Theory Serah tie top – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Every now and then, you stumble on a piece of workwear that makes you all giddy inside…Ok, not always, but when it happens, like with this Serah tie top from Shopbop, you just thank the gods of workwear, give up your credit card and call it a good workwear shopping day. Right?
I love how the simplicity of this chic tie top comes in total contrast with its original knotted hem. A crisp blouse with the originality of a statement piece…
I’d pair it with Spring-appropriate cropped trousers like this Simone pair from Rag&bone. Or these Theory Testra 2B stretch wool pants from Nordstrom for a more conservative office environment.
Out with the old, in with the new…Spring‘s in the air, and we’re looking to replace the old with new pronto… And when it comes to your career, one of the things that can always benefit from a serious dust-up every now and then, without tons of time, energy or money investment, is your resume. I don’t know about you, but in my humongous Spring cleaning to-do list, I like to start with the stuff that I can get done faster…Priorities, right?
Refreshing your resume on a periodic basis not only allows you to add that little spring step in your career. But it also helps you stay current while re-evaluating your career and staying on top of your skills and experience…Not bad for dusting off that old sheet of paper from your last job a few years ago, right?
So here you are, pen in hand, brain in over-drive, ready to update your resume! Here are four simple tips for an effective resume makeover in minimal time while saving some energy to tackle those filled-to-the-brim kitchen cabinets:
Make it Look Good!
Whoever said looks don’t matter hasn’t updated their resume in a while…In today’s competitive job market, your resume’s look does matter! Just imagine being an employer having to choose between two resumes: one filled out from wall-to-wall with loads of text, four different types of fonts, and the other with clear, concise and consistent section headings and bullets and generous white space. Which one would you pick?
Here are some pointers when it comes to making your resume slay:
Make use of white space: That means leaving some blank space between the different sections of your resume, so readers can easily scan it. Also try to reserve at least one-inch margins around the text.
No font overload, please! I know, it looks fun to juxtapose five different types of fonts, but that won’t get you the reader’s attention (or the job, for that matter)! So tone down the font fever, and stick to two at most, preferably two that complement each other.
Bullet it down! You want to grab the reader’s eyes and direct it towards keys skills and achievements. Since they make it easier to scan your resume, use it whenever you can to highlight accomplishments and skills.
No more underlining! Underlining is a big no-no in the resume world. So give away your favorite college ruler and say good-bye to it! And while it’s OK to bolden and italicize characters once in a while,
Detox Time!
You know it’s time to detox your resume when its paper waistline has expanded to three or four pages? Or when your first job after college, yes, the one where you dropped two company laptops in three months and had to explain your ADHD tendencies to IT, is still listed on top of the page?
Take your resume through a much-needed Spring detox by:
Getting off the autobiography bandwagon: If you’ve ever dreamt of writing your own autobiography, this is the wrong medium! If employers cannot get critical information out of your resume by skimming it in 10 to 15 seconds, we have a problem, Houston! As a rule of thumb, your main credentials should jump off the page (please don’t bury your MBA on page 4 of 6), and you should be selling yourself right off the bat…Which brings me to…
Placing your sales pitch at the top of your resume: Showcase your qualifications at the top of your resume. For instance, you could include a Career Summary statement in your resume.
KIC (Keeping it Concise): Keep it concise by eliminating any repeating information, skipping irrelevant information (like date or birth or marital situation), and cutting down on job duties for instance.
Update Your Terminology!
Please don’t stay stuck in the 90’s with outdated acronyms and terminology? Instead, comb through your resume to update the terms and acronyms listed. You can also look for terms that employers are looking for, such as diversity for HR positions for instance.
Focus on Nouns more than action words!
Remember when you had to find the right action verbs to add to your resume? You know, verbs such “created” or “engineered”…I remember wracking my brain to dig out all the action verbs I could ever think of…
That was then…Nowadays, the focus is actually on nouns rather than action words. This is so your resume can be more scannable by employers. Power words such as “responsible”, “passionate”, “leader”, etc, can make the difference between your resume getting picked or not.
For more on Spring-Cleaning your resume, check out my “Spring Clean Your Resume Guide” by clicking on the image below:
This is our coffee break feature, where we take a break to discuss all things career, life and everything in between…Got a topic you want to discuss? Email corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Q: I’m a Christian and observe Lent, which also means I have some dietary restrictions, including not eating on certain days. Is it ok to share this with my co-workers, or abstain from eating during team lunches/dinners/events? Thoughts?
A: Dear Lent Observer, having dietary restrictions at work is fine! You don’t have to comply with everything else everyone else is doing at work, especially when it comes to your personal beliefs and practices. As a Christian observing Lent myself, I understand that it can be challenging to explain why you’re not eating at this team meeting, or why the Meat Lover pizza is really not going to work for you on Lent Fridays.
However, just be mindful to explain this to your co-workers and colleagues ahead of time so it doesn’t create a snafu in planning/ordering meals. While you may not have to go into details as to your spiritual reasons, you can simply state your preferences. If facing any opposition or criticism from your co-workers or team, make sure to remind them that while you’re happy to partake in team events, you can only do so within your personal boundaries. In absolutely extreme cases, you may resort to calling in to Human Resources for support/advice.
Now I’m asking you: Do you think it’s ok to fast at work during Lent? Post your comments below, or email me at <corporate@thecorporatesister.com>!
Wear to Work: Striped Shift Dress – Photo credit: shosptyle.com
Our Wear to Work section features workwear items for women at work, in a range of prices and styles.
Don’t you just love the chic simplicity of this Maison Jules striped dress from Macy’s? You can literally sport it any day of the week, anywhere, with smart accessories or alone. The easy shift silhouette, comfy pockets, and classic round neckline, make this simple dress a workwear staple.
I’d pair this elegant dress with a pair of classic block heels like this pair of Chloe scalloped leather ones from Neiman Marcus. These Tory Burch travel ballet flats from Shopbop are also perfect to pair with this dress.
This is our coffee break feature, where we take a break to discuss all things career, life and everything in between…Got a topic you want to discuss? Email corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Q: As an immigrant, I’m from a different culture, and wonder if it’s ok to discuss it at work? Would I risk sounding unprofessional? Thoughts?
A: Dear Culture Warrior, I can so relate to your question. Being a West African immigrant from Senegal, and a triple minority at that, I’ve very often asked myself the same thing. I mean, do I share my peanut butter and beef stew recipe with the rest of my vegetarian teammates? Or clarify (yet again) the blatant fact that Africa is not a country?
Seriously, it can be challenging to step over what I call the invisible cultural barrier in the workplace. In the midst of the St. Patrick festivities, Cinco de Mayo and other well-known cultural celebrations, talking about one’s own culture can seem daunting. But it shouldn’t…We all bring something different to the table, and that includes who we are, where we come from and what makes up our cultural, personal and professional values. In other words, the walking awesomeness we are…
So yes, IT IS A-OK TO TALK ABOUT YOUR CULTURE AT WORK! Actually, companies are increasingly aware of the need to promote awareness and cultural diversity in the workplace. Caveat: It has to be in the RIGHT context! So let’s set a few ground rules as we step out on the cultural scene at work:
Don’t be afraid to bring up your own culture when cultural insights are being shared: if/when you co-workers are sharing Italian recipes and Irish customs, don’t be afraid to interject with your own fufu recipes or Indian customs. It’s called diversity, and it’s a great thing!
Know when to bring it up! In strictly professional discussions, keep it just that, professional! Discussions about culture and other personal aspects are best when brought on in a more playful and familiar context, unless of course, it’s a work requirement, like in certain more socially-oriented professions!
Be realistic:Not everyone may be familiar with your culture, which may at first come across as indifference or even disrespect. Don’t take it personal, your job is not to control people’s reactions, but to remain true to who you are!
Don’t be defensive! It’s important to understand that while you have a right to talk about your culture as part of who you are and in the right context, the goal is not to present yourself as the Culture Defender of the century. At least not at work…Graciously introduce this part of yourself, and don’t feel the need to justify or defend it. Remember you’re enough, regardless of what anyone else may think or say.
All in all, don’t shy away from talking about your culture at work, as long as you know when and how to present it!
Thoughts? Opinions? Post them in the comments below or email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Welcome to our weekend chat feature! Got something you want to chat about? Post it in the comments below…
Don’t you love this basic dress you can sport anywhere, with pumps, sneakers or boots? I love this ElevenParis basic dress from Shopbop, that’s perfect to transition from Winter to Spring.
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
In history-making news, the New York Times writes about Nina Simone’s birthplace being honored as a place of art and politics;
Inc. lists the best companies to work for in 2017;
Scared to make a career change? The Muse lists 4 excuses holding back from a career change, and what to do about it;
Black Enterprise writes about one of the most powerful women in business, Apple’s Bozoma St John;
Are you tired of business plans? Ellevate Network suggests trying the Canvas instead;
Do you have an online business with a website where you try to attract more clients?Ellevate Network teaches you how to optimize your website for more traffic;
Out with the old, in with the new…
This is our coffee break feature, where we take a break to discuss all things career, life and everything in between…Got a topic you want to discuss? Email corporate@
