by Solange Lopes | Jun 1, 2015 | Career |
Keyhole cutout sheath dress – Photo credit: nordstrom.com
This Ellen Tracy cutout textured sheath has me thinking of elegant summers and fresh work fashion. The cutout and pleating at the neckline add elegant details to this otherwise classic dress in a punchy, summer-like color. The slim, bright belt adds a touch of refinement ( and aesthetic flattery) to this dress, which is on sale for $110 at Nordstrom.
I would pair this elegant dress with very little jewelry, and a not-so-basic pair of black pumps to offset the vibrant dress color, like this pair of Sam Edelman D’Orsay pumps, also from Nordstrom.
Ooh la la!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 1, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: blackenterprise.com
Remember your first school day? Outfit pressed, nerves shot, confidence slightly (or heavily) wavering…Kind of your first day at a new job, except your paycheck (and ability to pay your mortgage and splurge on vintage shoes) is on the line.
Your first day on the job, any job, is probably up there on the list of most nerve-wrecking days of your life, right up there with your first date and your first real pair of Louboutins. The prospect of meeting new people with whom we may be spending upwards of eight hours a day and sharing our already thin cubicle walls, not to mention making a positive impression on your new boss, is enough to make you dig into an entire quart of salted caramel ice cream. Yes, that bad…
I’ve had a few “first days on the job”, and as much as I’d like to say, one never quite gets used to stepping into a professional world for the very first time. Not to mention it takes me about a month to locate anyone’s cube or office (not to mention the women’s restroom). And even though starting a new job has gone from being called “orientation” to now be all-ceremoniously referred as “on-boarding”, there are still a few crucial actions you need to take to ensure your start (and finish) is a success:
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! Even though there will be a period of acclimation at the new job, your best bet is to hit the ground running. This means being prepared, both mentally, emotionally and spiritually to tackle your role’s responsibilities. Concretely, it also means learning as much as you can about the Company, your managers and colleagues, as well as your role’s expectations. Use resources such as Linked In to research your managers and colleagues’ backgrounds. Peruse your new company’s website to gather as much information as possible, and prepare yourself mentally to start fresh.
2. Chat up your boss! It’s not too early to re-visit your manager’s expectations. Follow up on your interview with questions about the company and department’s style, strategic priorities and challenges. It’s also important to lay down a solid foundation with your manager, and discuss communication styles, as well as performance metrics.
3. Listen, ask, repeat! Now is NOT the time to start criticizing or offering suggestions for change, unless expressly requested from you. Listen and ask as many questions as you can. Each company, department or even group has its own culture, and its own rules, both implicit and explicit. Learn to know who you will be working with, the various personalities you will have to interact with, as well the type of culture you will be evolving in. And remember, no one likes a wise-a….
4. Start working on your relationships! One thing I’ve learnt in the corporate world, is that building alliances builds up your career. It’s not all about who you know, but a large part of your success rests on your relationships at work. Be smart about it, and start building mutually beneficial relationships from day one. Remember, perception matters!
5. Have a plan! It may be too early to draw a definite career plan on day one. However, showing your manager you’re already thinking about the most important action items you’ll have to complete, and setting target objectives and dates, will definitely afford you some serious brownie points. Focus on a general 30, 60 and 90-day plan, that you can share with your manager as you grow more comfortable in your role.
What advice do you have to start the first day on the job on a good footing?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 31, 2015 | Career |
Happy Sunday! It’s been a while since I did my weekly news update, and I had missed sending my hand-picked bits of career and empowerment news. Well, I’m back, and excited to rave and rant about the news that made my week:
- Fast Company asks is your have the right personality to work from home;
- Forbes lists the 25 most powerful women of 2015;
- The Harvard Business Review does confirm the robots are coming, but thankfully, there are still ways you can remain gainfully employed;
- Inc. lists 5 ways to perfect your Linked profile;
- Bloomberg writes about 10 tips offered by economists to young graduates;
- Women Entrepreneur features mogul Barbara Corcoran, who confirms women are not weak for wanting something more than the top job;
- Entrepreneur tells us why millenials in the workplace don’t care;
- Levo League shows us 7 ways to stay resilient during a job hunt;
- Last but not least, I wrote about how to develop your passion at work this week.
Happy Sunday:)
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 26, 2015 | Career |
Scalloped Trim Dress – Photo credit: jcrewfactory.com
Loving the original scalloped cut on this otherwise classic sheath dress from J. Crew Factory. The knee-length is perfect for work, while the scalloping detail adds a touch of instant elegance to this dress. It comes in both polynesian green and black, however my favorite for summer would be the green one. It’s $88 at J. Crew Factory.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 26, 2015 | Career |
We often think of our jobs, or even careers, and our passions as two different things. Very few manage to combine the two, finding fulfillment in their everyday work as they perform tasks they’re passionate about. For the rest of us mere mortals, is left the drudgery of heading to the 9-to-5 we love to hate daily, while dreaming about the kind of work that’d make us want to jump out of bed in the morning. And for the bravest and most entrepreneurial among us, this means living the double life of the entrepreneur, hustling after-hours, surviving on coffee and big dreams…
What if, after all, it weren’t all black-and-white? What if we could pierce through this veil of separation between work we have to do and work we’d love to do? Yes, what if we could all leverage our day jobs to pursue our passions? Ridiculous, unrealistic, or a rearrangement of our mindset and how we view the nature of our work…
Many will tell you following your passions will make you broke, unhappy, and ready to hit the bottle. Others swear by doing what you love, at the risk of wasting your life. In the midst of it all, bills don’t stop coming, your fridge keeps emptying itself at a faster rate than ever, and did you notice how any pair of vintage heels will now cost you your mortgage? Yet there exist a few surefire ways to leverage your time at work, and develop your passion while excelling at your day job:
1. Use your talents! We all have particular talents, abilities and a distinctive work style. As tempting as it may be to fit into a pre-determined box, user your talents to differentiate yourself and build a competitive advantage at work. Great writing skills? Put these into crafting memorable reports and on-point emails. Outstanding presenter? Volunteer for department and company presentations.
2. Share your passions! While many may think sharing passions and personal pursuits outside of work could be detrimental to their careers, there are many more instances when actually opening up about these can give you a boost at work. Why hide the fact that you’re passionate about web marketing if this can open a new niche for you at work? You can also promote your leadership skills at work by mentioning your outside mentoring activities. In any case, be mindful of your environment, and trust your instincts when revealing anything personal.
3. Look for your niche in your current company! Being in a certain role does not mean you cannot evolve to another role that fits you better. Keep your eye open for positions that require your particular strengths and talents!
Are you leveraging your current job to develop your passion?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 21, 2015 | Career |
Can you work with friends?
We’ve talked about building up work relationships that build up our career, as well as scoring genuine relationships at work. However, when it comes to relationships at work, how close is too close? Can you work with your friends? If so, how do you maintain the necessary professional boundaries, while preserving your own personal ties?
My $0.05: I’ve worked with friends before, and although I would like to give a one-sided, objective answer to this question, I would have to say, yet again, it depends. It depends a whole lot. About your environment, the type of friendship you have, and the type of person you’re dealing with, not to mention the mindset you’re in. My best work relationships with friends have been one where both m y friends and I knew the difference between being friends at work, and being friends outside of work. Work came first at work, while personal and professional boundaries were clearly set and expected to be respected. Outside of work, friendship was a priority, and work was left…at work.
And of course, for those work relationships with ex-friends I’d rather bury in a deep, dark corner of my mind, they may have thrived and flourished better, had clearer limits been set, and hard conversations been had earlier on. You live, you learn, right…
What has your experience been with friends at work? Would you even be willing to work with a friend?
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | May 21, 2015 | Career
Tulip faux-wrap skirt – Photo credit; crew.com
Loving this tulip faux-wrap skirt from J. Crew in ivory Ikat! It’s perfect for the summer, and makes a statement without being overly provocative. I also love the fact it was made by Indian artisans! It’s $118 at J. Crew!
The skirt is a perfect length, and the colors are versatile enough to allow for various top and footwear options. Great for work and for the week-end too!
The Corporate Sis.
