What’s a Guy to Wear??
As the line between work and play blurs, the decision about what to wear to the office can become fraught, especially for men. Sure, wear jeans—but how faded? Office casual can be great—but does wearing pressed slacks make a guy overdressed?
For men in the workplace, everything from facial hair to colorful socks can speak volumes. And while a bad choice may not land a hipster in HR, it may impact his ability to move up in an organization. Below are some tips to avoid the pitfalls of wardrobe mishaps.
Replicate high-end looks. The advice to dress for the job you want still stands. However, many workers’ paychecks do not support buying at Barney’s. Instead, try emulating an expensive look by shopping at bargain stores like Nordstrom Rack and H&M.
Beware of sticking out. Overstepping with bold fashion statements such as a colorful polka dot tie or a large handlebar moustache may cause ridicule among coworkers and show a lack of judgment that could have long-lasting repercussions.
Ask when in doubt. If you notice your boss eying your scraggly beard—not in a good way—discuss it. Explain that you grew facial hair to appear older and gauge the boss’s reaction.
–From The Wall Street Journal
Finding a Mentor—An Essential Career Step
Perhaps the most important career move you can make as a new-hire is choosing a mentor to help you grow in your current position and broaden your skills for a lifelong career. Of course you want a mentor who understands organizational politics and is willing to share contacts, but good mentors offer even more. They should genuinely want to help others and click with a mentee’s personality.
Consider the following before asking someone to be your mentor.
Define your own objectives. Which skills do you want to work on, and who might be the right role model to help you do so?
Choose an inspirational mentor. Associate yourself with a mentor who can offer you a different perspective toward problem solving than your own. It’s the best way to grow.
Pick one…or two. A good mentor within an organization will know the ropes about that particular workplace. However, an individual outside the organization may provide a wider view of an industry as a whole. Some experts advise having several mentors to help you develop your work skills.
From SFGate
For Some Hirers, Algorithms Trump Résumés
To increase hiring pools, some employers are using algorithms rather than résumés. Global brand Unilever has been targeting potential new-hires by placing ads on Facebook and career-advice sites. People who click on the ads are redirected to applications for internships and entry-level jobs, which are pre-picked by scanning the applicant’s LinkedIn profile. When the applications are submitted, they are then scanned by an algorithm that eliminates half the pool.
Those who make the cut are next asked to play online games that assess skills such as recall and concentration, and the applicants who make it through the tests submit video interviews in which they respond to questions about how they would respond to job-related situations. Only after passing that hurdle does a face-to-face meeting come into play.
Users of the new recruitment method point to its merits, such as eliminating human biases and personal preferences. Although still in its initial stages, the strategy is being implemented for Unilever hiring across the globe.
–From Fox Business
