by Solange Lopes | Oct 31, 2014 | Career
Mask – Photo: http://ecx.images-amazon.com
It’s Halloween! As we dress our kids up today, and slap some funky mask on to reveal a whole other side of our personalities, what if we applied the same concept to our work? How much are we really taking the time to think about the many facets of our careers? How many of us are tapping into the vastness of our experiences and allowing it to permeate our work?
Many of us have incredible stories of survival and overcoming. All of us have many different, profound facets to our personalities. As you’re reading this, you may speak two or three languages, be the first in your family to graduate from college, be a successful immigrant, a gifted engineer, doctor or aspiring student. Yet very few of us come to use our potential to pursue our calling, excel in our current careers, and inspire others to do the same…
So today as you’re thinking about the many facets of your work, think about all the ways you can re-invent your career and bring added fulfillment to your life and others’. And if you’ve got a few minutes, here’s an interesting TEDx talk on reinventing our work:
by Solange Lopes | Oct 30, 2014 | Career
Do you dress up for Halloween at work – Photo credit: dosomething.org
Halloween is right around the corner! Last night’s episode of Modern Family, with the court typist dressed up as a (seriously ugly) spider, had me questioning how much people feel comfortable dressing up for Halloween…at work!
There certainly are many options available for Halloween costumes on the job. Yet, considering the importance of dressing appropriately at work, there still are rules to follow when dressing up at your workplace, including knowing (and respecting) your office rules, keeping it kosher, and still being able to conduct business as usual. Please no blackface, or Ebola-themed costume…
And for those, like myself, who are trying to find last-minute costumes that are also work-friendly, here are some great suggestions from the Ann taylor blog. Corporette also had some smart costume suggestions for smart women last week.
Do you dress up for Halloween at work? What are some of the costumes you’ve worn, or are planning to wear? What advice do you have for fellow corporate sisters and brothers when it comes to dressing up for Halloween at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 30, 2014 | Career
Vegan Leather Skirt – Photo credit: nastygal.com
So I’ve always been a fan of stylish (and appropriate) leather skirts for work. When you say leather, my first thought would be along the lines of bicker chic , as opposed to work-friendly. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this Joa Tara vegan leather skirt from Nasty Gal. Loving the aqua hue of this elegant, circle silhouette midi skirt! Original, yet oh so stylish and totally season appropriate (not so sure about the cropped top for work though)! This skirt is $88 on Nasty Gal.
And because I’m so curious about other alternatives for leather skirts that are both stylish and work-appropriate, here is a cute and affordable faux-leather pencil skirt option from Macy’s, along with its plus-size equivalent. I also like this A-line option from ASOS (here’s a cheaper faux-leather alternative from The Limited), and this Rebecca Taylor pleated version from Nordstrom.
Seen a great, work-friendly fashion piece you’d like me to research or feature on the blog? Hit me up at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 30, 2014 | Career |
Conduct a passive job search – Photo credit: thenewblackchick.com
Professional times have definitely changed! Whether happily employed or looking for better opportunities out there, actively passive job hunting is definitely on the up-and-up! Everywhere you turn, Linked In profiles are being scrutinized, recruiters are on the move, and….there’s even an app for that! Actually, there’s a whole host of apps and startups wanting to hack your job search out there…
I started my career at a time where the likes of Linked In weren’t all the rage just yet…You had to network the good ol’ way, making your own contacts and actively looking for your next paycheck. Quite different from these days, when employers are after candidates, and recruiters can hit you up on your Linked In profile at any time, luring you away to the next great opportunity, right? At a time when job ads are becoming seriously old school and social media is the new recruiting tool, even when you’re not looking (for a job, that is), you’re kind of looking…After all, 60% of Millenials stay at their employers less than 3 years, since all this actively passive job hunting has made job-hopping not only socially acceptable, but even makes sense nowadays.
1. Keep it Social! If your career were an attractive, strong body, your social media profiles, including your Linked In profile would be pretty strong muscles in it. So invest in a professionally looking photograph, put some effort into entering accurate information in your profile, seek recommendations and endorsements! Don’t forget to interact with others by returning the favor as well!
2.Get Involved! This is no time to shy away from big groups! Get involved in your industry’s associations and peer groups! If you’re an accountant, join the AICPA or NASBA, among others! Seek groups promoting your industry and cultivate a strong network of mutual recommendations, referrals, and “insider” opportunities!
3. Now become THE expert! Go a step beyond, and position yourself as an industry expert! Whether it’s through a blog, or by being active on social media, or even writing a book, you will benefit twice over by learning through research, and attracting recruiters and employers with your expertise.
Chime in! How have you been (actively) conducting your passive job search?
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Oct 29, 2014 | Career
Card Munch – Photo: http://www.nyhus.com
Ever wondered what to do with all the business cards you’re collecting left and right? Well, there’s an app for that, and it’s called CardMunch!
Instead of walking around with a wallet overflowing with paper, CardMunch allows you to scan business cards directly into your phone contacts! It’s even easier for Linked In contacts, as you can request to add someone directly on the interface.
My $0.05: Perfect app for networking! Not only do you get to keep all your contacts in one place, but you’re also saving trees. Bam!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 29, 2014 | Career
Houndstooth tie-front blouse – $59 – Photo: macys.com
I’m a big fan of tie-front blouses! This Tahari ASL houndstooth tie-front blouse just brought the sexy accountant out of me (hello Halloween)! Loving the cute houndstooth print and draped tie-front on this conservatively elegant blouse! It’s $59 at Macy’s!
I’d pair it with elegant boot cut pants like this pair from Loft, and these killer Tory Burch flats from Zappos.
As for tie-front blouses, this is a pricier alternative from Brooks Brothers, and a cheaper alternative from Lord & Taylor.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 29, 2014 | Career |
Opportunist-quote – Photo: itsfunny.org
Up until recently, I thought opportunism, especially in the workplace, was distasteful at best, and frankly offensive at its worst. Well, I got to think again, and after years in the corporate jungle, came to realize being an opportunist can actually be a good thing at work (when done the right way)…
Granted, there are always those people whose opportunism irks the pink socks out of you, and who should be dealt with in a certain way. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an opportunist is defined as “someone who tries to get an advantage or something valuable from a situation without thinking about what is fair or right.” Doesn’t sound terribly positive, does it now?
Yet, although one should not act in a manner that is unfair to others, at work or in life, mastering the art of taking advantage of opportunities can prove crucial to building success:
1. Learn to identify opportunities, especially untapped ones! Helping out on a project that would look great on your resume or Linked In profile? Take advantage of the work you’ve done and skills you’ve acquired! Is there a big review looming near you could go ahead and ask to perform first! Why not?
2. Deliver, deliver, deliver! Forget about the “under-promise, over-deliver” adage! Focus on delivering above and beyond all the time! Always dig deeper, question the status quo, and deliver aggressive, strong results!
3. Use your environment! You have countless untapped resources around you, from gifted co-workers to optimal systems, not to mention the abundant learning opportunities offered by technology. Use them, respectfully yet ruthlessly! Learn as much as you can, ask questions, pick your higher-ups and co-workers’ brains. In the end, advancing yourself does advance all of us, even if only by example…
Are you an opportunist at work?
The Corporate Sis.
