I recently interviewed for another position here at my company. It is located inside a factory, so dress is usually limited to: flats and no skirts. With that in mind, this was my outfit for the event: professional, casual, & practical. I felt comfortable and confident in a fun print top and the softest ever cardigan.
All three clothing items were bought at Nordstroms - which is an experience all in itself. The salesgirl helped to set up a dressing room and brought in many other work options for me to try on.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
How to Impress: Dinner and Networking Event
Ok, so you have a big interview or a professional event like a networking dinner - how do you say "I'm smart, I'm a hard worker, and I'm going to be damn good at this job"? Dress to impress.
I work in the engineering and technology field - there are not many times women get to show their fashion sense. However, don't think it goes unnoticed.
While working a career fair booth, there are a few things I like to see - and a lot I don't like to see. It's about first impressions, so make it count.
What works:
- Clean and neutral cuts. I want to spend more time looking at your resume than being distracted by too many layers, too much jewelry, or too many prints.
- Have personality! Wear clothes that are comfortable enough or close to your normal work wear as possible (then turn it one notch higher). If you're comfortable in your clothes you'll be much more comfortable to talk to. Your personality will be what stays with me when you walk away and I decide which pile to put your resume in.
- Don't be afraid to be feminine. Often times, in a work world like Engineering, women tend to put the bulky clothes on and wear greys, navy, or black. I don't need to be working with more guys, there's enough already. Invest in figure flattering clothes and shoes you can walk for days in.
- Remember to smile and shake firmly. please. really.
What doesn't work:
- Trying too hard. Your sky high heels, your super trendy dress and cropped jacket. I get it, you like to buy clothes for the now. It becomes too much of a distraction and you will be remembered for your over the top look than your work experience.
- Wearing clothes that are too small, too big, or with too many holes. Again, it's distracting from your personality and resume. Keep your look clean and professional.
- Lack of general hygiene. It might be obvious but I have encountered it many times. The first thing we do when you come up to my company's booth is make eye contact - so I'm already staring at your head, your greasy hair, maybe your 13 y/o butterfly hair clips, or your very under plucked eyebrows. I'll notice your half painted or chipped nails after the handshake too. While these aren't deal breakers (maybe you're having a bad day?) - it does project a certain "I don't care about this" attitude which is a turn off when I'm looking to help hire you
Share your career fair and networking experiences below!
.
Friday, January 27, 2012
January Trials.
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| from king5.com Wednesday-January-17 |
At first, I mistyped the title, accidentally writing "trails", which could also explain the chaos of January. Last week, Seattle was stopped for a very exciting, very cold, winter snow/ice/wind storm. Ben and I, stupidly, drove to work each day, risking our lives just so we didn't have to waste our precious vacation time!
January did turn out to be overwhelming otherwise for me. I've been getting a colossal amount of emails since December. The window to accomplish everything is ever waning. I kicked my productivity in high gear and got my million "to-do" emails down to around five, which takes my anxiety down a few notches as well.
I wanted to do some monthly follow ups to my 2012 Goals.
Career
I'm getting back on track after hitting a lull in early January - trying to challenge myself to be better and smarter. I think my next game plan is to start working on finding and following through on my informal mentors.
Finances
I've successfully have not bought clothing all month. It surprisingly is really easy... When i see the most awesome dress that I really want to buy and couldn't live without I just remind myself that i simply cannot buy anything. And I know it's going to feel AMAZING buying that dress next year, in a more reasonable dress size :)
I used to visit Ideeli and Gilt (member only shopping sites) and drool over the selection of clothes. I've visited Ideeli maybe twice this month, and Gilt maybe a handful - looking at GiltCity and GiltTaste offers, not even tempting myself with their clothing. What a change from last year!
My next goal is to concurrently pay off my credit card debt while also meet my monthly saving commitment so we can eventually buy a house later this year. Cheers to work bonuses and tax returns this season!
Health
While I can't say I've lost any weight, I'm starting to notice this past week that my water intake is much higher and my portions are getting smaller. I still snack... but I'm working on it! And it seems like I've kicked my latte and mocha habit - it's crazy - When I do go to Tully's in the morning with my co-workers I look at the amazing lattes, but can only get an Americano, no matter how much i think I want a latte!
Last week I bought a fancy scale that calculates Body Fat and Body Water percentages, just have to figure out how to calibrate it!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Don’t sacrifice
Don’t sacrifice what you want most for what you want in the moment.
(this is a lengthy one, more of a diary entry - thanks for not judging.)
I've tried to keep that as a mantra for quite some time now. I read it once in a fitness magazine and it's kinda popped up here and there and forever reminding me that each moment I have the choice to stay on track or not. Whether it's my career, my finances, my health - I make choices everyday that affect them.
At the end of each year I start getting reflective about the past year - my accomplishments and failures and I try and transfer it all into how I can improve next year. A new years resolution without all the champagne and moment promises.
Unfortunately my intentions have always been undercut by old habits. I know I need to continue to improve and challenge myself at work. I know I need to stop buying things to have (pretty) things. I know I need to stop binge eating and mindless snacking in order to lose weight. I frustrate myself incredibly just thinking about how I continually, year after year, don't meet my goals. Dana, just focus.
Basically, I've hit my crossroads. I'm not changing, my previous efforts have been futile.
So here's how it's going to work, okay Dana.
Career.
Suck it up. Remember when you talked to those young girls about how they should be Engineers because engineers change the world, engineers help people? YOU DO THAT. Your job is actually kinda cool. very important. and you make big decisions every day. Embrace it. You won't be a minion forever - so be the best damn minion you can right now so you don't have to later.
Finances.
I'm going to go to an extreme here. I've become an avid and extraordinary online shopper (not something to be proud of). Next year, starting on January 1st I am going to take a stand against stupid spending (really, another dress, Dana?). I am going to do a clothing diet. YES, I AM NOT GOING TO BUY ANY CLOTHES FOR A WHOLE YEAR. yes, of course I will buy undies and socks as needed. And that's that. done. no spending money on clothes. I think I'm going to continue my addiction to pinterest, it's actually really therapeutic in avoiding actually buying clothes and block the members-only shopping sites I belong to.
I'm also hoping, as a sit project to this, to learn and understand where clothes come from & how to buy ethical clothing.
Health.
Despite my honestly good intentions I can't seem to remove any fluff. I'm an emotional eater. happy, sad, frustrated, annoyed, stressed, anxious -- there's always something I can chew on. I did okay managing my weight in college; I was much too busy to have time for mindless food indulgences and had a steady workout routine (there was NOTHING better than running at 6am before anyone woke up in a college town. the busy drunken streets were quiet and hungover. looooved it). However, since graduating - finding a balance has been really hard for me to do. Yogi (puppy!) was a nightmare and more for me alone to handle - I quickly learned that he would sit still if I gave him a chip for every few chips I would eat. I would eventually learn to walk with Yogi every day and then join a soccer league. THEN I TORE MY ACL. ugh. for 6 months I sat on my ass. For three months following the surgery I was still on crutches. I ate a diet of cheese and crackers and and "exercised" at Physical Therapy - unable to steady my walk or fully extend my knee joint.
Long story short, I jumped up two dress sizes and felt worse than I ever have. I tried at the beginning of this year to combat this problem with a personal trainer - who was great at reconnecting me to the gym and what I could do to get the most out of my workout. I also started five months of Barre classes. Let me say this another way: Starting January 2011 I did two days of Personal Training, two days of Barre classed, and two days of PT. I literally was working out 6 days a week for 3-4 months. I just couldn't push any weight off. Three months into personal training I finally lost my first 5lbs. I was in heaven. Then I did a month of Freshology and 10 more came off. I was able to maintain this until my wedding in August and since then it's all come back and more.
I love working out, I love fitness classes. I don't believe my weight downfall is because I'm a couch potato. I believe I cannot control my bad eating habits. So, starting in January 2012, I will be doing a 9 month hypnosis program in Seattle. Hey, lily allen did it :). I'll keep you posted on how it goes. They promise a sort of re-wiring of your decision matrix when it comes to food. (ok ok, my words, but that's how my engineer brain interpreted it.)
I hope your 2012 is the best yet!
Health and Happiness to you and yours <3
dana.
(this is a lengthy one, more of a diary entry - thanks for not judging.)
I've tried to keep that as a mantra for quite some time now. I read it once in a fitness magazine and it's kinda popped up here and there and forever reminding me that each moment I have the choice to stay on track or not. Whether it's my career, my finances, my health - I make choices everyday that affect them.
At the end of each year I start getting reflective about the past year - my accomplishments and failures and I try and transfer it all into how I can improve next year. A new years resolution without all the champagne and moment promises.
Unfortunately my intentions have always been undercut by old habits. I know I need to continue to improve and challenge myself at work. I know I need to stop buying things to have (pretty) things. I know I need to stop binge eating and mindless snacking in order to lose weight. I frustrate myself incredibly just thinking about how I continually, year after year, don't meet my goals. Dana, just focus.
Basically, I've hit my crossroads. I'm not changing, my previous efforts have been futile.
So here's how it's going to work, okay Dana.
Career.
Suck it up. Remember when you talked to those young girls about how they should be Engineers because engineers change the world, engineers help people? YOU DO THAT. Your job is actually kinda cool. very important. and you make big decisions every day. Embrace it. You won't be a minion forever - so be the best damn minion you can right now so you don't have to later.
Finances.
I'm going to go to an extreme here. I've become an avid and extraordinary online shopper (not something to be proud of). Next year, starting on January 1st I am going to take a stand against stupid spending (really, another dress, Dana?). I am going to do a clothing diet. YES, I AM NOT GOING TO BUY ANY CLOTHES FOR A WHOLE YEAR. yes, of course I will buy undies and socks as needed. And that's that. done. no spending money on clothes. I think I'm going to continue my addiction to pinterest, it's actually really therapeutic in avoiding actually buying clothes and block the members-only shopping sites I belong to.
I'm also hoping, as a sit project to this, to learn and understand where clothes come from & how to buy ethical clothing.
Health.
Despite my honestly good intentions I can't seem to remove any fluff. I'm an emotional eater. happy, sad, frustrated, annoyed, stressed, anxious -- there's always something I can chew on. I did okay managing my weight in college; I was much too busy to have time for mindless food indulgences and had a steady workout routine (there was NOTHING better than running at 6am before anyone woke up in a college town. the busy drunken streets were quiet and hungover. looooved it). However, since graduating - finding a balance has been really hard for me to do. Yogi (puppy!) was a nightmare and more for me alone to handle - I quickly learned that he would sit still if I gave him a chip for every few chips I would eat. I would eventually learn to walk with Yogi every day and then join a soccer league. THEN I TORE MY ACL. ugh. for 6 months I sat on my ass. For three months following the surgery I was still on crutches. I ate a diet of cheese and crackers and and "exercised" at Physical Therapy - unable to steady my walk or fully extend my knee joint.
Long story short, I jumped up two dress sizes and felt worse than I ever have. I tried at the beginning of this year to combat this problem with a personal trainer - who was great at reconnecting me to the gym and what I could do to get the most out of my workout. I also started five months of Barre classes. Let me say this another way: Starting January 2011 I did two days of Personal Training, two days of Barre classed, and two days of PT. I literally was working out 6 days a week for 3-4 months. I just couldn't push any weight off. Three months into personal training I finally lost my first 5lbs. I was in heaven. Then I did a month of Freshology and 10 more came off. I was able to maintain this until my wedding in August and since then it's all come back and more.
I love working out, I love fitness classes. I don't believe my weight downfall is because I'm a couch potato. I believe I cannot control my bad eating habits. So, starting in January 2012, I will be doing a 9 month hypnosis program in Seattle. Hey, lily allen did it :). I'll keep you posted on how it goes. They promise a sort of re-wiring of your decision matrix when it comes to food. (ok ok, my words, but that's how my engineer brain interpreted it.)
 |
| Photo via Pinterest via ThxThxThx |
I hope your 2012 is the best yet!
Health and Happiness to you and yours <3
dana.
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