www.corporatecatwalk.com

Taking a sick day

2008-06-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

This can’t be happening. You’re three months into the job. You just took a week of vacation and now you’re sick. What will your boss think? There’s a chance he just might believe your story. This isn’t like the time you had the sniffles and decided to stay home and finish off the rest of the Grey’s Anatomy episodes from your DVR. This is when you can barely drag yourself out of bed and you’ve been hacking up a lung all night in between night sweats and chills. If it’s something viral or contagious, your boss wants you to stay home. True, he may be concerned about your health and well being but he’s more concerned about the infection spreading to him and the team. This wouldn’t be good for the company or its profit margins. It is best to explain to your manager via email or phone your condition and the doctor’s recommendations detailing bed rest or drowsy prescriptions. Based on the severity of the illness and your work load, he may request that you work from home or just take a couple of days to a week off. Most companies allow 10 sick days per year to employees but use them wisely. Too many sick days too often will send up a red flag and you’ll be hauled into a meeting about your ethics and commitment to your team and your job.

Getting Fit to Get Ahead

2008-05-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

As if fitting into your slacks weren't enough of a reason to stay in shape, there are other benefits to exercise that can help you look even better at work.

Most of you already know that regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing some major illnesses and helps you control your weight. Exercise can also help you nail an interview, stay focused, keep you calm around irritating coworkers, and impress your employer.

There's nothing I enjoy more than receiving resumes that tell a little about an individual's personal life. I know, some people don't even put that portion on their resume anymore but I think it can give a person an edge. For me, if I have to compare two resumes and they are exactly the same, I look to see what they do outside of work. Remember, whoever you hire still has to interact with others. I see what clubs the person participates in and any physical activities they enjoy. This helps me decide if they will fit in well with the other employees and not start drama. By putting little details about your life, mainly your physical hobbies, your resume stands out more and is memorable.

According to a study done at the University of Bristol, participants who exercised during the workday, returned to work more tolerant of themselves and more forgiving of their colleagues. I think we all get that tingling in the hands sometimes when we're irritated with coworkers and want to strangle them. With a 30 minute spin class during lunch, there will be no more need for that super strength stress ball!

The study also showed that the participants' work performance was also consistently higher, as shown by management and improved mental sharpness. Research at Duke University shows that exercise can be an effective anti-depressant, with an increase in the release of seratonin and dopamine. Not only will you be a happier individual, you will wow your boss with your efficiency.

If your boss fails to notice all of this, he/she will definitely notice when you're rarely absent from work. The American Journal of Health Promotion published a report stating that obese employees cost the company more money in health insurance premiums and in work absences. The study found that normal-sized females average 3.4 days of sick time whereas women 30 to 60 pounds overweight average 5.2 days, and women 100 pounds overweight average 8.2 days! When it comes to insurance premiums, normal-weighted females were $1956, women 30 to 60 pounds overweight were $3324, and women 100 pounds overweight were $4437.

So start getting out and doing some activities. If you don't like the outdoors, head to the mall, go to a gym or play racquetball. Even better, join any teams or walks your company might sponser. Your employer will know you're a team player and that you are active.

If your company doesn't have any type of wellness plan, try to start one. Nothing looks better that an employee taking intiative. Jot down the info in this article and tell them all the great benefits of having a wellness program and how much money they will save. It will show you care about the company, you want to be a part of the company, and you want to improve the company and yourself.

Our first business fashionista!

2008-05-20T16:16:00.005-05:00

Send in a photo of yourself at work and we'll add it to the album :)

FREE Student Leadership Conference: June 1-6

2008-05-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

The All Across Texas Leadership Development Week is June 1-6, 2008, hosted on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, TX for college students who are pursuing an engineering or computer science degree. We would like to invite these students to be a part of this week in preparation of a future internship experience and as a development training opportunity (no cost).

There is limited space, and the only requirement is that the student applicants are currently enrolled in a Texas college or university, and are between the ages of 17-24. All meals, lodging and materials are provided.

Attached is a schedule and a sign-up form for review and distribution.

If you have questions, please contact Kristi Holman:

Phone: 214-273-3703Email: kholman@tetc.us

Erin O. Crosby
Programming & Communications Director

Foundation for Women's Resources
and its programs:
Leadership Texas and Power Pipeline

3800 Parry Ave.
Dallas, TX 75226
Phone: 214-421-5566
Fax: 214-421-5576
www.womensresources.org

Relocation: 4 Things to know before the BIG move

2008-05-17T00:24:00.001-05:00

Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

The opening lines to the most well-known Dr. Seuss book Oh the Places You’ll Go ring true for many twenty somethings who have just landed their dream jobs. Companies are shelling out big bucks to move new hires half way across the country and into a cushy new job. Would you uproot and transplant to a city thousands of miles away from home? A big move like this is daunting but when it’s the job you’ve always wanted with the right salary and the right company, the all expense paid move can quickly feel like a perk. Read on to learn how to make the BIG move a BIG success.

1. The apartment
After you’ve secured the job, the company should finance your trip to scout the area for housing. Most companies have a real estate agent that can help you with your search but don’t hesitate to ask for one either. Visit the office to talk to your new coworkers about where they live and what’s their commute time. Consider your social needs. Do you like the city life where most singles thrive or the suburbs where families dwell? Grab the Apartment Finder books from the local grocery store and peruse Craigslist for listings. I’ve moved five times in three years for my dream job and I’ve found and sold all of my apartments on Craigslist. Look up each city’s webpage on the internet to get more information on the town and community activities. Don’t forget to signup for the welcome wagon package at each website. You’ll be flooded with good coupons and discounts.

2. Relocation Package
Get this in writing. Even in these lawsuit happy times, people are still accepting word of mouth and the old handshake as an agreement. This is unacceptable. You are not being rude, you are being diligent. In fact get your job offer in writing as these things can fall through too. Read over your relocation package and understand exactly what’s covered and what’s not. My rental car was covered but the gas wasn’t. Request to go over the package with an HR person just to make sure you’re both on the same page.

3. Your social life
This depends strongly on your personality and your location. I am an extreme extrovert and I lived in a dog friendly community. So it was easy to meet the cute guy with the adorable pit bull at the dog park. But if you’re a little less outgoing, go to your neighborhood library (bonus cute geeky guys) and check out books about your city and its culture. Visit the local food markets, museums, and festivals. Join a cause at work like the Komen 5k and get your coworkers to support your run. This not only broadens your professional and social network but you get kudos from the boss as well. Also, check out Meetup.com and see if there is a meet up group in your area for your interest.

4. Moving Day
Ok you’ve made it to the BIG day. By now you’ve thoroughly reviewed your relocation package, explored your new location, and even signed up for community volleyball. So in the famous words of Dr. Seuss:

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the [girl] who’ll decide where to go.

OMG, Becky, I Can't Believe She Wore THAT to Work!

2008-05-09T12:05:00.002-05:00

As an accountant, I've worked with a variety of clients and have observed a lot of things. I have worked with directors, executives, and managers and have made mental notes over the years on small details that actually effect how bosses perceive their employees.

Yes, being efficient and having a great work ethic is important but if you really want to stand out, you need to look at yourself in the mirror. Like the old saying goes, "you need to dress for success." I've seen this firsthand countless times! People who dress too casually but work hard, go unnoticed. Sure, they might get a raise but they are not seen as go-getters and are rarely promoted.

I have been through the horrors of interviewing on both ends. I sat next to a woman once at a specialized recruiting firm who actually wore purple lace tights, matching heels, a green and purple tunic and bangles to her interview. Honestly, no one in the corporate world is going to hire a clown no matter what the resume looks like.

Ladies, think of this blog as a cheat sheet (one that won't give you the boot if found). I'm going to give you some helpful tips on what you should wear for different work events to help make you successful and noticed. Impressions really do matter in the corporate world and every little detail can help make you a star.

Let's start with informal events like casual Fridays, a jeans day, business casual, and weekend overtime. Most people are lucky enough to now be able to wear business casual every day. I suggest still wearing slacks, crisp button-ups, neat cardigans, simple skirts, basic colors, and a splash of patterns every once in awhile. Don't go too girly with lots of fluff and florals (we all do it) because that could signal you're not too serious.

Here are some photos to help:

For Casual Friday and for under $50, this Women's Classic Button-Front Shirt in yellow is only $20 at Old Navy and the mid-rise khaki trousers are only $21.99!

If you've got more cash in the bank, you should go to Express and try on their Short Sleeve Buckle-Cuff Shirt for $34.99 and the Editor Pant (a personal favorite) for $79.50.

For those weekends where you might have to work a couple hours at the office, this outfit is comfortable, cute and makes people think you're always well put together. New York & Company's City Linen Crop Pants are only $34.99 and their Madison Scoop Neck Tee is a great deal at $8.97.

If your company is stuck in business mode like mine (I know I'm not alone), here are a couple ideas for Monday through Thursday that says serious but also says you. Plus, it's always nice to able to mix pieces.

Victoria's Secret Stripe-trim jacket in cotton sateen $99.00
Target has a simple camisole in white by Assets $20.00
Victoria's Secret Pleated black skirt from Black and White Market $98.00
Victoria's Secret The Christie Fit ankle pant in cotton sateen $49.50

For more serious events, I always suggest going for darker colors and very little print. If I have to make a presentation, the last thing I'm going to wear in is a bright color that will blind people. You want them to remember your presentation or interview, not the hilarious outfit you wore.

Picking the right suit is important; it's like picking the perfect black dress. Unfortunately, good suits are expensive and it is really hard to find one under $100. Lucky for you, I shop too much and I have bought a lot of suits. I think the most important thing to remember is that you don't want the suit to look cheap, you just want the price to be cheap. The best way to tell if you're unsure: only buy a lined suit! Once you start shopping, you'll understand.

Surprisingly enough, Sears carries a line called Apostrophe that makes a great, cheaply-priced suit (yes, Sears). Although I couldn't seem to find the total price online, the jacket pictured is only $19.99 so you can imagine the skirt and shirt are probably dirt cheap.

Also included is Tahari suit found on Macy's. I just used this as an example(costs about $140.00) but I wanted to mention that Macy's usually has a huge selection of women's suits. Even better news is that they usually have a large sale selection under $100. If you're lucky enough, you can snag an Anne Klein or Tahari suit for under $100 (they normally are over $200).

I also found a great deal at Anne Taylor Loft for under $200. Here's their City Synthetic one button jacket($90.30) and pencil skirt ($41.30). I found this simple, white button-up at Target for $12.59.

Then there are those sort of awkward Happy Hours with co-workers. Ugh, dangerous territory. A little tip to keep you happy at your job: if you don't know them that well, don't drink too much. Anne Taylor Loft's Faux Wrap Shirt Dress($49.99) is something nice that won't offend anyone (showing a little skin could equal office ho to others) and you can still feel good in.

Last but not least, if you're young and alive after hours, here are some good examples of how to pull a day-to-night look. Hey, we work hard and we want to play hard too, dammit - just far away from anyone we work with.

This is a great deal:

Old Navy XXXXXXXXXX

For more money, this is something that I think is easy. Wear what appears to be a conservative dress (heh heh) with a buttoned up jacket over it to work. After 5, take that sucker off, swing it above your head in the car, and give the keys to the valet as you get out in your hot and revealing dress. Friday night, here I come!

These are just a few examples that can help you succeed in your career. Hey, every little edge can help move you up and that's what matters most.

How to Work a Corporate Interview

2008-05-07T15:06:00.002-05:00

Interviewing for a new job even makes the experts sweat. www.corporatecatwalk.com explains how to walk into an interview with confidence and style. By Liane Corinaldi

Welcome class of 2008, your new job awaits you. If only it were that easy. After 125 painful college course hours, a little less for you non-engineering majors, you would think they would hand you a nice goody bag filled with your degree, a fabulous job, and an all expense paid trip to St. Barts at the graduation ceremony. Wrong! Somewhere in those extra minutes when you’re not cramming for an exam or catching up on some much needed beauty sleep, you are supposed to be interviewing for your post college job. In this weakening economy, landing a good job is tough, but the entry level job market is still thriving for new graduates despite job cuts. Large corporations expect to increase hiring for those with bachelors degrees by 9% according to Michigan State University’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute. The job interview is the best tool employers have to fill these positions.

Brand you

Coca-Cola spends a lot of money in advertising for people to believe in their brand. You need to invest your time for employers to believe in your brand. In most cases, an interviewer only has an hour to speak with you. In that hour, you not only better “wow” them but you need to be memorable and a great fit for the position. Highlight three major points from your resume that promote your brand and give personal real world examples on how these points benefit the company. Rehearse your pitch with mock interviews with your college career counselor. Often, college mock interviews are video recorded and conducted by industry recruiters who pick first round interviewers.

Learn more about personal branding on Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom.

Do your research
It is a waste of time to interview when you don’t know about the position or the company. The employer wants to ensure that you will benefit the company and its customers. Browse the company’s information on Vault, Hoovers, and Yahoo Finance to understand what the company does and how they do it. Create a cheat sheet on index cards to review while waiting at red lights as you drive to your interview. This can be helpful when preparing for multiple interviews but irritating to cars behind you.

You’ve got nerve

We all get nervous before we need to perform. But give the interviewer a firm handshake and settle into the interview chair with confidence. You took the time to prepare and you know your brand is valuable to this company. You may just leave with a new job.

3 Ways to Screw up an Interview

2008-05-06T22:47:00.006-05:00

1. Dress in cutoff shorts and a tube top

While dress code has been relaxed at many companies, it’s to your benefit to come dressed for the job you want. CEOs hardly ever where jeans because they’re representing the company at customer deals.

2. Hand in a trashed resume

Your resume is your brand on paper. Spend the money and get a nice leather binder that holds a notepad, pen, resume, and business cards. Definitely get a business card from your interviewer.

3. Liar, Liar

Lying to your interviewer isn’t a good idea. Remember they have HR dedicated to performing background checks. Companies hire based on past experience but they emphasize future capabilities of a new employee.