Career Advice you didn’t get taught at School

The career advice you didn’t get taught at school. It has -at the time of writing- been 13 years since I was at school, and it is only later in life you acknowledge how small a part of life school plays, but at the time it quite literally is your whole world.

While the national curriculum might still be questionable as to how much of it you’ll actually need in the real world, your teachers spend a lot of time trying to prepare you for the world of work and plug in career advice where they can. However, what you are told and what you experience in the workplace and further education can be quite different.

Career advice you didn't get taught at school

View Full Post

Khaki green trousers: how to style for the workplace

I purchased this pair of khaki green trousers from Banana Republic and I have been desperate to create a style suitable for the workplace for ages.

Khaki green is an easy colour to wear but depending on the style of the item, sometimes I do second guess myself as to whether it is a suitable look for the office.

Fortunately, as workplace fashion goes, workplaces more often than not I find now have adopted a smart casual approach to dress code providing you are presentable.

Khaki Green Trousers

View Full Post

My top five tips for how to nail an interview and get that job

No one likes an interview but for the vast population it’s the process for finding (& securing) that next great job. As someone that has had a fair amount of interviews in her time, I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you all my top five tips to nail an interview.

1. Timing 

Most importantly, know where your interview is and check how long it will take to get there. There is nothing worse than getting excessively flustered before you’re due to sit in front of a prospective new employer because you get lost, get the wrong bus or underestimate how long the journey is, so do your research beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

Five minutes on Google Maps is all it takes, even if you have a sat nav, I would still have the route in your head for back up. Admittedly, sometimes being late just cannot be helped so make sure you have the number of the place to hand so you can call ahead to let them know you’re running a bit behind schedule.

2. Do your research

I cannot stress how bad, not to mention awkward, it will look when you are asked about the company you’re interviewing for and you know nothing about them. How can they possibly be reassured that you want the job if you haven’t invested any time in getting some facts about them?

How can you be sure you want to work for the company if you haven’t read up and done some investigation into their culture, their values, who their customers are? It doesn’t need to be a lot but some basic knowledge on how long the company has been running, roughly how many people they employ (if they’re a large organisation), and an idea of some of the products/services they make or sell (aka. what they do) should be sufficient.

3. Dress the part

Before you open your mouth, you will be judged on your appearance; first impressions are everything. I hate to say that but it really is, how someone presents themselves speaks volumes. For me, I have never worn a full, proper suit to an interview but I have always worn a suit jacket as this will always formalise an outfit.

Here is what I wore to my last interview (just imagine it with a black suit jacket over the top).

Interview outfit

It’s formal, smart, but the yellow top adds a fun element and I feel speaks a lot about me. It shows I can look the part without being too serious and in my line of work, this is perfectly fine. I also feel it’s quite young and modern which is important for me to portray.

However, you can never go wrong with a suit and if you’re interviewing at a large corporate organisation, a suit is a must but ultimately it’s your call. As long as you’re comfortable and can look the part, I don’t think you can go wrong. It also might be worth mentioning to keep your makeup fresh and simple but don’t be afraid of a bold lip if that’s your thing!

4. Be confident

Know who you are, what you can offer and why you want the role. You need to sell yourself so be proud of your achievements to date and go for it!

5. Relax!

Nerves are normal and those interviewing you will know that and expect it. For the most part, nerves show that you care about the role being offered and that you want to make a good impression.

As long as you have arrived in good time, done your research, look presentable and feel confident in your abilities, you’ll be fine. A few deep breaths work wonders and a glass of water always buys you some thinking time between questions.

However, if you really do suffer with nerves, I strongly recommend Bach Rescue Remedy -a couple of drops on your tongue beforehand can do wonders with helping you feel calm and reassured.

Beyond those five tips, the rest is up to you! Good luck!

So, with all the above being said, I think it is time for me to let you guys know that I have been successful in securing a new job! I have been sat on this news for a little while but I am extremely excited (not to mention nervous) about my new role which begins in a little over a week. Eek!

Without going into too much detail, I am going to be a Content Marketing Executive so finally a role that will really utilise my skills and enjoyment for the written word. Wish me luck!

Until next time x

How to be Comfy and Stylish at Work | Outfit

Weekly workwear highlight

Hey Sweeties,

Here is this week’s outfit pick of the week! Not my most glamourous combination but for the average day in the office, it’s comfortable and smart without being too formal. You saw the trousers a couple of weeks ago with a different top half so today is more to emphasise that despite the colour, they are a really versatile item in my wardrobe.

Although I like the autumn-winter months as I do think layering is so much easier than finding stand alone pieces, particularly for work, I am still really looking forward to summer when outfits become simpler and accessories become more of a focal point. At the moment although I wear jewellery, it mostly gets lost under long sleeves and I don’t like too much around my neck if I am wearing something like a buttoned up shirt. I also have a huge scarf collection that are amazing to wear over light summer dresses and tops etc. to add that bit of colour and attention to an outfit so I can’t wait to get them back out and into the weekly mix. Bring on the sun eh!

Weekly workwear highlight
Jacket/cardigan: Wal G(?)/House of Fraser

Shirt: Primark

Trousers: Red Herring/Debenhams

Shoes: Accessorise

What are your top tips for keeping things simple in your work outfit?

Until next time x

My Work Style | Weekly Workwear Highlight

Weekly workwear highlight

Hey Sweeties,

Friday again already -man these weeks fly by!

Being Friday also means I have my workwear pick of the week to show you -yes, the work lift has been used once more for a quick between floors photoshoot! How boring were lifts with huge mirrors before selfies existed eh?!

Workwear outfit

Work wear outfit

The commute look!

Cardigan: New Look

Heart pattened shirt: New Look

Skirt: New Look

Tights: Primark

Boots: Oasis

Scarf: River Island

Coat: New Look

Bag: TK MAXX

What are you all up to this weekend, any of you ‘celebrating’ Valentine’s Day? Of course you shouldn’t declare your love for your partner on just one -highly commercialised- day of the year but hey, it’s a good excuse to be extra lovey! Ian a few weeks ago told me to keep the day free, I have no idea what we’re doing but he has something planned that until Saturday morning will remain a total surprise to me. A nightmare for outfit planning but I’m so excited! Eek!

Until next time x

%d bloggers like this: