Yes, it is Spring time, although lately it has felt as if Summer had reared it's blazing hot head, and we all know what that means, EXPOSURE!!!! Skin fest here we come, right? WRONG. It is 6:45 pm and you have yet to decide what to wear to work, that expresses your inner Spring you. You work in a high profile office (or not) and flip flops and that pair of khaki cargo shorts, no matter how embellished, heeled, or starched they maybe, are not gonna cut it! At this point you need to pull out the tried and tested black suit that every school told you was the standard dress for any job and get to work on time, just know we are headed shopping at 5pm, sharp!
So you made it through morning meetings, brunch, afternoon meetings, lunch, conference calls, and evening meetings. Did I mention meetings? Oh I did, okay so you know better than anyone what you need... Shopping!
Here's what we are looking for:
GUYS:
-Classic suits in grays, blues
- Sports coats in varying textures and materials that are season appropriate (now is not the time for velvet, who wears that to the office anyway?)
- Crisp polos in pastels
- Button down in lighter hues, save the bright colors and busy patterns for the club buddy
- Cardigans are in so wear them, they come in a variety of shades and are slightly more versatile than that heavier sports coat
- Pants in lighter cotton blends are cool and breathable look for tans, grays, blues
- The shoe standard is still hard soled and leather; colors slightly adventurous grays, blues, browns (see a pattern here); NO white socks boys!
- Ties are still the easiest way to add flare to your ensemble. There are so many possibilities. Color and pattern blending is definitely great and really eye catching.
Ladies:
- Suits, look for classic lines with added flare, like a tulip or pleated skirt. Many are sold in separates that give a pant and skirt option, get both and double your wardrobe instantly! Colors such as grays, browns, greens and blues are to start with as a base. Remember ladies skirts should come to the knee or right (1- 11/2 inches) above the knee.
- Blazers or the jackets from your suits are great paired with pants and skirts and for after 5 fun they are great with jeans too! Your suit skirt can also go from day to night with a neckline adjustment before you head out on the town.
- Twinsets are awesome! they can be paired with pants or skirts and allow for a more casual alternative to a suit while still looking tailored and professional. You will be a knock out in a cute demin skirt and highly trendy in a great fitting pair of jeans on the weekends too.
- Pumps (and diamonds) are a woman's best friend... especial a 9 to 5 woman. However, before you run out and justify your next Jimmy Choo purchase take this to mind. Pumps should be 2.5 to 3 inches high and very comfortable (the better they are constructed the more comfortable). Look for classic refined heel styles with a slightly rounded point toe. For you ladies the color burst wide open, do be sensible, neon yellow with fuchsia and orange flowers is not office appropriate!!! Steer clear of the strappy sandals and keep the 4 inch heels in the trunk for the club.
- Accessories are the icing on the cake... and by cake I mean you! Do not over do it, you are still going to work. You do not have to wear complete sets, give your self some room to wiggle. Keep some classic pieces like pearls, and diamonds, but look for those defining pieces as well. Earrings should be no larger than dimes or nickles and should hang no lower than the chin (1- 11/2 inches). Necklaces allow for more liberty but should be worn underneath the jacket, blazer or cardigan above the shell or blouse. When I think of bracelets and rings the standard is watch (1) and ring (1) on the hand you do not write with and bracelet (1) or bangles (3) and ring (1) on the hand that you do use to write. There is no need to come to work looking like that lady at the bar that wears EVERY single piece of jewelry that she owns... that is CRAZY and tacky.
- Colors are necessary and look great in moderation and when blended properly. A splash of color really livens up and adds depth to a wardrobe. A fuchsia blouse underneath a gray suit with green, yellow and/ or blue accessories really makes it pop! Great colors for spring include pastels, minty greens, candy pinks, tropical corals, deep sea blues, sunny yellows, and bright oranges.
Patterns are great as long as they are not too busy or there are not too many of them.
- Bags should be multifunctional. There is no need to two large bags, one on each shoulder, you will look like a bag lady. Look for one bag that is large enough for a pair of cute flats, a clutch or large wallet, a cosmetic bag and your laptop. The clutch and shoes you can change into for lunch and who does not need a cosmetic bag? Remember your bag does not have to match your shoes, that matches your belt, that matches your earrings!!! Steer clear of Betty boop, chains, and rhinestones... how old are you? 22+, enough said.
Just remember with pattern mixing one pattern should be the focus so it will be larger and bolder than the other.
After along day of shopping go home turn on your ihome and rock out to your favorite tunes while putting away your new duds and running some hot bathwater with lots of bubbles and lavender and/or eucalyptus while sipping on some chilled riesling... mmm yeah.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tips for a successful interview
While at work a couple days ago a young woman enters the store, and as usual for any entering customer I say "Hi! Welcome to ____". She smiles and continues to walk towards me and my co- worker. I then ask her what she is look for and she replies that she is here for the 3pm interview. I do not know anything about the interview, so I turn to my co- worker that immediately looks at her watch and then at the young woman and says that it was a group interview that started at 3pm and is now closed. The young woman looks a bit taken back as if she did not understand what just happened and asks if there was anyone that she could call to reschedule and the response was no due to the fact that the store manager was the one that gave the instruction. She says thank you and walks out. At this point I have just finished picking my face up off the floor, not because the girl was 15 minutes late, but because she came in a gray jersey knit tunic t shirt, white legging and pink jelly flip flops. WTF!!!
I do not care what the job is there is certain way that you approach an interview and that was not it. Since, common sense is not so common here are a few tips for a successful interview:
Before you arrive:
1. Do some homework. Know about the company and the position for which you are applying. Look online for mission statements, job requirements/duties, any useful figures and future plans. Wow your interviewer with your zest and zeal for the company and desired position.
2. Notice the attire of the current employees and your prospective employer. This is the basis for which you determine what to wear to the interview. If a uniform is worn assume business casual attire.
3. Jot down a couple of questions that you may have for the interviewer. There is ALWAYS a question and answer portion of the interview. This is usually easier after doing the homework mentioned above.
4. Be prepared. If possible, have an extra copy of your resume, references, and the application. Do not forget to have available proof of any certifications that you listed in the application and resume. Best practice it to have a pen and a note pad to jot down any key points that were learned from the interview as well as dates and times.
5. Dress to impress! This is not the same impress advertised at the club. After noticing what your prospective employer wears try to step it up a notch. As the saying goes dress for the job you want not the one you have or the lack there of... First impressions are key.
DO NOT BY ANY MEANS wear anything that is tight, sheer, denim, beach or lounge wear, ill- fitting, too short, non- fashionable, or too loud. Also remember to cover tattoos, and remove piercings.
6. Turn your cell phone off or to silent!!! Think about what is more important, the interviewer or you friend asking about what happened on 24 last night.
In the interview:
7. The interview starts from the moment you walk through the doors, so be on your best behavior. All eyes are on you from everywhere and everyone will have an opinion. Greet everyone you meet with a nice firm handshake.
8. Lean in and appear attentive while the interviewer is speaking. Slouching or fidgeting is a sign that you are bored or not interested.
9. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer when they are speaking and when you are answering questions.
10. Be positive when answering questions about previous employers and co- workers.
11. Use relevant experiences from past jobs to show your skill for the desired position.
12. Be honest when answering questions about experiences and skill levels.
13. Above all stay calm and confident.
Do not sell yourself short. Market yourself to employers like you would a luxury vehicle or posh real estate. You are worth it, just make them believe it too and that job is as good as yours!!!
Happy hunting
I do not care what the job is there is certain way that you approach an interview and that was not it. Since, common sense is not so common here are a few tips for a successful interview:
Before you arrive:
1. Do some homework. Know about the company and the position for which you are applying. Look online for mission statements, job requirements/duties, any useful figures and future plans. Wow your interviewer with your zest and zeal for the company and desired position.
2. Notice the attire of the current employees and your prospective employer. This is the basis for which you determine what to wear to the interview. If a uniform is worn assume business casual attire.
3. Jot down a couple of questions that you may have for the interviewer. There is ALWAYS a question and answer portion of the interview. This is usually easier after doing the homework mentioned above.
4. Be prepared. If possible, have an extra copy of your resume, references, and the application. Do not forget to have available proof of any certifications that you listed in the application and resume. Best practice it to have a pen and a note pad to jot down any key points that were learned from the interview as well as dates and times.
5. Dress to impress! This is not the same impress advertised at the club. After noticing what your prospective employer wears try to step it up a notch. As the saying goes dress for the job you want not the one you have or the lack there of... First impressions are key.
DO NOT BY ANY MEANS wear anything that is tight, sheer, denim, beach or lounge wear, ill- fitting, too short, non- fashionable, or too loud. Also remember to cover tattoos, and remove piercings.
6. Turn your cell phone off or to silent!!! Think about what is more important, the interviewer or you friend asking about what happened on 24 last night.
In the interview:
7. The interview starts from the moment you walk through the doors, so be on your best behavior. All eyes are on you from everywhere and everyone will have an opinion. Greet everyone you meet with a nice firm handshake.
8. Lean in and appear attentive while the interviewer is speaking. Slouching or fidgeting is a sign that you are bored or not interested.
9. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer when they are speaking and when you are answering questions.
10. Be positive when answering questions about previous employers and co- workers.
11. Use relevant experiences from past jobs to show your skill for the desired position.
12. Be honest when answering questions about experiences and skill levels.
13. Above all stay calm and confident.
Do not sell yourself short. Market yourself to employers like you would a luxury vehicle or posh real estate. You are worth it, just make them believe it too and that job is as good as yours!!!
Happy hunting
Monday, April 27, 2009
Shopping Etiquette 101
Before I jump into today's lesson in shopping, I need to talk about a couple observations in shopping.
In today's society we are so used to running to a Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and the like when we need to pick up a few items here and there pointing and clicking online, that we have forgotten what it is like shopping in a place where there are associates to serve the customer face to face. I can not tell you how often it seems as if customers are surprised and frankly a bit apprehensive when they walk into the store I work at and are acknowledged.
Here are some quick tips to remember to take the edge off shopping in a customer service environment, so you do not look like a deer in headlights or come off as rude; They are not always nice, but I guarantee that your next shopping experience will be way better than the last.
1. When going shopping, GET OFF OF THE PHONE!!!- If you think that it is rude for the associate to talk to you while you are on the phone, I promise you the associate thinks that it is rude for you to want their attention while you are talking to someone else. When you get to the door of the store you plan on shopping in let your caller know that you have to call them right back so you can focus.
2. When acknowledged by an associate LISTEN to what they are saying and answer accordingly. "Welcome to______" does not elicit "No, I do not need any help" as a reply, instead go with a simple "Thank You", "Hi", or "Hello". Starting the shopping relationship off on the right foot gets you ALOT farther than treating the associate, who is also a person, like they do not exist. No response is just as bad if not worse, no one likes to be ignored.
3. When asked "What it is you are shopping for?" or "What brings you in today?", it is okay to actually tell the associate. The associate has been trained to find out what you want and get you there as painlessly as possible as well as let you know how, where, and when to use it. Saying just looking just makes the associates job more painful because they have to go through a series of questions to find out what you need and if they can not do it trust me you will be passed off to someone who can. Plus, it saves you time looking confused when you do not see the item in the same location it was last time you stopped by.
4. Killing time??? Please do not do it in a small specialty shop and chains, especially if you really have no intention of buying anything at all. Many of these have goals that they are expected to reach everyday, week, month and quarter, including conversion. Conversion is the percentage derived from the number of people that enter a store versus the number of transactions that a store has. If you walk into or walk in and out in and out waiting for your friend to get a prescription filled next door, the conversion for the store goes down. That is why at certain times and stores the associates are really really REALLY interested in you making that purchase right now, today.
5. People people people, when a company gets rid of a product/item they usually do it for good reason... to keep the business afloat. Now if it happened to be your favorite then you should do two things 1. contact the company... not your local store and find out why and if you can still get it and 2. Try something new. It's free to try and it never hurts to update your style. I love the 80's but I can not wear day-glow shoes forever. Just remember that it is not the manager or associates fault.
6. Create a separate email account for coupons and promotions from companies so you are always in the know and can get those freebies and discounts. I set one up signed up for email and received coupons for free products within a few days!!! This way you keep them out of your personal daily email, but still get the perks, and everyone loves perks. At many stores the more you use your coupons and/give your email/ phone number the more or more tailored the coupons are to you. No one is going to take the time out to call you, who has that time?
7. READ the fine print or ask questions. There is almost always a stipulation to any deal. However, it is usually listed right there on the same sign as the deal only in smaller print or those same associates that we spoke of earlier will explain it to you... if you ask.
8. FINE PRINT... stores in chains do not make up pricing. So getting angry with the associate that explained it to you, the cashier that is ringing you up or the manager is not going to help at all. if you do not like the pricing policies (also applies to return/ exchange policies) contact corporate they have the final say in those matters.
9. Stores want to sell you things. They want you to put your money in them. They DO NOT hoard things in the back so that you can not buy it. Associates have to make their purchases at the beginning or end of their shift or if they get to clock out for break. When someone goes to the back to look for an item that may not have made it to the floor but comes back empty handed... it is not there. Many stores will look up the item at another store if possible for you, just ask.
10. Just ask. This applies to all aspects of life. You will never know unless you ask, so just go ahead and do it.
This is just 10 in a list of 1000's so stay tuned.
Take these with you and shop better.
In today's society we are so used to running to a Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and the like when we need to pick up a few items here and there pointing and clicking online, that we have forgotten what it is like shopping in a place where there are associates to serve the customer face to face. I can not tell you how often it seems as if customers are surprised and frankly a bit apprehensive when they walk into the store I work at and are acknowledged.
Here are some quick tips to remember to take the edge off shopping in a customer service environment, so you do not look like a deer in headlights or come off as rude; They are not always nice, but I guarantee that your next shopping experience will be way better than the last.
1. When going shopping, GET OFF OF THE PHONE!!!- If you think that it is rude for the associate to talk to you while you are on the phone, I promise you the associate thinks that it is rude for you to want their attention while you are talking to someone else. When you get to the door of the store you plan on shopping in let your caller know that you have to call them right back so you can focus.
2. When acknowledged by an associate LISTEN to what they are saying and answer accordingly. "Welcome to______" does not elicit "No, I do not need any help" as a reply, instead go with a simple "Thank You", "Hi", or "Hello". Starting the shopping relationship off on the right foot gets you ALOT farther than treating the associate, who is also a person, like they do not exist. No response is just as bad if not worse, no one likes to be ignored.
3. When asked "What it is you are shopping for?" or "What brings you in today?", it is okay to actually tell the associate. The associate has been trained to find out what you want and get you there as painlessly as possible as well as let you know how, where, and when to use it. Saying just looking just makes the associates job more painful because they have to go through a series of questions to find out what you need and if they can not do it trust me you will be passed off to someone who can. Plus, it saves you time looking confused when you do not see the item in the same location it was last time you stopped by.
4. Killing time??? Please do not do it in a small specialty shop and chains, especially if you really have no intention of buying anything at all. Many of these have goals that they are expected to reach everyday, week, month and quarter, including conversion. Conversion is the percentage derived from the number of people that enter a store versus the number of transactions that a store has. If you walk into or walk in and out in and out waiting for your friend to get a prescription filled next door, the conversion for the store goes down. That is why at certain times and stores the associates are really really REALLY interested in you making that purchase right now, today.
5. People people people, when a company gets rid of a product/item they usually do it for good reason... to keep the business afloat. Now if it happened to be your favorite then you should do two things 1. contact the company... not your local store and find out why and if you can still get it and 2. Try something new. It's free to try and it never hurts to update your style. I love the 80's but I can not wear day-glow shoes forever. Just remember that it is not the manager or associates fault.
6. Create a separate email account for coupons and promotions from companies so you are always in the know and can get those freebies and discounts. I set one up signed up for email and received coupons for free products within a few days!!! This way you keep them out of your personal daily email, but still get the perks, and everyone loves perks. At many stores the more you use your coupons and/give your email/ phone number the more or more tailored the coupons are to you. No one is going to take the time out to call you, who has that time?
7. READ the fine print or ask questions. There is almost always a stipulation to any deal. However, it is usually listed right there on the same sign as the deal only in smaller print or those same associates that we spoke of earlier will explain it to you... if you ask.
8. FINE PRINT... stores in chains do not make up pricing. So getting angry with the associate that explained it to you, the cashier that is ringing you up or the manager is not going to help at all. if you do not like the pricing policies (also applies to return/ exchange policies) contact corporate they have the final say in those matters.
9. Stores want to sell you things. They want you to put your money in them. They DO NOT hoard things in the back so that you can not buy it. Associates have to make their purchases at the beginning or end of their shift or if they get to clock out for break. When someone goes to the back to look for an item that may not have made it to the floor but comes back empty handed... it is not there. Many stores will look up the item at another store if possible for you, just ask.
10. Just ask. This applies to all aspects of life. You will never know unless you ask, so just go ahead and do it.
This is just 10 in a list of 1000's so stay tuned.
Take these with you and shop better.
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