When to say - NO

Its all white outside and looks pretty until you have to go out and thats when you know all things pretty might not be the reality.

If you are new to your organization or department, what are you facing? Is it cold or warm?

Do you have problems keeping up with your work? Are you saying "yes" to everything and seem to overburdened with the work? I personally have this problem of saying yes. I always think I can learn so much more and commit. What happens is by the end of the day/week, you still have more to do. It never ends.

To learn when to say "NO" and stop right there might be a good idea, honestly am yet to learn and execute it. So, we can learn this together.

Here's how to not work the hardest and yet be the team favorite and when the time comes, how should you negotiate.

Taking breaks and once in a while "work from home" if your policies allow is great, because you can just relax, watch the snow, put on some good music and work. More than often working from home is so much more productive because you can simply cut the unwanted noise and focus on the required. Learn to handle busy-ness.

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Dress your part

Let me just say this, people take you for who you are on the message you send. Sometimes, more than often it's the dress you wear that does the talking.

Even in the most casual of environments, dressing your part helps. Look for guidelines in the employee manual and just observe. If you are just stepping in, here are few things you should keep in mind:

• Maintain a clean line when you dress
• Clean washed hair is expected
• Use make up but don't overdo it
• Mind the strength of the perfume
• Keep your nails clean and filed
• Use a nice pen if possible at least when meeting clients
• Even if you are not co-ordinating shoes with your tie or handbag, keep neutral shades for everyday work use.
• Your business cards should be kept in card holders, so you are not fumbling for them when required
• When buying shoes with heels, make sure they are not so high that you cant walk straight
• Neutral and lighter shades are the best bet, if you like something bright, pair it with black or khaki, it always tones down the brightness.
• Use V-neck sweaters- it shows your shirt collars and looks better than round neck ones.

The list is endless, at least you can create your own now, on what you need for everyday.

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Are you dressed to be a Project Manager?

It's holiday season and while you go through all these sales and cyber Monday, what you should wear at work is what you should shop.

Presenting yourself is as important as having the right certification, of course it all depends on your organizations environment and dress guidelines.

If you are new to this whole game and just have graduated from jeans and t-shirt routine, look around to see how others at work dress.

Here's an article that will help you understand the dynamics of dressing better and how you should do it.

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Happy Holidays

It's my long weekend, yesterday was fantastic- enjoyed, ate, laughed and watched games.

So, while I stay late in bed, browse sites, enjoy my coffee and read "Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James, you go ahead and do what you like.

I spend so much time on the computer that at times, specially on holidays I like not to use it as much.

Stay warm and rested and see you on Monday.

Till then, enjoy the snow and to add your own in your website, click here.

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Thanksgiving- help your friend for real

This holiday season, I’m helping my friend Trang find a job.

Because the job scenario is challenging and that she will need sponsorship (She’s from Vietnam). We have a long history and our friendship happened by introduction through another of my closest friend. We went to the same school, while I was going my Grad, she was an undergrad there.

We soon, began going to the gym together, sharing the difficulties of being an international student in a new country, specially the financial part of it. We were part of potluck dinners and started driving together. She was in the car with me in my first drive in the highway here. That’s important.

We stayed friends over years and shared recipes (Trang bakes awesome cheesecakes), our lives and laughed our way through the hard times. So, if you know someone who can help her find a job, contact her directly through LinkedIn or simply email me and I can send her detailed resume.

If you want to help out your friend, make sure they have:

• Created a LinkedIn profile and keep it updated
• Has the recommendations ready
• Has an offline detailed resume ready
• Knows what he/she wants to work in
• Relocation options are pre-decided
• If you will personally recommend her ( like I’m personally recommending my friend, she’s in my blog and that should be proof enough)
• How can someone know more about her, before giving her a call- help your friend start a blog
• Social media profiles, it brings in more visibility. Of course the content has to be clean (be on twitter ). I’m still having hard time convincing Trang that she can do it, she should.
• And start building a network (always remember to start building your network before you need it).

So, help someone this year and thank your friends and family and your Project Team!