by Solange Lopes | May 21, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: susanliddy.com
Building up and maintaining positive, fruitful work relationships can be a job in itself. From managing management’s demands and expectations while refraining from throwing sharp objects at your boss, to remaining engaged with your teams, having genuinely fulfilling relationships at work can sometimes sound like pulling hair, teeth, and all the patience and dedication in the world. And frankly, in between the month-end meetings, quarterly reports and the boss’s last minute projects, not to mention your toddler’s new tantrum phase and your hairdresser moving out of town (hello crisis), who has time for that?
I’ve made some wonderful connections at work, and some that felt more like biting your tongue after chewing gum too hard. Yet through it all, the common denominator that made the difference between the relationships that made it beyond the cubicle, and those that ended up lost somewhere on Linked In, rested solely in how genuine the connections were. And genuine connections, especially at work, take time, effort and a few extra rearrangements in your professional habits. Here’s a quick infographic on simple, no-nonsense ways to score genuine work relationships, that may very well lead you to career success:
by Solange Lopes | May 19, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: salary.com
Maintaining healthy, positive relationships at work can be a challenge for some. While some may make friends at work and religiously abide by the office’s happy hour schedule, others would rather be caught having their wisdom tooth removed than socializing with co-workers after-hours.
So really, should you strive to socialize with your fellow office dwellers after-hours, or just politely pull the good ol’ “I have to bail my kids out of daycare” argument (valid most days)?
My $0.05: Socializing with co-workers is not a work pre-requisite (unless you’re an auditor in Public Accounting, and you may very well eat all 3 meals with your teams).
However, if you’re not into socializing after-hours with your cubicle neighbors, you may want to consider strategically attending at least one event per quarter to keep your work relationships on a decent footing. Consider it a part of work, and while you’re at it, have a drink on the company!
Do you think professionals should socialize with co-workers after-hours?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 19, 2015 | Career
Knee-length dress – Photo credit: hm.com
I went to H&M this past week-end, and their “Modern Classics” section were giving me all kinds of “high fashion” oohs and aahs. Hence today’s pick, this easy knee-length dress that is absolutely perfect in its simple elegance and versatility.
The grey hue is a great alternative to traditional black or navy, and the knee-length, fitted shape is flattering enough while still keeping a comfortable, professional edge. This dress is $49.99 at H&M!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 19, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: http://www.herzogcareerconsulting.com
Most of us spend most of our days at work. Unless you’re an online entrepreneur or remote employee, you’re bound to spend it around people you work with. People who you may like, people who may rub you the wrong way, people who may have you thinking about throwing sharp objects at them, not to mention those who may give a whole new meaning to the side eye. In short, people you have to have relationships with. And whether you like it or not, these relationships do have a huge impact on your career.
While making friends at work may certainly not be our main priority, keeping in mind work relations can seriously impact our career success can help up avoid some common pitfalls, and even position ourselves for success! Here are a few tips on how to build work relationships that build up your career:
1. Be friendly and supportive! Yes, even if others are not. Your team behavior says a lot about you, so put a smile on, do the best you can, and let the chips fall where they may!
2. Be accountable! One big determining factor of your success at work is your accountability to others. Can’t finish a project by the set date? Communicate it early. Schedule freeing up soon? Offer to help other team members.
3. Be considerate! Speaking as if you’re the only person in the room, having your music blasting through your earphones, is not going to earn you kudos in the likeability sector (in addition to increasing your odds of becoming deaf early). Show some consideration to others!
4. Do NOT engage in office gossip! As tempting as watercooler convos may sound, do NOT give in to gossip temptation! Steer clear of any rumors, keep positive, and most importantly, professional!
5. Communication, communication, did I say communication? Keep the lines of communication open within and outside of your team!
What other tips do you have when it comes to building positive work relationships?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 17, 2015 | Career
Happy happy Sunday:) The weather’s warming up, summer’s fast approaching and the week-end flew by too fast, again…So before our little weekly break is over, here’s my weekly news update:
- In gender equality news this week, TIME introduces us to 10 CEOs and university leaders working for gender equality;
- Fortune magazine tells us why this female CEO thinks you should be more opinionated at work;
- Business Insider lists the 30 most meaningful companies to work for in America;
- If you didn’t know your company is monitoring you, Forbes confirms companies have more data on employees than ever before;
- The Pew Research Center confirms Millenials surpass any other generation as the largest generation in the U.S. workforce;
- Tired of being interrupted at work? Entrepreneur reveals the average worker gets interrupted every 11 minutes, yes that much…
- Bad relationship at work? Inc. tells us about 3 ways to re-write negative interactions at work;
- The New York Times Opinion page gives new grads a quick reality check: although new jobs may have increased, wages offer a different, and more dismal, picture;
- Inc also reveals to us the one-page resume is dead, and we’re not exactly sorry;
- Last but not least, as you’re preparing for yet another work week, Daily Worth gives you tips on how to survive a job you hate.
Happy Sunday!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: www.theprofessioanldigest.com
There are many tricky questions in interviews. Yet, the ones that refer to your current place of employment, as you’re looking to make a transition, may be among the trickiest. How do you talk about the place you’re obviously looking to move on from, and remain positive while clearly conveying the message that you’re trying to get out? Do you just take the drastic “honest” route, and admit how much your manager’s micro-managing habits drive you insane? Or do you take the high road and keep it political A-OK?
My $0.05: When in doubt, keep it positive and politically correct. Period. The reasons why this question gets asked so often is because the interviewer is trying to figure out if 1) you work well with others, 2) if you have a decent prior work record, or 3) if you can handle personal dynamics at work well.
Never, ever say anything negative about your current workplace. Instead, focus on what you’re looking for, whether it’s growth, new opportunities, or advancement.
How have you answered this question in the past?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: theoutnet.com
I’m loving the black-and-white contrast on this silk crepe-de-chine shirt from The Outnet. The loose fit is very comfortable, while the delicate fabric, and paneled, buttoned cuffs are more on the conservative side. And even better, this shirt is on sale for $81 at The Outnet.
I would personally add a skinny belt like this striped stretch version from LOFT to cinch it in, and voila!
The Corporate Sis.
