Sitting Pretty...

Here are some pretty (cute huh?) interesting findings regarding good looks and securing a job.  It's not enough to dress the part, this article says you must have an equally appealing face. 

I started wearing make-up to work 5 years ago to look more mature and be taken more seriously (I've always looked young for my age), but must I keep up this charade to keep my job??!!  

Check out this article about "How much beauty is worth at work". 

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/19/poll-how-much-is-beauty-worth-at-work.html?GT1=43002

10 Attitudes of Successful Workers
By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

I love careers section on msn.com.  I can always count on them to publish some really good career advice.  Here is one to check out:

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=666

Not so happy Monday

So today was the first day of work without my colleague, who resigned and her last day was Friday.  Although she left to go take on a great opportunity, I still wish she was right here beside me cracking jokes, lending me 25 cents for the vending machine and working with me to knock out implementation projects.  We were freakin' rock stars with our team work!

If you've ever made a good friend at work, you would know exactly how my day went - tremendously sad.  Last night I dreaded the fact that I would come into work and not find my BFF in the cubicle next to me.  No one to reciprocate my good morning, no one to recap the weekend, no one to mock our boss with (and this was the most important daily ritual we shared).   

I used to think that the friends I already had (a whopping) were all the friends I needed.  My best friend since 7th grade and then my college girls who double as my sorority sisters.  Yup, 3 that's it.  But boy, was I surprised when 2 years ago, I encountered a new good friend in of all places - WORK. 


Don't underestimate the genuine friendships and relationships that you can develop at work.  You are spending 40 plus hours a week with them, which is more than I am spending currently with my family who all live out of state along with my 3 besties! 

At the end of the day I spoke to my now former colleague, but even better my friend.  She had a great first day and since her new job is less than 3 miles away, I will still get to see her through the week.

Gracefully Unhelpful

When I sought out clarification on data provided to me in an excel spreadsheet at work today, I realized that sometimes you just aren't able to be helpful. 

This applies to any situation:  You may just not know the answer due to lack of knowledge on the subject, you may be familiar but it's not your expertise and you don't want to commit to an answer, or you may simply be new to a city, neighborhood, company and just clueless altogether.  No one can fault you for not knowing. 

BUT....there is a courteous way to be unhelpful.

Here are a couple of pointers:

1. Don't have an attitude and get irritated that someone had the audacity to ask you something you don't know.  They may not have known you didn't know.
2. If you have a suggestion on who might be able to help - share it. 
3. Don't tell a tall tale just to get the person off your back - it's OK if you don't know and you shouldn't send them down the wrong path trying to make yourself look good.

401(k) Guys and Gals!

Happy Monday!  This week my department is putting on 401(k) educational seminars as part of our financial education initiative for our employees.  Although I've gotten pretty knowledgeable about 401(k) plans since my first job 6 years ago - you can never know too much about your plan.

So, after sitting through my 3rd meeting today (when this is complete I would have sat through 6 meetings total!), I thought to share my two cents on the subject. 

Starting out in your career retirement can seem like a very distant destination, but whether your company's 401(k) record keeper is Fidelity, New York Life, Vanguard, ADP or any other administrator here are 5 things you might want to consider now and throughout your career:

• Contributing $$
• Contributing to the company match max - so that you don't leave free money on the table.  If your company does not match - still contribute your pre-tax dollars.
• Staying educated.  If you know how to pick your funds, or you set up a pre-selected fund based on your retirement goals, make sure you revisit and reassess your or selections as time passes to make sure you are staying on track.
• Avoid taking a loan against your account if you can - it's possible you'll be subject to twice the tax implications as you repay it.
• Rollover eligible 401(k) accounts from previous employers if your plan allows, to keep all your accounts in place.

Happy Saving, preparing for retirement, or whatever else you may want to call it!