What I Learned About Career From My Stay-at-Home Mom

My mother didn't work when I was growing up. Watching her sit at home every day highly influenced my want and need to work and create.

My mom formerly worked as a lab technician when she moved to the United States from Israel. Why did she pick this field? According to her, she didn't have much of a choice. Israeli high schools in the 60's were similar to tech schools in the U.S. You were placed in classes based on your aptitude. You learned your trade while working in the Israeli army after graduation.

My grandparents told her to become a lab tech since it was a skilled position and she'd always have work in a hospital or doctor's office. In the 60's in Israel, you worked to provide and chose professions based on need versus passion.

My mother worked for 10 years in hospitals around the United States and became a working mom when she had my older sister – six years prior to me. It was a struggle for her to be a single mom.

Juggling hospital hours and daycare was not an easy task. Fast forward six years, remarried and in a much more comfortable financial situation – she stopped working and (from my perspective) never looked back. Our world shattered four years later when my dad passed away. I was only 4 and can't remember much but I never saw my mom struggle or ask for help. She dealt with lawsuits, finances, estates on top of raising two girls under 10. We were earning dividends from my dad's business and financially we'd be OK as long as she was fiscally responsible.

Courtesy Jill Jacinto

Growing up I never thought it was weird my mom didn't go to an office since my elementary school class was primarily filled with kids whose moms did not work (but their dads did). As I went to high school, I saw that moms started to take jobs at Bloomingdalesor get their real estate licenses. My mom never did. When I got to college, I encountered students whose mothers always worked. My mind was blown.

As I've gotten older, I always asked my mom why she never returned to the workforce and her answer was always the same, "It's too late. The skills changed. I was raising daughters. I was busy. I had carpool." I think the real reason was that she was scared. She let herself stay away from it too long and became far too comfortable at home

I entered the career world without witnessing what it was like for either parent to commute to the office or talk about their work or their career aspirations. Sure, I had cousins, uncles and aunts who would give me a window into the working world but not having an example in my own home was glaring. The example I did have was my mom running countless errands and sitting at the computer. While I can attest she was involved with the stock market -- and had the smarts to invest in Viagra from day one -- the majority of her day was spent doing "nothing."

As I got older, I began to see the world through her eyes and have appreciated the fact that she was a stay at home mom. I saw that I ended up learning a whole lot about work from her. Maybe my mom didn't work in an office but she did run her household like a business.

While people lost their savings in the recession, her business skills and market foreshadowing helped her sell our home at the top of the housing bubble. While many families are still struggling, her 'business' is still in the black. She passed on this business acumen to me in the form of budgets, finance, street smarts and sheer confidence.

Courtesy Jill Jacinto

Let's talk money - Even without a clear steady income my mom never took a handout and imparted this importance on my sister and me. While other students were asking for financial aid (as their parents racked in $500K) she paid for our schools outright from a college fund. She didn't want to "ask" if other people truly needed it. I saw her scrimp and save and followed suit. She was a "recessionista" before the term was coined and passed on the knowledge to my sister and me.

If there was penny – she knew how to pinch it. She'd compare prices and bargain shop til we were blue in the face. She always, always asked for a deal or a second opinion. She'd spend hours researching products before making a purchase. Test shoes, coats, cars – you name it before dropping a dime. Many of my peers and friends needed to live at home after college, drowning in debt, or simply couldn't make it own their own. I didn't. I was thankful for those penny pinching lessons.

I always knew from the get-go to live well below my means. I rode the bus, had a library card (probably only person in NYC who still does, besides my mom of course) and knew how to make a meal for under $2. I never needed a handout. I knew better than to charge an item if I didn't have the cash up front. I'd never think to live paycheck to paycheck or live beyond my means.

You're an all-star – Unlike her parents, my mother saw the merit in working for a job you are passionate about. Originally I wanted to be an actress. I was signed up for every acting and singing class possible. The problem was that I was shy. My mother helped raise my confidence to audition and try. Although, she also told me that I could never major in acting but could always do it on the side. She read my high school and college essays and would rave to her friends about my writing.

When I wanted to work in TV news she was my PR person. If we passed a local news van on the street she'd walk right up and start telling the producer or anchor about me and help me make connections. While I recall being mortified at her overt perseverance, it inspired me to have the confidence to do the same. While I'll never have the amount of chutzpah she has, it certainly empowered me. While I might not be an all-star, having that confidence is key. I believed I deserved a shot at working in media thanks to my mom. I never thought I wasn't good enough or didn't earn it.

Create a living – Watching my mom spend two + decades not working prompted me to never want to be in that situation. I might never know how she spent those working hours but I do know I never want to find out for myself. Someday, I want to be a mom – but a working one. Easier said than done. But seeing her live for just me and my sister was not something I wanted for myself. And I know that is something she doesn't want for us either. Professionals spend over 70 percent of our lives at work. Besides gaining a paycheck – the office provides us a place to socialize, mate and best of all showcase our talents.

Nothing gold can stay - You never know what the future holds and you'd better be prepared. My mother was extremely lucky that we had a strong financial cushion in place. However, she became the go-to sherpa of recent divorcés and widows in my neighborhood. They'd talk to her for hours and ask for her advice. She doled out references for trustworthy lawyers, accountants, banker, brokers – even mechanics. She let me know that even the best marriages fail or the healthiest spouses perish or get ill. The future isn't certain and you need to know you can rely on yourself. Have a say in your household and be educated about where your finances are going. You're smart and you can change the world. You don't need a man to make a living for you to survive. One day – you'll regret it.

What Do Millennials Want In The Work Place?

The other week I sat in on a Dell Think Tank moderated by Lauren Berger, the CEO of the InternQueen.com who recently released her second book, Welcome to the Real World. The purpose of the Think Tank is to connect students, employers, educators, recruiters and Gen Y job seekers. The mission was to create a dialogue around a broken system.

The Art of Email: If you're a fellow member of Gen Y, you grew up on the computer and used email, AOL Instant Messenger, and text as a way of correspondence to friends and family. The workplace also caught on to this technology and implemented it at great lengths. Except, transitioning to using email from personal to professional should really require a handbook. Learning to craft a perfect professional email is an art. Unfortunately too many graduates enter the working world not realizing how to write an effective formal email.

The Dell panel agreed that universities should create programs that help their graduates navigate communicating with their co-workers and clients via a computer. Rakia Reynolds from Skai Blue Media said a new hire sent her a message reading, "Hey, dude, it's finished!" This casual tone was not how Reynolds wanted her employee to interact with her. There are also times when we're too connected to emails. In such a socially connected world we're oddly isolated. Natalie Zfat the co-founder of Social Co., mentioned, "Technology can make us anti-social. Show that you have communication skills."

To Text or Not to Text: Do not text your boss if he or she has never reached out to you via that medium. However, what do you do if your boss texts you? Text them back but keep it formal. Your boss isn't "Your girl" as panelist Rakia Reynolds explained how she received a text like this from an employee. Mirror your boss's language and texting skills. If they are using a relaxed vocab – you can too, but don't over do it. Always proofread and avoid texting slang like, "OMG", "TTYL", and "IRT." Stay away from emoticons – especially if you are new on the job. These designs unfortunately only remind your boss that you are new to the workforce and might not be as professional as they would like.

The Busy Chronicles: One topic that Lauren Berger brought up was the, "I'm so busy" tagline used by professionals industry-wide. My fellow panelists agreed that we all need to stop one upping one another on our "busy" professional lifestyle. We don't need to compete with each other. We actually all need to relax. John Gottfried of Major League Hacking explained the discussion might be less about finding a work/life balance and more about finding a place where that blurred line doesn't matter. Although, how do you create a work/life balance when we live in a digital 24/7 world? There's no easy answer to this question, which is why it's been debated for years.

As a new hire, especially when you're holding your first job – you need to put in face time. Be the first one there and last one to leave for the first several months. Understand what is expected of you and learn what your hours are. Do you work with clients on the west coast and need to rake in three additional hours to coordinate schedules? Or worse, do you have clients in Asia and need to be on call when the rest of your office is in bed? The last thing any good boss wants is a burned out employee. No boss should expect you to burn the midnight oil, night after night after night. They'd end up with a sleep-deprived employee that could be a risk to their business.

If you are feeling over-extended, approach your boss. Ask for a work smartphone and laptop to answer emails, take calls or complete assignments at home. Most importantly, learn what their priorities are and what can truly wait until tomorrow. Ask to alter your hours several days a week if you need to work odd hours to meet deadlines, work late night events, or conference with clients overseas.

Fix the System: The Dell panel was in full agreement that the university system needs to make changes when it comes to preparing graduates for the real world. Opal Vadham, one of the student panelists, said "Universities need to have a strong social media presence so students can see how social media can be utilized professionally." If a university isn't readily using LinkedIn, Twitter or other platforms to their advantage, how would a student know they could use social media to enhance their job search?

People learn best through leading by example. Universities need to create classes, panels, events that arm students with the tools they need in the real world. While taking History of Central Europe is fascinating it might be equally advantageous to learn how to create a business plan, pitch a client, cold call, devise an elevator speech, lead a meeting or conduct a conference call.

Tackling an Internship: You need an internship to get a job but you need a job to afford your internship – what gives? How does a financially strapped student survive on an internships stipend of lunch and metro fare? Student panelist, Eva Shang from Harvard shared how she had to work a second job while she had an internship. As a student who can't rely on the bank of mom and dad – how do you make it work?

As the InternQueen, Lauren Berger can attest, there's no better place to learn hand on job experience than being in an office environment. Which is why internships are so valuable. Christina Onori from Dell explained that interns (and employees) at the Dell campus participate in several career development workshops throughout their internship, including one about, "Primping their LinkedIn Profile." Many internships can be offered for part time which can offer the student time to find a job and complete course work. In fact, there's a limit to how many hours an employer can have an intern work. If your boss asks you to work longer hours, have your college counselor step in and talk to your supervisor.

To listen to the entire Think Tank Livestream, click here.

How to Land The Ultimate Summer Job If Your Name's Not Obama

While most American teens spend their summers working at summer camps or at McDonald's, Malia Obama went to Hollywood. According to TheWrap, Obama scored a summer gig working on Steven Spielberg's new TV series called Extant starring Halle Berry.

Malia, an aspiring filmmaker, loved her time on the set according to a source at the taping. The source also quoted Obama, 15, as commenting on the experience, "My first time. This is a big deal!"

Malia spent a day working as a production assistant on the summer sci-fi series premiering on CBS. Malia helped out with computer shop alignments and even slated a take for a scene. There's no word yet if the First Daughter will spend more time on the Los Angeles set the rest of the summer. The White House declined to comment on Malia's summer job in Hollywood.

So you (or your child) want to follow in the First Daughter's footsteps and apply for a gig as a PA? Here's what they really have in store:

Upside- You learn to be a Jack of all trades on a Movie/TV set by helping support the film crew. Chances are you'll be assisting sound, lighting, camera, director, actors, writers, producers or even craft services. Other pluses include getting two free meals a day, wearing what you want and seeing an all-star celebrity in action. More importantly, you figure out what department you want to specialize in. You also have the opportunity to make connections with film crew members in those areas.

Downside – Unfortunately the hours are long, don't expect health insurance and there's little job security since when the 3-month shoot is over you need to look for the next gig. You can also expect low wages, lots of travel and plan to work in all types of inclement weather. The show must go on.
What are some skills PA's need to succeed?– Flexible, punctual (time is money), adaptable, resourceful, professional (no selling actors' gossip or photos to TMZ).

Extant premiere's on CBS on July 9.

Here's Why You Should Never Say 'I'm Sorry' Again

Be honest: if you are female and in the career world, you've uttered the phrase "I'm sorry" more times than you care to recall. You preface statements with "I'm sorry," utter the phrase after someone steps on your shoe or closes the elevator door on your foot, or say it to grab someone's attention.

Bearing that in mind, Pantene has just released a new ShineStrong ad campaign, I'm Sorry, that showcases how women belittle themselves by mentioning the phrase everywhere, from the boardroom to the bedroom. The next phase of the commercial showcases what happens when these women remove "sorry" from their vocabulary.

This advertisement is the second wave of Pantene's women empowerment ads. Last year's commercial (Labels Against Women) highlighted workplace labels; "I'm Sorry" is just the latest in a series of thought-provoking ad campaigns geared toward professional women.

You're not really sorry. What you are really trying to do is tell the other person that they must be busier or more important than you--which is why you're "sorry" to disturb them. Except this is almost never the case, especially when you are at the office. You are there to work, and oftentimes that means offering up your ideas. That's what your boss and coworkers are looking for. Saying you're sorry is holding you back.

Sorry is a five letter word. You need to banish the word "sorry" from your workplace vocabulary. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't hide behind its emptiness. Stand up for what you believe in. Do you want someone's attention? Ask for it. Don't apologize for it. Colleen Jay, president of P&G Global Hair Care and Color says, "We believe the message of the 'Not Sorry' video will resonate with women, encouraging them to be more aware of this diminishing behavior and, in turn, prevent any bias they may be unconsciously creating."

Bring Back Confidence. You are where you are professionally because you earned it. You didn't just get lucky. Your talents and skills were recognized, and that's what earned you the job and got you the position you deserve. You have nothing to feel sorry about. So if you feel an "I'm sorry" coming on, bite your tongue, pause, watch this ad and rephrase your next statement. "I think," maybe?

Are You Bored at Work?

I recently had an all-too-familiar conversation with a woman, Brooke, who was unsure about her career. She loved the comfortable atmosphere, the boss who telecommutes from home daily, and, of course, the fact that her work load was slim to none.

Brooke was able to catch up on her shows, industry news and fashion blogs. She said she always asks her main boss how she can help or if there is anything she can take off her plate. Her boss's go-to sweet response is always, "I've got it covered. You do not want this work in front of you. Thanks so much for offering. Let me shield you from this type of work." She said it felt great that her boss was protecting her from the nitty-gritty work of the firm and loved the freedom she had. Except, from an outside observer's perspective, she was very much caged.

She was stuck in a box and unable to grow.

After she learned I was in the career space, Brooke 'fessed up that she was insanely bored and wanted more. She asked for my opinion on the matter. She wanted to know how she can approach her boss and start doing more real work. She said she often asked for reviews but her boss was always "busy."

From the sounds of it, her career development was not on her boss's agenda. Which is the case for some firms. If her boss truly wanted her to become an all-star at the firm, she would pass along more tasks her way and help her hone her skills. Yet, her boss was protecting the work she was doing incredibly close. Perhaps all she was looking for was an assistant, and if that's the case, then you can say sayonara to any real education and movement within.

Brooke took this all in and admitted she wasn't even so keen on learning the ins and outs of the linen industry.

Her real dream was to open an online accessories store a la #GirlBoss Sophia Amoruso. She enlightened me that her Brooklyn neighborhood had everything – minus a place to buy higher-end accessories. The idea was to set up shop online and then grow into a smaller storefront. She knew she could get the web traffic and the foot traffic. She went on for 15 minutes or so. Her face lit up as she talked about each plan, each step and every designer she wanted to include.

I told her it was time to start turning her dream into a reality.

Her current job was not challenging her and she was barely interested in the field. The two plusses were the salary and the low stress. She easily could work on her business after work and on weekends. All she needed to do to get started was create a website with an e-commerce component and start making relationships with designers.

"But what if I fail?" Brooke honestly asked. I told her, "Then you fail knowing you tried and aren't stuck working at the linen firm wondering what if."

The only thing that gets in the way of our dreams is ourselves and fear plays a huge part in stopping us from following our dreams. Starting your own business is extremely challenging. I also told Brooke that she should reach out to people in her industry and see if she might be able to add some part time work to 'test out' her passion. She might discover she would rather work for an e-commerce store than run all of it. Without doing a test drive -- you'll never know what you really want to do.

The worst thing any of us can do is stay at a job where we are bored. 

Everyone has something to offer. Don't let yourself stay 'stuck' in a situation. Take charge, be innovative, look for a new project or partnership you can development. If you are truly at a dead end, spruce up your resume and take the bold risk to leave a comfortable situation.

You'll be happy that you did.

Nine West Misses the Mark with Regressive Ad Campaign

Starter Husband Hunter, Walk of Shame and First Day of Kindergarten are momentous shoe-purchasing occasions that should be celebrated...according to Nine West. The shoe brand clearly didn't take a page out of Pantene,Always and Barbie's recent ad campaigns, which have championed women to empower themselves rather than sexualize and minimize their accomplishments. Straight from their Twitter feed:
 

It's hunting season. If you're looking for Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now, we have a shoe for that:http://t.co/C61UmgJ83Tpic.twitter.com/9eOzwZtGPG

- Nine West (@NineWest) August 1, 2014

Don't women have more important life occasions than snagging a husband--oops, 'starter' husband--and sending their tot off to school? Nine West states this type of message is all in good fun, and that consumers should not take the advertisement too seriously. Yet consumers on Twitter have expressed discomfort with the campaign's portrayal of women. Mary Lynne Alexion tweeted:

@NineWest Shoes are cute, but 'really' sending women back to the 50's. Sell me shoes with a message to empower #women. Creativity? NOT !

- Mary Lynne Alexion (@MLAlexion) August 5, 2014

Nine West's senior vice president of marketing, Erika Szychowski, told the New York Times that the campaign is meant to modernize the brand to women who think about "occasions" differently than they might have in years past. A night-on-the-town shoe, for example, would now be considered an on-the-prowl shoe. The company also plans to advertise shoes for an "anticipatory walk of shame."

Wouldn't a shoe collection including First Day on the Job, Boardroom Booties, Job Hunting,
Power Pump or Start-Up Sandal be more appropriate and inspiring? After all, Nine West is a shoe brand that plenty of women look to for career-appropriate footwear.

Long gone are the days when women do little else besides stay at home with the kids. Women make up almost 70 million members of the US workforce, and are graduating at higher rates than men. Let's hope another designer understands what women really want, and creates a show collection and ad campaign that celebrates their achievements and gives them career confidence.

You've Got Some Nerve! 6 Tips To Raise Your Career Confidence

Heading into a job interview, presentation, raise negotiation or asking to speak on an industry panel?

All these career "asks" take some amount of nerve mixed with confidence. Not only do you need to believe you're worthy of the "ask" in question, you need to muster up the courage to make that initial request as well. Visualizing asking your boss for a bump in your salary of 5 percent seems a lot easier than when you are standing in front of her sweating, perplexed, playing with your watch band and feeling like a deer in headlights.

Here are six things you should do before any big ask.

Practice makes perfect: While it's true some people are born naturally confident, for the rest of us it takes practice. The more you work on your tennis game, yoga moves or Photoshop talents -- the better you become at it. Think of confidence as another skill you need to practice, learn, perfect and earn.

Get a power outfit. In medieval times knights had armor to protect them in battle. In 2014 women need to be dressed with a modern suit of armor. Get a go-to power outfit. It could be a dress, suit or even a blazer and dark jeans. Whatever you choose needs to make you look great while also feeling confident and influential. When we look our best we're often more up for a work challenge.

Pinpoint your fear. We often lose our confidence when we aren't prepared. Confidence is learned through experience. Do your homework before your next meeting. Do the research and know the tough numbers and facts off the top of your head as opposed to checking notes during a meeting or presentation. Don't give yourself the opportunity to fail. Focus on using your knowledge and expertise to win over your boss, co-worker or client.

Let's go to the videotape. It's very tough to picture ourselves in high-stress situations when we aren't at the office. Videotape yourself the night before a presentation, business trip or sales meeting. You'll see points where you stumble or use filler words (like, um, ya know). Why are you stumbling in these sections? You aren't as prepared as you should be. If you haven't convinced yourself of your words then you won't be able to convince anyone else. You'll also be aware of your body language. Do you flip your hair, tug your shirt, adjust your glasses, lean, tap a foot, and play with a pen while speaking? These are all dead giveaways to a listener that you are not confident.

Speak up. With confidence comes respect. You need to learn how to speak up and insert your expert opinion into the workplace conversation. On your next staff meeting, put on your go-to power outfit and make a point to add your two cents on the meeting's agenda. Prepare in advance. This is the time to change your company's perspective of you. Become a voice your boss and co-workers search for in a crowded room. Don't bite your tongue if you've got a great idea -- announce it.

Don't' stress over stress. Everyone gets stressed out from time to time. Instead of thinking of that stress as a confidence buster -- use it to your advantage. We often get stressed out when we're working on a challenging task. Stress occurs in the anticipation of working on an assignment outside of our comfort zone. Seek out these types of opportunities. If you are getting complacent or bored at the office that's when laziness and sloppy work ethic come into play.

 

3 Ways to Stand Out At Work Today

Looking to jump-start your persona at the office in a short amount of time? Simple body language and nonverbal changes will often speak volumes about your character and your work ethic.

Maintain eye contact. It might seem obvious, but retaining eye contact showcases your natural ability to stay focused and present. Too often people lose presence by shifting their attention to their smartphone as opposed to listening at a daily meeting or even within a one-on-one conversation. You'll stand out by virtue of the fact that you are one of the few employees that can remain truly present and authentic in a conversation. When you look someone in the eye it expresses confidence and helps articulate your interest in the topic. When people glance away it tells the speaker they are boring or that you don't really care about the topic.

Wear a smile. Who isn't guilty of having a resting bitch-face from time to time? Become more aware of your attitude by smiling more often. Smiling subconsciously tells people in your surroundings that you have a positive, energetic atmosphere. People notice when you're generally in a good mood and when you aren't. Whether you are in a client-facing role or a receptionist, this is a huge part of your job. You are literally the face of the company. To a client, potential investor, the CEO – you want to express your want and need to stay at the firm as opposed to seeming unhappy and scowling.

Be accountable. Be the employee who comes in early and stays late. Create a go-getter persona to enhance your career. Being known as a problem solver will make you stand ahead of the class. There will always be employees who clock in and out – heading to yoga, happy hour, a date with the couch – and these are the same people who miss the boat when it comes to promotions, raises, and new opportunities. Staying an extra hour at the office won't kill your social life, but it will reflect your can-do attitude to the higher-ups who are also burning the midnight oil.

What Photos Should you Share with your LinkedIn Network?

On the heels of announcing that they reached 300 Million members, LinkedIn introduced a brand newmobile feature today. Members are now able to share photographs on LinkedIn with their mobile device.

Why is this so important? We live in a visual world. Being able to express who we are and what we do through photos is essential. Sometimes we don't have the time or the right words to express what we do. The ability to quickly snap a photo while you are in the moment helps illustrate it for you.

We've seen how other social networks have been able to use this process on a personal level. However, having LinkedIn on board will help professionals worldwide tell a different story. While people might be busy snapping photos of art, food, sunsets or funny selfies, LinkedIn is taking photo sharing to the next professional level. They are inviting you to share a glimpse into what you do on a day to day at the office. We spend over 70% of our time at the office – we have a lot more to share with the world than art, food, sunsets and funny selfies.

According to LinkedIn's career expert Nicole Williams, "members who share images with their LinkedIn network are five times more likely to have other members engage with their update. Clicks and pics can be a recipe for professional success."

Not sure what to share? Why not start with a view of your workspace. "Bring the passion and energy that you have for your career to life. Use photographs to capture fun, inspiring or motivational moments throughout your day," says Williams. Snap a photo of your morning cup of Joe, a new product redesign, a powerful quote, a book you are reading or newly color coded files. Turn the cameras on your co-workers and a snap a photo of your Monday morning office meeting, your break room or your new conference space.

Upload Your Own Photo: Did you know that your LinkedIn Profile is 11 times more likely to be viewed if you include a photo? "Rather than using the typical headshot, try having someone take a shot of you in the midst of your work – during a presentation or practicing a big speech – or even in front of oven in your kitchen whites if you're a chef," says Williams.

When you're off site: Most professionals are on the move as opposed to sitting at their desks from 9-5. Exhibit your whereabouts by snapping a photo. You can share an update with your network that you are at the Ohio Marketing Convention, but by seeing photos of the booths, speakers and products in photos helps your network experience it in a much better light.

Act like an expert: The best way for a client or hiring manager to see you as a potential candidate is to see you in action. What better way to show off your expertise than a photo? If you're an architect, snap a photo of blueprints you're working on, if you work for a non-profit snap a photo of a walk-a-thon you managed, or if you're an event director take a photo of beautiful affair you created.

6 Job Tips for Recent Graduates

You have a few months to go before you say Sayonara to school and officially become a working professional. You might have taken Psych 101 but chances are you never took a class on how to get a job or what to do when you scored your dream gig.

What if you're applying for your first job...ever: If you've recently graduated from a Masters, MBA or undergraduate program your first thought will most likely be...I have NOTHING to put on my resume. I have never worked! Except, that isn't exactly true. List your hobbies, clubs, conferences, volunteer experiences and activities you are a part of. Have you ever had a leadership role (class president, yearbook editor, captain of JV Field hockey) list it! You should also include what you learned from your school courses; business, teamwork, computer programs, marketing skills, public speaking, etc. All of these items should be a part of your resume. You'll see how quickly your resume fills up after some analysis.

Conquering a job interview: Be prepared. You would never show up to class without reading an assignment and same goes for a good interview. Come armed with information about the company, your boss, and your role. Sign onto LinkedIn and study the Company Page and the career trajectory of your hiring manager.

Be wary of pushy parents: Your parents will always want the best for you but there is a professional line they should never cross. Under no circumstance should your mom and dad be at the interview with you or apply for you. Think I'm kidding? A parent at my firm did just that. He didn't see anything odd about asking me to hire his daughter to be an intern and tell me how great she would be, how he'd be involved and how much he'd be "checking in."

Your parents would never take a test for you or sit in your Spanish class...I hope... same rules apply for the office. You should ask your parents to reach out to their network of co-workers, clients, and friends to see if someone might know of a job opening up. After that, YOU need to be the first point of contact -- not your mom. You could also ask your parents to review your resume or help you with a mock interview. After that, though, you are on your own.

When the new boss is always M.I.A.: If you only have a  ask your questions the first few minutes of the day. Let them know you are interested in the business and want to be the best employee for them. Have an idea? Let them know that moving the straws next to the soda cups creates efficiency.

When the office is cliquey: High school cliques annoyingly also exist off campus. Often times these mean girls will at first see you as a threat. Be as friendly as you can to them and try to learn. Make them feel like they are the BMOC. However, if they are still icy – do your best to ignore them. Don't let it get to you and focus on the job at hand.

Ready for a promotion? Before you ask, make sure you deserve it. Here's a list of 4 questions you need to ask yourself:

• Are you helping the company's bottom line?
• Are you punctual and working overtime if you have last-minute client requests?
• Have you been there longer than six months?
• Have you felt that you've made your boss' life easier and are taking on more responsibilities?

If so -- go in for the ask. If not, be the best employee you can be and ask for a promotion 30 days down the line. If you are asking, make sure you come prepared with reasons why you have earned this. Have sales increased since you started? Are you able to get through your work much faster than other employers? Have you created a business website or helped with the social media strategy? Are you volunteering for projects outside your typical responsibilities?

Making a grand & graceful exit: Your employer knows that you won't be at their firm forever. Set up a meeting to chat privately. Start off the conversation by letting them know how amazing it has been to work there (even if it wasn't) and how much you have learned from them as a boss. Then let them know you'll be leaving and will give 2 weeks' notice so they have time to find someone to replace you.

Always end on good terms with a boss – you never know if you'll want the job again down the line or which business owners your boss is friends with in town. You'll also want to count on them for a reference.

22 Best Quotes on the Fearless Life

I had the good fortune to attend Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life weekend, the inaugural women's conference of Cosmopolitan magazine. Inspiring? Where do I begin? Here are 22 nuggets of wisdom I picked up from the awesome attendees.

TwitterGabby Bernstein

"Our presence is our greatest source of power. Our presence is what makes people want to hire us." @GabbyBernstein

Motivational speaker, Gabby Bernstein explained how your projection to the world is what captures an employer's attention. You could say all the 'right' things but if you don't believe in what you're saying and present confidence – you won't score the job, promotion, raise or new client.

"Unplug so you can hear yourself." @BEVERLYBOND

Beverly Bond, DJ and Founder of Black Girls Rock, encouraged the audience to take a step back and tune out noise to focus on your authentic self.

"Women are building this country! Creating 60% of new jobs and 100% of babies!"@ninagvaca

CEO and Founder of the Pinnacle Group, Nina Vaca inspired the crowd by reinforcing women's worth in the job market.

"Empower yourself. Don't sit in fear or be immobilized by the 'what if.'" @ItsGabrielleU

Actress and Activist, Gabrielle Union encouraged the crowd to stop playing the 'what if' game and start living.
 

TwitterKelly Osborne

"Do one nice thing for yourself every day." @KellyOsbourne

Fashion Police Host, Kelly Osbourne struggled to find her authentic self and got lost on a dark path. After a lot of self exploration (and therapy) she was able to find the good in herself, which motivated her to create her fabulous career on E!.

"Fashion acts as a conversation starter. Your #fashion speaks before you do. " @Vargas44

Katherine Vargas, Director of Hispanic Media for the White House shared that fashion in the White House is serious. She explained that not only is it a good networking tool but what you wear translates your professional brand before you have a chance to introduce yourself.

"Think about what you want to be noticed for before you get dressed." @Refinery29

Editor-in-Chief of Refinery29 Christine Barberich takes fashion seriously. The items you wear tell a story about who you are make sure that story aligns with your professional brand."

"Start changing our habits to start living our lives in a new way." @JasonSilva

Jason Silva, host of Brain Games on National Geographic , explored the need to interrupt your regular routine to find new opportunities.

"When we settle it's because we are living by someone else's rules."@JillianMichaels

Celebrity trainer and author Jillian Michaels told the crowd to stop settling. Don't let other people's negativity stop you from succeeding and living the life you want.

"You have to go beyond where you are comfortable otherwise you are not progressing." @dkny

Aliza Licht, SVP of global communication at Donna Karan and DKNY GIRL, the company's award winning Twitter account explained that being at a comfortable place is actually not a good thing. Shake it up. Go outside of your realm and keep growing in your field.

TwitterAlicia Quarles

"You don't become successful alone. You have to rely on other people."@alicialquarles

E! News correspondent, Alicia Quarles explained success isn't a woman job. A team of people helps her do her best everyday.

"If you don't put yourself out there, you aren't going to get anywhere." @ChristinaTosi

Chef and founder of the delicious momfuku milk bar, Christina Tosi's advice resonated with the crowd. If you aren't willing to take the first step and showcase your wants to the world - no one will hear them and your career won't be able to soar.

"Presence increases power & power increases presence. Fake it until you become the best version of yourself." @amyjccuddy

We've all heard 'fake it til you make it.' Amy Cuddy, psychologist and professor at Harvard Business School has officially given the free pass to do just that.

"It's good to be good. There's a helpers high in helping someone." @drmegjay

"The strength of weak ties. The unique value of the people you don't know well."@drmegjay

Psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Meg Jay instructed the audience not to turn to our internal circle of co-workers, family and close friends but instead reach out to people we aren't so close to. These people are more apt to see you and your work with fresh eyes and will be able to invite you to tap into a brand new network. She also explained there is science beyond why it feels good to help someone -- whether it's to find a date, new job, client or even restaurant recommendation. It feels good to be helpful.

"Network, network, network. Who you know is what you know." @SallieKrawcheck@EllevateNtwk

Sallie Krawcheck is a pioneer in the finance industry. In a sea of men, she'd often be the only woman in the room. She acquired 85 Broads and turned it into theEllevate Network and truly felt her key to success was the people she met along the way.

"I do believe in fake it til you make it." @megynkelly

Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly has always gone after what she wants. She does not take no for an answer.

"Attitude and drive are your key to success," says @spanx.

Many women owe a huge thank you to Spanx founder and CEO Sara Blakely. Through sheer tenacity, she transformed the hosiery industry, and became one of the youngest self-made female billionaires.

TwitterCosmo Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles

Since she was the emcee, Cosmo Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles had a ton of great advice for the crowd.

Learn what your maximum value is at your current company. @JoannaColes 

Understand what the company can offer you monetarily as you move up the ranks.

What are her interview do's and don'ts?
"Don't tell @JoannaColes (or any boss) you need to leave by 5pm."
"Never plop you purse on your interviewer's desk." @JoannaColes
"I want to be surrounded by high energy and upbeat people." @JoannaColes
"I like fast talkers." @JoannaColes

Where To Intern: Vault's Top 50

If you are in college (or have a child who is), it's time to start the search for a summer 2015 internship. While some people might think seven months is a bit too far in advance to start searching, they would be wrong. Competition to get an internship in your desired industry, much less company, is aggressive.

Internships act as a solid bridge between the academic and business worlds. Good internships connect you with great contacts, experience and a good working understanding of the industry. The best internships provide you with tangible training, relationship-building events, hands-on experience and career development seminars. Vault.com recently released their list of the Top 50 Internships for 2015.

Vault surveyed 5,800 interns at 100 different internship programs for theirInternship Experience survey. The survey was based on the following criteria: "quality of life, compensation and benefits, interview process, career development, and full-time employment prospects."

"Today, 40 percent of all entry-level full-time hires in the U.S. are sourced through internship programs," according to Derek Loosvelt, a senior editor at Vault.com. "This means that, for those looking to work for the most desired and admired employers in the country, internships are no longer a luxury but a necessity."

10 Best Overall Internships for 2015:
1. Bates White Summer Consultant Program
2. Elliot Davis ENVISION
3. Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP's Summer Internship
4. Bain & Company Associate Consultant Intern and Summer Associate programs
5. Northwestern Mutual Internship
6. Plante Moran's Internship Experiences
7. KPCB Fellows Program
8. Evercore Advisory Summer Analyst and Summer Associate Program
9. CapTech Summer Internship Program
10. Anadarko Corporation Summer Internship Program

Vault, in addition to ranking the Best Overall Internships, also ranked internship programs in seven industries: Accounting, Consulting, Energy, Financial Services,Investment Banking, Media & Telecom, and Retail & Consumer Products.

Best Accounting Internship: Elliot Davis ENVISION
Best Consulting Internship: Bates White Summer Consultant Program
Best Energy Internship: Anadarko Petroleum Summer Internship Program
Best Financial Services Internship: Northwestern Mutual Internship
Best Investment Banking Internship: Evercore Advisory Summer Analyst and Associate Program
Best Media & Telecommunications Internship: AT&T Finance Leadership Program
Best Retail & Consumer Products Internship: Kohl's Information Technology Internship

According to Loosvelt, the company has been studying, surveying and ranking employers for quite some time. Mainly focusing on consulting, law, banking and now expanding into consumer products, tech, energy, media and entertainment. Why study the internship programs of these industries?

"Internships have been growing in importance, as nearly half of all entry-level full-time jobs at the top employers in the country are now sourced through their internship programs. So we found it important to give readers a better sense of the best internship programs out there, and to give them information about what it's like to intern at top employers as well as how to get these internships," says Loosvelt.

Loosvelt says Millennials are looking for jobs and careers that have meaning.

"Of course, prestige and salary are still important to Millennials, but I don't think they're the most important factors by far (like I think they were to, say, Generation X). I think Millennials want to make an impact. They want to feel their work is meaningful (the definition of what's meaningful varies, of course, from person to person)," says Loosvelt. Some people might want to advance the tech field in Silicon Valley, others might find their meaning in charity, while others are spreading awareness via social media or through education.

"Millennials are very focused on career advancement and training," Loosvelt says. "They're attracted to positions in which they'll be able to make difference right away-that is, being able to contribute to their firm's success without much waiting/training period. And they want to know that they'll be able to advance quickly if they succeed. They shy away from strict advancement time periods. And I believe that Millennials are also less fearful when it comes to changing careers and entrepreneurship -- starting their own ventures. This might just be because it's easier to start businesses these days; for example, brick-and-mortar stores aren't necessary to begin because, in most cases, all you need is a web domain and an idea; it doesn't take that much money to get going."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Millennials will be the majority of the workforce in 2015. Loosvelt agrees that more companies (like the ones ranked in the study) are putting more time and resources into their programs in order to attract top talent and retain them.

There has been a major switch as companies have been putting a greater emphasis on training and development in internship programs. "This is partly, I assume because they realize it pays to do this. If you treat your internship program like one long training period (and now sometimes students will intern two and three summers with the same firm), once your interns start full time with you, they're ready to perform real work, not to mention they're apt to stay at your firm for a lot longer period of time that is, they'll be less apt to jump ship to another firm just for the money since they have a stronger connection (more loyalty) to you," says Loosvelt.

"Companies are increasingly offering better benefits and perks," he adds, "as they understand that Millennials are interested in flexible schedules (to raise families and/or engage in outside-of-work activities) and in having a community feeling at work, which wasn't so much the case with respect to past generations."

The Demise of the 9-5 Work Day

When does work stop? In truth, it doesn't. Email and smartphones have completely transformed the traditional 9-5 work model. Millennials entered the work world during this transition.

I'm not surprised that according to a recent survey by Bentley's PreparedU Project, 77 percent of millennials prefer a flex-work schedule. With Wi-Fi virtually everywhere, you can literally be online and 'accessible' anywhere. We've been able to flex-work during college, vacations, internships, and train with virtual classrooms. Email and internal instant messaging have greatly changed the typical workday.

Working 24/7 isn't the answer. There is a gray area when it comes to flexible work schedules. I believe that employees need to create an open dialogue with their bosses about their schedule. Be honest about what the hours are and what hours would work best for you. Would they mind if you started your day a bit later to hit a yoga class or left early to attend a networking event? The problem many managers face is knowing if they can trust their employee.

As for me, I put in the long hours, the face time, and my work shined. My boss completely trusts my instinct. She also works from her home and wouldn't easily be able to check in on my whereabouts without connecting with the internal office staff. My work, my work ethic, and my accountability are what allow me to have a flex-work schedule.

Understanding work needs. If you have a client on the West Coast, or worse, in Asia, you could be clocking in double or triple the hours of your coworkers. Arranging conference calls at 3:00 in the morning or constantly working on projects in the middle of the night can take a toll on anyone. If you become overworked and sleep deprived, you'll be more likely to start looking for positions elsewhere.

Speak up to your boss. Come up with a plan to ensure the work gets done, and you don't come into the office the next day looking like a zombie. Don't assume that your boss has thought of these alternative options already. Most likely, they are worried about so many things that, unfortunately, they aren't always thinking about you.

Millennials are always on. Millennials often get pegged as the generation with a terrible work ethic, but in fact, 89 percent of millennials regularly check work email after their regularly scheduled work hours, and 37 percent say they always check work email. Smartphones have truly changed the work landscape. As a community, we have a Pavlovian response when it comes to email. We see the blinking light, hear the ding of a bell and immediately need to check our messages – personal or professional. Time of day does not hinder this need to be "on."

The truth is, millennials work differently  than our older counterparts, as each generation did before them; Generation X worked differently than the Boomers. Technology and awareness played a big role in that. Millennials don't have a poor work ethic- it's simply a different approach to work.

8 Companies That Let You Being Your Dog to Work

If you are anything like me and want a pet, but your long work hours would mean leaving him home alone, these eight companies might be the best places for you to work. They understand that pets are a big part of company culture and work life balance. Let's take a look:

Google – The search giant's dog-friendly policy can be found in their Code of Conduct: "Google's affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we're a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our offices would be fairly stressed out." However, Google makes it clear that this isn't a free-for-all. According to this CNBC article the rules are as follow:

• Employees have to get approval from their managers and work neighbors to make sure everyone's okay with it.
• Dogs aren't allowed in meetings, break areas or on the sand volleyball court.
• A one-strike policy for messes or aggressive behavior is strictly enforced.

Saatchi & Saatchi LA - This award-winning advertising agency's west coast team recognizes how important pooches are at the office. According to Candice Dorsey, the PR Supervisor for Saatchi & Saatchi LA, "We're a dog friendly workplace and anyone can bring their dog, as long as they pass training and are less than 40 pounds. We can bring them to work every day!" Candice also pointed out that in order to accommodate workers with pet-related allergies, dogs are not allowed on any piece of furniture.

Trupanion – This Seattle-based medical insurance provider for dogs and cats was founded by Darryl Rawlings and his pup Charlie. It's only natural that the company gives every employee the option to bring two well behaved pets to the office. Trupanion currently has 227 dogs (and some cats) and around 400 employees. That's a 2:1 ratio – the highest in the country. They even have a dog-walking service and a vet on site.

Kathryn Clappison, Public Relations Specialist from Trupanion, said that the company's "office petiquette" is extremely important. Employees who bring their pets to work minimize distractions through obedience training to keep dogs calm and quiet, silencing squeaky toys, and maintaining coworkers' personal space. Clappison further elaborated that the Trupanion office has been "dog-proofed" and is secured with baby gates or tethers, and the furry friends are always under supervision. "They must be up to date on vaccinations, and pet owners are offered advice on how to keep pets safe and well-behaved during the work day. Any accidents are immediately taken care of by the pet owner, and Trupanion offers cleaning resources to do so," said Clappison.

Build – A- Bear Workshop – This customizable toy company might be seeking some loveable inspiration from the cute pets that roam around their office. Their official office policy states:
"Our furry friends work alongside us at our World Bearquarters (Headquarters) and it is not uncommon to see a birthday cele-bear-ation invite sent to the office pups. All of their four-legged friends join in the fun which always seems to include birthday cake and frosty paws just for the dogs! For safety reasons we cannot have our furry friends work alongside us at our Bearhouse (Distribution Center) every day, but we do reserve several days a year to give our friends the op-bear-tunity to visit."

Defined Logic - While this digital experience consulting firm doesn't have an official policy about dogs, their team warmly welcomes any member of an employee's family into the office--even if they have four legs. Bryan C. Galloway, Business Analyst from Defined Logic, explained, "If something comes up and an employee needs to bring their dog into the office, it's not an issue as long as the dog is well behaved and does not interfere in the office. We had one dog that was snapping at everyone, so that obviously didn't work."

Usually, though, they do. Galloway's favorite involved one employee's dog running into the conference room during a meeting, jumping up on a chair, and quietly watching the entire meeting, as if she was ready to jump in with an idea at any moment. "We even included her in the meeting attendance," he said. "Sometimes our personal lives overlap with work and it's great to have an employer who recognizes this and is willing be flexible."

Kimpton Hotels – While this hotel chain extends an invite to guests with furry companions (without an extra fee) they also have a Director of Pet Relations at several of their properties. The program started in 2004 and uses a well-behaved and friendly dog as the "honorary staff of the canine persuasion to help greet guests and test out their pet-approved products.

The hotel has been welcoming pets since 1981; founder Bill Kimpton would often bring his pet to work. According to an article on their website regarding their pet policy, "As with all our employees, we have a pretty intense screening process for our Directors of Pet Relations. Dogs that possess a loving spirit, follow directions well, and know when it's appropriate to engage with a guest and when to give them space are top candidates for the job. A love of the limelight doesn't hurt either, as many of our directors have been featured in articles and on television."

Etsy – This crafty e-commerce company understands how dogs can greatly impact their internal company culture. They have been dog-friendly for almost 10 years. According to Employee Experience Manager Sarah Starpoli, "It's one of the ways we strive to maintain a casual, creative, and inspiring work environment. In addition to sharing meals, riding bikes to our local farm to compost office waste, and volunteering, bringing our dogs to work helps keep spirits high and fosters a sense of community and connection that is paramount to what Etsy is all about."

Zynga – Developing games on a daily basis sounds awesome enough, but being able to bring your pooch to work doubles it. The company is named after the founder Mark Pincus' American bulldog, Zinga, and it's always been a dog-friendly operation. At Zynga, the ratio of employees to pups is about 9:1. According to Colleen McCreary, the Chief People Officer, dogs have always been a part of Zynga culture. Zynga also has an area for doggy bathrooms, aptly named the "barking lot." They also look after your pet's well-being by offering pet insurance and dog food on site.

How to Help an Out-Of-Work Friend

What is the best way to help your recently unemployed friend? The number-one thing you can do is listen and be there for them...but don't go overboard. As friends, we have a tendency to go big, but a job search is a highly stressful situation--something the job seeker needs to be ready for.

Talk to them. Ask them if they'd like help. Would they want you to act as a career coach? Someone who helps them stay accountable and also sends job listings? Some people have done their homework and know what they want, and that might not be at the end of a job listing. Other people are more open to it, so ask before you go ahead. Don't make empty promises. If you offer to set them up for an informational interview or connect them to someone in their industry, follow up on it.

Practice makes perfect. Offer to look at their resume, and if they are open to it, edit it. You can also help them with mock interviews and by offering feedback for their elevator pitches. Recommend them to sites like the Muse, LinkedIn, and Wakefield. Another thing a great friend could do to go above and beyond is to use a smartphone to record a mock interview. It's helpful to see yourself in action. Do you have a nervous habit of tapping your shoe or tugging your sleeve? Do you speak too fast or use a lot of expressions like "like," "um," or "at the end of the day"?

Use motivating words. Keep their energy level up. Many people tend to get depressed, discouraged and desperate during a long job search. It wears you down not getting called in for an interview or not getting called back for a job. That's a ton of daily rejection. Remind them how much of an all-star they really are. Advise them to try and freelance or put their skills in motion by volunteering. Remind them that their situation could and does happen to everyone and that it's a matter of circumstance--not reflective of their talent.

Check in. Every friend and friendship are different. If you are very close, ask--but drop it if your friend isn't too chatty on the subject. Change gears and talk about other matters. Don't let your hangouts turn into marathon job-searching sessions. Your friend most likely wants a break from thinking about their dead-end job or unemployed status. Your friendly conversations act as an escape.

Squash tension and negativity. Is your relationship as friends suffering while your friend looks for work? Talk about the friendship, not about the job search. Chances are that it's the job search tension that is subconsciously causing the negativity. I once recommended an unemployed friend to interview at another friend's firm. She was so unprepared and unprofessional in her email introduction and the interview itself that it ended up souring the friendship.

Are they simply venting? Do you have a friend who might be stuck in a dead-end job? Do they truly want to make a change? We have all vented about our jobs to a friend from time to time. The commute, the nosy coworker, the mountains of Excel work, endless business trips...but do they really want a new job, or do they just need to de-stress? Before offering to look at their resume or set them up with job leads, actually ask them what their next move might be.

Why It's Great To Get A Bad Review

You might be wondering how, in fact, a bad review could be a blessing. Well, hear me out. Let's face it: absolutely no one looks forward to performance reviews, which typically occur right before the new year. It's even more frightening to hear your boss mid-year say, "We need you to improve your performance," regardless of the industry. So why is this a good thing?

 

Invested in you. If your boss really didn't care about your value, they would say nothing and start looking for your replacement. Plenty of superiors will keep quiet and let your poor work slide, either saying they are too busy to train you or praying someone else will. An employer's constructive critique of your performance indicates that they are invested in you. If they didn't think you have a future at the firm or actually have the potential to improve, they would keep their mouths shut.

Fear silence. If you can hear a pin drop every time your boss is around you, that's when you should be scared. If your boss is silent towards you but complimentary (or course-correcting) toward the rest of the team, you have a big problem. If your boss is quiet towards everyone, though, then that's okay – if it's her personality. Perk up your ears to hear what she is telling everyone else and how often – daily, weekly, monthly. For the most part, you want to hear praise from your boss every few months. She'll do this to reinforce your behavior. If your performance is slipping, and she sees potential in you, she'll speak up. If your performance is taking a tumble and she's quiet – be worried.

Drowning in work. You might immediately think that you are in the dog house if your boss is dumping on the work all of sudden. It just depends on the type of work. Is it mainly clerical, last-minute and ultimately not desirable? These are all negative signs. If it's working on an important presentation (because someone else was under performing) it can be a good sign. If you seem to always be getting the grunt work while the rest of the team is off to a happy hour around 4:00, you are no longer in your boss's good graces. It would be a good idea to reevaluate your position. Are you happy? Are you doing the best you can do? If you want to stay, seek your boss and ask for constructive criticism. If she's still quiet and your situation hasn't improved, it's time to look for work elsewhere.

6 Ways to Boost Your Confidence at Work

 

All these career “asks” take some amount of nerve mixed with confidence. Not only do you need to believe you're worthy of the “ask” in question, you need to muster up the courage to make that initial request as well. Visualizing asking your boss for a bump in your salary of five percent seems a lot easier than when you are standing in front of her sweating, perplexed, playing with your watchband and feeling like a deer in headlights.Here are six things you should do before any big ask:

1. Practice, practice practice. While it's true some people are born naturally confident, for the rest of us it takes practice. The more you work on your tennis game, yoga moves or Photoshop talents — the better you become at it. Think of confidence as another skill you need to practice, learn, perfect and earn.

2. Get a power outfit. In medieval times, knights had armor to protect them in battle. In 2014, people need to be dressed with a modern suit of armor. Get a go-to power outfit. It could be a dress, suit or even a blazer and dark jeans. Whatever you choose needs to make you look great while also feeling confident and influential. When we look our best we're often more up for a work challenge.

3. Pinpoint your fear. We often lose our confidence when we aren't prepared. Confidence is learned through experience. Do your homework before your next meeting. Do the research and know the tough numbers and facts off the top of your head as opposed to checking notes during a meeting or presentation. Don't give yourself the opportunity to fail. Focus on using your knowledge and expertise to win over your boss, co-worker or client.

4. Videotape yourself in advance. It's very tough to picture ourselves in high-stress situations when we aren't at the office. Videotape yourself the night before a presentation, business trip or sales meeting. You'll see points where you stumble or use filler words (like, um, ya know). Why are you stumbling in these sections? You aren't as prepared as you should be. If you haven't convinced yourself of your words then you won't be able to convince anyone else.You'll also be aware of your body language. Do you flip your hair, tug your shirt, adjust your glasses, lean, tap a foot or play with a pen while speaking? These are all dead giveaways to a listener that you are not confident.

 5. Speak up. With confidence comes respect, so learn how to insert your expert opinion into the workplace conversation. Before your next staff meeting, put on your go-to power outfit and plan to add your two cents on the meeting's agenda.This is the time to change your company's perspective of you. Become a voice your boss and co-workers search for in a crowded room. Don't bite your tongue if you've got a great idea — announce it.

6. Don't stress over stress. Everyone gets stressed out from time to time. Instead of thinking of that stress as a confidence buster — use it to your advantage. We often get stressed out when we're working on a challenging task. Stress occurs in the anticipation of working on an assignment outside of our comfort zone. Seek out these types of opportunities. If you are getting complacent or bored at the office, that's when laziness and sloppy work ethic come into play.

Love What You Do

 

It happens to the best of relationships. The fire is alive and burning in the beginning, and then several months down the road the passion is gone and we find ourselves wondering what turned us on in the first place. Using the same practices for spicing up your love life, you can rekindle the fire for your work and actually start enjoying your job again.

Go Back to the Way Things Were
Remember how it was when you started? Work was fun and you were motivated to look and do your best. Now the project that was once new and exciting has started to gray. Go back to how it was: you had a clean desk, a clear vision, and an optimistic, take-charge attitude. Make a list of what you like doing best and dedicate more time to those items. Set deadlines for finishing any other tasks so they’ll be out of the way. Get in the habit of politely rejecting volunteer projects or menial tasks that can be delegated.

Make Time for Each Other
When was the last time you zoned out the rest of the world and really spent some intimate time with your favorite parts of the job? Steal moments of quiet time with the door closed or a set of headphones on so you can really focus. Forget multi-tasking, concentrate on crossing off one item from your To-Do list at a time, and give it your full attention so you can crank out your best work.

Take a Reality Check
At some point we all catch ourselves fantasizing about the cute cop or the mailman in uniform. It’s a natural tendency to wonder if we’d be happier in a different situation—whether it’s in work or in romance. What you wouldn’t give for a more flexible schedule, better benefits, an office with a no-jerk policy… But the reality is that no one is 100 percent happy with their jobs. So talk with others in your industry at different companies, and you’ll probably discover the grass isn’t necessarily greener. Take comfort in their anguish (secretly, of course) and be grateful for the positive aspects of your position.

Get Yours
When you’re constantly giving and don’t pause to think about what you’re getting in return, burn out comes on full speed. Take stock of what you’re getting out of the hours you’re slogging. Are you learning a ton? Are your skills are improving? Have you made a nice network of people you can call upon for advice? If you’re still feeling cheated, make sure your boss is aware of how you prefer to be rewarded and acknowledged for your hard work. Do you want recognition in meetings? To be included in higher-level discussions? A bonus? You name it. The worst they can say is ‘no,’ which every smart person knows just means ‘not now.’

How to Clean Up a Mistake At the Office

We all make mistakes. Even the queen of DIY Martha Stewart has been in hot water and was able to bounce back. We can say that we won’t ever make a mistake but we’re all human. Mistakes at the office happen. How you handle mistakes at work is the most important and can set the tone for the rest of your career.

Most Common Workplace Mistakes: Employees who lie on expense reports, bad mouthing the company/boss on social media or to clients, proofread mistakes, missing deadlines…just to name a few.

How You Should Handle Mistakes at the Office. Take responsibility for your actions. If you majorly screw up, you have to suffer the consequences — in silence. Don’t protest, don’t try and get out of it, and don’t put the blame on someone or something else. People will respect you more for owning your mistakes.

If No One Knows it Was You… Should You Fess Up? In this day and age of 24/7 social media and advances in technology how can you really be sure that no one is aware that you made a mistake? Companies can very easily track any correspondence you’ve had over your company’s email. So that issue that you thought was resolved months ago – could come back to haunt you when your employer cleans out their servers.

Who Should You Talk To After You Made a Mistake? Depending upon how this mistake relates to the company – it should be handled accordingly. Did you offend someone on a personal level? Then go to the person you wronged. Otherwise, head straight to your boss.

How Should You Explain Yourself? Think of this faux pas as a time to rebrand yourself…an opportunity to start over. To do so, you have to think strategically about what aspect of your image needs revamping. Think about what you can do to help the company fix this situation and what you can do to avoid it in the future. This is what you need your boss to focus on other than the mistake. Actions speak louder than words; put your plan into action shortly after speaking with your boss. The next meeting you have walk into the boardroom and pitch an idea that will knock people’s socks off. You have to alter people’s memory of you. That way, when they hear your name, they’ll think of the great work you do, not that horrible faux pas you made last year. Create a team dynamic by celebrating your company’s successes on LinkedIn. Helping to promote your company and coworkers can also help change their perception of you from someone who wronged the company to someone who has its back. Share relevant articles on your Company’s Page about the great work they’ve been doing and Share notes of congrats to employers who hit a goal or presented a winning product idea.

What Should Your Never Say? Do not try and push the blame onto someone else – especially if you were caught red handed. Do not get defensive. You should be brief as possible but if your boss wants a play by play – rehearse what you’ll be saying beforehand. Calmly, focus on the mistake and why it happened and how you plan on fixing it. Remind your boss you are a loyal employee and this is a one-off situation.

But what if you are right and everyone in the office thinks you are wrong? You might need to get a third party to weigh, someone who can play devil’s advocate. Sometimes it will help you detach yourself from your emotions and see how maybe, just maybe, you did make the mistake after all.

How to Graciously Handle a Mistake and Come Out Ahead. A client of mine made a massive project-related error. He contacted me and asked for my advice. I told him to go to a non-work-related area and ask himself “What’s the practical solution?” I also told him to avoid kvetching with colleagues, which will only make you more anxious about your screw up. The next step for him was to see your boss somewhere unusual—this one-off location unconsciously signals that this is a one-off conversation and therefore a one-off error. Explain everything, hide nothing, and provide solutions.

When Should You Call In Sick?

 

It’s cold-and-flu season, and you know what that means: lots of germs lurking around the office. If you do catch a cold, it’s easy to see why, since a recent survey found that 49% of people go to work “very frequently” even when they feel sick.

Respondents cited a lack of sick days and a fear of falling behind or appearing weak as reasons why they refuse to stay home when they’re under the weather. If you can’t decide whether you’re sick enough to stay home, follow this advice from Patty Haddeland, a nurse practitioner in Ore. “If you are vomiting, have a fever over 101, or work in close quarters with other people (especially the very young or very old), please stay home. Otherwise, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and avoid touching your face—this is how germs are spread.”
If you’re not vomiting, but really can’t take the day off, try these strategies for working under the weather.

Ask to take a half day. Your boss will clearly see that you’re sick and will most likely take pity on you. Plus, since you were in the office all morning, you won’t feel like you’re “missing out” on anything important.

Consider “working” from home. While you should use your sick days to rest, if you’re feeling up to it, there’s no harm in checking your e-mail or sitting in on a conference call from the couch. Just be sure to mute the volume on the daytime TV you’ve been watching all day long.

Stay away. While you are in the office, minimize your contact with co-workers to help prevent the spread of germs. They’ll understand—especially when they don’t end up catching whatever it is your harboring.

Be careful of the cold meds. Some medicines can make you drowsy, which may make you more prone to mix-ups or mistakes. Make sure to read the label before popping any pills.