from person to person, and that no one really tells you about…until you find out for yourself:
You will be nicer than you’ve ever thought you could be! ‘Tis the time to use those Crest whitestrips you’ve been eyeing for a while now…because you will be showing those pearly whites. Not only will you want to make the best first impression, but you will be so nervous you won’t be able to wipe that smile off your face…
You will be cured of your Internet addiction…at least temporarily! For once in a long time, you will discover what it means to be Internet-free at work! You will be so eager to show your impeccable professional side that your clicks will be far and few in between…Now you can take up that smoke cessation program, one addiction down, a thousand to go…
You will have a love-hate relationship with IT! Starting a new job is a process, and so is getting personally acquainted with the systems you’ll be using on the daily. You will find out that each IT department has its own communication protocols and codes, and that if you thought you would never run into grumpy Bob from IT again, well, you may have just met his twin…
Last but not least, you will learn to take things in stride! It’s a new job, and you ain’t going anywhere for a while. So no matter the temporary inconveniences, the questionable personalities, or the serious IT delays, you will learn that not everything happens on your timetable. And you will find patience and humility where your old self would not have tolerated less than excellence…And when it all comes down to it, you will come to cherish those first days on the job, except of course for grumpy Bill’s twin from IT…
What are those things that no one told you about when starting a new job?
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | Feb 19, 2014 | Career
visualphotos.com
One recurring question among some of our readers is around friendships at work. Is it healthy to have friendships at work, or does it give off the wrong impression, especially among corporate sisters who are also minorities?
I personally think that if you have to spend upwards of 8 hours at work, unless you’re totally anti-social, you will form acquaintances at the very least, if not friendships at work. The real question is: how do you manage these relationships at work? Are you friendly but quick to draw the line between work and pleasure? Are you more inclined to allow relationships to run their natural course, sometimes at the expense of your professional credibility?
Please chime in…
The Corporate Sister
by Solange Lopes | Feb 19, 2014 | Career
Striped one-button blazer – $108 – Thelimited.com
I keep saying it, spring may not be in the air just yet, but it’s on our minds…And why not start instilling it in our wardrobe too? That’s why I love the easy-breezy feel of this striped one-button blazer from The Limited, it smells like clean, fresh spring air, and wears like a casual, relaxed day at the office without all the stuffiness of a Monday morning board meeting…I love the decorative chest welt pockets, and the fact that you can rock this blazer from 9-to-5 and beyond, as it looks as good paired with structured slacks as with your favorite pair of skinny jeans and heels…
Pair it with a classic white button-down shirt for a clean look, or over a conservative dress for a twist on classic elegance. It’s $108 at the Limited!
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion piece you’d like to share? Please email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sister.
