High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 8 Tips to Fast-Track Your Career

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 8 Tips to Fast-Track Your Career: "Know where your organization/industry is going and understand what you can contribute to making your team more successful. Make sure your supervisor sees you as an asset."
• 5 Ways to Tackle Job Insecurity: "If you've been neglecting your network for a while, now is the time to reconnect. Don't wait until you need to call in a favor. It's also a good idea to expand your network by attending events or joining a professional association."
• 13 Time Management Tips for Success: "One of the biggest mistakes is just doing whatever comes your way instead of having exact times when you will do certain things in your week. Discipline and planning is required if you want to achieve your career goals."
• 7 Interview Questions That Determine Emotional Intelligence: "Curiosity and the desire to learn are vital signs that a prospective employee wants to get better at something."
• How to Dress for Your Next Job Interview: "Whether you like it or not, your appearance is the first thing people notice about you–and the hiring managers first impression may play a big part in his or her hiring decision."

The Success Secret of Boring Dressers

President Barak Obama's suits come exclusively in two colors: blue and black. Dr. Cornell West of Princeton perpetually wears the same black suit, white shirt, and black shoes. Mark Zuckerberg's wardrobe consists almost exclusively of grey t-shirts. And you can hardly say "black turtleneck" with Steve Jobs popping up in your mind.

Who cares about the awful fashion sense of these men? You should, because it demonstrates a strong principle of successful decision making.

Take Steve Jobs, Apple's late-CEO: how many decisions do you think he had to make in a day? Anecdotally, I would guess…a lot. Further, what do you think was the significance of those decisions? Considering his reputation as being very (some would say overly) involved with the development of Apple products and their design factoring prominently into their success, you could assume that his decisions were very important. The lesson here is that successful people making significant decisions find a way to remove extraneous or unimportant decisions from their lives. The decisions that they reduce to the simple ones (i.e. what to wear that day) allow the more time to focus on the big, important decisions.

Options are all around us, and it's easy to become overwhelmed. Go to a discount store and marvel over how many different kinds of shampoo, spaghetti sauce, or pens there are. Go online and you can spend hours if not days shopping for a dress or a shirt. This isn't to say that clothing or shampoo isn't important, but does it deserve the time that you are giving it?

Reflect on your career: what decisions have you been avoiding because you have been wrapped up in the "small" ones. Reflect on your life: what decisions are you spending significant amounts of time on that, quite frankly, do not need all of that time? Find your own areas of improvement and make a commitment to change, and write about it in the comments below.

High Five Weekly Career Transitions Roundup

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

1. Tips on How to Stage a Career Transition
"Don’t let fear, a lack of confidence, or the perception that you don’t possess the correct combination of necessary skills prevent you from applying for a position you think you would love."

2. Are You 'Bringing it' at Work?
"You have the power to take small and incremental steps on your personal career journey to lead you to where you want to go."

3. 9 Hot Skills that are Trending on LinkedIn
"Here are nine key phrases to consider adding to your skills and expertise on your LinkedIn profile."

4.  Five Tips for Your First Job  
"Following these suggestions will make for a more worthwhile experience for you, while balancing some of the stress and struggles of a brand-new work environment."

5. Dressing for the Best Impression in Your Job Interviews
"Deciding what to wear for an interview can be tough process at times. Focusing more on what will give you the most confidence over what is most expected can help you project the best impression you can!"

How to Dress Professionally When the Weather Heats Up

Post grads certainly know or must learn the importance of dressing professionally when interviewing or while on the job. Your resume might get trashed if you come to an interview dressed less than impressive or you can lose your credibility by dressing inappropriately at the office. Yet what do you do when the sun starts shining and you're always in tank tops and shorts in your free time? How do you look professional but not sweat to death?

1. First of all, when dressing for an interview, always dress professional and cover up. A few hours of being hot and uncomfortable are worth it because it may help you get the job. Suits for men or women are usually the best bet. Even if you discover the office is causal dress, you still want to be overly dressed in professional attire to show that you're serious.

2. If you have a job, check their dress code and ask questions if it seems unclear. It is better to check, ask co-workers or ask your boss if shorts or other hot weather clothing items are acceptable and appropriate before getting in trouble for wearing them.

3. Once you understand your company's dress code, now is an excuse to do a little shopping. Shop at stores that carry professional work attire with prices a post grad can afford such as JC Penney, Sears, or Kohl's. Remember, you don't need a ton of new outfits but a few key pieces that you can mix and match.

Good luck, post grad! When you look the part and know your stuff, you're sure to snag a job or go up the job ladder in no time.

Have you Committed one of these 10 Interview Fashion Crimes?

In an earlier blog post, I discussed the importance of non-verbal communication when forming a positive first impression in an interview. Although we can’t change other people’s perception of the world, we can increase our chance or being perceived positively. Keep in mind that a positive image is a result of careful planning, preparation and an honest assessment of your image.

Take this assessment to see what your fashion verdict would be:

1. What are you carrying? Don’t carry a backpack or fanny pack instead of a briefcase or portfolio. Women may still feel the need to carry a purse, but it should be small and conservative and should be tucked away under your chair during the interview.

2. “Transit gear” must be stowed away. Sunglasses on top of your head, headphones around your neck or in your ears, and cell phones not turned off or set to silent will all make negative impressions. Be sure to take care of all these details before entering the lobby.

3. Too much skin showing. Ladies, are your skirts too short, your tops too low cut? Men, do your pants rise up and show skin between your socks and pants, do your buttons gap? Try on your interview outfits and sit down in a chair in front of a mirror to see what your interviewer will see.

4. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing. Ties should be made of silk, no less than 3 inches wide with a conservative pattern. With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray with a small accent of color on your shirt, blouse, tie or a scarf.

5. Makeup. Avoid heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man).

6. Piercings. More than one set of earrings on women and facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos can be a negative for many employers. Earrings on men should be avoided. In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.

7. Shoes and hosiery. Avoid fishnets, patterned, or colored hosiery, and bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit. Never wear open-toed shoes to an interview. Men’s socks should match their shoes and should not show a gap of skin when seated.

8. Clothing and shoes in bad repair. Avoid rumpled or stained clothing. If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand. Avoid scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals.

9. What is your smell? Avoid after shaves, perfumes or colognes. Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use good quality bath soap.

10. Remove any telltale signs that you’re wearing new clothes. Remove all tags, stickers, and extra buttons, remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed, and don’t forget to press out any creases from the clothes being folded in the store.

Post Grad: Dress To Impress

Honestly, one of the most difficult things to deal with as a post grad can be clothes. You're used to being in college, wearing sweatpants at every opportunity or having a uniform at a part-time gig. Now you've entered the real world of interviews, "real jobs", and meeting professional business people. You've got nothing to wear and no money to spend on a fancy new wardrobe!

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your dollar when buying business and professional clothes and still look like a trendy twenty something college grad.

1. If you don't have any business clothes, start with the basics. Guys: buy at least one pair of dress pants, a few neutral dress shirts, a suit jacket, nice shoes and some ties. Chances are you already own some of these things! Girls: buy at least one pair of dress pants, a dress skirt, a blazer, a few nice blouses or dress shirts, and close-toed shoes. Starting with neutral staples is the best way to go because you can mix and match with anything!

2. Shop at places with discounts. Try your local Salvation Army. You might find a lot of duds at places like these, but you never know. You may just find a perfect pair of nice pants for cheap. Skip the expensive places at the mall like Banana Republic for now and try more inexpensive places to find interview ready clothes at H&M, Forever 21, Platos Closet, JC Penney, Sears, TJ Maxx, Marshals, etc.

3. I always, always suggest trying on clothes, but if you're positive of your sizes, try online shopping. Or, try it on in the store and see if you can find it cheaper online. A lot of places online offer cheaper versions, free shipping, or additional discounts that could save you lots of money.

4. Guys and gals, when you have your staple wardrobe, now is the time to accessorize. Guys: find funky ties you like or fun (just keep it professional) dress shirts to go under your suit jacket. Girls: accessories are where you really shine. Bring out your personality with jewelry, cute shoes, headbands, beautiful blouses, belts, and more (just keep it classy, not kitschy....remember it is an interview or new job!). You can find a lot of accessories for cheap (especially at the stores listed above plus Claires and For Love 21).

5. Lastly, just remember because you have to dress professionally for a new job or interviews doesn't mean you have to lose your personality. You can still look trendy, cute, handsome or whatever look you're going for and still dress to impress your potential employer.

Creating a Professional Wardrobe with a Budget

Our professional dress attire projects an image, making an impression on our everyday business contacts. Can our wardrobe make a favorable impact while keeping to a modest budget? Absolutely! Here are a few tips to create a practical and affordable, finely-honed wardrobe.

Organize, Plan, and Set a Budget

If you’re like many, you may find yourself shopping without a plan. The first step to pulling together a wardrobe is: organize your closet. This enables you to identify pieces you already have and those you need. Once you identify the items you need, set a feasible budget. Preferably, map out your purchases based on current savings. If you plan to charge purchases to a credit card, make certain you have the money available when the credit card bill comes due.

Buy Basics and Classic Styles

If you stick to the basics, you can mix and match items which aren’t dependent on the latest trends. Dress slacks, shirts, skirts, jackets, cardigan sweaters, comfortable dress shoes—all come in classic styles and neutral colors which can withstand the test of time.

Consider the Work Environment

Before you start shopping, think about your profession, work environment, and company culture. If you work in a field like banking or law, is the dress code more formal? If you’re in the process of interviewing, consider the types of companies you’re pursuing and general wardrobe standards. Will your responsibilities involve a lot of face-to-face client or internal management interaction that require a look of authority?

Look for Bargains but Don’t Overlook Quality

With so many retail options, both online and offline, it is very reasonable to put together an affordable business wardrobe. Shop outlet stores, thrift or resale stores, retailer clearance racks, and for out-of-season sale items. Sign up for retailer e-mail notifications about upcoming promotions or coupons. Look for bargains at garage and yard sales. Get creative and do a clothing swap with a friend. And don’t sacrifice quality for a few dollars of savings—your clothing should hold up over time.

First Impression Finesse

You have heard the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” right? It is doubly true when it comes to interviewing. That brief time you have in front of an interviewer (or interviewers) can make or break you. It is, therefore, in your interest to plan on locking up the job the first time. Here’s how.

• Look the part: Just as it is wise to play two shots ahead in pool, it is equally prudent to dress two positions higher than the one for which you are applying. That generally means wearing a suit for both men and women. Be clean and well groomed, from the hair on your head to your toenails. Your confident smile and your well-executed handshake will also exude “it’s a mistake not to hire me.”
• Know the part: So now that you look good; you must be halfway there, right? Wrong. Next you need to do your research. Know the ins and outs of the company to which you are applying. Study its history, business practices, press releases, market position, and competitors. And you had better know that position description backward and forward.
• Be the part: You look good and you sound good: now, tie it together. Take your experience and demonstrate how you can solve problems and make strong contribution to the organization. Leave no question in their mind that they would be worse off without you.

Treat your interview with the same reverence as you would studying for a critical final and success will be yours!

Steps to Dressing for Business

In the business world, appearance can impact success at getting interviews, expanding networks, pitching new business, and being seriously considered for a higher-level position. Most companies do care about how their employees dress, as employees are the face of their company and brand(s).

As a professional, how can your appearance help you make a great impression?

Step 1: Follow general rules of professional dress code, such as:

• Maintain good hygiene: Clean-shaven, understated makeup, non-offensive body odor.
• Keep clothes neat: Avoid tattered, wrinkled, or stained clothing.
• Dress for work, not leisure: Even in casual dress environments, avoid wearing t-shirts, shorts, or revealing clothes.

Step 2: Identify dress code specific to your company, profession, and industry.

• Review company dress code policy: Most companies publish a dress code policy, Take some time to review it—then follow it.
• Consider the industry, profession and position: If you’re working in the financial industry, expect the emphasis to be on conservative, professional dress. A graphic designer at an ad agency may be able to wear business casual. And in industrial environments where uniform shirts/pants may be the norm, your emphasis should be on tidiness. Additionally, consider your position in the organization; for example, executive managers may have to dress professionally even though business casual is acceptable in the organization.

Step 3: Consider the business occasion for which you are dressing.

• Interviews: You should always error on the side of caution when dressing for an interview. Stick to professional dress. For men, this means a suit or dress shirt/pants, and for women it means a suit or blouse and skirt/dress slacks (a skirt should be at or below knee level). Conservative colors, like blue and black, and minimal accessories will be well-received.
• Business conferences: Most conferences will specify a preferred dress code and even a detailed dress code for certain events. In general, business casual is most common, but if your company is an event sponsor or presenter, you may need to dress more professionally. Think about your appearance even during non-conference hours, like relaxing in the lobby or flying home. You never know who you’ll meet, and your appearance should always make a professional impression.
• Networking events: Networking events are opportunities to make new professional contacts. Many people find networking uncomfortable and have to really talk themselves into meeting someone new. Chances are they are going to target someone who not only looks approachable but who dresses for success. At a minimum, dress business casual for networking.