5 Fashion Forward Tips for Office Success

Whether your office promotes business or business casual attire, you can be fashion forward.  Sometimes putting on that suit everyday feels mundane, or maybe you get to wear jeans to work, but you feel like that gets boring after awhile too. Here are a few tricks that I use to spice up my outfit for the workplace, while still being work appropriate.

1. Haute Hair – One easy way to spice up your outfit is to change your hairstyle. This is cost effective and you can change it up daily.  One of my new favorite tricks is the sock bun. What I love about the sock bun is that it is easy, quick, and it is a great look to take from the work place to drinks with friends.  Another great look to try is a pony, but you wrap a little bit of your hair around the hair tie to give a more sophisticated look.  This is an especially good trick if you’re running late and don’t have enough time to blow dry/curl your hair.
2. Appropriate Accessories – An obvious way to add a little flavor to any outfit is accessories.  But, you don’t want to have too many because it can look tacky.  In the words of Coco Chanel, “When accessorizing always take off the last thing you put on.”  Wearing an oversized watch is a great accessory for the workplace.  It has the essence of being fashion forward, while still being practical.  Wearing a bold ring is a great piece that can change your outfit.  I would recommend wearing one bold ring on one hand and if you must wear another ring, put it on the other hand and make sure it’s dainty, don’t want it to be too much. Have one statement piece, whether it be your watch, a ring, or necklace, but keep all other accessories to a minimum.
3. Bold Blouses – Business clothing can be mundane and boring, finding a silk blouse with a fun print is a great way to add some flare.  Go with a smaller print and vibrant colors, or a big print with subdued hues, so as to not scare your coworkers.
4. Stylin’ Shoes – SHOES! Shoes are a great way to put a little funk in your step. With spring just a few days away adding a pop of color to your wardrobe is a great way to keep up with the trends.  Neon pumps, while very in style, may not be appropriate for the work place.  Go with a pale version of your favorite shade.  Coral is big this spring!
5. Marvelous Make-up – My last tip is to have some fun with your makeup.  A few trends that are funky, yet appropriate are the cat eye and a rich lipstick color.  Do one or other, but both of these looks can be taken from day to night.  At the office keep your cat eye understated, but you can add to it for a great night look.  With lipstick, like the shoes, don’t go too bold, but wearing a nice pink, coral, or understated red, can really add to your outfit.

These are just a few of my favorite tricks among many for women.  Don’t worry guys I didn’t forget about you, look for my tips on how to be a fashionable male in the workplace coming soon.

How To Tweet Your Way to a Job

According to a 2011 study by Jobvite, 8,000,000 Americans say they landed their current job thanks to Twitter. Yes, you read that correctly…8 million!

Now, with trending topics such as #youstillsinglecuz and #failedchildrensbooktitles, Twitter can seem like a trivial, silly place. However, when used properly, Twitter can be an excellent place to network and find job opportunities.

Finding a job through Twitter is all about strategy. Tweeting, “I need a job” isn’t going to help you find employment. Here are 5 strategies to help you score a job using Twitter.

1. Get Professional – If you want employers to seriously consider you as a candidate, your profile should look professional. Your avatar should be appropriate. (That picture of you from last Halloween? …probably not the best approach) choose a picture that is friendly, intriguing, and showcases who you are. Your bio should be free of profanity or any comments that may be a red flag to employers. Individuality on Twitter is vital, so be sure to let people know who you are, but try to keep your profile PG.
2. Link It Up – Include your LinkedIn URL on your profile. This is a great and effortless way to let people see your professional work experience with one click! A 2011 study found that 53% of employers use Twitter to screen prospective employees. Adding your LinkedIn info to your Twitter account makes it easy for people to find your professional experience, and it shows that you are serious about networking through social media.
3. Be Choosy – One of the most fantastic things about Twitter is the ability to pick and choose the content in your feed. You do this by picking the right people to follow. If you are looking to get hired through Twitter, follow people of value, people who can provide content to you in the industry you are interested in. Follow companies that you are interested in, even better, follow employees that work at that company. Reach out to them, Tweet them, and let them know you are looking for a job. This is an excellent way to show that you are a go-getter and you know how to use social media.
4. Tweet It Out – Twitter has over 500 million active users. Let them know that you are looking for work! Tweet, “Marketing maven with 5 years experience, currently seeking full time position in Boston, RT please!” Tell people you are looking for work and ask your followers to RT and spread the word for you. Use #career #jobs #hiring, Hashtags are a fantastic way to get your tweet found by other Twitter users.
5. Get to Guru Status –To become successful on Twitter and really increase yourTwitter following, it’s important to have an area of expertise. Your area of expertise doesn’t necessarily have to be the industry or job you are interested in.  Be sure to pick something you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Tweet links, articles, videos, and content about that particular interest so you become a trusted source of information in that area within the Twitter community. This shows employers that you understand the purpose of Twitter (to share content) and are able to strategize.

5 Ways to Break Through the Gray Ceiling

Finding a job nowadays is competitive for everyone, not just recent graduates. 20% of the unemployed population is over 50 years old. If that’s you, put on your bifocals and check out these 5 tips to take on those damn youngsters.

1. Update your resume

One problem with older job applicants is that they think the black and white paper resume is still relevant. I’m not saying go get a graphic design degree so it’ll look nice, just clean it up. Get rid of your objective that’s more like your grandkid’s bedtime story than a stimulating “you should hire me!” statement.

Check out some clean resume templates here.

Chances are that you have a lot to brag about. Condense your past work experience down to the last 3, maybe 4, jobs you’ve had and your accomplishments. When you’ve been a VP of Marketing, it’s assumed that you’re experienced and well versed in your field. Don’t brag for two pages about how much you’ve done. Unlike your polite children, hiring managers aren’t going to act like they want to hear it because they love you so much.

2. Engage in social media.

This doesn’t mean Farmville.

It’s not enough to just sign up for Facebook or Twitter and assume that

you’re current. Engage. Write on your friends’ walls, upload pictures, know how to Tweet, and learn what a hashtag is. Show your new hiring manager that the subordinates you’ll be leading are going to learn new things from you. Educate yourself and know why these platforms are so crucial to business.

2.5.  LinkedIn is not cool

Don’t get me wrong; LinkedIn is one of the best professional tools out there.It’s not the most important, however. It’s just not a “young” thing. Showing off that you’re a tech savvy person is important! Get on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and sign up for a REVL invite.

3. Realize that it’s not too late to learn more

You’ve probably seen job postings for positions you’re qualified for, minus the “nice to haves” of some basic HTML and CSS skills. There are plenty of online courses and tutorials that you can participate in to get familiar. Check out w3schools.comand Adobe’s awesome tutorials and make it a point to learn something new every few days.

4. Freshen up your look

Still look your age. You don’t need to dye your hair or buy a whole new wardrobe. If you’ve been wearing the same glasses for 20 years, get a new pair that makes you look a little more current. Check out some fashion blogs and choose a look that you can pull off without breaking the bank.

5. Get an online portfolio or website

Check out some free sites that allow you to better present yourself. Today there are a good amount of employers who want people to go that extra mile with their own website showcasing accomplishments.

If you’re in a business where you’ve met a lot of influential people, show it off in aFlickr gallery. Not only will it show that you’re up-to-date on social outlets, but influential in your own right. That’s something most young people can’t show off, no matter how tech savvy they may be.

Don’t feel discouraged if you feel as though you’re competing against the young guns. You’ve got more experience, command more respect, and have done great things. Show off everything you have to offer. If you’re doing the things listed above (and more), you have no reason to feel as though your age has something to do with not getting hired. You’ll confidently walk away with a job offer or at least knowing your age is not a factor. Either way, that’s a lot more rewarding than being denied because you’re a geezer.

Applying for Jobs: Is Your Social Networking Notworking?

Let’s face it, when you’re applying for a position there’s a good chance that someone who is considering interviewing or hiring you is trying to find you on the Internet. Whether it’s your Facebook or LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, blog, or other outlets, whoever is hiring wants to see who you really are and they’ll most likely find you somewhere. Make sure when they do, it’s what you want them to see.

 
 
You could be a recent grad looking to begin an exciting career or an experienced C-level executive looking for a better opportunity. LinkedIn and Twitter are great tools to show off your professional knowledge, but Facebook can seriously damage your chances of making a good impression. 
 
People go to great lengths to hide and alter their Facebook personas in order to fit the image they think is ideal for companies to see. This isn’t necessary; show yourself! One of Facebook’s newest features is its Timeline, which allows for a breakdown of what you’ve been doing with your life. Its cover photo capability is also a great way to stand out and show how unique you really are.
 
You shouldn’t change the personality of your Facebook; a stale page can be a huge turn off for certain employers as well. If you like to go out with friends on the weekends and grab a couple beers, there’s nothing wrong with that. Check out the Timeline below. I’m having a couple drinks with my lovely coworkers as we’re ending a workweek together. This is showing off the culture I like to be a part of and that (hopefully) I’m not too dull of a guy. If that’s what the hiring company wants, they’re likely to contact me for an interview.
 
 
Now, we’ve all seen that guy who likes to show off how much of a partier he is. He’s also the one who assumes he’ll be the next big thing on Wall Street by the time he’s 23. If you’re trying to get any kind of job you’re going to need to clean up your image a little. Don’t delete your Facebook or hide it – use it to your advantage. 
 
 
The thing I really like about Timeline is its ability to allow one to show off his or her creativity. Not everyone is a Photoshop guru going for a creative field, but you can still do something that’s eye catching and stands out. Are you an Accountant? Make a cool Excel sheet or calculator image for your cover photo. Musician? Make your cover photo a close up of piano keys. Click here to see some awesome ways people are showing themselves off on Facebook.
 
 
Be open, extroverted, and conscious of what you’re doing. Hiding your profile from the public could actually give off the sense that you have something negative you’re trying to keep secret. 
 
So if you want to nail that internship or new position, get to cracking down on the kind of image you’re conveying to your future employer. It’s a competitive world out there so show ‘em what you got!

6 Tips for Finding a Job After College:

College is finally coming to a close. You’ve taken your last exam, written your farewell term paper, and actually received that coveted diploma. So now what? If you are anything like me when I graduated college, you have limited professional experience, a narrow knowledge of the working world, and a very broad idea of what you want to do with your life.

It’s a big world out there, and being a newbie in the job market can be a tad overwhelming. Here to help is “The 6 Pack Job Attack”:

 1.  Use your connections  – Chances are through internships, your family, and your friends, you know some working professionals. Use these connections to find out about open positions, trends in your job sector, and even get help scoring an interview. It’s all about who you know!

 2. Focus on your skills (not just professionally) – When employers look to hire, they want to know how you will fit with their company culture. They do this by looking at you as an individual and your interests outside of work.  If you are a Twitter Guru in your spare time, put your twitter handle on your resume. If you volunteer once a month with a local organization, let them know. Employers want to see the whole you.

3.   Tell people you are looking for work! – This one will get old… You tell people you just graduated college and the automatic question is, “Congrats! Now what?” Use this to your advantage. Most people will gladly help you in your job search (everyone was a newbie once). Ask and ye shall receive.

4. Numbers Game – Scrolling job boards is monotonous, and applying often feels like a shot in the dark… However, job hunting is simple mathematics; the more resumes you send out, the more likely you are to get a call back.

5. Don’t be afraid to aim high – Because of your limited experience, you may feel intimidated by jobs that boast “3-5 years experience required” in the qualifications. Don’t be. These are often just guidelines. If a recruiter thinks your previous experience is a good match, you’ll be hearing from them.

6. Keep your head up – Job hunting can be extremely discouraging, but as cliché as it sounds, it’s all about your attitude. Everyone’s job search is different. Your job search could take two weeks, two months or a whole year, but the right job is out there for you.  And along the way you’ll meet new people, learn about different companies, and improve your interview skills. Stay positive, it will happen when it’s meant to happen.

Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs – What They Have In Common

What do two of the most successful businessmen in the history of the world have in common? We all know they both made more money than the GNP of several continents. Beyond the droves of cash, here are a few common threads you may not have known:

1. Passion – The career advice both Warren and Steve, as I like to call them, gave was to do what you love. Have passion. I think they both read Emerson.
2. Seriously Frugal (some might say cheap) – Even though their pockets overflowed, they didn’t live that way. Warren has lived in the same modest house in Nebraska for over 50 years and his license plate says THRIFTY.  Steve was known for his low-key outfit consisting of some ever-so-stylish New Balance running shoes, distressed Levi’s, the signature black turtleneck, 
3. Liberal – Think all big business guys vote for big business? Not so much. Check out their campaign donations: Buffett and Jobs.
4. Delving further than the competition – they went to great lengths to know everything they could as quickly as they could to stay ahead of everyone else. Warren actually had a deal with his paper boy to get his Wall Street Journal delivered at midnight so he could read it before everyone else had it. Steve and his gang at Apple created multiple prototypes using the same manufacturing equipment they used in China to ensure their team could evaluate and revise products until they were perfect.
5. Secrecy – Warren never gives advices for specific stocks.  When he buys or sells himself, he actually employs third party proxies so the rest of the world isn’t tipped off. Steve made sure Apple’s security is like the secret service – except for the poor guy who had a few too many German beers. Most Apple employees don’t know what they’re working on. It’s revealed on a need to know basis, and most people don’t need to know!

Are these traits the secret to success? By applying these traits to their lives, have Warren and Steve impacted everyone reading this? This is for you to ponder. In the mean time, my iPhone is ringing. It’s Geico calling.

8 Reasons We Love RocketSpace

What is RocketSpace you ask? RocketSpace is where we live Monday through Friday. It is a shared space for new media/tech start-ups to launch their companies. Get it? Rocket, Launch? The name is very apropos. As we move forward with changing the game for both corporate recruiters and job search candidates, we are very happy to have moved in to RocketSpace in December 2011 and are making use of this opportunity. While there are many reasons to love RocketSpace, here are the 8 most popular reasons as scientifically computed by an independent research firm:

1. Free beverages. RocketSpace does not discriminate here. They actually have both Coke and Pepsi, thus ending the debate between co-workers and enabling us to be more productive with our time. The flavored sparkling water is nice touch as well!
2. The chalkboard doors are seriously awesome.
3. Friendly staff. So friendly we hired one of their interns…yay, Jen!
4. Soundproof meeting rooms with stylish decor. There’s always a room available. Our lounge is furnished with comfortable furniture that elicits thoughts of appletinis.
5. Fantastic neighbors. We love working with like-minded individuals from the various neighboring start-ups. From wine-lover apps to video game designers to a social work platform, there is never a shortage of brilliant, innovative ideas!
6. Flexibility. Our wish is their command; well almost. They are always willing to listen to make sure our needs are met. 
7. Evening events. These are both fun and informative while providing endless opportunities for networking.
8. Help with the details. They offer a network of HR, legal, accounting, insurance companies and individuals – all the little things that really do matter.

We are definitely enjoying life at RocketSpace. The new office rocks and we look forward to a future with out-of-this-world mutual success!

How To Get a Job You Actually Want

In 1901, the unemployment rate in the United States was only 4.1%. As we know, today that has more than doubled. The unemployment rate is more than just a number though. Beyond just getting a job and lowering the unemployment rate, how would you like to have a job you actually want and look forward to each day? Here are several, often overlooked, steps that will help make this notion a reality:

1. Create a compelling, dynamic resume. This means more than just the standard, plain format of a Word document or LinkedIn. It should include examples of your work and actual metrics demonstrating the tangible difference you made at your previous positions. You can customize your resume to highlight skills and experience that specifically pertain to the particular position you are applying for.
2. Use your network to job search. We’ve all heard this, but what if you don’t have an expansive personal network? Use social media and networking sites to find out about who’s hiring and to create an online network. This can be even more effective than your personal offline network. If you go to Twitter and do a search for the word “hiring”, you will see an endless supply of job offers. Narrow down your search by adding the name of your city and/or your career field. Join groups on Facebook and LinkedIn to both interact and grow your network. Interact with people by joining the conversation, ask them questions, provide positive feedback on their comments and tweets. Within a few exchanges, you will have established a rapport that can open doors.
3. Continue your professional development even if you’re unemployed. Check out iTunes U. There are thousands of free classes, many from top tier schools. Volunteer locally. This is a great way to gain experience, add to your network, obtain references, and help out a cause that matters to you.
4. Customize your cover letter for each application. This is an opportunity to show you’ve done your research. Add a couple sentences about what specifically, tangibly you can do for the company. Don’t get into too much detail in the cover letter, but make sure you know their goals and how your experience can directly help the company reach those goals.

To get a job you actually want, you have to stand out from the crowd. These steps provide a guideline to lift you above other applicants. Before long, the job of your dreams will find you. Go ahead and get started now…it’s 20 seconds ‘til the last call, calling hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

Top 7 Methods of Humble Self-Promotion in Your Job Search

Let’s be honest, to gain employment you have to promote yourself. Even if you have a fantastic network promoting you to get you in the door, it’s up to you to do the rest.  At the same time, you don’t want to come across as arrogant. Your potential employer wants to know how you can help them. It takes more finesse than just

                       ”I’m freakin’ awesome! Hire me!”

Here are the top 7 ways to humbly promote yourself while showing how you can benefit your future employer:

1. On your resume, be sure to state how your company benefitted from your work as opposed to just stating what you did. For example, instead of “Ensured contracts were negotiated and submitted,” use “Accelerated payment time by an average of three weeks and increased business renewals by 40% by thoroughly reviewing contracts”. Provide an actual metric demonstrating the result of your work.
2. Similar to #1, when asked in your interview about your current or previous position, focus on your achievements, not your responsibilities. You can convey your responsibilities by highlighting what you achieved. When possible draw a parallel of your past achievements with how you would do the same thing for their business.
3. When telling a specific story or example, don’t be afraid to give credit to others as part of the achievement as most accomplishments are collaborative. This shows humility and that you are a team player.
4. It’s not always what you say but how you say it. For example, if you are asked what are your greatest strengths, if you hem and haw, acting shy about it, you are missing out. Be confident and clear in declaring “my greatest strengths are definitely my reliability, diligence, and flexibility,” or whatever answers you have prepared. Then quickly provide an example of these in just a few sentences. People gain confidence in you based on the confidence you display.
5. When asked to provide a specific example, don’t be afraid to delve in to the challenges you faced along the way. Not only does this show your humility, it actually let you self-promote a bit more because the more you had to overcome to achieve something, it shows resiliency. 
6. Body Language and appearance – seriously, even in the most casual of environments, this can make or break your interview. Look sharp, make eye contact, and stand tall, confident, and comfortably.
7. Be positive. This goes for all of the methods above. Positivity is humble self-promotion in and of itself. If you use or have heard the phrase about someone “giving off a positive vibe,” this is what it’s all about. With all of the tangible information provided in a job search, your positive vibe will leave your interviewers with a positive impression.

Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. Just do so honestly and within the flow of the conversation. Remember, even when you are promoting yourself, it’s still really all about your potential employer and what you can offer them.  You are just letting them know exactly how your skills and experiences will take their company new heights!

Feeling Unemployed?

Feeling unemployed? We’ve got the cure for you! REVL has arrived in America! With many years of successful recruiting experience in Europe, we are taking our talents to South Beach …well actually, the South of Market area in beautiful San Francisco. We allow job seekers to create their own Personal Brand online, thus ensuring a slam dunk experience for discovering their dream job. Instead of applying a full court press, corporate recruiters can search with ease for their ideal candidate. Sign up for your free REVL portfolio today!