Dressing for the job

So you’ve landed an interview for what could be your dream job. You’re excited, you’re nervous, you’re daydreaming about your amazing new corner office and fat paycheck. Then comes the dreaded question: “what do I wear?”

Looking the part plays a big role in the interviewing process and I’ve always believed it’s important to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Yeah, I know, very cliché of me...but it’s true. In my opinion, everyone should enter an interview looking put together. Here are some suggestions for staples that will help you achieve that polished look that will impress your boss and give you a confidence boost to knock your interviewer’s socks off.

A dark suit

I love when men wear suits. To me, it exudes class and can make anyone (even the sleaziest) look sharp. A nice, fitted, dark suit should be a staple in every woman’s closet... or at least every woman who hopes to advance in a corporate setting. I’m not suggesting you go out there and drop thousands of dollars on a designer suit; you’d be surprised at how reasonable some great-looking suits can be. The jackpot is when you can find a suit with both a skirt (no shorter than knee-length!) and pant option that work with your body type. Navy or black both look great and can be dressed up to work in a more formal setting. Paired with a nice blouse, the power suit is a sure way to let people know you mean business!

A classic pair of pumps

I don’t care what anyone says: toe cleavage in the office is not okay! Invest in a comfortable pair of classic, black pumps with a conservative heel. They’re so versatile and you’re sure to get your money’s worth. No one wants to see your chipped, month-old pedicure, anyway.

Conservative jewelry

The key here is to keep it simple, unless you’re a super-trendy fashionista interviewing at a funky fashion house. For a corporate setting, something as simple as small, silver stud earrings can really pull an interview outfit together and give you a polished look.

Keep in mind that these tips are more for a conservative office setting. The key is to do your research about the organization you’re interviewing at and dress accordingly. In the end, you don’t want the focus to be on what you’re wearing, but rather on your accomplishments, talent and how you carry yourself.

In the words of one of my teachers: “if you’d think of wearing something to a club, don’t wear it to an interview.” I’m really hoping that didn’t come as a shock to any of you...

Happy interviewing!

Party with a purpose: "Come Fly With Us"

The low down
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, five students (myself included) from Centennial College’s Corporate Communications & PR program held an event called “Come Fly With Us.” Held at The Local Company on the Danforth, the goal of the travel-themed event was to grant the travel wish of Tyler, a young boy suffering from a brain tumour. Tyler’s wish was to go to Disney World and “Come Fly With Us” helped turn that dream into reality.

The theme
The event incorporated travel decor and activities, including a balloon pop, raffle and travel trivia. A specialty drink called the “Red Eye” was also served to promote the theme, with a portion of sales donated directly to the charity. To further enhance the travel theme, event hosts were dressed as flight attendants throughout the evening and event tickets were printed as boarding passes.

The decor
The decor throughout the lounge incorporated small silver airplanes, travel magazines and candle centre pieces. Soft lighting and ambient music helped create an intimate atmosphere where guests were free to mingle, relax and enjoy themselves while supporting a great cause. A slide show video displayed travel images of destinations from around the world, producing an inviting environment that suited the overall travel theme of the event.

The food
To satisfy hungry travelers, guests were offered mini bags of pretzels and a selection of hors d’oeuvres. Included in the selection were bruschetta, chicken wrapped in phyllo pastry and, last but not least, mini portions of Tyler’s favourite food: pizza.

The prizes
The raffles, balloon pop and travel trivia activities were very popular among guests. Prizes included two round-trip air vouchers to any Porter Airlines destination, a pair of 9th row Platinum Toronto Maple Leafs tickets, two $100 Flight Centre gift certificates and much more. Some guests were buying raffle tickets by the dozen!

The purpose? Increased awareness and funds raised
As a token of appreciation, guests were given gift bags as they left the event. Inside each gift bag was a slip of paper directing guests to an online event evaluation form. The results of the evaluation showed that “Come Fly With Us” increased awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation among 83 per cent of guests. Not bad!

So... how did we do?
The event was a success and could not have been possible without the support of local companies who generously provided sponsorship. “Come Fly With Us” raised $2,770 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and all funds will be channelled towards sending Tyler and his family to Disney World at the end of February.

Welcome!

This is my first attempt at blogging so please bear with me while I learn the do's and don'ts. :)

Enjoy!