I was reading an article recently and came across this quote: “Someone told me not long after I moved to New York that in order to succeed, you have to understand which rules you’re supposed to break. If you break the wrong rules, you’re finished. And so the easiest thing to do is follow all … Read More about Which Are the Rules to Break?
The “It” Business Dress
What makes a dress professional enough to be the “it” business dress? How do you find it? I’m so so thrilled to introduce today’s guest poster, my friend Yuli Ziv. Not only is she the founder of Style Coalition (a network of fashion bloggers that includes Corporette) but she negotiated the deal between Elle and … Read More about The “It” Business Dress
The Lazy Secretary
How do you get a lazy secretary to work harder for you — or how do you complain about her to the Powers That Be without seeming petty? Reader E, a reader from New Zealand, has this very problem… I share my secretary with my supervising partner, however he hardly uses her and often if … Read More about The Lazy Secretary
How to Handle Awkward Questions at the Office
How do you handle questions about Ramadan at work? I think this is a great topic because awkward questions arise in a lot of different situations, whether the question stems from a religious practice (Ramadan, observing the Sabbath, ashes on Ash Wednesday), a medical issue (allergies, Celiac disease, etc), or a personal preference (e.g., a … Read More about How to Handle Awkward Questions at the Office
Is Curly Hair Professional?
Is curly hair professional enough for interviews? Reader R writes in to ask the question, which has come up a ton of times in comments but hasn’t been discussed directly. So let’s talk about it. First, her Q: I am 23 and interviewing for a new position. I have the suit/shoes/accessories combo set for interviews, … Read More about Is Curly Hair Professional?
Business Cards for Everybody!
Reader H wonders whether students should get business cards… A couple weeks ago, you did a post about stationery and handwritten notes. In the run-up to OCI, I’m wondering if I should order business cards. Many law schools offer student business cards but I personally think the branding is sort of tacky and would much … Read More about Business Cards for Everybody!
Can Long, Platinum Blonde Hair Be Professional?
2017 Update: We still stand by this advice below about long platinum blonde hair at work, but you may also want to check out our latest discussion of the best shade of blonde hair for being taken seriously at work. This is a perennial question: is long hair professional? And a corrollary: is long platinum … Read More about Can Long, Platinum Blonde Hair Be Professional?
Personal Stationery and Thank You Letters
Should you send a thank-you letter by e-mail or by snail mail — and on letterhead or stationery? Reader K wonders… I am a rising 2L and am starting to prepare for the upcoming interview season. I’ve always been told to write “Thank Yous” after an interview. I haven’t had stationary since high school and … Read More about Personal Stationery and Thank You Letters
Networking with Older Men
Can a younger woman network with older men without getting into questionable situations? My friend J told me of her interesting dilemma over the weekend… She’s traveling a lot for business these days, and on one of her latest trips she sat next to an older businessman. She’s generally against talking to her seatmates, but … Read More about Networking with Older Men
Staying in the Game: Tips for Stay at Home Moms
20210 Update: We still stand by these SAHM career tips, particularly for lawyers turned stay-at-home moms — but you may also want to check out some of our more recent stories on stay-at-home parents, including what you need to know about strategic volunteering, and what to consider when you’re thinking about not returning to work … Read More about Staying in the Game: Tips for Stay at Home Moms
What NOT to Wear to the Office
Update: I still agree with my advice in this post, but you can also check out our more recent discussion on what not to wear to work. So there’s this great piece on USA Today about how “business casual” can be confusing to some people — this one 24-year-old PR executive was shocked (shocked, we tell you!) when … Read More about What NOT to Wear to the Office
Dressing Professionally with a Cast
Reader E has a question that should take us into an interesting discussion of how low the bar can go in terms of professional dressing if circumstances require it… I broke my leg — in 11 places– over the weekend. I have been on bed rest for almost a week, and probably have another week … Read More about Dressing Professionally with a Cast