PTT: The Modern Professional Dress

Professional Tip Tuesday
Professional dress is a complicated thing. As a college student, dressing up consisted of a nice crew neck sweatshirt and a cute scarf. Maybe a pair of earrings to accessorize if I was feeling particularly dressy that day.

But after 4 months in the business world, I am still questioning my professional wardrobe everyday.

It seems like men can throw on a nice shirt and a pair of khakis, and be good to go. Women have to put a lot more thought into their wardrobe. I actually thought I was getting the hang of it until the season changed.. Then it was game over and I had to start from scratch.

I have read all sorts of articles on how women today should dress professionally. What I've taken from them? A headache. Mixed messages about the do's and don't's of dressing conservative vs. modern.

So how can modern professional women appropriately dress for success today?

While this doesn't answer all the wardrobe questions, here are 3 tips that are a sure bet.
1. Follow the leader. - Dress to your office culture.

• Pay attention to how your co-workers (and superiors!) dress and mesh their styles with yours.
• My office has a jeans business professional dress code. Something I have noticed? People really push it with casual dress. So a pro-tip with this one is, keep in mind the old adage: Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Try and stay a step ahead of the dress code.

2. Be comfortable, be confident. - Wear something that's feels like you. 

• The more comfortable you are, the more confident you will be in what you are wearing. 
• Keep Tip #1 in mind, but don't forget to add some of your personality into your outfit. I love a big warm, cozy sweater in the winter. And it can work with a nice blouse and a pair of slacks to keep it professional!

3. Shop smart. - Make it more simple.

• Could you tell I am a little jealous of guys that can pull together their professional wear in no time at all? Well we can make it a little easier on ourselves with the same approach. 
• Stock up your closet with the core pieces. A couple neutral slacks, cardigans, and maybe a blazer or two will allow you to throw on a professional outfit in a hurry. Plus these pieces almost guarantee to keep an outfit looking classy!

If you are interested in what sparked this Professional Tip Tuesday, check out this article on Levo.com: Can Women Ever Win When it Comes to Style at Work? It seems like a silly thing to add stress to a woman's workday. But I guess I'm not alone in feeling the daily pressure of finding a balanced, business professional look that comes off just right to those around me.

The clothes in a young professional woman's closet should not stand in the way of her success. So how do you dress like a modern, young professional woman? What's your office style? Comment below!

PTT: Professional Prince Charming

Professional Tip Tuesday
In the book, Ask For It!, Linda Babcock talks about her experience advising graduate students. One day, a group of female students walked into her office and asked why only male graduate students got to teach their own courses.

Linda immediately contacted the dean. She found out the male students asked to teach the course. Female students never did and therefore, never got the opportunity.

Women do not typically call out their hard work or accomplishments. But if we don't advocate for ourselves, who will?

Little Princess Anna Faye

On a slightly unrelated note, I loved fairy tales when I was a little girl. My parents even told me a large birthmark on my right shoulder was the sign of a real princess. So I felt an extra special connection to Snow White and Cinderella growing up.

But with my girl-power-we-can-do-anything attitude, I never fully bought into that whole damsel in distress/Prince Charming thing.

So I really loved Sallie Krawcheck's idea that women work hard and expect their Professional Prince Charming to come to their rescue. In her comparison, she said we expect our prince (manager) to see our efforts and give us the praise and promotions we think we deserve.

Unfortunately there isn't always a happy ending if we don't work for it ourselves. This week's Professional Tip Tuesday is:

How to advocate for all of your handwork. 




Now do not be fooled, friends. I don't have this down yet. But here are 4 tips I have picked up on so far.

1. Be friendly. 

• Think about how often you rant to your friends about how much you did at work. If you are comfortable with your coworkers and supervisors, it will be much easier to say "Hey, look at all of the stuff I did!"

2. Get over that impostor syndrome. 

• Congrats,  you are a rockstar and you got where you are because of all of your hard work and efforts. Your resume, references, and interview proved it. The only one doubting you is you. Don't forget that. 

3. Take note.

• The reason women don't usually say anything is because they either don't feel like it was enough OR they don't want to brag. When I am giving my supervisor the run-down of what I accomplished that day, I realize how helpful I have been and they usually do too.

4. Make it known. 

• Tell your manager about great performance, praises, and your end-goals. Even if your Professional Prince Charming is out there, he/she probably isn't a mindreader. Help them help YOU and tell them what they need to know. 

Be your own Professional Prince Charming and let people know how much you do. It's not the easiest thing, but these tips are a great start. What do you do to advocate for yourself in the office? Comment below! 

PTT: Keeping up with Current Events

Professional Tip Tuesday
This past weekend my roommate, Laura, and I did "all the things". The catchphrase for the weekend captured our attempt to tackle a gigantic list of activities. We went to the movies, baked, cheered for our beloved Iowa Hawkeyes, did the Halloween thing, and rounded out the weekend with popcorn and Hocus Pocus.

All decked out 'Merica style for Halloween festivities.

"All the things" is a big part of weeknights and weekends. A full time job takes up a lot of free time. Especially living in a fun, new city with friends and a bucket list a mile long - I try to take advantage of the little bit of free time.

So to tie this all back to this week's Professional Tip Tuesday.. 

It can be tough to keep up on current events between work and "all the things". Even when I make an effort to catch up on the days happenings, I could spend all day trying to figure out the background info on one topic. And unfortunately, living in a bubble and neglecting the news isn't exactly acceptable.

Contrary to popular belief: No news, isn't always good news. 
But I recently found an email subscription that makes all of this a whole lot easier. In 2012, two girls started TheSkimm from their apartment. This daily e-newsletter is geared towards women and summarizes the ins-and-outs of the big headlines. Their webpage reads:

"We are an online newsletter that simplifies the headlines for the professional who knows enough to know she needs more. Our concept is simple: we read, you Skimm."

How great is that?

the Skimm

Being well-informed is a huge part of becoming a successful young professional. I highly recommend TheSkimm. Not only do I love the idea behind everything they are doing - but I also get to read up on all about the important stuff that's happening in about 5 minutes while I drink my morning coffee.

So keeping up with the news doesn't have to be a chore any longer thanks to TheSkimm! How do you get your daily dose of news headlines in your day? Comment below.

PTT: How to Rock the Career Fair

Professional Tip Tuesday
This time, last year, I was probably freaking out a little bit. The career fair was quickly approaching and all of a sudden everything was starting to feel real. Graduation was 7 months, 3 weeks, and 2 days away. And I still had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. 

Oh, the game of life.

Walking into that career fair for the first time was terrifying and exciting. There were rows and rows filled with so many companies. Employers from all across the country were right in front of me. And I had no idea where life was going to take me.

Career fairs can be an awesome way to see your options, network, and open some doors. It's not very often you get a sea of employers who are hiring all in the same place. With all of that in mind, this week's Professional Tip Tuesday is:

How to rock the career fair. 

As you prepare for the fair, here are some questions to think about: 

1. How should you prepare?

• Research! If you know a little something, it will for sure set you apart from the masses.
• Use that amazing source we all have access to - the internet! 
• Spend 15 minutes and look up at least 5 companies that you know will be at the career fair and write down 2 facts about each of them. You won't regret it. 
• Be ready. Get all of your stuff together in advance. 
• Finalize your resume and have someone look it over. Print 5+ copies (depending on how ambitious you are feeling!). 
• Use a plain folder or padfolio to keep your resumes from getting all crinkled. Bring a piece of paper to take some notes and a pen.

2. How do you talk to employers?

• Be confident. Flash a big smile, go for the handshake if it seems appropriate, and say something super original like...
• "Hi, my name is Anna. I am graduating this May and I am looking for a full time job." 
• The research will help. But even if you see a company there you have never heard of, don't be afraid to wing it. Also, flattery will get you far.
• i.e. "Hi, my name is Anna. I am graduating this May and I am looking for a full time job. [Insert company name] looks like an awesome place to work.. can you tell me a little bit about it?" 
• Be open minded. Don't pass up an employer just because you don't think it's for you. Last year, I got a free trip to Texas just to interview for a company I almost didn't stop to talk to.

  

  My first 'business trip' flying in style into DFW International Airport.

3. How can you follow up? 

• Following up can be one of the most important parts. It's how you develop a network and show initiative. 
• Immediately after you leave a company's booth, take down some notes about what you talked about. Try and be as specific as possible. 
• After the fair, email the person or send them a message on LinkedIn. Use the notes you took to make it feel personal! 
• i.e. "Hi Susie, It was nice to meet you today. It was great to hear how much you like x about your job. I would love to learn more about your role and the company. What next steps are there for applying? Thanks for your time, -Anna"

Those are 3 big things that can help you make the most out of the career fair! Have you attended a career fair before? What are your go-to tips for talking to employers? Comment below.

And in case you were wondering.. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. But I think exploration is what your twenties are for :)

PTT: Blurred Lines

Professional Tip Tuesday
Over the weekend, my sweet boyfriend and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. He got me an awesome old-school Raleigh bicycle - now we are ready to explore Kansas City in style!

A happy girl with a new set of wheels!

Aside from that, I happened to read a HuffPost article that said: 22% of Americans meet their significant other in the workplace and 84% of millennials are totally okay with that.

           
Britt and I must be part of that 84%. We met when we worked for the orientation program at our university and now we both work together at the same company as post-grads! Just call us Jim and Pam. 

This week's Professional Tip Tuesday is inspired by my weekend activities and my boyfriend's love for The Office.

Summer 2011 - Just a couple of Orientation Hawkeye Guides.

Jim and Pam's office DOs and DON'Ts.

DO... 

• DO try and separate yourselves professionally. - As an admin and a sales guy, Jim and Pam can definitely attest to this one. 
• It will be better for your relationship and your career if you are working in two different parts of the company. 
• Why? You won't be directly competing with each other. This will save you from tension at the workplace and with your relationship.
• DO support each other's dreams and career goals. - Take note, boys. Jim encouraging Pam to take art classes is sweet as can be.
• Do what you can to help each other succeed. Leverage each other's skills and knowledge to get where you want to be in your career.
• Why? There is nothing better than having someone on your side - especially when they know the ins and outs of the workplace.

DON'T...

• DON'T be inseparable. - Didn't Jim and Pam seem a little nutso with those mini-bluetooths?
• It is nice to be able to chat occasionally during the workday, but keep it to a minimum. 
• Why? Even if you are getting all of your work done - it won't look good if your coworkers, or your manager for that matter, catch you chatting with your significant other all day. ...Even if your manager is Michael Scott.
• DON'T let your relationship woes show at work. - While Michael Scott isn't afraid to pry, Jim and Pam do a little too much oversharing at times too. 
• It doesn't matter if it's a coworker that is getting a little nosy, or if you are just feeling a little extra chatty - do not divulge.
• Why? Your co-workers are not always looking out for the best interest of your relationship (or your career). Plus, in the heat of the moment you might say something you don't actually mean. And it makes it even more awkward that they work with your significant other also.

There you have it, some office relationship DO's and DON'T's from Jim and Pam.

With the significant number of millennials okay with dating a co-worker, I was surprised to find there weren't many articles on the subject. The only search results were about "office flings". It will be interesting to see what research and studies will come out in the future on this topic.

Comment below with your thoughts on office relationships. Any "Do's" and "Don'ts" of your own? 

PTT: Presenting like a Professional [Woman]

Professional Tip Tuesday
My roommate told me this morning a radio host referred to today as: "National Don't Want to Go Back to Work Day". Man, oh, man I couldn't agree more. My first 'paid' holiday and I still felt like I could have used an extra day!

Friday after work, I made a split second decision to go back to Iowa City for the home opener football game. As much as I love Kansas City, it was fantastic to recognize some faces and be in a familiar place for a bit.

A holiday weekend spent with good friends and cheering on the Hawkeyes.

And now, I am in my last week of training at work - hallelujah! But before I get there.. I have a big presentation coming up on Thursday. So today's Professional Tip Tuesday is: 

Presenting like a professional [woman]!

This post specifically goes out to the ladies. We tend to have a different speaking style than men. The following 4 tips are things to be aware of when presenting. 

1.Watch out for that upspeak? (The question mark is ironic...)

• Occasionally girls aren't quite as confident in the words we're speaking and we phrase our sentences as questions. But what does that do? It totally discredits everything we have said. That's no good.

• You are presenting on the topic for a reason. You know your stuff. So show it with a strong, confident ending to your sentences!

2. Use punctuation. Don't interrupt yourself.

• I didn't even know it, but this describes exactly what I do ALL the time. Do you ever find yourself adding on ands and buts and howevers like they are going out of style? Compound sentences are another big thing we do when we're feeling unsure. 
• Tara Sophia Mohr explains it perfectly in her article (linked here): "When we don't feel we have the right to take up space in a meeting or conversation, or when we are nervous, we tend to rush, and never leave a moment without words". 

3. Be an expert. Know it and practice it. 

• The key to successfully do 1 and 2 is to actually be sure of what you are talking about. If you are comfortable with the content, the rest will come way more naturally. 
• And here's the secret - it's ok if you don't know everything! The audience will be oblivious as long as you can say most of it with confidence. 
• **Bonus tip: If someone in the audience asks you something you are unsure of, deflect the question with something like: "I want to make sure I give you the right answer so let me check up on that and get back to you." You will still sound like you know it all. And as long as you follow up with that person, your credibility is saved.

My friends and I didn't know everything about the university when we worked for orientation.
But we definitely had to be comfortable with the material when presenting to students!

4. Embrace your personality! Our warm tones can set us apart.

• The more I read about women in the workplace - the more excited I get. We have a special niche skill that makes us an incredible value to any team. 
• Especially in the context of tips 1, 2, and 3 - an empathetic but confident tone can make for one killer presentation!

There you go. That's my 4 big tips on a successful presentation. These are all things I am learning to embrace slow but sure. All of these tips will do wonders if you can get them down. 

Men tend to naturally speak more matter-of-factly than women. So for this week's questions: Whether you are a man or a woman - what's your trick to sounding like you know your stuff? What are your top presentation tips? Comment below! I would love to hear your advice since my big speech is coming up on Thursday :)

PTT: Fake It 'Til You Become It!

Professional Tip Tuesday
As a part of my Lazy Sunday afternoon, I decided to indulge in a little couch time. Unfortunately, I recently finished my latest television show binge on Netflix.

...On that subject, I have decided Netflix is best compared to my closet. I have so many clothes, yet I feel like I never have anything to wear. And similarly, there are so many options on Netflix, yet I can't ever find anything to watch.

But on this particular day, my "Top 10 for Anna"on Netflix suggested I check out "Ted Talks: Life Hacks". I love TED Talks! So I clicked on it.

And now all of my Top 10 are TED Talks.

Today's Professional Tip Tuesday is a little gem I found thanks to that very suggestion. The very first video that played was a 20 minute presentation by Amy Cuddy called: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.

In her presentation, Cuddy talks how Power Dynamics are conveyed in nonverbal communication. Humans (and animals) express their power and dominance through their nonverbals.

Let's break it down:

• Feeling confident and powerful? This person tends to spread out and their nonverbals might be more exaggerated.
• Feeling insecure or nervous? This person's nonverbals tend to be small and enclosed, taking up very little space.

I don't think these two different power dynamics are mutually exclusive. I can think of scenarios where I have played both roles. Around my friends, I can be as animated as a cartoon character. But in classes I wasn't comfortable in, I might curl up in my desk and stay quiet.

The important part of all of this is Cuddy's findings. Through research she realized, the way you act out these power dynamics will influence the way you feel. She says, you can Fake it Until You Make It! ...Sound familiar? :)

Amy Cuddy says, "Stand like Super Woman"
Photo Credit: Poptech Flickr

If you want to appear confident in a job interview, when presenting a big idea in a meeting, or even just conversing in the break room - mimic the nonverbals of a confident person. Stand up straight, take up more space, and be strong! Cuddy says, "Don't just fake it til you make it. Fake it until you become it!"

So watch that TED Talk (linked above) and if you're still interested in this topic (like I totally am!) read this article from Cuddy on Wired.com.
What characteristics do you notice in people that appear more confident? Comment below!

PTT: First Day "Do's"

Professional Tip Tuesday

The past week and a half has been fantastic. I have explored the city, talked to some locals, and (most importantly) relaxed by the pool. One of my proudest accomplishments in my new city is that I can get make it about 8 miles away from my apartment without a GPS!

Britt has definitely benefited from my apartment's pool as well.

But my last real 'summer vacation' is coming to a close. 
I will be a working girl in T-Minus: 2 Days. As much as I really want to enjoy my last few days of freedom, my mind won't stop racing as I think about my first day. So this week's Professional Tip Tuesday is:

The top 5 tips on how to be prepared for the first day of a new job.

1) The Dry-Run. Don't just rely on Google Maps the day of.. Test out the drive to work a couple of days before you start.

• Especially if you are new to town. Familiarize yourself with the route, be on the lookout for construction or delays, and give yourself less reason to worry on the first day's commute.

2) Do a little digging. What does your company do again?

• I interviewed and accepted my job offer in November 2012. Doing research before the interview is important - but it's just as crucial to be fresh on your first day. 
• Also - if you find any recent news articles about the company it can serve as an awesome conversation starter when you begin to meet your coworkers. "Oh you work on the marketing team? I just saw in the newspaper our company was voted number 3 in marketing!"

3) Be ready.. the night before. Pick out your clothes and gather anything you might need. 

What to wear, what to wear?

• Pick out your outfit and set out everything you need for your first day. This will make the morning a lot less hectic. 
• **Don't forget: What documents will you need on Day One (i.e. Drivers License, SS Card, a blank check)? If you're not sure, email your company a few days before to clarify.

4) Set two alarms. A little excessive? Nah.  

• By setting two alarms you are ensuring you won't sleep through the buzzer and wake up in a total panic with no time to spare. Especially for those of us transitioning out of vacation mode. 6:30AM might feel like the middle of the night. 
• This is also good because you will just sleep better. The safety net of two alarms allows you to rest a little easier knowing you will for sure be awake on time. 

5) Early is always better. Even with the dry run, don't push it. Plan to be at least 10-15 minutes early. 

• It's never fun to show up late. Especially on the first day. Give yourself plenty of extra time in the morning to get ready and drive to work. 
• Plus if you are early, maybe you can do a little networking and make a quick connection right away with some of your coworkers.

So those are my top 5 tips to prepare for the first day. What are your go-to strategies on the first day of a new adventure? Comment below with your ideas! 

"The Third Metric"

As a young female getting ready to start my career, I am fascinated by "The Third Metric" conference hosted by Arianna Huffington and Mika Brzezinski that happened earlier this month.

Have you read anything about it? Arianna and Mika brought together a group of female leaders to discuss the challenges women still face in the business world. I didn't even know it happened until I stumbled across the event coverage on the Huffington Post website. After reading about it and watching some of the video feed from the event - it quickly became one of my biggest dreams to attend the (hopeful) second annual!

Mika Brzezinski
Photo Credit: World Affairs Council
of Philadelphia (linked)

You might have seen Mika's book, Know Your Value, in my Recommended Reading along the sidebar. She brings attention to something most women (and men) just naturally overlook: Women are still not recognized or compensated for all of their contributions.

This Third Metric conference was based on the same idea. Women have come so far, yet there are still many double standards that challenge us everyday. The inspirational women that took part in the Third Metric conference started the conversation: The idea is to change women's mindsets on what defines success and make the changes that we can control to feel fulfilled and empowered. 

So this is my shout out to the Third Metric. I wanted to write a special post about it because I feel so strongly on the subject. The Third Metric encompasses many thoughts that inspired this blog. My goal is to be a confident young female professional.. but that doesn't make it easy! However, it can only get better with a number of powerful female leaders speaking out and encouraging the conversation.

As we reflect on the progress women have made in the last 100, 50, even 20 years.. I think it's safe to say there is even more to come in the next 20 years! And I am excited to be a part of it. So that's my girl power post for the day :)