How to Make Networking Work for You

Networking can feel like super daunting sometimes.. however I have met so many individuals that have become highly influential in my career through networking. I always found it unnatural to go in and just recite some lines to each person…”hello, my name is..” “ I work in….”…” I would like a job in …”, how can you help me…” I don’t even know how to start explaining how uncomfortable it is to hear that little alone say that to someone.

In the beginning I always felt so uncomfortable and unproductive at networking events so I decided to come up with a plan for how I would network. Keep reading to learn some tips I use to make networking work for me!

Go in With a Plan

I would make a plan to meet 5 new people I’ve never met before and learn their names and what they do, even if their job function had zero similarity to mine. By having a goal of 5 I was forced to go up to people and introduce myself. This works since sometimes we know who we want to talk to and sometimes everyone in the room wants to talk to that same person too.. you will waste your entire night waiting to talk to them. The goal of talking to a cetain number of people will get you to talk to at least one new person which can have an impact on your life. You can learn about real estate or finance or how someone started their career. You can learn about how someone is transitioning from maternity leave back to work. Remember there is always something you can learn and just because a conversation may seem dull or not what you came for that doesn’t mean there isn’t some substance you can try to find.

Your Elevator Pitch

I never liked the term elevator pitch. However my working on mine i discovered more about myself then I knew. WHAT DO I REALLY DO? Who am I? What do i bring to the table? We are in school for so long that we tend to forget the qualities and experiences we can bring to people. This is important to know. Even if you are lost and don’t know you can always say “ I just finished graduating, my experience is in “ABC” but my passion is “XYZ”. By going to these events you will learn how to carry yourself as you will meet people and learn other techniques to introduce yourself and converse with groups of people.

Conversation Topics

I like to go in with a couple of conversation topics. The weather is a good one.. sometimes.. For example, let’s say you want to know where someone is from.. you can start with something about the weather and then ask them if they grew up in the climate or if they’re used to it and figure out where they are from. Networking is similar to dating, you want to learn to read people and ask them about them. People like talking about themselves so asking people questions is a great place to start. Overtime your conversations will become smoother and conversation topics will come super naturally to you.

You Don’t have to Drink or Eat

Just because it’s all you can eat and drink at the event, it does not mean it’s a free meal. People are watching you and it’s important to not get hammered at these types of events. You want to keep your professionalism as someone at this event might be a recruiter or your next boss. I sometimes will hold on to some water or a glass of wine just to have something in my hand. Just remember there is no obligation to drink or eat. In fact be mindful when you do decide to use your food and drink tickets.

Follow Up

Lastly, it’s super important to remember people’s names or jot them down. You met these people for a reason so take some notes by their names. You can follow up and request to network with them through a professional site such as LinkedIn (NOT FACEBOOK!), Instagram ( if it’s a business account and you want to support). I would add a quick note for them to remember you by such as thanking them for a great conversation and following up on something you conversed about at the event.

What are some of the tips you have to get you through networking events? I’d love to here more on how work place professionals navigate through networking!

How to NOT sabotage your career

Show up Early. and Put in the Work

Read the room. If people stay late then maybe they need some assistance finishing a project. Ask if they need help with anything before you go home. Especially if you are always the first to go home and the last one in the office. You don’t just interview and get the job and call it a day. You need to put in the work and earn the job title you interviewed for and possibly a promotion you want to work towards.

Be Kind

Being kind will take you far at work. We aren’t saying that you should be a push over however keeping your calm and training your coworkers on tasks you are more skilled at will not only take work off of your plate but also make you a more popular employee in the office.

Have a Good Attitude

No one likes the toxic coworker. Having a good attitude despite the ups and down climate in the office will not only make you a more favorable employee but it will also help you enjoy going to work more as well. Word of advice is to just not get involved in the gossip and toxic conversations at work. I like to remind myself why I wanted the job in the first place and that usually brings me back to my core values.

Earn Respect

It’s so easy to get frustrated when you first start your job and want the same respect you had from employees at the last company you worked at. It’s important to show your hard work, ethics, and skills to earn the respect of other employees and coworkers. It is important to remember that you need to earn respect but also make sure people are aware that you are not a push over either. Demand respect but in a kind way. The best way to do this is work on the confidence you exude in the office, respect others, and show your dedication to work. You will earn respect in no time.

Participate

This one is controversial. Personally, I think it’s important to find something, anything, to participate in at work. Whether there is a culture committee or volunteer event, it’s important to show that you are not just there to work your hours and then leave. Creating connections at work will not only help you in the future on projects with said coworkers but also create opportunities for you within the company as well! It’s also a easy goal to check off on your year end reviews.

We use these tips to make sure we are enjoying our careers. It’s so easy to get caught up and create negative energy when the climate at work gets stressful. By keeping your energy positive, working hard and participating in something important to you through the company you can keep your head up and not turn into a toxic employee that could sabotage your career.

Standing Up For Yourself at Work

It’s so easy to refrain from speaking up when you’re a new bee in the office. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve come across so many interns and first years that probably need to shut. it. down… and think thoroughly before they speak, there are also the ones that need to take some ethics classes as well. However for the rest of us it’s super important that we stand up for our selves and bring ideas to the table.

In my experience, there seems to be a large percentage of women specifically that need to stand up for themselves. We all get super intense and scared for the E word. EMOTIONAL. However you need to remember that we need to stand up for ourselves when we are being disrespected.

Case One: The Disrespectful Coworker

We all work with different departments which we are expected to butt heads with. We need to be wary of how we communicate with one another so no one is offended of their abilities and work. If you notice some tension it’s best to attack it head on and try to talk to your coworker in a calm and professional setting. If this cannot be done, I suggest getting a mediator involved. We all come to work and will continue to do so for years to come. We have to learn to agree to disagree and do it in a respectful manner so we can validate that we hear what people have to say despite not agreeing with them.

If this cannot be done or you cannot seem to find a mediator then you can always get someone from your HR team involved. Be sure you talk this out and write out your issues so you understand the problem at hand as well. I like the bullet technique so then the mediator can reflect on those points as well.

Case Two: Letting your Ideas get Heard

In the book, “Lean In”, Sheryl Sandberg states that women need to sit at the table. I want to say that we all need to sit at the table. Just because you are not an executive it does not mean you sit behind or sit on the side. If you have something to say, say it. We always think that what we have to say has to be validated by other people however sometimes our ideas can spark other conversations. This can not only help you grow but allow your entire team to grow. In addition, this shows that you are willing to stand up for yourself and have something to say. If you sideline your ideas all the time then people will treat you that way overtime and not invite you to the table in the future.

Case Three: Don’t take the Blame when It’s not yours to Take

I don’t know how many times there has been a misunderstanding and I’ve relayed to my manager the story just for there to be another misunderstanding. As we grow and get better with our jobs so will our communication skills. In the meantime we need to remember that sometimes we need to correct people. I remember one time when one of my clients was upset with the way their project was handled. This was a project that my manager took over during my vacation time and when I came back the client was furious.They reached out to the VP of our division and next thing i knew I was sitting with the VP and director about to explain something I didn’t do in the first place. I tried to forward them the emails of what happened and finally I stated to them. If you look where I highlighted.. you can see that this email did not come from me. They quickly realized it was my manager and took appropriate action and talked to her about it. Sometimes it can be difficult and you may seem like a snitch however it is never okay to take the blame for something you did not participate in.

My biggest lesson here is that learning to communicate efficiently and effectively can not only help you at work but also with your loved ones outside of work. When there is miscommunication try to work through it in a calm manner and resolve issues before they get further escalated.

What are some ways you have stood up for yourself at work?

The Interview Checklist You Need to Ace that Interview!

Hi Everyone!

Oh man, I hope you have a good week so far. I wanted to create a post since I am always asked how i prepare for interviews. Sometimes I ask my friends and acquaintances how they prepare and together over the years I’ve come up with what I consider my go to list. These are the questions and tips I always review and highly recommend to all my friends:

For the Actual Interview:

• Confirm the interview time, Directions; Parking, Skype, Phone Number.

• Contact person and the additional names of people you will meet. Conduct a quick google/LinkedIn search on these people.

• Phone number (main and direct) in case of emergency.

• Job Description.

• Review the company Web page.

• Ask about tips on the hiring manager(s) interviewing style (if known), questions they have asked in the past from the recruiter or acquaintances that work at the same company.

• Address / email address for a thank you letter, business card before you leave.

Interview Etiquette:

• Appropriate dress attire (normally a suit).

• Keep in mind professionalism no exposed tattoos, piecing, groomed facial hair/nails and no

  perfume/cologne but do wear deodorant, no one wants to work with someone with a strong BO.

• No eating, drinking or SMOKING prior to the interview.

• Think about your Body Language and practice.

• Best to carry a Padfolio/Portfolio rather than briefcase.

• Do not bring cellular phone into the interview.

• Remember to have direct Eye Contact.

• Arrive no more than 15 minutes early - Do a drive-by if possible prior to your interview date to consider directions and traffic

• Have a Firm Handshake with a smile

During the interview

• Let the interviewer guide the interview.

• Do not analyze the position during the interview. Only decide if you are interested afterwards and maintain a positive vibe throughout the interview.

• Be enthusiastic! Employers prefer candidates who are interested about the job/company over someone who is more qualified. Don’t make the mistake of assuming the less you appear interested, the better negotiating position you will be in (ie. the “used car” approach). Get the employer excited about you first!

• Regardless of what you hear in the interview, maintain enthusiasm. You never know, but the bottom line is you want to be the one to make the decision on whether or not you move forward in the interview process! If you don’t sell yourself they will make it for you by eliminating you as a candidate regardless of your interest.

• Understand that, at this stage, 90% of the interview is designed to determine whether you’re a good personality fit within the organization and if you would be happy in the job. You wouldn’t be on the interview if they were afraid you couldn’t do the job. The interviewer might ask a variety of questions, but they are looking primarily at the personality fit. Be energetic, outgoing, and have a flexible attitude.

• Be prepared for the standard interviewing questions ( examples below).

• Be prepared with questions of your own (examples below).

• Be yourself!

Commonly Asked Questions

• Tell me about yourself (Hit the major highlights of your professional experience, no more than 2-3 minutes).

• Why are you leaving your current position? (Never speak negatively about current or past employers).

• What are your career goals? Short term/Long term?

• Why are you interested in this position?

• How would your boss/co-workers describe you?

• What are your greatest strengths? / What is your greatest weakness?

• What are you looking for in a job?

• What distinguishes you from your peer group?

• How do you: A) Set priorities B) Organize your time C) Solve problems?

• What has been your biggest professional/personal challenge/accomplishment?

  Behavioral Interview Questions - must be able to give concrete examples:

• Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.

• Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

• Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.

• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.

• Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.

• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

• Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

• What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.

• Tell me about a difficult decision you have made in the last year.

• Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.

• Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.

• Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.

• Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.

• Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.

• Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.

• Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.

• Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.

• Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).

• Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused?

• Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn?

• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

• Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

• Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?

• Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it?

• Describe some projects or ideas (not necessarily your own) that were implemented, or carried out successfully primarily because of your efforts.

• Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?

• Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?

• Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?

• Give me an example of a time you had to make an important decision. How did you make the decision? How does it affect you today?

• Tell me about a time you had to handle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work you needed to do?

• Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused?

• Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn?

Sample Interview Questions to ask the Interviewer

• What characteristics will make someone successful in this position / company.

• What would my typical day look like (ie. what percentage of my time would be spent on this, that…).

• What are the expectations of the person coming into this position in the first 6 months.

• How long was the last person in this position, and what made them successful.

• If things went well, where can they see this role within 2-3 years.

• How would you describe the environment here (laid back, busy, etc…).

• What are the short and long range objectives of the company.

• What is the organizational structure of: A) the department B) the company.

• What do you see as the biggest obstacle for the person coming into this position.

• What is your background / what attracted you to this organization (people love to talk about

  themselves).

• Best way to wrap up the interviews by communicating your interest: “I just want to let you know that based on what I’ve learned so far I am very interested in pursuing this to the next step and I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.”

  Topics to avoid (use your recruiter to ask these questions!)

• Avoid anything that can be construed as “what’s in it for me” such as: Questions on benefits / cost of benefits.

• Questions about other compensation issues (bonus, stock options, paid parking, CPA dues, whether overtime is paid, flex-time, typical raises, etc) Vacation policy, timing of raises, reviews

• Compensation! Many candidates indicate what compensation they are currently at (“I am currently making $40K base with a bonus of 0-10%, and I am up for a raise/review in April”) – this information is commonly asked on applications as well. This allows the client to verify that you will be in their salary range without pinning yourself down to a specific number.

  Ask for the Job!

• Finally and most Important (almost as important as chemistry); You must ask for the job! Be certain that the employer knows before you leave that you are excited about the opportunity and the company.

• Candidates that do this well get the best offers! Employers want to hire people who are excited about coming to work for them.

• End interview in a positive and committal way. Say things like, “Thanks for the time today.” “I think this would be a great move for me and I would be very excited to join the team”.

  Interview Reminders:

• Be sure and ask for their business card

• Follow up with a thank you notes/emails after the interview both hand written and by email to everyone in the interview process

• Send the thank you email first to your recruiter to review. Make sure you review grammar, spell check and triple check prior to sending anything!

• Optional - Take blank thank you cards in order to leave a personal hand written thank you with the front desk

Questions to Ask Yourself

• How did it go?

• How would you rank it on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best. What was good about it. What concerns / questions do you have at this point.

• Do you want to pursue a second interview / offer at this time?

• Think about all of the pros and cons of the position. Write them down if necessary.

• Accumulate a list of additional questions you have at this point.

  Telephone Interview Tips

• Speak up and make sure you are in a place with good reception.

• Make sure you are articulate – let me define that for you…don’t use slang words or Abbreviations.

• Make sure and stand when having the interview – gives better breathing and keeps you from getting too relaxed.

• Make sure there are NO distractions in the background – radio, TV, dogs barking, etc.

• Have good energy and ask questions.

• Follow all the additional interview tips listed above for face to face interviews.

I hope this helps you with your interview process. I’d love to know what questions or tips you have and prepare for when getting ready to interview!

How to Navigate A Career Fair

• TOP NOTCH RESUME- Be sure that your resume is free of spelling or grammatical errors- this one is a no brainier. HOWEVER, have digital copies available to send to the recruiter via LinkedIn or email and have some nice copies available as well. If you happen to print on fancy resume paper.. then extra points for you.

• DRESS THE PART Yes, we would all rather dress casually or show up in pajamas. You need to think about your audience. Who is going to be at this career fair? You want to look approachable and not stiff. Practice talking and interviewing in your outfit. Make sure you have two outfits that are pressed and clean.

• A GOOD HANDSHAKE- The key here is eye contact and confidence. Be firm but do not pump their hand. I loved practicing my handshake you can do this anywhere!

• TURN YOUR PHONE ON SILENT- Honestly i used to turn my phone completely off. However, these days some people do not have business cards or they run out. A great way to keep in contact with a recruiter is to connect with them on LinkedIn and send your resume so do stay off your phone unless the situation calls for an opportunity.

• DO YOUR HOMEWORK- You want to do your homework and know exactly which companies are showing up. Read about these companies in advanced and the open positions they have available so you have discussion topics for when you see them How can you help them.

• BE ASSERTIVE- Do Not wait for the recruiter to talk to you. You will wait forever and never get a chance. Do wait till the recruiter is finished and make your move. Do be respectful but assertive. There are so many students or individuals that are just too shy or introverted and this is a great way to stand out from the crowd. This is when your confidence needs to shine. Above all else fake it till you make it because sometimes you just have to put on your extrovert pants for a couple hours to get yourself out there.

• MAKE YOUR ROUNDS- If the particular table you are at is filled with people.. typically the large telecom companies or the Amazon’s in the industry. Walk around to other tables. There may be a way to snag an opportunity at another great place that others don’t know about. That being said, when you do come back around, make a point to have a story or elevator pitch to make yourself stand out. Sometimes asking good questions and being respectful and asking the recruiter about THEIR experience can leave a great impression.

What are some tips you have for navigating and crushing a career or job fair?

Favorite Summer Reads to Further Your Career

I want to start sharing some of my favorite reads of the month or books I plan on reading. We can make a monthly book club. Until the, here are my favorite reads I think would be advantageous for the soon to be career professional.

Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr are the the power entrepreneurs of the millennial generation. They did not follow the traditional career plan yet have made so many successful businesses. Okay, enough about my huge girl crush on them and more about this amazing book they released a while back. I wish this was released sooner. There are amazing tips in here for anyone at any point in their career. I absolutely love all the tips they cover from your first interview to your first day on the job and the unknown rules you have to figure out on your own. This book is the real deal. Highly recommend you grab a copy. Super relatable to every industry.. not just communications and marketing.

I can’t count the number of people that recommended this book to me. I always heard this memoir was a great read. However, I was never a huge fan of Nike shoes and this book is so big so I always made excuses. Say what you want to say about Nike.. Phil Knight has an amazing career path and a beautifully written story to tell and I’m telling you.. once you read it you will curse yourself and ask yourself why you didn’t read it sooner. That’s exactly what happened to me.. This memoir is a great read for anyone.. however if I could go back I would read this during my senior year in college or even the summer after I graduated. Nevertheless, it helped me get my young energy back and put my entrepreneur hate back on. There are so many obstacles in life and remembering that you can accomplish anything will help you accomplish and achieve How are Business schools not making this a mandatory read?

I think I can say that almost everyone has heard or seen this book somewhere.. It has amazing studies of management in the nineties which can be very useful till this day. There are some companies mentioned in here that are no longer around, however the points made and how the companies overcame challenges is very beneficial. This is a great self improvement book with general concepts of how it can be applied to business as well. I still find this to be a great read despite covering companies and issues from the 90’s.

Lean In was one of the first books I picked up. Every book club was reading it and ultimately i joined the book clubs too late in the game. I could not put this book down till I finished it and that says a lot since I’m not an avid reader. I love how Sheryl Sanders covers some hot topics about the gender gap at work and culturally as well. She does not place any blame on any of the genders yet she covers why and how we are in this gender gap that we see today. My favorite part ( SPOILER ALERT..) is when she realizes that they need expectant mother parking spaces.. only AFTER she becomes pregnant. Sometimes these very common issues just need to be spoken about and this book helps you realize how you can communicate effectively and gain confidence to stand up for yourself. another SPOILER.. I love how she explains the pros and cons of being a stay at home mom or working mom. I just adore Sheryl and highly recommend this book to all genders! :)

If you know me at all by now.. you should know that I am highly obsessed with Mel Robbins. She really helps you get out of your funk and get up and go. The Five second rule is such a great read and although i would recommend this book to anyone at any point in their lives.. i really think it helps those of us in the corporate world.. or those of us that are in a funk and just need to figure out how we can get out. I purchased the five second journal and honestly NEVER looked back. This is how i plan the day for ME. Not for work or my job.. but for ME.. it’s for my sanity. When you take care of YOU.. everything else falls into place. I love how this journal is broken down by asking you questions and it helps you figure out why your goals are important to you. Some days I don’t want to fill it out because I’m avoiding it and on those days.. i realize i need to fill it out more than ever. Also, I highly recommend the Five Second Rule.

That’s it for this month! Let me know if there are other books that you recommend! Always wanting to add to my list. By the way Audible is a great way to “read” if you are crunched on time and always on the go. I finished so many books when my commute was 1-2 hours.

Internship Etiquette

It’s that time of year where the office expands and all the interns start. Below are some tips i wish I knew when I was an intern and some I wish I could scream from the rooftops to Interns.

1. Prove Yourself. Every Internship counts!

   Just because the manager you report to does not comment on your wardrobe or behavior, it does not mean it’s a free pass. This is a crucial time for you. You want to do what you can to be professional and prove yourself.

2. Ask Questions.

   There is a non annoying way of asking questions. You can write a list of all the questions you had in a day and send it to your supervisor or email your supervisor at the end of the day. You can also find other peers that can help answer your questions. Asking questions shows that you are interested, just be sure that you word your questions tactfully as to not offend certain employees or the company.

3. There is ALWAYS a dress code.

   Even in the most casual work atmosphere there is a dress code. This means, no holes in jeans or clothes. I prefer to keep sandals and toe reveling shoes for outside of work as well. Do not wear tight clothing or short/reveling clothing. If you have to question it at all I would just not wear it. It’s okay to look boring at the office. In fact, you will soon start enjoying your office clothes because they will be a lot more comfortable and cover more space than the mini skirt you wore to school. I would err on the side of caution with the clothing and dress up every day. Do not wear tennis shoes unless everyone you report to wears them.

4. Take Notes and Be Present.

   Be thankful of peoples time when they spend time explaining procedures and training you. They are very well aware you will be leaving soon and they are trying to help you. Take detailed notes.

5. No Social Media/ No Phones.

   Do not use your cell phone during work hours. People are just waiting to see you on your phone to judge you so just don’t let them. Depending on how serious you want to take this internship I would turn off your alerts and just silence your phones till lunch and after work.

6. Don’t Assume.

   Don’t assume you get everything full time employees get. In fact don’t assume, period.

7. Say Thanks!

   Send a thank you note to everyone who helped you along the way. I’m old school and love hand written notes, however sending an email is just as good. That being said make sure you have a clean and professional email address.

8. Don’t Mix Work and Pleasure.

   You can make tons of friends during your internship program. Just be careful not to mix work and pleasure. For example, if there is a group happy hour and you are not 21 just get a soda and lime. Don’t risk drinking especially on the company’s watch. You do not want to be a liability or the rumor that’s circulating the next morning. On the other hand, if you are over 21, limit your drinks to a total of 2 and less if you can’t control your liquor. I also want to add that being aware of your volume will go a long way. I can’t count the times i’ve heard giggling from a corner.. which in theory is fine.. however it’s not the most professional look and it makes interns just look like they aren’t serious about their time with the company.

I’d love to hear your advice on internship etiquette or any stories you have from your experience at work as an intern or hosting interns. Let me know in the comments below! :)

Meal Prepping 411

Is it just me or is the whole idea of going out every day and purchasing food in the limited time you receive for your lunch break just seem like a big waste of time?

I remember working in retail and getting my first break. All the kids ran to the food court and spent all the money they worked for that day on a meal. I remember promising myself that i would spend less than I made and that’s when i realized how planning my meals and snacks in advance were not only healthier for my waistline but also financially healthier.

Here are some of the methods i use to plan out my lunches at work.

Sunday Meal preps

Every Sunday, i beat the Sunday Scaries by planning for the week ahead. From getting my work clothes in order, packing workout clothing, to planning my meals. Dinners are always up in the air for me so i try to keep a consistency by making my smoothies and lunches ahead of time. There are so many resources online to help you plan and budget healthy meals that won’t go bad. For me, making green smoothies for breakfast and a salad ( no dressing) for lunch not only keeps well but aids in keeping a consistency to my week. I can always plan on having my nutritious meals and worry less about calorie counting and purchasing snacks through out the day since this has already been planned out.

Keeping nutritious snacks at my desk/purse

Although I prepare my lunches for the week ahead of time. I also keep some quick nutritious snacks at my desk as well. Some lean clean jerky, fruit ( apples, oranges, bananas), dried fruit and nuts keep well at my desk and help keep me full so i don’t start thinking about lunch at 10 am. My grocery list is pretty consistent week after week and although I will add variety from time to time this has helped me focus more on work and other important tasks and less about when my next meal will come from.

Not carrying cash for vending machines

For a while i would never purchase snacks/meals at work since the markup was so high and then all that changed when I started working at a company where the markup on the snacks was relatively low… therefore i started buying snacks and would justify that the price was consistent with the supermarket. A few months later I realized i had gone over my food budget with all the trips to the vending machine/convenience store. By keeping less cash on you and making the trip to the water fountain first before the snack machine will not only help you save some change but also some calories. For reference a snack a day was close to $2.00 and over the course of a month I had spent roughly $40. This could have been a nice meal out with friends on the weekend, a massage, pedicure.. etc.

Eating at a scheduled time and adopting that through the Weekend

There are so many studies that show routine helps you live longer. Although routine is not recommended for working out as you'll just end up plateauing on your overall goals, I truly believe in it for sleeping and eating patterns. Ever notice that when you sleep in on the weekend you end up getting hungry at the same time you normally would have had lunch during the week? By sleeping at a relatively consistent time and waking up at a consistent time on the weekend you can help create this normalized routine. These routines help our biological clock work more properly. You will eat at your normal times or remember to fuel properly and never be left hangry. I can’t count the number of times i’ve had to stop to get food to fuel my body since I skipped breakfast and lunch since i was not feeling particularly hungry at the time i thought i should eat. Had i had a meal at my normal meal time I would have avoided the hanger pains and enjoyed my time with my friends and family more. I would’ve have also ordered much less food at the restaurant knowing I can’t fit three meals in one meal setting.

These are just some rules i follow and learned along the way that helped me stay within my food/grocery budget. The FOMO lifestly e definitely does not help however some careful planning for meals during the work week can help you save a good amount of money that can be added to your emergency fund or other areas of your life that you need to start budgeting for at this age.

Leave a comment if you have other strategies you follow to save money or meal plan in advance.

The Power of Thank You Notes

Thank you notes may be a bit old school but I 100% stand by them. In fact, I am convinced every job I received an offer for was partially because of the thank you note I sent. We’d all like to think that we are superior to all the other candidates however you never know how that thank you card will go over with the team members and managers you interviewed with.

Whether you send a thank you email or thank you note, I always suggest sending some form of thank you and a personal note on why you’d like to work there immediately after the interview.

To set yourself apart

I have several friends that have never sent a thank you note and they got the job. That still never stopped me from sending one. In fact i always hear how excited they got to hear from me after the interview and see how enthusiastic I was from the interview. It’s important to remember the interview is for both the employer and future employee. Showing you are excited and asking for the job after the interview is very important in showing that you are ready for the position. I’d rather give an enthusiastic candidate the position then the arrogant one who wants the company to beg them to work there. Again, attitude is everything and the thank you note delivers on this well.

To open other potential doors

Let’s say you didn’t get the job. I will promise you that the impression you left with the employees with you thank you note could help open other doors for you. Remember to always thank the HR employee and recruiter that helped you as well. Just because you didn’t get this job does not mean you will not get another offer from another team. Leaving a good reputation is so vital during the interview process and leaving a good impression really helps you stand out and helps the employer remember you.

To expand your network

Sending a thank you note after an internship or interview helps expand your network. The people you worked with may not always stay with that company long term. Putting yourself in a professional manner will help them remember you and keep you in mind when new opportunities come up. It’s a great way to initiate the LinkedIn connection as well.

Aside from job interviews- i always keep thank you notes at my desk for when I personally want to thank a fellow employee. I think saying thanks is so important and it truly helps them help you in the long run.I’d love to know what other ways you thank future employers and persuade them to hire you.

Common Questions I Get Asked from Current Students

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

A. Everyday there is something different and knowing I work in an industry that aims to help people encourages me to make the best decision for the end customer. It’s important to feel fulfilled with what you do and if you believe in the companies core values and decisions you will have a better sense of satisfaction when you wake up in the morning and leave at the end of the day. Also, people are everything.

Q. What does a typical day for you, consist of?

A. Depending on the day, running reports, supply constraints, planning system updates, meeting with production, manufacturing, quality, warehouse and purchasing teams, improving processes, creating processes, checking Inventory health, putting out fires, running back order reports, answering emails and preparing for meetings.

Q. Is there any advice that you wish you’d known, while earning your bachelors and/or masters? Or perhaps, anything that you wish you’d done differently while studying?

A. I recommend most business students to focus on excel.and programs that companies you want to work at use. EXCEL, SAP, Oracle, Visio, Power BI, and Microsoft Office Suite, just to name a few.

Q. As a project manager, did you use Microsoft Project or Smart Sheet, and do you still use them?

A. Surprisingly, most companies do NOT use every software that they teach you in school. It helps to know how to use these tools however, it’s better to know how to apply it to the software that the company you work at uses as well. You can always make a case to use a different software once you have proven your knowledge and can display the benefits of adopting other tools.

Q. In what ways did your previous jobs help to prepare you for your current role?

A. In college, counselors, advisers and professors always state” you will change your job at least 6 times”. and I’m here to tell you that that data is old. You may change the company/ industry, career more times than that. However, they are not wrong that most student will change their career path after college and I’m here to tell you that it’s completely okay and in fact it shows progress and growth for most people. I’ve changed industries and positions several times and it’s always been for the best. In my journey I’ve only gained knowledge and learned how to work with people across different industries and see how different companies have similarities but also differences.

Q. If you had to choose, which area of supply chain do you think is the most in demand or most important right now?

A. Supply chain is growing faster than ever and so many companies need forward thinking employees who want o work and make a change. You never want to go in as a new hire and be disrespectful of how a company could be functioning a certain way in the 21st century. You need to learn everything about the company so you can make thorough informed decisions and suggestions to management with proven facts and data to back up your story. More than ever we need individuals in the warehouse, scheduling and purchasing to help create efficiencies for the business. Many companies use older technologies and methods and some employees have been here for a long time and do not want change.

Q. I also read on your profile that you specialize in Real Estate? How did you get into that? Do they have overlap?

A. I think it’s really important to develop hobbies and interests outside of your work. It helps you grow and have something to look forward to on your weekends. It really helps establish a health routine when you have interests outside of work. However that being said I’ve noticed that when you have these other hobbies you start noticing a pattern. Do you take the safe route or do you just show up and then not give your 100%? It’s a great way to see how you can improve other areas of your life. For example, if you show up to the workout class or real estate class and just sit and not pay attention, then it’s a great indicator you have that same behavior at work.

I' love mentoring and interviewing with students all the time. I always wished there was someone out there who would give me advice and just say it how it is without all the BS. I’d love to create a community where we all talk about our experiences and the advice’s given to us from different professionals.

Let me know if you guys have any questions that concern you about life after college!

Tips For Goal Setting At Work

Goal setting can be such a daunting experience at work. First. HR sets a deadline and it’s usually during busy season so we have very limited time to think straight and meet with our managers. Then our managers are just concerned with the departmental goals that are in line with the company’s goals and it just goes downhill from there.

If i could go back and give my post-collegiate self any advice on goal setting at work, it would be the following:

ASK QUESTIONS

I remember the usual questions that were about the quarter end numbers we had to meet and the metrics we had to obtain which were always hard set goals for the team. However, asking questions on this will help you. Not every metric is fair for every individual member of the team. Asking questions on how this metric can be achieved in your role can help you assess how you can meet this goal and how they can change this metric to make it a more obtainable goal for your specific role. It’s also important to ask for what you want. You want to be a manager one day? Then show your interest to your supervisor and ask how you can start on a path towards that goal. No one will hand you a promotion, you need to ask for what you want and communicate your goals to start the steps needed to get to that intent..

SET YOUR OWN PERSONAL GOALS

Every year I make my own goals and it’s always to improve at my job/career, however to be more specific it helps to set targeted goals that you can meet. For example maybe there is a project you wan to partake in or a different position you want to learn more about in the company. These are goals to set for yourself to accomplish the growth you are seeking in your profession. Most goals we set per the typical corporate HR forms has no area for personal development that your manager will approve. Small obtainable goals are so important for growth and despite not being able to publish them to HR it does not mean you cannot continue to set them for yourself.

SET UP FOLLOW UP MEETINGS

The third and most important advice I wish I had the confidence to follow through with in my first job and thereafter was following up on the goals I had set. My managers at the time always set up one on ones however these meetings tend to get rescheduled and you can lose several months of follow up and that’s when communication goes down the garbage. I can’t emphasize the importance of making sure you and your manger are aligned on your goals and expectations of your role in the company.I always see people get fired or perform poorly from a lack of communication with their supervisor. Most employees actually want to perform well and accomplish goals and improve in their role. By having a clear and open path of communication with your supervisor you can prevent any assumptions you may have of your manager or expectations that may not be there to begin with. This is also a great way to track your progress and prove your worth to your leadership team.

Now, it’s never too late to set up personal goals or start that path to more conversations with your manager. I’d love to hear what advice you would give your younger self if you could go back to when you were at your first job!

Five Apps That I can't Live Without

I always want to know the phone apps and tools that people can’t live without! I have learned so much and always thought.. oh wow I never thought how useful this app would be and super glad I came across the recommendation on social media ( where else..). Read below for the apps I use on the daily (social media excluded).

SCANNABLE- EVERNOTE

It shocks me that people in my office still walk to the printer to scan paper. I don’t need my badge or anything to scan a few sheets of paper. Half the time the printers don’t even function properly and neither does the scanner so it’s a God send to use the scannable app, which works with Evernote, to send myself a few copies that I need. In fact you can have a little fun of your own by scanning all the extra paper you have at home and go all Digital this year.

GOOGLE CALENDAR

At the office I always use Outlook. However, I can’t begin to function on the daily if I don’t sync my life events and plans to my google calendar. I love that the classes at my gym can get added to my calendar now. This comes in handy when I’m rescheduling doctor appointments, hangouts with friends and family as Ii know exactly what I've planned on doing in advanced. Where would we be without GOOGLE!

GOOGLE DRIVE

Although I worked at the Apple Store at one point in my life, I never considered myself a techy.. All I can say is that when you work with a bunch of know it all tech beings you also get ton threats to back up your data! Seriously, I saw so many people lose years of photos when their hard drives crashed. I personally use other cloud drives for my laptop but for everything else on my phone I just use good ol’ Google. If you don’t I highly recommend you check out the plethora of options out there. You have NO reason not to back up your data and be sad about it later.

TODOIST

ToDoist is an awesome multi-platform agenda that keeps things efficient with an streamlined interface and task management. It’s just a super handy companion to getting things done. I personally stopped using planners and agendas as frequently during college since i would record everything on a piece of paper and reference that for the day or my syllabus, however after college is another story. There are so many things on your to do list that you are bound to forget. It also integrates with other apps like Dropbox, IFTTT, and Slack. 

CALM

There are different forms of Anxiety and Stress and I’m all about calming my mind before I go to bed. Since it’s super difficult to get off my phone addiction, I’ve started using the Calm app and it’s made SUCH a difference. It induces a better, deeper, calmer sleep and I feel a wash of relief from stress and the day ahead. I’ve tried it in the mornings as well and it’s been such a game changer for me. Highly recommend you start some sort of routine to calm your mind before bed. You may not need stress release or have issues with anxiety however prevention is key ( not a doctor.. just my own beliefs).

I’d love to know your top favorite apps! Always looking to add more apps to my iPhone and boost my productivity levels these days. The more efficient my life is the more time i get for #selfcare.

Scoring an Internship

I hear all the time, “how can i get an internship?” or “how can I apply for jobs that will look good on my resume and give me some experience now for when I graduate?”, well let me tell you. During the Recession it was so tough to get an internship for most majors ( not all) and I remember when professors and friends and coworkers at the time would tell me not to work for free. However, applying for an unpaid internship opened so many doors for me. I will always be grateful for that coworker that informed me his company was hiring interns, even though the program got cancelled the hiring manager placed me at another company she worked at previously and I was able to get some experience. Here are some of the tips I’ve gathered for taking the next step during or even sometimes after college to land an internship or job in your field.

Update your Resume

You may not have much experience yet but trust me those projects you have for school are all great applicable experiences. Use these projects to display how you work well with others, stay organized, manage meetings, meet deadlines, use certain applications ( Microsoft office suite), and many other contributions you make. Keep a copy of your resume in google docs and update as you have more experiences.

Update Your Socials

It’s so important to remove any photo that you don’t want your future employer seeing. Maybe make your profile private or un-tag yourself from those photos you can’t remember taking. Professionalism goes a long way. Update your photo to a clean professional photo. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just a clean photo where you look presentable.

Get on LinkedIn

It’s so important to update your LinkedIn. I still have friends and coworkers who have not even signed up for LinkedIn. It doesn’t matter how secure your career is, it’s always important to have an updated LinkedIn account/Professional account where people can find you. Case in point, people get married during/after college and some even disable their social media accounts. Someone may remember you from a project you had in school and would want to hire you or set up a contract with you for some assistance on a project. If they can’t remember your last name or new last name, how will they be able to find you?

Use your University Career Center

During college, i basically lived at the career center. Although, i never really found the best jobs through the career center for my field, I was able to gain a lot of insight on my resume and interviewing skills. I was always so confident that I came off confident and bubbly and it really was further from the truth. Sometimes, it’s a hard pill to swallow that we just need to practice our interviewing, communication and writing skills. There are also great resource centers where the English Ph.D students will check your resume, papers, projects for free. I highly recommend, taking advantage of these free resources in your school.

Practice Interviewing

I touched on this one above, however, print out a list of 100 common interview questions online and go through each one and write out your answer with specific experiences to back up each answer. Sounds simple enough, however I can’t even count the number of times I asked these simple questions during interviews and the candidate could not answer them. I’m not saying these interview questions are great. However, you may have someone that did not get training on how to interview who just googled these questions and came in. If you are not prepared, even for the most random, annoying, pointless common interview questions, then how will you expect them to want to hire you.

Get Involved

Have you ever interviewed for a job ( basic entry level job) and they asked you if you had any experience. It’s okay if you don’t. However, you will always have some sort of experience related to a position. One great way to stand out is joining organizations at your school or community that are related to your field. This can be super simple organizations, but sometimes, it’s during these organizational events where you’ll run into speakers that have open internships or advice that can really help your career and career application process. There is not one event i regretted attending.

Network with your Peers, Alumni’s, Customers, Neighbors, Professors

I was one of those students that had no family in the career or major that I was studying in at the time. My father owned his own business and worked at a large corporation several decades prior however I had no direct relation to someone who could help put in a word for me. What i failed to realize was how important my professors were. One of my favorite professors asked me if I had an internship lined up and I remember conveying to her that it was hard to land an internship despite all the resumes I had handed out and preparation I had done. She gave me a phone number right then and there in her office. She said I was a lot smarter than what this internship would provide me with however, it was such a blessing to get this phone number of a place that I could start gaining some relevant work experience from. You never know how your neighbor, church friends, family friends, professors, alumni speakers or even the students in your classroom could help you now or later on down the road. People want to help so ask those you already know first and you can always ask them to refer you to people that can help you.

Be Confident, Respectful and Thankful

I remember back in college I felt like I was being so aggressive by wanting to ask professors or friends, customers, if their company was hiring. I always remembered to be respectful and I bought a large pack of simple thank you cards and send them out each time someone took time out of their day to answer some questions I had. It’s important to be respectful of people’s time. Working at several different companies now, I see that people really can’t always be useful or help me get a job immediately. This can be due to companies or departments going on a hiring freeze ( I’ve seen this last 1-2 years), minimal communication across different departments, and honestly some people are just trying to keep their jobs long enough to support their family. It’s very important to be respectful and not to reach out to alumni’s or people you have never met before asking if they can hire you. There are several articles online that show how you can show your assets to someone and explain that you can be a great benefit to their organization. The most people can do sometimes is pass your information along. It’s difficult to tell a manager of any department that you have a potential candidate for them when you don’t even know the person. So I’ll say this again, always be respectful and thankful for the time people spend with you to help you on your career path.

Research Research Research

My final point is that you should always research the companies you want to work at and research their competitors in the market, the the types of tools and programs these companies use in your field. You will always have some sort of experience you can tailor to show that you are a good asset to their organization. Asking interviewers about programs they use, different metrics and competitors in the market will show how interested and engaged you are in the position and ultimately help you stand out.

Let me know if there are any tips you have or have used to get an Internship row work towards a career path!

Best of luck!

Do's and Don'ts on Decorating Your New Office Space

Photo by Kimberley Dodd on Reshot

Did you know that the inventor of the cubicle, Robert Propst, lived to regret his invention?

Well, that’s a whole history lesson on it’s own.

One of the most exciting things about a corporate job is getting your own cubicle/desk/office!

Some positions don’t allow for that, for example, auditors, consultants, sales positions, commonly work remotely and therefore never get their own dedicated space.

For the rest of us, it’s another story. Here are some of my Do’s and Don’ts for decorating your long anticipated office space!

PLANTS

Photo by rue 🌷 on Reshot

Plants are great way to bring some oxygen and greenery to your space. If you’re not a plant person, you can get a fake plant or an easy terrarium to place on your desk. In fact you can pick up a small indoor plant at grocery stores and home improvement shops that are perfect size for your desk space.

Plants include: Terrariums, Succulents, Bamboo, cactus, and air plants.

Don’t: Do not be that person that leaves their plant in the office to die while they’re out on vacation. Be sure you have a system in place for the plant to get watered and taken care of whilst you are OOO. If you aren’t able to take care of plants then don’t bring them to the office either. Plants can get bugs and cause an odor. You don’t want to be the coworker disturbing the office pH. Also, always check your office rules. Some offices do not allow pets and animals due to the nature of the business.

ARTWORK

Photo by Боря on Reshot

Calendars are a great way to display wall art and incorporate some color into your space without having to put up a bunch of pins on the walls or nailing anything to the cube area.

There are ton’s of different styles of calendars that you can choose from that will fit your space, from wall calendars, desk calendars, daily flip through calendars.

Don’t: Just be sure the images are appropriate and noncontroversial. That means no Maxim, Playboy or Firefighter of the Month calendars. You can save those for your home office. I mean whatever gets you going!

PAPER



Photo by Боря on Reshot

The only type of paper I condone is post its. Try to keep your desk free of paper. We are in the 21st century folks! Depending on your line of work, most office jobs are now all digital. Everything is done in Excel, Word, emails..etc. A notepad is great to keep it all organized and together if you are that person that just has to write it all down. Just be sure that by the end of the day. Your desk is all clutter free.

Don’t.. be that person that leaves the day with a mess of paper on your desk. Trust me, every office I’ve been at has THAT person. No matter how intelligent you are and how great you are at your job, people will always look down upon that person with all the paper. It makes you look unorganized and scatterbrained.

DECORATIONS

Photo by Austin Bristow II on Reshot

Decorations are a great way to individualize your own space at work. After all, we are spending a great majority of our time at work. At some companies, decorating your cube and personalizing it a bit shows your commitment in staying with the company. Definitely read your office and understand the culture and how your superiors have their office spaces. Bringing in a post card or magnet from your favorite vacation can be a great conversation starter and help your coworkers relate to you.

Don’t.. bring in anything inappropriate or start a collection of magnets/postcards/knickknacks on your desk. Also, a huge NO to stuff animals. We are not children anymore. Again, unless you are a teacher or your work involves working with children, I would refrain from bringing in toys.

FOOD

Photo by Austin Bristow II on Reshot

I saved my favorite one for the finale. This one is a bit controversial… do you bring food to your desk, do you eat food at your desk… I will definitely say that having any time of candy at your desk will make you SUPER LIKABLE at work. It will definitely bring a lot of people to your desk and it’s a great way of meeting people. A small jar of candy here and then or a box of donuts or snacks every once in a while is fine.

Don’t become the snack person or the candy person at work. Once you run out of candy or snacks, people will start asking you to bring in more and reminding you that you ran out. Another issue i have with this one is that people will come to your desk leave wrappers and crumbs everywhere and leave. Again, you want to be sure you have a clean space, free of clutter and distractions. People coming to your cube for snacks will only cause more distraction and can ultimately cause you to lose that big project you wanted. No one wants to give a big project to someone who has people in their office space all the time.

Curating Your Work Attire

For most of us, starting a new job is always challenging. You will soon realize that every company uses their own jargon and their own set of rules. All those terms you studied in college.. they’ll still be used but there will be another word used instead however, it will mean the same thing and maybe part of another term and maybe it won’t even mean anything at all. Have I confused you yet?

With everything going on at your new gig you won’t have much time to worry about your work wardrobe. These days companies are moving towards the business casual ( which can have several different meanings). I highly recommend that you look around your new company and always dress for the job you want.

There is nothing wrong with jeans but do keep in mind that if your manager or director seldom wear jeans, I’d probably recommend leaving them at home for the weekends. Over the years I have come to realize that there are some basics that can be worn at all the different companies I worked at and provided me with comfort and versatility at the same time. You really do not need more than a handful of outfits in total and a couple key pieces to get you there. It may take some work in the beginning to curate these outfits but once you make them you will be so much happier.

After all, figuring out the new culture at your new company is a headache in itself, your outfit shouldn’t be!

Underwear

Yes, I’m going there. You want clean underwear that is comfortable and the proper size. A fitted bra and panty will really elevate your look. You will look more put together and your clothes will look less wrinkled and fit you better. Remember, you do NOT need to spend a fortune to get proper fitting underwear. Always wear these UNDER your clothes and be sure they are never peeking out and on display.

Jacket

One neutral colored/patterned jacket in a streamlined clean style that can be worn over sweaters, tops, and dresses. You can really go all out here with chic blazers to elevate any casual outfit. I love wearing jeans and a shirt and adding a beautiful blazer to really polish off my look.

Four tops

1. Tanks:

   The key here is to remember that you want to be sure it’s a high neckline and a material that will not wrinkle. Silk tanks are great, if you can afford to get them dry cleaned. That being said, always go with materials that you can easily wash and put away for the following week. It will make your life so much easier.

2. Button down shirts

   A classic white button down, or striped button down will dress up jeans and skirts. I love wearing them under sweaters for days when I need an additional layer or just want a nice collar to dress up my sweaters.

3. Sweater/Cardigan

   A short sleeve or long sleeve sweater is great for all seasons. Most offices I’ve worked at have always had the A/C on blast and trust me finding the perfect sweater will make all the difference. If you are usually always warm, you can keep a sweater at your desk or a shawl of some kind but remember do not EVER wear a hoody (unless it’s a hoody day at the office.. something about a hood just screams “i’d rather be home” and that’s not a message you want to be sending out to your coworkers or superiors).

4. Long sleeve Blouses

Getting into blouses was difficult for me. Don’t force this one on yourself. Find the blouse that makes you feel great, Is comfortable and is of good material. They are great under cardigans and jackets and really polish off your look when wearing jeans. It shows you are professional yet not too stiff.

Two Types of Pants

1. Black Pants/Slacks

   You can wear these all week. Black pants are neutral and will look great with everything and have a polished look. They’re also great for days when you do not want to wear slacks or jeans.

2. Dark Wash Jeans:

   It took me a while to learn that light, neutral or bright colored denim are just not acceptable at the office. Not even light blue slacks ( people will think they are JEANS!) I still can’t seem to get my mind wrapped around that one but it is what it is and that’s okay. Definitely make sure you have clean dark wash jeans. That means no holes or scuffs or any kid of distress. Again, if you work in a fashionable office maybe the rules are different, however for the remaining 99.9% of us, it’s always safe to bet that a pair of dark wash jeans will be acceptable on Fridays (or other days if your office wear jeans on the daily).

Dress

I always recommend having at least one neutral colored/patterned dress. This will serve for the days you don’t want to wear slacks but need to dress up for a meeting or presentation or just because.. Just be sure that your dress hits the knee or just above the knee or longer. Any shorter and you may get raised eyebrows or find issue when you sit. My favorite stores for this are J. Crew and Banana Republic.

Skirts

Pencil Skirt are great. I recommend going for a longer length skirt as most pencil skirts at the stores always have such a high slit. Always test out the skirt before you wear it to the office. These will dress up your sweaters and tanks for days you are just not feeling like wearing pants. Banana Republic has some great professional options and if you get their card they do free tailoring for you as well.

Shoes

1. Heels

   Every Girl needs a good pair of heels. Keep them clean and take a pair of flats with you on rainy days so you don’t get them muddy or ruined before you even hit the office.

2. Loafers

   Loafers are like flats but better. They really polish up your look. Look more expensive than they are and are truly comfortable. I’m so glad there are some awesome new styles out now.

3. Flats

   Flats are great for the office. You can find all kinds of cute and colorful styles to dress sup your outfits. Once i started working in a corporate office, i started to realize why it makes a world of a difference to invest in some comfortable flats. I have flats that have lasted years for me. It was definitely worth the money to buy quality shoes. Some of my favorite brands in shoes are: Cole Haans, Tory Burch, and Sam Edelman.

These are just some of my recommendations. Each off ice is different and this is based on my personal experience. The main takeaway here is to have clean clothes with no holes and prepping your clothes ahead of time. Preparing your work wardrobe ahead of time will save you a headache in the morning and saving you time in the long run. I love just going to the work section of my closet and knowing exactly what to wear each day. It’s great and after all it’s for work so you want to look professional yet not sacrifice comfort.

Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.

You just graduated or are graduating and are needing to get a job in line. Where do you start?

My Experience

I graduated during the recession. I hustled and networked to land unpaid internships, small gigs and part time positions. I was happy with any real experience and substantial work that I could put on my resume that was in line with my major and career goals. Which brings me to the point that I can't underestimate the importance of internships and a job. When I graduated, it was incredibly difficult to land a job in the field I wanted. I got so many rejections. My friends decided to go to grad school and just keep applying. I took the first position I got a call back for that was a little more in line with what I wanted to do. It paid the least of all the positions I applied for and yet I was happy to have a job a month after graduating. Was it my favorite job? No. However, it was one of the best career decisions I made. I learned how to work with people I did not get along with, people that did not have the same level of education as me, reported to a manager that was not there to be my friend, and I learned how HR, time cards and vacation days worked. I learned to how network within that company and excel in my position. I learned to be vocal about where I wanted to grow and the positions I was interested in and I was very upfront with my boss about my career goals. 

After serving 10 months at that company I moved to a position more in line with my career goals and I did not regret taking that first position. I thank the person who gave me the advice to just get my foot in the door at the best option till my next opportunity comes along.

MY TOP TIPS!

Start Early as this will take a little bit of time but very well worth it in the end!

Resume: Prepare your resume, have SEVERAL people proofread it. Don't be embarrassed. Show everyone, your professors, career advisers, random classmates, English majors and any older relative you have that is in a similar position to you. Take notes on their feedback. Some of the feedback will clash and you will have to just do a trial by error approach.

Apply Early! Start applying as early as your freshman year. Every little project or internship/externship you work on will be beneficial. Working at a retail store? Take up projects or apply your learnings from school to small projects at your current employer. That is all experience you can use. Don't forget to record it and file and save it on google drive for when you are creating your resume.

Social Media: Make your personal social media accounts private and make sure your profile photos are updated to a professional photo. Not one that was taken at a party. You can have a public account if your posts are in line with your career. However, my personal advice is to keep your life Private. A public social media account is encouraged as long as it's in line with your career goals.

Professional Accounts: Set up your Linkedin! I still have colleagues that don't have a LinkedIn account because they are still employed and enjoy their job. How will you know there isn't a better offer if you don't have an account. I personally use it as an online presence since I can't remember to bring my business cards sometimes or where i store the ones I receive at Networking events.

Online Presence: Create a small website that will showcase your work or an explanation of your skills. Think you don't have skills as a recent college grad? Upload some of your top projects you did during senior year.  There are so many free services you can use to build your own website! My favorites are: Squarespace, Tap.Bio, and Wordpress. This will also impress your future employer and manager as they will be impressed that you took the time to create this in your personal time!

Network! Network Network!: Network with professors, customers that you come across in your side hustle/ retail job during college, and other colleagues. This is not a time to be shy! Trust me! The number of people I talked to during my retail days truly helped pave my path towards the decisions i made during and after college. You could even make a friend that will help refer you since they want the referral bonus at the company.

Take an Etiquette Workshop: I cannot emphasize how important it is to take an etiquette workshop. Specifically, a dining etiquette class. You may have been taught different etiquette than the standard American ones. I took a few courses and still refer to my handouts as a refresher. I highly recommend an in person class and usually Universities offer these for free. Again, network with your colleagues and join different organizations so you can get that invite! This will come in handy when you have a lunch or dinner interview!  That being said, I would also start practicing and improving your conversational English. The manner in which we speak to our friends in school is much different than how we should speak at an interview. Practicing early will help you ease up in the interview and not worry about every word coming out of your mouth. You will naturally get used to speaking more appropriately. 

Now go get started! Do something. Take one step forward and everything will start coming together more seamlessly. The hardest part is that first step!

(I will continue to add to this list as I have more suggestions)