Life & Work Skills

We’ve all been there: Maybe you’ve been asked to take charge of party planning for your coworker’s birthdays or go on a coffee run (even if you said goodbye to the “intern” title years ago). Or perhaps one of your colleagues keeps talking over you in meetings (been there, done that!). You know you should be strong and confident, but maybe you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to empowerment in your career. 
We know what it’s like to feel undermined in the workplace, and we’re here to help you feel like your best self at work. We partnered with our bubbly of choice, La Marca Prosecco, to help you overcome challenges and feel confident in your career. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including all the work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. We are proud to partner with them to bring you advice on how to overcome challenges and feel confident in your career. 
With everything from imposter syndrome to dismissive bosses, it might be hard to feel like the powerful badass that you are at the office. La Marca Prosecco is the perfect accompaniment to celebrate the boss that you already are and how bright your future career can be. Grab your La Marca mini and read on for 10 behaviors to be aware of in order to be your strongest self at work.

1. Instead of apologizing, share your perspectives with confidence. 
Admit it: You’ve responded to an email or sat in a meeting and said something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, but I disagree because…” You felt compelled to share your point of view, but you didn’t want to hurt your colleagues’ feelings in doing so.
You don’t have to agree with everyone else in the room or on the project, and you certainly don’t have to feel sorry for feeling differently. Your view is essential and additive, and you can meaningfully contribute to the conversation without worrying about how others might respond to your opinion. Instead of apologizing before stating your truth, try saying, “Let’s talk about this through a different lens.” This approach welcomes varying perspectives without the unnecessary apology.

2. Rather than be the designated notetaker in every meeting, help empower others to do the job.
Somebody has to be responsible for taking notes in meetings, but it shouldn’t always be you unless your job description clearly states that responsibility. There’s an assumption that women are more equipped or “better at” these types of tasks and duties, so they often fall into our laps without our permission. 
If you’re always the assigned note-taker, consider recommending that this responsibility gets divided amongst meeting attendees or alternates. And if you still find that colleagues call on you because you “do it best,” offer to show them your note-taking strategies and say, “I’d be happy to teach you the strategies I use while taking notes so you can try them during our next meeting.” 

3. Finish your thoughts and don’t hesitate to call out interrupters.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been interrupted or talked over during a meeting or presentation (We’re all raising our hands, right?). Interruptions are disheartening and happen to the best of us. It’s best to nip this behavior in the bud right away to eliminate the precedent that you will accept it in the future.
You can shut down interruptions through a variety of tactics. In one-off situations, try continuing to talk or raising your hand to finish your thoughts. If you’re dealing with a repeat offender, address the behavior with specific instances of interruption in a private setting and talk it out. 

4. Don’t feel pressured to say “Yes!” to everything.
There’s a difference between being a helpful team player and being taken advantage of at work. Women in the workplace tend to take on tasks such as planning for birthdays, cleaning up the kitchen, ordering lunch for a group, sending out meeting invites, and more. While you might think volunteering to do the “stuff no one else wants to do” is going to make you more likable, you might be unintentionally undermining your value. 
If you turn down tasks every once in a while, does that mean you’re not helpful? Absolutely not. If you get asked to do one of these tasks, offer a group of team members the rundown on how you’ve made it successful previously, and then hand it off for good. You can say something along the lines of, “While I’ve volunteered for these tasks previously, my bandwidth is currently full, but I’m happy to onboard someone else to the task.”

5. Don’t minimize your accomplishments—celebrate them!
Look, there’s a difference between bragging and owning your successes. Women are known for downplaying their work and not giving themselves enough credit. Imposter syndrome brings about feelings of unwarranted self-promotion, but advocating for yourself and promoting your achievements aren’t bad things.
Take getting a promotion or landing a new role, for example. We say things like “I got promoted, but it’s no big deal!” instead of sharing these achievements with honor. Next time you catch yourself getting ready to downplay your success, try to focus on sharing the update paired with feelings of excitement: “I got promoted, and I’m excited about this new opportunity!” Celebrate your success so others will celebrate you, too. La Marca minis are what we keep on hand to celebrate successes big and small. You deserve it!

6. You’re worth every penny, so don’t work for less money than you deserve.
We could spend all day talking about the gender pay gap and the history behind women getting underpaid in the workplace. While we continue to make progress towards equality, the reality is that compared to men, women are underpaid, and there are more significant wage gaps for Women of Color. Accepting unfair pay sends the message that your employer can get away with taking advantage of you.
All that’s to say that you don’t deserve to feel undervalued and receive less pay than what you’re worth. If you’re doing more work than your job description requires of you, ask for a raise. If you’re preparing to accept a job offer, consider negotiating your salary.

7. Communicate up rather than venting sideways.
We all have issues that come up at work. The truth is that no matter what the office environment is, miscommunications and misunderstandings are unavoidable. What matters is how you address them to remain as professional as possible in the workplace. 
If an issue arises at work, communicate up and have a healthy conversation with your manager about what’s going on rather than venting sideways. Your manager is there to help you and can support you in these situations. While venting to a colleague might help temporarily, sharing what’s going on with your manager can help build a strong relationship built on trust and can yield a long-term solution. 

8. Uplevel your emails by removing modifiers like “just” and “actually.”
The way we communicate verbally and in written communication is powerful, and adding modifiers can make you seem less competent and confident. The words “just” and “actually” are often unnecessary and can easily be eliminated for a stronger message. 
Instead of saying, “I just wanted to follow up on this!” say, “I am following up on this…” Rather than saying, “I actually have one more question,” say, “I have a question.” Practice reviewing your emails before you send them and removing these modifiers until you get in the habit of not including them.

9. Don’t worry that you aren’t making sense.
Have you ever spoken up during a meeting and shared your perspective thoughtfully and thoroughly, only to wrap up with a “Does that make sense?” at the end? I used to do this all the time. It can feel almost natural to close a point this way, but when you do, you imply that what you just shared makes no sense or that your audience is incapable, making you sound condescending. 
Try avoiding this phrase and replace it with something along the lines of, “I look forward to hearing others’ thoughts on this” or “I’m happy to answer any questions or provide clarity.” 

10. Your ideas aren’t silly or “out there,” so be proud to share them.  
Your ideas are not silly, and you shouldn’t lead in with a preface that discredits what you’re about to share. Whether your imposter syndrome is getting the best of you or you fear judgment and rejection, you need to leave the phrase “this might seem silly, but…” in the past. 
Look, if you don’t believe in your ideas and present them confidently, how do you expect others to believe in them? Sure, sometimes we all come up with ideas that might seem like a stretch, but there’s no need to say it out loud. Next time, jump straight into sharing your concept without any preface and ask for feedback after sharing it. 

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including all the work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post is sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

We’ve all fallen victim to a bad case of the Sunday Scaries. You know what I’m talking about: those days where all you can do is lay in bed and binge an entire Netflix series, feeling sad that the weekend is over and worried about the stressors that Monday will bring. But news flash: the weekend is not over, and how you spend your Sundays can ease a lot of those Monday stressors. In fact, the most successful women know their Sunday routine can make or break their entire week. Read on for eight Sunday rituals that successful women never skip. 

1. Clean your home
You might not think you’re a neat freak, but trust me when I say that you will sleep better with the shower cleaned and the dishes put away. Plus, your week will feel so much more manageable when some of those chores you put off (looking at you, pile of dirty laundry) are already taken care of. Clutter in your home leads to clutter in the mind, so a one-hour deep clean or a quick closet reorganization can make a huge difference in not only your home environment, but how you feel for the rest of the week. If those major chores (like organizing the junk drawer) feel overwhelming, start with a quick clean-up of the kitchen (doing dishes and wiping up counters), tidy up the living room (fold throw blankets and stack coasters), and declutter your bedroom (that means putting away the clothes on your “worn-but-not-yet-ready-for-laundry chair–I know you have one!).

2. Map out the week
If your go-to for coping with Sunday Scaries is to completely ignore the fact that work starts again tomorrow, this one is for you. You may think that not acknowledging your to-do list is the best way to deal, but even if hours of Netflix helps you “forget,” you still know Monday morning is coming, leaving you with dread, anxiety, and a whole lot of stress at 9 a.m. the next day. The ideal way to set up your week for success and feel a lot better when Monday morning comes along is to plan out the week in advance. Review your upcoming schedule, add in time to prepare for big meetings or presentations, and include time for when you’ll actually get those things on your to-do list checked off. You’ll feel much more in control and will be better prepared throughout the week. 

3. Prep your meals and wardrobe
Speaking of being prepared, another way to help you feel in control of the week ahead is to meal prep and plan out your outfits. We make a lot of decisions every single day, even just within the first few minutes of waking up: whether or not to hit snooze, when to turn on the coffee pot, what to make for breakfast, and what to wear (which is approximately 1000 different decisions). No wonder we all feel exhausted or overwhelmed when we’re required to make decision after decision throughout the work day itself. No matter how big or small, decisions add up–decision fatigue is real.
But good news: you can spend your Sundays to limit your decision making throughout the week. Prep your meals in advance (whether that looks like actually chopping veggies and making easy dishes, or just writing out a plan and making a grocery list) and plan out outfits (including which shoes you’ll pack to transition into happy hour on Thursday). You’ll limit some of the decision fatigue throughout the week so you can spend more time on those really important decisions, but you also might find yourself excited for those meals or that power outfit, instead of dreading the week ahead. 

4. Set goals
Yes, Sundays are not just for self-care or laziness; they can also be for goal-setting. Think about what specific, attainable things you want to accomplish by next week, and how they relate to your bigger goals. For example, if you’ve always wanted to learn piano, add in a goal to practice for a total of two hours by next Sunday. If you wish you exercised more, set a goal to attend three workout classes at any point throughout the week, and then schedule in when they’re going to happen. If you want to be in a relationship, plan to go on one date this week, or if you’re dying for a promotion, set an intention to connect with your boss. No matter what your goals or intentions are, check in with what you want out of life setting them. You’ll feel more excited for your week, but will also feel like you’re making progress towards those huge life goals.

5. Unplug
PSA for whoever needs to hear it: you do not have to (and should not) be “plugged in” 24/7. If your weeks feel overwhelming and Sundays are scary, consider doing a temporary digital detox to reduce stress. When we’re constantly bombarded by Instagram, work emails, or even that never-ended group text, we can feel like we’re constantly missing out on something (I like to call it chronic FOMO). Turning off your phone for a few hours helps reduce that overwhelm and can allow you to actually relax. Try a full unplug and turn off all screens to read a book, take a walk with your dog, or do something creative, or just put your phone in the other room while you unwind with your favorite show for a couple hours. 

6. Set Monday morning alarm for a few minutes earlier
I get it: Monday mornings are a rude awakening. That 6 a.m. alarm is probably the last thing you want to hear, and you’re tempted to sleep in until the last second possible to savor the last of your weekend bliss. But hitting the snooze button can lead to a rushed morning so you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and behind before you even start your workday. Instead, set your alarm on Sunday night for 10-15 minutes earlier the next morning. Whether you spend the extra time meditating, indulging in a luxurious skincare routine, or just brewing a cup of coffee with a moment of silence, you will not miss the 10 minutes of extra sleep, and feel much more prepared for the workday and entire week ahead. 
 
7. Read something 
One of the best secrets of successful women? Reading. Many of us have a plethora of excuses when it comes to reading more often. “I’m too tired,” “I don’t have any new books,” and “How am I expected to do anything else in my free time when all six seasons of Sex and the City are on Hulu!?” are excuses I personally use on a regular basis. But reading is not only enjoyable; it’s good for you. Whether it’s winding down before bed, taking a break in the afternoon, or as a way to kick off your Sunday, fit in some time to read during the day to inspire you and help you feel motivated for the week ahead. As for what to read? Check out these inspiring books or books to educate yourself to help you grow in both your success and life goals. 

8. Get your inbox to zero
If your Monday mornings feel like a race against the clock starting the second you wake up, set your week up for success by getting ahead with your emails. While Sundays should feel like Sundays (rather than an extension of the workweek), spending just 10-20 minutes getting some work done will help you start your week already feeling ahead. If emails are a source of stress, tackle your inbox, or if scheduling feels like a tedious task on Monday mornings, plan out your meetings and deadlines the day before. Just think about how good your Monday morning will feel when your inbox is already at zero.

9. Have a financial check-in
Self-care doesn’t always mean bubble baths or face masks. Sometimes, self-care means being an independent adult and doing what you can to feel in control of your finances. While having a detailed financial plan and setting goals can help you reduce money-related stress and achieve what you want in life, feeling in control of your finances doesn’t always require a lot of time and energy. Spend fives minutes on Sunday to glance over your bank account and credit card statements. Getting in the habit of frequently checking in can help identify fraud early on and will also give you a good idea of where you’re spending and where you can be saving. Set a financial goal for the week, whether it’s to put a certain amount of cash into your savings account or invest in a course or service that will improve your wellbeing. 

Got the Sunday Scaries? Try These 9 Things More

When it comes to setting ourselves up for success, we’ve found that curated after-work routines are one of the most crucial parts of our day. The hours after we close our laptops can truly make or break our week and are paramount in helping us reflect, invest in ourselves, recharge, and rest. Having a go-to post-work ritual can be the key to helping us show up as our best selves when we return to the grind the next day.
Finding a fulfilling routine that works for you doesn’t mean packing your post-work schedule with an unrealistic, overwhelming to-do list. It’s all about keeping it simple and finding balance. We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our bubbly of choice and a brand that stands for adding some sparkle and celebrating the little wins of every day. Together, we’ve made it our mission to help you curate an after-work routine that will set you up for success and make each moment special along the way. Whether you want to completely revamp your evening routine, make small adjustments, or start from scratch, these five after-work routines will help you get out of work mode so that you can show up as your best self:

1. For days when you feel like you can take on the world…

When we have those high-energy, wildly productive days, you might just make the choice to keep the ball rolling. Once you get home, switch out of your work clothes into activewear, turn on some of your favorite music, and get ready to make this evening the best one yet.

One thing your future self will thank you for:
If you feel like you have the bandwidth for a productive evening, it’s the perfect time to finally get to that one task on your to-do list that you’ve been avoiding. Maybe that task is a project like finally hanging up your gallery wall that’s been sitting behind your couch for far too long. Maybe it’s reviewing your finances and creating a realistic budget that you can stick to, or maybe it’s getting to the DMV to renew your license. Regardless of the task, we all have at least one that we put off for a multitude of reasons. Well, ladies, today is the day. Even if you don’t check it off of your list completely, giving it even 10 minutes of attention can make tackling it next time even more approachable.

One thing that will nourish your mind, body, or soul:
Get ready to get your sweat on because tonight, we’re getting active. Schedule a group class that you’ve always wanted to take, hit the gym, or enjoy the sights of your neighborhood with a quick run outdoors. No matter what type of activity you decide to do, we promise you’ll be happy you did it. Hello post-workout endorphin rush, we’ve missed you!

One thing to celebrate yourself:
While it might be second nature for us to compliment our coworkers for a job well done, a stranger on the street for rocking a fashion-forward outfit, or a friend for having a great sense of humor, it might not be as intuitive for us to compliment ourselves. Write it down or speak five self-centered compliments into the universe and pour a glass of La Marca bubbly to elevate the occasion because you’re worth celebrating.

One thing to wind down:
After a busy day, winding down is absolutely critical to cueing our minds and bodies that it’s time for sleep. Tonight, we’re grabbing our notebooks and our favorite pens, and we’re journaling. Whether you prefer to document a stream of consciousness, practice gratitude, or goal-set is your prerogative. It’s the perfect end to a busy day and will help you turn off your mind and body sans blue light.

2. For days when three cups of coffee didn’t cut it…

Let’s be real: As much as we’d love to feel like we’re able to take on the world seven days a week, it’s not always realistic. We’re human. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, powering through that time of the month, or drained from your workday, there’s still a way to preserve your energy while setting yourself up for a better tomorrow.

One thing your future self will thank you for:
We get it, you’re exhausted. While hopes for productivity today may have flown out the window, we still have tomorrow. Sit down and create a to-do list for tomorrow so that when you’re more rested, you have a plan and can get back into the swing of things. 

One thing that will nourish your mind, body, or soul:
One of our favorite, less demanding ways to nourish our mind and soul is to meditate. Meditating looks different for everyone, but if you’re new to it, start here and here. It’s the perfect activity for days when you’re feeling low energy but still interested in investing in your well-being and promoting a sense of calm and balance.

One thing to celebrate yourself:
Even on what may seem like the most insignificant days, there are aspects of your day to be grateful for. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging, but if you look closely, you might just find that good things are happening whether or not you initially notice them. Grab a notebook and write down three things you did well today and celebrate yourself. You deserve it.

One thing to wind down:
When considering low-effort ways to spend our time and wind down, reading is one of the first activities that come to mind. Pull out your longer-than-a-CVS-receipt to-read list and channel your inner bookworm. Even just six minutes of reading before bed can help reduce stress by 68% which makes it the perfect pre-sleep activity.

3. For days when you want to connect with others…

When we’re working diligently and zoom on over to our evening routines, it’s common that we find that we had little to no non-work, meaningful interactions all day. Whether it be FaceTiming a loved one, hitting up a quick happy hour with an old friend, or going on a walk with a significant other, connecting with humans is therapeutic, helps to improve self-esteem, and can foster a sense of purpose in your life.

One thing your future self will thank you for:
Call up a friend and compare your to-do lists. Again, we’re not saying that you need to get everything on your list done, but find one or two tasks that your friend may also have to do to make what might have been a lonesome chore a social hangout. Your next trip to the grocery store, the post office, or the bank just got a lot more fun.

One thing that will nourish your mind, body, or soul:
Going on a walk while catching up with an old friend is one of our favorite ways to merge our social lives and fitness. Get your steps in, chat about life, and leave feeling fulfilled. It’s a win-win situation if we’ve ever seen one.

One thing to celebrate yourself:
Hit up your work wife and engage in a happy hour toast. As much as we love celebrating with our friends and family, there’s something about toasting with someone who understands just how special even the smallest of work wins are. Grab a glass of La Marca Prosecco and your work wife and pop, clink, and cheers to celebrating all of your wins—big and small. 

One thing to wind down:
When was the last time that you let your loved ones know just how special they are to you? And when was the last time that you wrote someone a handwritten letter? Get cozy, grab some stationary, and get to writing. Writing love letters to the important people in your life can instill a sense of gratitude, help you connect with your emotions, and serve as a beautiful connection point between you and those that you love.

4. For days when you want a bit of an adventure…

As much as we love being homebodies, there are days when we want to get out and about from the constraints of our humble abodes and see the world around us. In times like these, get outdoors, attempt something new, and get a bit out of your comfort zone.

One thing your future self will thank you for:
Take the guesswork out of tomorrow by laying out tomorrow’s outfit and making your lunch. Getting ready for the next day early on in your after-work routine will make you available to completely turn off work mode and focus on yourself.

One thing that will nourish your mind, body, or soul:
You’ve always wanted to try that one workout class, and today is the day. Trying a new workout like yoga, weight lifting, kickboxing, or pilates can be a great way to get yourself out of your fitness rut, excite you to move again, and activate new muscles that you didn’t even know existed.

One thing to celebrate yourself:
We don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are worthy of being wined and dined. Today, take matters into your own hands and take yourself on a date. Go to a new, fancy restaurant in your city, set up a cute beach picnic for one, hit up your local museum, or making yourself an elaborate dinner. Make the moment extra special by adding a sparkling, refreshing glass of La Marca Prosecco because, honey, you deserve it.

One thing to wind down:
Take a bath. Yes, we’re talking the whole nine yards including but not limited to a bath caddy, your favorite book, and that one face mask you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to use. You don’t need a fancy bathtub situation to have the most luxurious bath of your life. All you need is a few key items, your favorite candle, and yourself, and you’re good to go.

5. For days when you could use a little inspiration…

When work and life demands become overwhelming, it can sometimes feel like we’re automated robots, jumping from task to task and keeping our head down until we get caught up (plot twist: we never actually get caught up). On days like these, it’s easy to lose perspective on why we started and to remember why we do what we do every day. When the workday ends, put down your computer and get ready to get inspired again.

One thing your future self will thank you for:
If you ask us, a messy, disorganized home can truly cost us some inner peace. When our space is clean, we feel reenergized and reinspired. While it’s not realistic to deep clean your home every day, even taking a few minutes to tidy up can make you feel fresh and can serve as a clean slate for the rest of your evening and tomorrow.

One thing that will nourish your mind, body, or soul:
Maybe you already have a go-to hobby that you love or maybe you’re still on the hunt for one that sets your soul ablaze. Investing time in a hobby can help us to foster joy, reduce stress, and learn new skills. Whether you opt for learning a new language, playing an instrument, painting, or crafting, practicing a hobby is the perfect intentional way to spend some “me” time and can help you escape the mundane demands of life.

One thing to celebrate yourself:
When you’re keeping your head down and feeling like you’re just trying to get by, it can be easy to lose sight of how well you’re doing, what you’ve accomplished, and just how far you’ve come. Consider asking yourself this question: Where was I at this time last year? If you’re feeling even more nostalgic, go back two years, five years, and 10 years. Remember who you were, where you were at, and what you wanted, and celebrate just how far you’ve come. Your past self would be so proud of who you are today and so should your present self.

One thing to wind down:
When you’re ready to call it a day, listen to a podcast while doing your nighttime routine to help inspire you. We love these motivating podcasts for days where we’re feeling like we could use a bit of encouragement. For extra credit, journal your thoughts during and after you listen.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post is sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

You’ve done tons of research to ensure you’re more than adequately informed about the company. You’ve selected the perfectly polished interview outfit. You’ve even rehearsed answers for all sorts of commonly asked interview questions.
Yet, when the hiring manager concludes the interview by asking, “So, what questions do you have for me?” your mouth hangs open and your mind goes completely blank. You totally neglected to prepare for this part of the interview—and now you’re left seeming either totally incompetent or completely disengaged and uninterested.
Don’t worry; most people have been there before. It’s easy to focus so much of your energy into preparing for the questions you’ll be asked, that you completely forget to come up with some intelligent questions that you can pose to the interviewer at the conclusion of your meeting.
Have an interview you’re prepping for? Here are six questions to ask in interviews. Not only will they make you appear informed, prepared, and completely put together, but they’ll also save you from that terrifying, wide-eyed moment of panic.

1. What does a typical day look like in this position?
You already have a basic gist of what this position entails after reading the job description (at least you should). But, it’s important to remember that the formal description really only tells you so much. Often, those paragraphs are recycled year after year, without ever being updated to reflect staff changes, shifting responsibilities, technology updates, and other factors.
So, asking your interviewer what sorts of tasks you can expect to complete on a daily basis is definitely recommended in order to get the insider scoop. It’ll give you some greater insight into the actual responsibilities of the position, as well as an idea of how the company, the department, and its team members’ general functions.

2. Who would I be directly working with?
Chances are you already know whom you’d be directly reporting to—he or she is more than likely in the interview room with you. But, since your relationships with your co-workers can have a pretty big impact on your life, you might want to know more than just the person you’d be working for. You want to know about the team members you’d be working with.
This is your opportunity to find out more about where this role fits into the big picture. Does the position require you to communicate and liaise between numerous departments? Or, would you just be operating with your specific team in order to get things done?
You can also use this prompt as your launchpad for several follow-up questions: How big is the team currently? Is it growing rapidly? What are some of the other employees’ backgrounds?
Use this opportunity to find out more about the organization’s existing staff. It’ll show you how all of the company’s puzzle pieces fit together—and help you determine if you’d be a good fit.

3. What is the most important skill the person in this position needs to be successful?
Let’s face it: Most job descriptions describe unicorns. Sure, the employer may be looking for a candidate who is a Photoshop whiz and a creative writer who can also juggle while doing a handstand. But, their chances of actually finding that? They’re slim to none—and they already know that.
So, instead of obsessing over what traits and skills you don’t have, zero in on what the interviewer thinks is the most crucial thing you’ll need in order to do well in that position.
Asking this helps you cut through all of the clutter of the job description, and also determine how well you could actually fulfill the duties of this role. After all, if they’re ultimately seeking someone bilingual and you can hardly remember the alphabet from your high school Spanish class, this might not be the job for you.

Source: Colorjoy Stock

4. What’s your favorite part about working here?
Work is a huge part of your life—so ideally, you want to love what you do. And, while other peoples’ experiences aren’t always a completely accurate prediction of what your own will be, it’s definitely still helpful to ask this question.
Ask your interviewer what he or she likes most about working for the company. If she can’t stop ranting and raving about the dozens of different things she loves about her employer? Well, that’s probably a good sign.
But, if she pauses for a minute only to say, “Well, our dental coverage is pretty decent,” it might be a red flag for you.
Employee attitudes can be contagious. So, if you’re required to work with a bunch of people who’d always rather be somewhere else, it can have a huge impact on how you view your own work. Asking this question gauges the level of satisfaction and happiness with the employer—something that will be important if you end up landing and accepting the job!

5. How would you describe the culture of this company?
We all know that interviews exist largely so that the employer can determine whether or not you’re a good fit for their organization. But, you should also treat it as your opportunity to ascertain whether or not the company and position are a good fit for you.
Culture has become a bit of a buzzword, but it’s still an incredibly important part of your employment experience. (And you don’t need me to tell you that culture can vary greatly between employers.)
Have your interviewer give a brief description of the company culture. Would she describe it as warm, encouraging, and family-like? Is it high energy, innovative, and constantly pushing to be on the cutting edge?
Pay close attention to what words your interviewer uses in order to get a good feel for what qualities the organization values. If she says words like “fast-paced” and “deadline-driven” and you’re someone who needs to breathe into a paper bag at the thought of having a tight turnaround time, you might need to revaluate things.

Source: Colorjoy Stock

6. What are the next steps in the interview process?
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar: You stroll out of the interview and get into your car, feeling like you just totally aced that meeting. Suddenly, it hits you. You have no idea what happens now. You never asked. Will there be another round of interviews or was this it? Will the interviewer call you? Will she email you? Will she send a carrier pigeon?
Interviews encourage enough anxiety without feeling like you’re totally out of the loop. So, before shaking hands and leaving the office, make sure you’ve inquired about what you can expect for the next steps.
Not only will it help to ease your nerves (and probably inspire compulsive email refreshing for the next week), but it also demonstrates your level of interest in the position and the entire process.
Job interviews can be stressful, but they’re much more manageable if you’re adequately prepared. However, most people assume being adequately prepared means having their responses memorized and ready to go—they never even think about their questions.
The things you ask at the end of the interview can be just as important as the answers you provide throughout. So make sure you take some time to get yourself geared up for that portion, too.

The Simple Resume Trick That Will Help You Switch Industries More

Developing your professional skills is something that never stops, and continues to happen throughout the entirety of your career. There’s always more to learn and skills to start to master, and there’s no better time to get a start on it than in your 20s.
The sooner you start, the sooner you’re great at something. From getting our finances under control to forming foundations for professional success, getting solid career habits under your belt is the key to long-term success. Looking to make strides in your career this year? Getting in these 10 habits early on in your career will set you up for continued growth in your work world.

1. Step out of your comfort zone
Get comfortable now doing the things that make you uncomfortable. While it might seem counterintuitive, the early stages of your career are the best times to take a risk. Everything is about learning, and you have so much space to make mistakes and get right back up and start over.
A comfort zone busting habit can be something small but should be routine. Think about pushing yourself to do one “stretch thing” a week and jot a reminder in your calendar to keep yourself accountable. This can be any number of things whether you ask you the new girl out to lunch or raise your ideas in a meeting you’re normally silent at.

2. Make the most of your Sundays
Mondays get a lot of air time as the day we need to command, but how you habitually tackle your Sunday also sets you up for a week of success. If Sundays have always still felt like 100 percent “weekend” time, start committing to carving out just an hour or two in the late afternoon to do things that tee you up for productive work week. This can be scheduling workouts or meal prepping lunches to help ensure you’ve got your wellness goals mapped out to be your best productive employee.
When you’ve mastered that, tack on another hour to invest in some professional development goals. Read industry journals that you normally haven’t, take an online class to beef up your technical skills or tackle a new podcast series. Getting in the habit of seeing at least a little of Sunday as part of your work week sets you up to ease into a great Monday.

3. Give and take constructive feedback
Taking constructive feedback gracefully demonstrates maturity and the ability to grow professionally. You’ll also be practicing your own leadership skills if you work on how you deliver feedback to colleagues. The best employees are those that make a team’s success their responsibility and take it upon themselves to shape the output of a group with constructive feedback.
Did a colleague knock it out of the park on a presentation? Let her know if you hear the client say something impressive about her. Struggling to get along with a colleague over a deadline? Being able to articulate and resolve challenging relationships in a team environment is one of the best skills you can develop early in your career.

4. Negotiate like a boss
We hear a lot about negotiations attached to our salary, but in reality, it’s a skill that you’ll need to apply throughout myriad work situations. For example, when your team is given a big project, you’ll often be negotiating who is taking what work, or what reasonable timelines are. You can learn how to negotiate, and be sure you’re applying this skill to your entire compensation at a job, not just your salary!

5. Network with an executive mindset
Networking with an executive mindset means that you are connecting with people with the intent of a long-term relationship. Early in our careers, networking is touted as the essential way to learn the ropes and get exposed to great job opportunities. While true, you start developing a whole different level of networking sophistication when you can thoughtfully maintain a network as well as think about how you can pay it forward. Get in the habit of keeping in touch with connections by flagging articles you think they may find interesting or catching up over coffee, especially when you don’t have a particular career need in mind.

6. Manage your social media
There really is no better time to learn that the internet is forever. Whatever your social media footprint, be savvy about your privacy settings and know that even at their best, leaks happen. Think about the professional version of you 10 years from now. Will that girl be proud of what’s going up on Instagram today?
On the plus side, don’t underestimate the power of starting to build your professional brand now. Little bits of content, presence, and social media effort really add up over time. Consider starting a professional site with a landing page that gives prospective employers a look at your accomplishments and background. At the very least, be sure you have a LinkedIn page, as it remains relevant for professional connections in most industries.

7. Update your resume(s)
Especially in the early stages of our career, there are always a number of different paths where our job interests could take us. Consider spending some time creating several different versions of your resume tailored to the major categories of work you might find yourself pursuing. They certainly may overlap a little, but you’ll start to see that it can be extremely valuable to emphasize different skill sets, responsibilities, and talents depending on the next role you’re looking at.
Even if you only have one go-to resume, take the time to make it up to date just in case any opportunities arise.

8. Keep a rolling brag sheet
Brag sheets are a little different than your official performance review or public resume. Think of them as a running list of talking points that have a greater level of detail about all the awesome things you are doing at the office. Did a colleague or mentor give you some great feedback on how your contributions really sealed the deal on a project? Do you have stats about how your content creation pulled in new eyeballs or clients? While some of these are resume relevant, often this granular level of detail is best left for conversations. Keep one going, and look at it before you have an interview or a performance review to gain talking points.

9. Dressing for the next job
This isn’t news, but it is critical to your early career success and it is the cornerstone of beginning to build your executive presence. In your 20s, you’re constantly making career first impressions, meaning you have both prolific opportunities to impress (and to not get it quite right).
One of the best habits you can get into in this category is remembering to always treat work events just like that: as work events. Happy Hour with the crew? Good times! But you’re still a work event, so it means that on the dress code scale you want to land somewhere between what you’d be wearing at the 9-5 and what you’d be wearing in a friends-only crew on Saturday night.

10. Compete against yourself
One of the best habits you can sustain for career development is comparing yourself to your own potential and goals. Especially at the early parts of our career, it can be easy to look sideways at what everyone else is doing, how much money people are making, or even what cool new company they get to work for.
The earlier in our careers that we can reaffirm that we’re only competing against ourselves, the more joy we’ll be able to find along the way. Treating every opportunity as a way to grow from the person you were yesterday ends up making the journey so much more fulfilling.

7 Phrases to Stop Saying at Work
let’s erase the word ‘just’ from our vocabularies More

In the workplace, it’s a fact that words have the power to help or hinder both performance and perception. From a presenter constantly saying “um” or “uh” to receiving or giving feedback in a way that could be more productive, what you do in the workplace matters—but what you say matters too. 
Especially for women (we all know the “how many exclamation points should I add to this email” debacle), it’s easy to get stuck using certain phrases at work that either could be eliminated completely or altered to be more effective in communication. Looking to upgrade your professional self this year? Here are seven phrases to stop saying ASAP—and what you should say instead.

1. “Let me know”
Saying “let me know!” at the end of an email chain, meeting, or conversation seems like a good idea. It sounds so polite and respectful. Well, yes, but it isn’t helpful. It doesn’t outline next steps or identify action items, it provides no clear direction, and worst of all, it puts the onus on someone else (i.e., not you) to do the work of decision-making in order to prevent stagnation on a solution or project.
In an age of full inboxes, packed schedules, and meeting overload, you’ll stand out by taking initiative. Start with the questions at hand: Does a meeting need to be scheduled? Should a call be made? Can a draft be created? What sort of deadline is required? Are there notes or resources to be located? Focus on figuring out what you can do to provide value in the short-term, and then articulate exactly that with as many deadlines and details as possible.
For example, instead of telling your boss, “Let me know if I can help with the budget proposal,” say, “I’ll call Mary today to follow up on the proposal draft so we can meet the budget deadline.”

2. “I feel like”
We’ve all been there: that moment when you say, “I feel like… ” and sound like a Valley Girl to the nth degree. This phrase is commonly used to frame an idea or viewpoint when we are feeling unsure; we throw it out there as self-protection in light of anticipated criticism. Removing these words from your career lexicon allows you to be taken more seriously, and honestly, it’s more effective.
Imagine telling your boss, “I feel like I should get a raise.” She or he would most likely ask for reasons why you deserve a raise, what you’ve accomplished thus far to validate a raise, what percentage of an increase seems reasonable, and so on. A better approach, then, is to say: “I’d like to be considered for a raise this year, because of X, Y, and Z.”
Cut to the chase and say what you really mean.

3. “No problem”
I used to reply with an automatic, upbeat “No problem!” when someone said, “Thank you.” I did this for everything from tiny tasks to major milestones, acting like it was no big deal even though I secretly appreciated the show of gratitude for my effort. “Why can’t I just say ‘you’re welcome’?” I finally wondered.
Insert lightbulb moment: For some reason, I thought acknowledging a compliment contrasted with being humble, and that’s simply not true. When you say, “You’re welcome,” you’re actually saying, “Yes, I did that for you!” It feels good to be noticed, recognized, and appreciated; furthermore, it often makes the person thanking you feel warm fuzzies inside, too.

Source: Danielle Moss for The Everygirl

4. “Just”
Look at your email and delete all the times you use the word, “just” as a qualifier for what you’re doing or saying. If you’re anything like me, you probably use it a lot without even thinking. “Just” is a qualifying phrase; it sounds respectful, as though you’re deferring to someone smarter or better than you. That may be the case, but it also positions you as a constant subordinate. I found that I used this word when I felt nervous about asking for what I needed or guilty about imposing on someone’s time. And when I paid attention to how often I said “just,” I realized that it served no real purpose.
Consider the difference: “I just wanted to get your opinion” vs. “I wanted your opinion.” Which is more clear and confident-sounding? Definitely the latter. Removing “just” from your words strengthens your message as well as makes you sound, and feel, more confident.

5. “This is probably a bad idea, but…”
Imagine that you’re sitting in a brainstorming meeting, and the perfect idea comes to mind. You wait for an opening in conversation, open your mouth and then… note a bunch of flaws regarding your proposition before you even share what it is in the first place. You start rattling off introductory phrases, such as:
“This might be wrong, but…”“I’m no expert, but…”“This may not work, but…”
Don’t do this! Most of the time, it’s an attempt to demonstrate humility or lower the expectations of your listener. For me, I sometimes talk this way when I’m feeling a little shy or nervous about whatever I’m trying to articulate. However, if I don’t believe in what I’m saying, why should my audience? There’s no need to defensively outline the flaws of your viewpoint or position before others have even had a chance to hear it. Keep your credibility intact by simply stating your case and letting people react—for better or worse.

6. “Does that make sense?”
A mentor once gave me a fantastic piece of advice: she suggested that I practice pausing, and waiting, after making a recommendation or delivering a presentation. “Practice being quiet?!” I thought at the time. But she was right.
More often than not, after I’m done speaking in a work situation, I hear crickets and panic—Are people confused? What did I miss? Do they hate it? Then, I rush to fill the space with either more talk or questions like, “Does that make sense?” The latter is not helpful. Sure, it’s important to invite feedback and check for clarity, but if someone has an opinion or feels confused about the topic, he or she will probably pipe up. You don’t have to preemptively suggest that you’re not being coherent.

7. “How do I… ”?
Two words, my friend—Google it. I always, always, always Google my question before bringing it to a co-worker or boss. Not only does this save time, but it makes you look smarter because you took the time to gather as many answers as possible on your own.
This tip seems super obvious, and yet, I see it every day: People (myself included!) ask questions that could have been answered with a little digital detective work. Using the Internet to problem-solve (assuming you, ahem, don’t fall down the rabbit hole of cute cat videos) can decrease your list of questions dramatically, which allows you to focus on the areas you really do need team support or guidance.

Help! I Accidentally Emailed the Wrong Person
step one: don’t panic More

We’ve all been there. Even with the most careful review, a wrong email goes out the door with a message you didn’t want to send, or to someone who shouldn’t have received it. When this mini office disaster strikes, don’t panic. Knowing your options and acting swiftly (but professionally) can help to keep your office reputation intact. Here’s what to do if you emailed the wrong person:

Don’t react, respond
The first step is to take a deep breath and prepare a response plan, not a panicked reaction. Since it’s likely we were distracted or working quickly when the wrong email went out, it can be tempting to hustle into face-saving mode. Unfortunately, that can lead to follow-on errors, so above all slow yourself down for a minute before proceeding. You’ll be better prepared to navigate the follow-on office politics.

Understand your recall options
Thankfully, the bright minds at places like Google and Outlook understand that these things are going to happen. Whatever email service provider you’re using, do a quick search to understand exactly how you can recall an email and what remains visible to the unintended receiver on the other side. (For example, some systems issue “recall” message, but don’t actually delete the received note, so just be sure you know what the end outcome actually is.)

Evaluate the content in the error
Take a beat to consider where you’re at on the email disaster scale. Is it just a mis-spelled name that landed you in someone else’s inbox at your company, or did you add an extra recipient without meaning to? Innocuous misdirections like this can be corrected pretty easily, provided you don’t have any personally identifiable information in the email or information that your company would deem sensitive. If the latter is the case, you’ll want to check in with a manager or HR contact on policies surrounding mis-dissemination—just to cover your bases. Data breaches are serious business, and you want to be sure you’re not in violation of any security policy.
If you didn’t have anything sensitive in the email, one of the most courteous things to do is craft an email with a single sentence in the subject line, sparing the recipient from having to open this note as well. (And if they haven’t opened the other one yet, possibly meaning they only have to delete it.) Something like, “Regret the earlier misdirect. Please disregard my previous note. n/t” (The “n/t” tells them there’s “no text” in the email, meaning it’s a quick scan for folks as they’re rolling through their messages on their phone.)

Source: @mylittlebooktique

Evaluate the recipient of the error
The quick one-liner works wonders if you know that it’s a peer, or someone generally in your colleague pool that received your misfire. Alternatively, if you’ve mistakenly sent something off to a big wig, it might take a little more repair. Depending on who you’re dealing with, you might consider a quick call to their administrative support, who likely have email access and can possibly even delete the mistake before it catches the eye of the big boss.
If the message went outside of your organization, that’s another incident where a phone call can be the best way to intercept a poorly-received message. Again, ensure that it doesn’t contain proprietary info that would require you inform a manager or other parts of your security team.
Depending on the cringe factor of the message in combination with who received it, you might do yourself a favor by giving your boss a heads up. Coming clean quickly, letting them know how you’re remedying it, and saving them from hearing it from another person is often the most professional way to save face in these incidences.
If something gossipy between you and a close colleague left the nest and it really wasn’t your best self, try for a quick call or drive by your boss’s office the same day. Your own office culture will help gage if this is necessary, but if there’s any chance that this could come back to haunt you in performance reviews, compensation discussions, or how you’re perceived by your peers, err on the side of disclosure.
A quick admittance and explanation, along with your apology and how you remedied the situation should be enough. “Alex and I were trading emails about the sales meeting today and in that note some of my comments were unprofessional. I accidentally sent it to Jenna, and gave her a quick call to apologize for those remarks asking that she delete the email. She understood and was gracious, but I just wanted to make you aware of the situation. It won’t happen again.”

Own up to your error and apologize
There are generally two categories of the most cringe-worthy sends. Either mass errors, where just your average every day work email goes to the wrong gal, or (eek) large group of people. These are annoying, but provided they’re not in the territory of security issues, can usually be solved with the one liner apology above.
The other category is the one we all struggle to recover from. The one where something outside of our normal office speak, badmouthing a person or process, or revealing perhaps plans for a new gig makes its way into the wrong hands. In these big error, wrong gal moments, extra damage control is needed.
Those always require a phone call to the recipient. (And, if it’s a thread where another colleague might come off in a less-than-flattering light, you may need to pre-plan with them as well.) Again, straight up honesty is the best policy here. “I’m sorry, that email wasn’t intended for you. I have some potential opportunities I’m considering but I’m not ready to share that information more widely. I hope you understand and would delete the note I’ve accidentally just sent.”
If the email was more of the snarky variety, you can still save some face by using it as an opportunity to potentially have some more constructive conversations about whatever you’re addressing in the note. “Please excuse the language I used in reference to the sales meeting we had last week. I’m feeling frustrated about where we’re at with that project, but I certainly could have taken that feedback to Anna directly and will do so now.”
The bottom line is that nothing is without repair if you act thoughtfully and with enough grace and transparency. And going forward, adding a few safety nets like turning on spell check prompts and sending confirmation features can give you that extra few seconds of review to help prevent future email sending disasters.

How to Write a Resume With Little or Irrelevant Experience
don’t panic, just strategize More