Now that Labor Day is over and the pumpkin spice lattes are available, it's time to start buying new #workfashion for the fall! I'm so excited to rack up on autumn-colored booties, scarves and sweaters. This week's CMB Item of the Week is from Nordstrom Rack!
Ladies, Nordstrom Rack has so many nice booties, UNDER $90! I chose these 14th & Union booties to feature because they're super versatile and easy to match with a myriad of outfits. These booties look great with tights, leggings and skinny jeans, as well as just about any and every color!
Nordstrom Rack also has really nice scarves and matching hats for under $15. If you want an affordable, professionally-chic wardrobe this fall, I highly recommend looking at Nordstrom Rack's site. I'll also share the fun finds I pick up from there.
Check back tomorrow for pictures of my new #workfashion finds from Old Navy! I'll post them here and wear them on my Periscope broadcasts. Download the app and follow me @courtney_ball6 so you don't miss it!
Have a wonderful week!
-Courtney
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Let's
talk about everyone's favorite topic - interviews! Ok, probably not your favorite
thing to do, but everyone experiences some form of an interview. For college and
career women, interviewing for a job is a popular one.
It can be a
nerve-racking experience but it doesn't have to be. As an HR pro/recruiter,
I'll tell you a secret- an interview is simply a conversation. You and the
recruiter agree on a time and setup a meeting, similar to your other meetings.
You come prepared to discuss your qualifications and why you're good for the
job. For the most part, the recruiter enters the meeting with the intention of
finding the right candidate for the job.
You can also show your
unique experience. 2nd thing to remember is a hard copy of your resume and a
professional portfolio. Yes, you sent your resume via email. The recruiter can
print it out and probably will print it out. However, bringing your resume is
classic professionalism and it's a kind gesture. Your professional portfolio
can be emailed or brought in, if appropriate. For example, my 9-5 job is in HR.
When applying to a different job, I will send a recruiter a link to
CMB's website because it highlights experience not included on my resume. Graphic
designers may bring in a portfolio to share. Interviews are not the time to
hold back and be shy about your experience, especially as a recent grad. Did
you complete a branding strategy for a small business during your capstone
project in school? Did you write a policy brief in your political science
course? Before an interview, think of the requirements and responsibilities for the position and
make a list of all your experiences that would be helpful to mention. Then,
practice answering some questions you’re sure to get.
You have to look super
cute for your interview! 3rd thing to bring is an amazing outfit! When you look
good, you feel good. When I'm feeling my outfit, you can't tell me nothing! My
confidence is at an all-time high. Next time you have an interview, put on your
favorite professionally-chic outfit or buy a new one. If money is funny, no
problem. Call your best friend, and borrow something from her. When you get to
her house, discuss a hairstyle that will be on point, for the occasion. You can
also practice a couple interview questions with her.
We want to do a
webinar about interviews! Would you be interested? What difficult interview
questions would you like me to cover?! Let me know in the comments!
Happy Monday everyone!! Thank you so much for all of your positive back over the last week! My article, "What's a Hustlapreneur? 5 Tips for Succeeding in the Workplace as a Millennial Woman," was published in Bustle magazine last week, and I've received soooo many messages of kind words. It feels great and I'm elated that the article is helping millennial women navigate work life. Over the weekend, I came across this steal at Old Navy. Check out these super cute and versatile pencil skirts! They are only $15 each! I also got 35% off! Old Navy is having a Labor Day sale this weekend too which means it's a GREAT time to find some work fashion pieces at a really affordable cost! Will you check it out? I'll post a picture of the outfit I wear this week, with the skirt on our instagram. You can find us at @TheColorMeB and on our website! UPDATE - I wore this skirt to our first networking event! I posted pics on our facebook and instagram and got soooooooo many compliments!
Happy Monday everyone! I got this dress last week and had to share this excellent find! I spent my lunch break perusing the H&M sales rack, looking for a couple cheap dresses that paired well with a cardigan and were just long enough to wear to the office. It's still sooooo hot in NYC, and finding weather-appropriate and work-appropriate clothes has been hard. Thankfully, the rich green in this dress caught my eye immediately. It's fun but also professional and chic.
Let's be clear. The dress looked much longer hanging up. I bought it without trying it on because it was only $17.99! Can't beat that. The color is also super versatile. This is cool for a summer evening out for drinks with friends, followed by more cocktails at a chill lounge.
But this green! It's perfect for a brisk fall day. I'll take these booties, or maybe some brown booties. If I'm feeling really jazzy, I'd grab some patterned tights too.
(That's really living on the wild side for me. TWO patterned pieces in one outfit?! #yolo)
After I bought this dress, I hung it up and was so excited to wear it the next day. I got up that morning and put it on. Yup, just as I suspected. The front was long enough but the back was losing a fight with my backside. It was too short to wear to the office. Dammit.
What was I to do? I had 5 minutes left before I needed to leave home for the subway. I still had to make lunch, get my hair together and pack my purse. I grabbed a pair of long leggings (Target) and this necklace from Stella & Dot. I really like this necklace because it's a 3-in-1. I decided to wear one necklace and these studs.
When I finally put everything together, I liked it! Once I got to the office, I switched to some black leather flats (not pictured).
Outfit plus a twist-out :)
Great pic of the Fortuna necklace.
Fun because I'm living for taking pics in cute outfits for yall!
Happy Monday! This week's item of the week is super versatile and perfect for your wardrobe as we transition to fall. I LOVE these Stella & Dot stackable rings. These rings are sterling silver. Yes, I said ringSSS. When you purchase this set for $19, you get three rings! Another reason I love it! I like to wear super cute rings when my outfit is a bit more dressed down/plain.
Stella & Dot has tons of really cute and trendy jewelry. These rings are great for many work environments. You can also dress them up with a pearl bracelet or a nice statement necklace. I also wanted to feature this piece because Stella & Dot is all about women empowerment through business. S&D hires women to sell their products while also building their own empire. Check them out!
Also, I hope you LOVE our new blog and website as much as I do! Tweet us @thecolormeb with suggestions and feedback. We'd love to hear from you :)
Hey everyone! "CMB How-To's" are email templates to help you communicate specific work situations. Here's the newest template - "CMB How-To: Job Offer." Obviously, there is a lot to consider when accepting a job offer. You can also reference the CMB How-To on salary negotiation (below). I suggest scheduling a time so you can review your entire compensation package and, if necessary, review expectations and responsibilities. I think that's best to do in person or over the phone, so start with this very brief email. Also, you'll notice I use "thank you" as a salutation. You can use what you deem appropriate.
We've given all the templates a new look. Check them out and tweet us topics at @thecolormeb!
A few of our CMB Mentors shared their wisdom and experiences during the #SheLeads2016 virtual conference. Our facilitators shared tips on networking, taking on leadership roles at work, self-care and more! Sign-up here and get access to some of these fantastic workshops!
First, thank you for supporting our social media efforts! Every "like" and comment make my heart smile. You show us soooo much love on Instagram, twitter and facebook - and I really appreciate it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To show my appreciation, I want to do more for you! Many of you love seeing our posts that spotlight women of color, in professional attire. People ask me, "it's cute but where can I find it?!" Great question. Starting this week, we'll start posting an "Item of the Week." It will be a work wardrobe essential and under $50!
H&M Satin Dress ($34.99)
Check out the first CMB Item of the Week! This cute dress is a new arrival at H&M this week. I chose this piece because it's good for the last couple weeks of summer, AND you could continue to wear this style and color in the fall. When wearing it to work in the fall, I'd add some tights and cute booties. It can get chilly in NYC!
H&M Satin Dress - YESSS! I love it!
Check out more #workfashion, #careeradvice and #professionaldev opportunities on our website www.thecolormeb.com!
