Reader A has a great question about dressing better than her boss — specifically, she wonders, must she carry a lower-end bag than what her boss carries, or would a work-appropriate designer bag be OK? Here’s her question: I know the blog has discussed before if it’s appropriate for younger folks to have designer items … Read More about Dressing Better Than Your Boss: Designer Bag Edition
How would you define “executive presence,” particularly for women? Have you worked to build your executive presence? What are your best executive presence tips? Here are some qualities of women with executive presence that Corporette readers have mentioned during conversations that have taken place in the comments: having a “cool, calm, and commanding” presence being a skilled public … Read More about Executive Presence for Women Leaders
Do ponytails count as professional hairstyles? Which are the best ponytails for the office? Do you think 50s/cheerleader ponytails are no-gos for the office, or is any neat, easy hairstyle inherently professional? Have you guys been watching AMC’s Better Call Saul? It’s the prequel story to Breaking Bad, chronicling the path that small-time con-man/lawyer Jimmy McGill took to … Read More about Professional Hairstyles: Do Ponytails Count?
2018 Update: We still stand by this advice for going-out clothes and young professionals, but you may also want to check out the great reader discussion on general going-out clothes after age 25. Once you get to grad school, can you stick with your “going out” style from college, or is it time to make some changes? … Read More about Going-Out Clothes and Young Professionals
What’s the difference between confidence and arrogance, especially at work, especially for women? How can you tell if you’ve crossed that line at work? Reader A wonders… I’ve got a sensitive subject that I haven’t seen discussed about discipline at work. I was recently hired at a law office where I’ve summered the last two … Read More about Being Confident at Work vs. Being Arrogant
What’s the best way to style your long hair for a job interview if you’re a woman in your early 20s? Could wearing it down make you look too young? Reader D wonders: How should a 20-year-old style her long, straight hair for the interview process for a management consulting job? Is wearing it down and straight too young/collegiate? … Read More about How to Style Long Hair for Job Interviews
2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on how to blend conservative style with business casual, but you may want to check out The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women. How should you follow a business casual dress code (and avoid looking overdressed) when your personal style tends toward classic, understated, and conservative — without buying … Read More about How to Blend Conservative Style with Business Casual
What should you do if you look young for your age, and you do all the basic things you’re supposed to in order to seem older (dress professionally, wear heels, etc.), but you still get mistaken for a college student? What more can you try to get your colleagues to take you seriously? Reader E wonders… I’m a college professor … Read More about How to Be Taken Seriously When You Look Young
Are colorful pants appropriate in an office setting? Are they for young’uns only? Reader J sent in this question a while ago: Question – today’s trends are to wear colored pants. What are your thoughts on wearing colored pants to an office setting on casual fridays? And, more relevant to me, what are your thoughts … Read More about Colorful Pants and Professional Women
When do you call work associates by their last name (such as Ms. Griffin), or by another title (such as Attorney Griffin)? Do you have a preference how work associates refer to you — and how do you communicate that? Does calling someone else “Ms. Griffin” make you look young? I’ve gotten a number of … Read More about That’s Ms. Griffin To You: When To Use Last Names
Have you ever thought you should deepen your voice (and make it louder) to be taken more seriously? Reader G has a great suggestion for a topic … I’m in my mid-thirties and had to work hard early in my career to be taken seriously. A big component of that is consciously “aging” my voice, … Read More about How to Lower Your Voice
We’ve talked about how a $9,000 handbag might be a bit much for an intern — but Reader E wonders when in your career women can buy expensive briefcases and work totes. How soon is too soon? I was wondering if you could do a post about expensive handbags for work. Kind of like the … Read More about When Can You Buy an Expensive Handbag?
