When You Must Look Your Best
Welcome back!
The job market is rough right now. Wither you have a job or are looking for a job, now is the time to dress the part. It is commonly known that you should always dress above the current position that you have. These tips will help with the interview wardrobe as well. Employers look for people that are qualified and look the part.
Here are my top five tips for dressing for an office, without breaking the bank:
Know What You Need to Buy:
Take a look in your closet and see what you already own. When you are considering clothing for work purposes, make sure that it fits correctly. Do not wear clothing that is too tight or baggy. All work clothing must clean and ironed when worn. Never wear clothing that is dirty or stained.
Now that you have established what you do or do not have in your current wardrobe, you will know what you need to shop for. Everyone needs a good business suit. I would also suggest a well fitted button down shirt or two. Don’t forget that dressing the part does include shoes too. Make sure they are appropriate and are dress shoes.
The Thrift Store
When I got my first corporate job, my wardrobe did not fit the part. However, I did not want to go out and spend a ton of money on clothing right away. I did not want to spend my whole paycheck on clothing. Also keep in mind, this might not be the best place to by dress shoes.
There are lots of options at thrift stores and consignment shops. The most important things to keep in mind when you shop at these places, is to make sure that the articles of clothing fit you well and are clean. I was able to purchase quite a few button down shirts at the thrift store. It is fun to get carried away in the thrift shop with so many possibilities, but keep your choices conservative. Stay away from loud colors and patterns at first.
Kohl’s
I have been told that Kohl’s has a wonderful business casual department. I have never looked there myself but, I have heard this tip many times. Kohl’s is great because they have really good sales on occasion. Plus, you can try on the clothing before you buy it, which you sometimes can’t when in a resale shop.
The nice thing about shopping at a store like Kohl’s is that you can by lots of clothing that coordinates with each other. You can also buy shoes there too, and dress socks and stockings for the ladies. You can also enlist the help of staff, that have helped many dress for work. The beauty of a place like Kohl’s, is it can be a one stop shop. I have also been told that the clothing and shoes are very reasonably priced.
Outlet Malls:
This can be a wonderful trick. After being hired at my first corporate job, I was at a lose of where to buy a good suit. I could buy separates that the thrift store, but I was not able to find a good suit. Hence the trip to the outlet mall. I am lucky to have two within driving distance. Both malls have lots of stores which cater to to corporate client.
I found a United Colors of Benton outlet nearby. This store was perfect for me. They specialized in women’s suiting. I like this store because not only were the prices reasonable, but the suiting fashions were perfect for a range of ages. For the first time, I found a suit that was not matronly and fit me well. The staff was wonderful and friendly. I bought two suits on my first trip for under $300.
The following Monday when I wore one of my new suits to the office, I was flooded with complements. Furthermore, I mixed and matched the pieces of the suits with other things in wardrobe. I soon noticed what a big difference these two suits had made. Now it may be my imagination but, I felt more respected and taken more seriously on the days that I wore one of these suits. I would consider the investment of a good suit as a necessity.
Be the Whole Package
Now that you have the perfect wardrobe, make sure the rest of you looks nice too. Make sure that you hair is combed and styled in a conservative manner. While your mohawk maybe super cool with your friends, it will not as well received with potential employers. I would also suggest taking out piercing other than the ear piercing.
As for jewelry make sure it is appropriate. Keep you jewelry simple. Make sure that it accents your ensemble, not distracts from it. A strand of simple pearls always works well for women. For men I would suggest a nice pair of cufflinks or a simple tie clip.
As for make up for the ladies, make sure it is simple and tasteful. I would stay away from bright colors. Go for a natural look.
Believe it or not, your nails matter for both sexes. For men make sure your nails are well groomed, don’t bite them and make sure they are clean underneath. For ladies, make sure your nails do not have chipped nail polish. If you do want to have manicured nails, make sure that you choose a conservative style. It is guaranteed that you will shake someone’s hand during the interview process, or on a daily basis while working in an office, so make sure that you nails look professional.
Good luck to all of you out there in the job market who are looking to either move up the corporate latter or take the first step onto it. A solid resume will get you in the door, but remember you are an entire package. Employers will hire people who are not only qualified, but look the part as well. Good Luck to you all!
The Library, all the Entertainment You can Stand
Most communities have a public library within a drivable distance from their homes. Libraries have been around forever, therefore they have been mostly forgotten, except by the select few. Well, my friend the time of looking to the local library for entertainment is back. For little to no cost, everyone can participate, all you need is a library card.
Today’s library has more than books to entertain you. My local library has videos and DVD of feature length films which are available to be rented. They also have books on tape, for those of you how do not prefer read. The tapes you have, can be imported into an MP3 on your computer. The possibilities are endless when at the library!
If you do like to read or if it bores you, try a book from the non-fiction department about something exotic, like a travel book, or a recipe book. These can be a ton of fun, on a snowy or rainy day. I always love to look at gardening or fashion books with beautiful pictures. Want to go on an exotic vacation but cannot afford it, get a picture book and substitute.
As I said earlier many libraries also offer multi-media selections. Learn a new language on cd, or listen to music from a favorite artist, or even surf the internet. Many libraries offer free internet to those who hold a library card for that particular branch.
Another great benefit that you may find at your local library is a book club. My local library has a wonderful book club that meets once a month during the lunch break hour, to accommodate professionals. If your local library does not have one, and you are a habitual reader, start one.
Most libraries offer classes on many different subjects, for only a few dollars. This can be a great way to entertain yourself cheaply. My local library has lamaze classes to basket weaving. Most of the classes meet in the evening, so that more people can attend. Also look to see if any clubs meet at your local library.
Most people never set foot into their local library. There is a treasure trove of entertainment to be had. Be brave, go in and get a card. Learning something new is a wonderful way to entertain yourself. The Library is a very budget conscience way to entertain yourself, just watch those fines.
You Have How Many Monthlies?
In this time of economic recession people are paying a lot more attention to their pocketbooks than they were a year ago. For many the stack of bills coming in the mailbox just keeps getting bigger, and for some, more threatening. I know this is true in my case. I was young and stupid once, and now I am paying for it. However, past mistakes are not a total loss, now is the time to evaluate what bills you are actually paying each month. There are so many things that can be cut from your monthly expenses if you take the time to think about it. Here are my top tips for re-evaluating how to cut that pile in half.
What are you actually paying?
I think this is particularly prevalent in credit situations. You have the right to check your interest rate and monthly minimum payments. If you don’t like the current situation with your creditors, call them and tell them. If they won’t work with you, threaten to close your account, that usually prompts action. As a customer it is your responsibility to check your billing statements. When I upgraded to a new cell phone, the cell phone carrier did not set up my contract correctly and I was majorly overcharged. I always check my bill and I am glad I did in that case. I would have paid almost $200 in fees.
What services can you actually afford?
In our modern lives there are all kinds of little services that gobble cash a little bit at a time, that add up in your monthly budget. Dry cleaning is a great example. They can be really expensive. When I worked in the cooperate setting, my local cleaners knew me by name. I never hand washed my suits. Well, it turns out a lot of stuff that has a dry cleaner tag, can actually be hand washed and laid flat to dry. I use Woolite, works like a gem.
I had to take a hard look at what my biweekly trips to the salon was costing me. While I do love to be pampered, it is pricey. I love to take the time just for myself, and I thought that was the only way I could get it. Well, tea and an old black and white movie at home is free, and it is me time. It may not be as glamorous but, what can a girl do in this depression?
Are your household expenses in line with your budget?
While most of us do not pay outside help to come in and assist them with the running of it. A cleaning lady, nanny and landscaper, are more prevalent in suburbia today. I employ none of the above, but for those who are trying to cut back, this might be a good place to start. Let a neighborhood boy or girl cut your lawn. If you are looking for less expensive child care, put an ad up in your local high school.
Energy expenses can always be cut in your home. As it has been said time and again, turn down your heat. An extra sweater or a blanket can be an essential when trying to cut your energy bills. There are so many resources to help you save, look for them and do your homework. My husband and I keep our thermostat at 66 degrees in the winter and 72 in the summer. A few degrees in temperature can amount to a few hundred dollars less on your next bill.
Really take a look at what you are paying for. You work hard for your money, don’t just give it away. Really evaluate what you actually need and really want to pay for. Check every bill, even receipts, you’ll be amazed how many times you are accidentally overcharged.
Will the In-Home Party Circut Survive the New Depression?
Friday night a friend was giving a jewelry party from a well known company, which specializes in these types of parties. I really did not want to go. I know that those types of parties are ridiculously expensive, but it was for a friend. I have been to this type of party before, that was from the same company.
While I applaud my friend for trying to come up with inexpensive ways to entertain large numbers of friends, I do not think that a party where guests were expected to purchase something was such a good idea durning these rough economic times. Don’t get me wrong, no one forced me to go to this party, I was curious to see if there had been any changes in the way the jewelry company did business.
As the part started, the company representative invited all of us to ask her questions about her business. There were the usual questions such as, “do you get to keep the jewelry?” I wanted to know more in-depth questions, since she said nothing was off limits. So I asked away.
In asking my questions I learned how this pyramid-like scheme worked, all they time while the consultant said, “this is not a pyramid scheme.” I politely smiled and thanked her for answering my questions. Quite frankly, I am leery of any business which requires others, who then work under the one who brought them in. Not to mention, the consultant makes a cut of whatever new hires which she finds makes. How does this not sound like a pyramid scheme again?
Aside from my obvious reservations I decided to ask one more question. I asked the consultant if there has been a difference in sales since the recent economic downturn. She replied that there hadn’t as of yet. She said it was the “lipstick factor.” She went on to explain that in the last recession that lipstick sales went through the roof. She reasoned that women could not afford a whole new ensemble but that they could afford a tube of new lipstick. She then told all of us at the party that her jewelry was the new lipstick factor. She said, “buy something and feel good about yourself.”
After that I was pretty sure that I was not going to purchase anything from this woman. The final straw of the night was when she said that she promoted the “husband unawareness program” which, she explained to us how to pay with multiple methods of payment so that our husbands would not know how much we were all actually spending. I could not believe my ears! I can take a joke as well as the next person, but was this woman actually encouraging wives to lie to their husbands about what they were actually spending?
After looking through the order book with all of the jewelry I could see that she was not kidding because the jewelry was outrageously expensive. The consultant guaranteed every piece of jewelry that she sold, but that was still not enough to coax my money out of my wallet.
Then came the traditional hard sell of hosting one of these parties in your own home. She passed out little boxes that offered prizes or a piece of paper that said “me” on them. If you decided to open your box and it said “me” in it, then you were required to hold a party of your own. I was not born yesterday. I told the consultant that I would not be opening the box, and gave it back to her.
These types of parties cost money, not just for the host but for the guests as well. I told the consultant that everyone that I would invite to my own jewelry party was already at this one, and that I would not expect them to have the funds to do this type of thing in the near future.
As the night came to a close, some of my friends and family did make purchases. I however did not. When I looked through the catalogue, there were things in there that were over $100! This company was not selling fine jewels. I wonder, with the economic times as they are, is there really room for these types of parties to continue? I do not think there is. As disposable income becomes a thing of the past, I feel that these types of overpriced, hard sell concept parties will be a thing of the past.
On a closing note, I would like to say that I did not have a horrible time, I was able to eat and drink with close family and friends. I would also like to say that while my criticism may sound quite harsh, that I and the consultant were not at odds at anytime during the party.
