What You Wear to Work Matters

By Jacqueline Whitmore

Call it “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want” — it’s more than an adage for women.

Style and image have played and continue to play a crucial role in the career strategies and trajectories of many high-powered execs. Let’s face it, how you look says a lot about you — whether you’re organized, lazy, fashion-forward, creative or serious.

You may think that focusing on appearance as part of your career strategy sounds superficial — that we should be judged for our intelligence and experience, not our style.

But will someone really want to listen to you if you look dull, boring, meek, and frumpy? Sure, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but sadly, that’s not how the workforce works. Read More

Aim for Raises, Not Praises

By Chellie Campbell, author of From Worry to Wealthy: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Success Without the Stress, says women often make the mistake of working for “praises rather than raises.”

Whether you’re looking for a raise, want to start a company or home-based business, or would like to retire, Chellie shares these five resolutions to help women get ahead this year:

1) Ask For More Money – Chances are you aren’t charging as much as you’re worth. Do some research on rates of pay—don’t just ask the people you know, especially if they’re women who might be under earning. Put a higher value on yourself and watch what happens. Read More

Arise Virtual Solutions Teleclass III – Click to Listen

Rise of the Solopreneur
Presented by Arise Virtual Solutions

Click below to hear small business coach Jenn Lee and Arise Virtual Solutions’ Digital Marketing and Sourcing Social Media Strategist Nicole Williams discuss the rise of the solopreneur in small business.

Arise is one of the leading providers of virtual business services, delivering world-class customer service, sales and support to many of the largest Fortune 500 companies through a network of Independent Businesses.

Specifically they discuss
– The advantages of being solopreneur
– How Arise supports the solopreneur trend
– Steps to partner with Arise and “Be Your Own Boss”
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Calling All Moms!

How one mom’s desire to work-from-home led to a successful home-based business

To describe Cindy Riley as a giving person is an understatement. After all, she is the adoptive mother of four children, two of whom have special needs. She also gave 15 years of her life to corporate America without getting much in return. Cindy gave as much of her time and attention to her children as she could, but didn’t feel it was enough as she struggled as a single mom after her husband passed away. Then, in 2012, Cindy started her own business that finally gave her something back – her life.

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What’s Your Career Resolution for 2015?

If your New Year’s resolution is to advance further in your field or make a major career change — what steps are you taking to make it happen?

Building your personal brand and expanding your network should be at the top of your list.

Identifying the resources and advice you need to stay motivated will help you stick to your commitment.

Tell us below YOUR 2015 career goals and how you plan to make your dream a reality.

Social Media + Networking = Career Moves

By Trish Freshwater

When I first joined LinkedIn, it was a little known web site where a few of us “geeks” posted a brief resume and hoped to connect with former college classmates and maybe find a professional contact through the whole three degrees of separation theory. It was the first attempt to connect with others online outside of e-mail. And to us, the LinkedIn of 2004 was way cool. Until Facebook came along and showed us how we could really keep up with old friends …

Today, social media has many roles in our lives — not the least of which is creating our own personal-professional brand, and providing a platform to connect with professionals in our industries. But, if you’re not using social media in a meaningful way, you could actually hurt your chances of landing that great job you recently discovered. Read More