3 Things to STOP on Job Interviews

There are so many jobs available right now! I see scores of postings added to job boards every day. If you're thinking about leaving a job or if you're a recent grad that has not found work yet, continue searching because there are positions for you! If you're at the interviewing phase, congrats! Now it's time to let your amazing, confident, hard-working personality shine fiercely. We talked about interview tips a few weeks back on "Krystal & Courtney's Career Chat." You can watch it here. You can also download "10 Really Hard Interview Questions Answered" when you join our mailing list!

www.thecolormeb.com

 

I want to elaborate on a topic we discussed on a couple weeks back. These no-no's apply to everyone, but I had millennial women of color in mind when I crafted it. Read these tips and make sure you're going into job interviews with your mind on getting that offer!

1. Stop coming unprepared Friends, it is 2015 and recruiters expect a lot more from you than the ability to talk about your qualifications. You have access to the job description, the company website, employee blogs, and the company's social media stream. In addition to your own qualifications be prepared to discuss

• why you specifically want to work at that company

• how you see yourself growing in the position, at that company. Are you looking for a promotion in 2 years? Are you trying to leave in a year? Be able to articulate a plan for your future at the company because these are things recruiters want to know

• how you're a great team player. You should have examples of how you work well with a multitude of people. You should also have examples of how you overcome conflict and obstacles with your team. We had great conversation about this on the periscope broadcast.

2. Don't apologize for your confidence and stop complaining about your haters

Job interviews are the time to "toot your own horn." You have to market yourself in a way that the company see value in hiring you. Don't apologize for your confidence or belittle your achievements because it shows lack of confidence. You're awesome! If you don't think so, email me and we'll make a list together! It's ok if you're a recent grad and most of your experience is in student leadership. It's just as impactful and amazing. Proudly share those experiences. As you're sharing the positive, you might remember some of the less positive moments of your work experiences. You might have had a crappy boss or a really negative experience. Be careful not to get too much in the details of that experience. Instead, focus on how you persevered and displayed tenacity.

Don't apologize, own your fabulousness and rock that interview!

3. Stop being too relaxed - #sorrynotsorry I love being a millennial. I love being part of a generation that ignored society's tendency to function in "black and white." We like to live in "the grey." When it comes to interviews, specifically in corporate america or a professional organization, dress code is clear. You should dress for the job you want. I always go in with collar, more than likely a blazer. I also wear minimal jewelry and will have my hair pulled back. I'm not saying you have to dress like me, but I strongly recommend you leave casual clothing at home and bring professional attire to the interview. Research the company ahead of time and figure out what their culture is. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg either. H&M has great separates to mix and match. Ideel.com is also a great site for affordable, super cute and professional attire. 

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xoxo,
Courtney
www.thecolormeb.com

CMB How-To, Email Templates!

Sometimes I struggle with finding the right words to say in a professional email. Whether I'm delivering serious news or crafting a brief unbiased summary of a situation, at times, I struggle to find the right words to use. If the subject matter is going to impact my job/job performance in a major way, I will run the email by a couple friends and mentors first. It would be awesome to have a resource to write the emails for me!

I decided to start "CMB How-To's" to help other young professionals find the right words. I've started with these three common occurences. Resigning, asking for an informational interview, and negotiating your starting salary are three topics we all encounter as young professionals. These slides provide a template for you to start and summarize the conversation. 

Do you struggle with any other topics? Tell me in the comments and look out for your suggestion on our website!

CMB How-To's: Resigning email

CMB How-To's: Informational interview email

CMB How-To's: Salary negotiation email

Join our mailing list for updates on our blog , programs and services,+ exclusive access to my periscope tutorials !

xoxo,

Courtney

Founder/CEO 

@TheColorMeB

Girl Bosses Networking Event

"Girl Bosses Networking Mixer"

Ms. Toni, Founder of Cotten Kandi Media, LLC

Sunday, March 22, 2015 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (EDT)

Cambria Heights, New York

Want to network with women who've inspired you? Our Girl Bosses (How She Did It): Networking Mixer will bring a panelist of women from various backgrounds in media and journalism, finance, public relations and business consulting in one room. Here's your opportunity to not only meet and mingle, but to learn from some of the women you aspire to be like.

Get your tickets here now!

My Natural Hair in Corporate America

Without fail, every day, I take a moment in the morning and make sure my nappy hair is ready for the work day.

Please excuse me if you find the word "nappy" uncomfortable or offensive. I don't intend to offend anyone. However, my hair is happily nappy, thick, curly and kinky. I am so thankful and grateful that I work with highly intelligent people that embrace and love my hairdo. 

To some folks, this probably doesn't seem like a big deal. For me, someone that has been treated adversely because of my natural blackness, acceptance of my natural hair at work is huge. I love feeling comfortable and not worrying about my supervisor staring at my tightly coiled curls.

When I started my job in December 2013, I straightened my hair every day.

Ain't nobody got time.

I wanted to make sure I was "appropriate" for the office. Millennials in corporate America are well-aware of our age, seniority and position in the workplace (because countless articles and baby boomers remind us daily). As a young woman of color, in corporate America, working in New York City, I wanted to put my best foot forward and set myself up for success. After two months, I was over it. I didn't have time to do that every morning, and it was hard on my thick hair. So what was I to do?

Coming to work with my big hair would already make me stand out. Wearing a weave was out because I've stopped paying hundred of dollars for hair. Don't have time for that either. I didn't want to approach my supervisor and risk turning a non-issue into an issue. 

So what to do?!

I asked my homegirls at work. They told me to be free. I did and everyone loved it. Now, I don't know if that will work in everyone's office but I do have a couple tips for you to consider:

1. What is your company's culture? Since having the come-to-Jesus moment with my homegirls, I decided that I'm comfortable straightening my hair if I ever have to interview for a job or become client-facing. I believe client interaction warrants changing your hair because you are now representing your company. Is your company culture business-professional? Or casual? Look around and talk to your peers. 

2. Is your hair distracting? My hair is big and nappy and I LOVE it. We sit in cubicles so my hair doesn't block anyone's view- I'm good. Now, if I were to dye it purple, people might turn their heads when I walk by. Just like you wouldn't wear a super tight pencil skirt with a donkey booty, you probably shouldn't wear your Cassie-shaved-on-the-side to the board meeting. If you're in San Francisco, at one of those cool millennial-run tech companies, DO IT!

3. Is it cute? No shade but make sure your hair is on point. There is no specific style you have to rock in the workplace. I'd be hypocrite if I said your hair has to be bone-straight; but I do think your hair should be like your outfit- on point and super cute :)

Join our mailing list for updates on our blog , programs and services,+ exclusive access to my periscope tutorials !

xoxo,

Courtney

Founder/CEO 

@TheColorMeB

2015 Global Millennial Conference

CMB's Founder/CEO, Courtney Ball, is on the board of advisors for the 2015 Global Millennial Conference! This one-of-a-kind premiere conference brings together 500 working professionals between the ages of 18-33 and will focus on their career and business development, as well as networking.  The Global Millennial Conference is being held May 15-16, 2015. 

www.gmc15.com

Help Your Girlfriend Find a Job

"Girrrrrllll my boss had the nerve to ask me to...."

"Yea, they told me 'it's just not a good fit' and let me go"

"I'm giving these people another two weeks and I'm out!"

My girlfriends and I have started too many stories with these phrases. How many of us work somewhere where we feel undervalued? How many of us have been denied a job because we, in all of our beauty and uniqueness, are not "a good fit?" (What about us doesn't fit is another post for a different day, perhaps February). How many of us have girlfriends that simply work for some out of control managers?!

It's part of the journey that every woman experiences in the early stages of their career. Employees work through many situations that can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction with the workplace. And vice versa. You know you have that one girlfriend that tells her work stories and leaves out a week's worth of information! Sometimes employees let their negativity affect their work; and employers may choose to let them go. Whether it's voluntary or involuntary, two things remain true. You shouldn't feel trapped at job where you're unhappy and unfulfilled. Secondly, if you call on the courage to leave, your girlfriends will have your back and help you get through it.

5 ways to help your girl!

Here are 5 suggestions to aid you and your girlfriend find her a position:

1. LinkedIn! Update your linkedin profile with information that will accurately describe the work you've done in your more current position. Yes, you might have had a bad experience, but you worked diligently to make it better and do your job. Incorporate that skillset into your resume and Linkedin profile. Please use a super cute and professional profile picture. Use a friendly, welcoming photo that will invite potential employers. I chose mine because it looks like me going to a job interview. Try a combination of the two, with the understanding that your Facebook or Twitter profile pics will not work #justbeinghonest. Finally, get recommendations from former supervisors, mentors and professional colleagues. This is a great way for recruiters too see that you perform well and maintain a good rapport with colleagues.

Good Profile Pic 

NOT Appropriate for Linkedin Profile Pic

2. Your College/University! 

Check out your college/university's alumni relations page. More than likely, your college has an office that engages alumni. These offices also tend to have networking opportunities and job boards. Your college may also have an office of career services. These offices help you throughout college and some have staff dedicated to supporting alumni. As an alumni, you probably still have access to the university job board. Check that out!

3. Indeed 

Sooooo many companies post on this website. Also, Indeed searches the web for positions that match your preferences so there are a ton of jobs there. If you upload your resume, Indeed will forward it to employers for consideration. If you're like me, you ignore the jobs that say, "sponsored by," in pink. Look at those! Many people don't realize those are priority jobs!

4. Staffing Agency

A good staffing agency can help you tremendously during a search, especially if you're searching while working. Do some research for your girlfriend and find a reputable agency in your area. Robert Half is a popular, nationwide agency.

5. @thecolormeb
Direct your girlfriend to my organization's website. We have links to job boards, interviewing tips, work fashion inspiration and more!

Join our mailing list for updates on our blog , programs and services,+ exclusive access to my periscope tutorials !

xoxo,

Courtney

Founder/CEO 

@TheColorMeB

How to Be Successful in Your Fall Internship

Are you starting your first or 6th internship this fall? Listen to a couple experts on how to leave an awesome impression!

Besides grades, what do you look for when hiring an intern? Do you really care about grades?

Courtney: I have hired interns at a law firm and a consulting firm. In these two settings, hiring managers use GPA’s to evaluate full-time employees candidates because they’re looking for intelligent and studious people. Of course we want someone that is well-rounded, but when I receive a resume from an intern candidate, I look for the GPA because many students have little to no job experience, so I use GPA to gauge focus, determination and to certain extent, creativity. I look at full transcripts to see what types of classes students are engaged in and where they’re challenging themselves. If you’re interning at a place where study/academic prep skills are needed, we’re definitely looking at your GPA.

Dennis: Grades can be an important factor in the hiring process, especially if the internship is academic based. I was a summer intern for a non-profit agency and one of the roles that I applied for was an Academic Intern, which meant I attended classes and helped the instructor by preparing the required materials for the day. They wanted someone that was academically successful and could role model positive behavior in the classroom. For this particular internship, which was a company that prepared principals to oversee struggling and underperforming schools, they wanted someone that was comfortable working with an older population; someone that was mature, responsible, hardworking, and could work in a diverse group.

When evaluating a group of interns, do you compare them to each other and rank?

Dennis: The comparison aspect is especially relevant when it comes to selecting the staff members to begin with. When picking the orientation leaders, we want them to represent and mirror our current student population as much as possible. We consider a number of different factors: race, class year, major(s), hometown, special academic classification: honors, business scholar, service scholar, etc. We want to ensure that we represent our diverse student population to the best of our ability and we want to make sure that the incoming freshmen students can identify with the leaders they are seeing. Picking the Summer RAs works in a similar manner. We want to make sure that we are picking staff that will benefit the most from the free housing over the summer, but we also want to make sure they have the skill sets that will make them successful over the summer. During the summer we have many different conferences that visit our campus and spend part of their summers here. We want to pick RAs that are especially mature and have excellent customer service skills.

Courtney: No, I try to refrain from comparing interns to each other in their class, and comparing intern classes to other intern classes. We have a formal intern evaluation process. At the end of the 6-week internship program, we have interns fill out a self-evaluation; and supervisors complete an evaluation for each intern.

Can an internship ever lead to a job?

Courtney: Yes! Some internships are designed to lead to a permanent job. Other internships are not, but employers will not hesitate to offer an extraordinary intern a position. Work hard on all projects you receive – no matter how boring or administrative the task is, complete it to the best of your ability.

Dennis: For my particular education internship employment opportunities were realized. One of my fellow interns applied with the company when she graduated college, and was hired. She’s currently still working with the same company. I think it’s important to ask your supervisor if potential employment is a real possibility, especially as someone that’s a junior or senior and will be looking to enter the workforce soon. Some companies are willing to hire interns, especially if you impress them, and go above and beyond on a consistent basis.

Is it ok to ask a lot of questions?

Courtney: Yes! There is no such thing as a dumb question. Your manager would much rather prefer you ask questions and get clarification instead of wasting hours doing a project incorrectly. At the same time, pay attention and take notes at meetings so you retain as much information as possible. If you’re on top of your projects and working with a sense of urgency, managers will note your maturity, confidence and diligence to do work.

Dennis: As an intern, it was made clear that I was expected to ask questions if I was unsure of something. My supervisors made it a comfortable working environment, and I always felt at ease asking them questions.

Whether this is your first internship or your 6th, ask a lot of questions and consume as much information as possible. Internships help college students gain job skills that are essential for their industry, but internships also teach you how to function in a professional setting. Ask your boss for more responsibility and demonstrate that you are ready for that transition. Make sure you dress appropriately. Check out @thecolormeb on Instagram and pinterest for tips on dressing professional and fly at the same time.

Dennis Velez holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science and  Master’s Degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Diversity & Inequality. A Connecticut native, Dennis attended college and graduate school in New York City where he immersed himself in studying issues of diversity. Dennis is passionate about being an advocate, resource, mentor and ally to all students, but especially students of color and students that identify in the LGBTQ community. He serves on the Board of Advisors for CMB Professional Development Agency.

Courtney Ball holds an MA in Urban Studies from Fordham University and a Bachelor's of Arts in Politics from the University of San Francisco. Courtney's masters thesis research was named the 2011 Best Graduate Student Paper at the California American Studies Association Conference. She has been managing interns and working with college students for 10+ years, helping to cultivate a professional pipeline for people of color. She is the founder and executive director of CMB Professional Development Agency.