#WhiteGirlProblems in Business

#WhiteGirlProblem

I put my big girl pants on and got this job myself…but now I wish I just worked for Daddy.

Last week, I talked about how I procured my first real, big-girl job post-undergrad (Thanks again, Dad). Well, my current job situation is very different—I found it all on my own and got my job all on my own. Basically, I put my big girl pants on (which is actually a black Theory dress + blazer = fabulous suit—so Ally McBeal, so modern, so chic) and got myself into the totally adult workforce and I am the youngest person in my department by a year.  I love what I’m doing, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wish I’d gotten a business degree and just gone and worked for my parents’ company because then I could wear my favorite jeggings to work every day (unless I had a meeting) and work from my kitchen island if Daddy said it was okay. Sometimes I wish I was just filling out paperwork.  I mean, the endless supply of Diet Coke in the adjacent fridge and abundance of larabars is, like, the definition of living the office dream (i.e., what working from my kitchen island would provide in infinite quantities).

We all have those days—call it a mental health day/personal day/sick day/excused absence, whatever, it’s all basically the same thing—when you just cannot put on a suit/dress/skirt/heels/flats and drag yourself to an office environment. It happens and it will always happen if you are unable to somehow work out a remote access dealio with your employer. 

So, how do you deal with these days? Lots of Diet Coke and larabars. Also, a wardrobe filled with Carmen Marc Valvo’s spring line which includes comfortable, yet professional, knits (dresses and tops) that will make you feel like you’re rocking your fave loungewear.  

But, if you’re not at the point of investing in an entire new work wardrobe or have to wear a uniform/adhere to a certain dress code, the best secret weapon? Sassy flats or a 2” – 3” heel. They’re relatively easy to find and investing in a few great pairs that will stay in your closet for years to come means that you’ll always have a friend to take to the office with you. Don’t be afraid of Marshall’s (a Marshall’s just for shoes does exist) or TJ Maxx (make sure they have a Runway department) because their shoe departments can be totally awesome. Sure, you’ll probably have to do some digging, but you’ll be sure to find a unique, fun, and professional pair of flats that won’t break the bank. The same can be said for finding a smaller pump, but they’re not as frequently seen on the racks as a flat—for those, trek to a Saks or Barney’s outlet. They always have great sales on shoes and relatively current styles (about 3 weeks behind the regular stores).  Got some time? Check out the sales on sites like The Outnet, Gilt, Ruelala, Shopbob, and Bluefly. You can also find some great deals on eBay fashion (they host the Niemen Marcus outlet on occasion). 

If you still feel the urge to wear those jeggings to work, pair them with booties, a longer blouse (cover those bums!) and a nice blazer for a relaxed professional vibe that will really mesh well with your Starbucks, oversized shades, and the ever-present speedy we all seem to own. 

#WhiteGirlProblem

Outlook is my boyfriend.

Outlook manages my entire life. I have it synced with my iCal so that my personal engagements don’t interfere with work meetings.  I taught my parents how to send appointments in Outlook so that I actually knew what was going on outside of work and my own head. Unlike a conventional planner, you can color code your appointments in a less messy way and share your calendar with anyone you want without having to type out all of your appointments in an email or have a 30+ minute conversation going over appointments for the next month. 

I spend more time with Outlook than with actual humans. I know, pathetic, but when my weeks get very busy, I schedule EVERYTHING in Outlook. I actually mean EVERYTHING. Yes, I mean meals, showers, gym, social times—every. thing. goes in Outlook. 

I actually used to do this in college too. While I still prefer to keep my to-do list in my physical planner, I have always relied on Outlook and iCal to remind me of due dates, that it’s time to switch tasks, or that I have a meeting. 

Outlook saves my sanity on a daily basis. If I didn’t have Outlook, I don’t know what I’d do.  Well, probably rely solely on my iCal; but that isn’t the point. The point is, if you really aren’t sure how to manage everything life is throwing your way, use Outlook (or iCal or Google Calendar, which ever you prefer) to plan things out in time increments you feel comfortable with, and, yes, my little workaholic friends, this includes sleep too! 

Even if you don’t follow your schedule exactly, it’s a lot easier to move appointments around in your online calendar than in a physical planner. 

#WhiteGirlProblem

Happy Hour with my friends who don’t have to be at work by 7:30 tomorrow morning… #winning?

Still don’t have time for friends or to meet with your group for an important in class presentation despite your online and physical planners? 

Try doodle.  It’s free and you and your friends/family/classmates/coworkers can put in the times that you’re available on a calendar and Doodle will tell you the best meeting times so you don’t have to figure it out. 

If you’re not using a digital calendar, it’s worth a try, and if you hate it, you don’t need to keep it. The best thing you can do is try a variety of scheduling tools to take some stress away from you so that you can enjoy yourself. 

#WhiteGirlProblems in Business will continue next week with more tips on how to turn your seemingly mundane twenty-something issues into powerful tools in the workplace and on the job hunt. In the meantime, you can follow me on twitter @HilarieGW or connect with me on LinkedIn.