Shining your shoes is an extremely easy way to dress up your suit
going into a business meeting, or make a great first impression out on a
date.
Items you will need:
- shoeshine and polish brush
- buffing cloths
- shoehorn
- brown or black polish
- all purpose leather cleaner and conditioner
Give Them a Quick Shine:
1.
Clean your shoes so that they are free of any dirt and dust that may be
on them. This will help to ensure that you have the best substrate to
work with. Dry them with a cloth, but ensure not to scratch them at
all.
2. Spread on polish as if you were waxing a car.
Make sure that it goes on evenly and gets worked into all the cracks and
crevices of the shoe. Let it sit for about 15 - 20 minutes before
using a shoe shine brush to wipe it off.
3. Use the
buffing cloths to give your shoes the shine that they really need.
Small, quick, circular strokes seem to do really well.
August 31, 2012
August 30, 2012
A Very Old Tradition
Whenever you meet someone new, what is the first thing that you instinctively do?
Shake their hand.
It has been a gesture of good will for the past one hundred years or more, and will continue to be until the end of time as far as I can tell. There are a lot of different ways that people shake each others hands I have found, but not all say the same thing.
To make the best impression, get a firm grip and shake moderately hard, but not enough to cut off circulation. Don't be the limp fish making the entire interaction uncomfortable. As you shake their hand look directly into their eyes, almost as if you are trying to look through them.
Sounds awkward and uncomfortable, but trust me you will stand out and make an impression.
Shake their hand.
It has been a gesture of good will for the past one hundred years or more, and will continue to be until the end of time as far as I can tell. There are a lot of different ways that people shake each others hands I have found, but not all say the same thing.
To make the best impression, get a firm grip and shake moderately hard, but not enough to cut off circulation. Don't be the limp fish making the entire interaction uncomfortable. As you shake their hand look directly into their eyes, almost as if you are trying to look through them.
Sounds awkward and uncomfortable, but trust me you will stand out and make an impression.
August 29, 2012
Please leave a message after the tone
It seems in today's world, everyone has a cell phone. Which is great! I can now get in touch with anyone anytime I want wherever I want. That is the theory at least. The truth is that whenever I call someone....
No one answers.
I feel as though fewer people are answering their phones even though they seem to be attached to them at all times. Why this is the case, I'm not sure. I have gotten the chance to listen to some pretty interesting voice mail prompts though.
Those prompts where you lead someone on like you're actually talking are funny to your friends, but if you are expecting and interviewer to call you back, or have any chance at all that a professional may dial your number, you may want to make it sound a bit more professional. I have heard numerous times when an executive was calling a new hire to offer a job, and after hearing the childish voice mail prompt retracted his offer.
Word to the wise... Change your voice mail message to something sounding more professional. You will not have to worry when someone important calls you, and you will sound more mature to everyone else.
No one answers.
I feel as though fewer people are answering their phones even though they seem to be attached to them at all times. Why this is the case, I'm not sure. I have gotten the chance to listen to some pretty interesting voice mail prompts though.
Those prompts where you lead someone on like you're actually talking are funny to your friends, but if you are expecting and interviewer to call you back, or have any chance at all that a professional may dial your number, you may want to make it sound a bit more professional. I have heard numerous times when an executive was calling a new hire to offer a job, and after hearing the childish voice mail prompt retracted his offer.
Word to the wise... Change your voice mail message to something sounding more professional. You will not have to worry when someone important calls you, and you will sound more mature to everyone else.
August 28, 2012
"Not the gumdrop buttons!"
Last night, my fraternity held elections for the new Executive Board
for the upcoming school semester. One requirement of all the actives is
that they wear "pin attire" or a suit and tie. I couldn't help but
notice that although all of my brothers looked great, they failed when
it came to buttoning their jacket.
There are two main tips that I have learned about buttons on suits. (these go for men and women) First and foremost, if at any point you find yourself standing, your jacket should be buttoned. The jacket should then be unbuttoned when you sit down, and vice versa. Sometimes its tricky to stand, button, and shake someone's hand all at once.
Practice this before interviews and meetings so that its natural when actually put into practice.
The other piece is to know which buttons to button on any suit jacket. There are many tricks to use, but the one that I use the most is the saying "sometimes, always, never". On a three button suit you can say one word for each button as your work your way down. This way you know which are and aren't appropriate. For a two button jacket, you just start with "always".
These tips should help you get through most situations. If you would like to know anything else feel free to comment on the article and I'll help you out!
There are two main tips that I have learned about buttons on suits. (these go for men and women) First and foremost, if at any point you find yourself standing, your jacket should be buttoned. The jacket should then be unbuttoned when you sit down, and vice versa. Sometimes its tricky to stand, button, and shake someone's hand all at once.
Practice this before interviews and meetings so that its natural when actually put into practice.
The other piece is to know which buttons to button on any suit jacket. There are many tricks to use, but the one that I use the most is the saying "sometimes, always, never". On a three button suit you can say one word for each button as your work your way down. This way you know which are and aren't appropriate. For a two button jacket, you just start with "always".
These tips should help you get through most situations. If you would like to know anything else feel free to comment on the article and I'll help you out!
August 27, 2012
Recommended Reading
Seth Godin, the marketing guru wrote an article a couple of days ago entitled Tattoo thinking.
I would recommend reading it.
I would recommend reading it.
August 23, 2012
The Three Musketeers
In my first two days of classes this semester, almost every one has at least one assignment in which it must be completed in a group of four or five students. This is completely different than what I'm used to in classes like chemistry and physics where you normally work by yourself. Group work is almost frowned upon as cheating.
When you think about it though, many times out in the business world, you are handed a problem with almost no background information. And, you are instructed to work in a team. At this point you have two options:
1. Take control and do all of the work yourself and most likely not sleep for numerous nights on end, cause yourself exorbitant amounts of stress, and possibly miss the deadline.
OR
2. Work with your team and delegate responsibility so that each person works hard, but does not work themselves to death.
Working in a team also helps you to sort out answers to problems that you may not have thought of before. Thus making the team look even better to the authority figure.
I have heard it many times before from very successful people, "Leaders do not necessarily do all the work themselves, or are the smartest people. They surround themselves with smart individuals so as to help each other out."
When you think about it though, many times out in the business world, you are handed a problem with almost no background information. And, you are instructed to work in a team. At this point you have two options:
1. Take control and do all of the work yourself and most likely not sleep for numerous nights on end, cause yourself exorbitant amounts of stress, and possibly miss the deadline.
OR
2. Work with your team and delegate responsibility so that each person works hard, but does not work themselves to death.
Working in a team also helps you to sort out answers to problems that you may not have thought of before. Thus making the team look even better to the authority figure.
I have heard it many times before from very successful people, "Leaders do not necessarily do all the work themselves, or are the smartest people. They surround themselves with smart individuals so as to help each other out."
August 22, 2012
Marketing 101
The first day of classes in a semester is always the best for most students. The instructor reads through the syllabus, maybe shows a short video, and then goes "Okay, no homework!".
You can't do much better than that. Except for class being canceled.
In my upper level marketing class today though, my professor made the comment that the first thing to learn in marketing is that the customer's point of view is the most important point of view.
Now this may seem like basic thought when running a business and trying to sell a product or service, but how do you apply it when you don't have a job?
Who is your customer?
Your potential employer. Everything you do, resumes, cover letters, the way you dress, all of that is how you market yourself. You yourself are the product that you are selling. So the question becomes then, what exactly are you or do you want to be marketing about yourself?
You can't do much better than that. Except for class being canceled.
In my upper level marketing class today though, my professor made the comment that the first thing to learn in marketing is that the customer's point of view is the most important point of view.
Now this may seem like basic thought when running a business and trying to sell a product or service, but how do you apply it when you don't have a job?
Who is your customer?
Your potential employer. Everything you do, resumes, cover letters, the way you dress, all of that is how you market yourself. You yourself are the product that you are selling. So the question becomes then, what exactly are you or do you want to be marketing about yourself?
August 16, 2012
Boxing
Just a couple days ago, I began reading the biography on Steve Jobs. He was a very interesting man who changed the technology industry forever, so I was hoping to glean a little bit of knowledge from the 600+ pages that it contains.
One quote by Jobs shocked me within one of the first few pages. In it, he made the statement that he believes all business people should have a major failure in their life.
Yes. They must get sucker punched; take one to the chin.
Not EVERYONE needs to fail, but if you look at some of the greatest athletes, presidents, and business people of all time you'd be surprised how many of them failed.
August 14, 2012
They know what they're talking about
Writing resumes for people on Land the Perfect Job helps newly graduated college students a lot. It makes sure that their skills and past experiences can be expressed in the best way so that they can get the job they want.
It doesn't help them in the interview itself though. And the interview is a large component of the application process.
What I am going to work on next is a series of videos. Short ones, only about 3 - 5 minutes long on topics that will help students ace their interviews. Things like potential questions they may encounter, and how to best answer them. Or what type of dress they should use. Should they wear a black suit or a brown one? Should their shoes have a pointed toe, or a squared off one? These answers are best coming from the experts themselves, so I will be talking to Men's Wearhouse and places like them to get their opinions.
I want to hear from you guys. What topics would you like to see videos on?
It doesn't help them in the interview itself though. And the interview is a large component of the application process.
What I am going to work on next is a series of videos. Short ones, only about 3 - 5 minutes long on topics that will help students ace their interviews. Things like potential questions they may encounter, and how to best answer them. Or what type of dress they should use. Should they wear a black suit or a brown one? Should their shoes have a pointed toe, or a squared off one? These answers are best coming from the experts themselves, so I will be talking to Men's Wearhouse and places like them to get their opinions.
I want to hear from you guys. What topics would you like to see videos on?
August 13, 2012
Mom's lessons
Always say, "Thank you" after an interview.
This may seem like a topic that doesn't need to be discussed, but it surprises me how many interviewees forget to do it. Most people give a small means of appreciation and walk out of the office, or other interview location without a second thought to anything more.
When you get home that day, take five minutes to sit down and write a two sentence thank you card that can be mailed to that interviewer. Just thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with you. That's all.
Very few job applicants write these, and this small act might get your application that second look that it needs or even solidify you for the position itself.
There is nothing else that takes this insignificant amount of time that helps this much. So, why not do it?
This may seem like a topic that doesn't need to be discussed, but it surprises me how many interviewees forget to do it. Most people give a small means of appreciation and walk out of the office, or other interview location without a second thought to anything more.
When you get home that day, take five minutes to sit down and write a two sentence thank you card that can be mailed to that interviewer. Just thank them for their time and the opportunity to meet with you. That's all.
Very few job applicants write these, and this small act might get your application that second look that it needs or even solidify you for the position itself.
There is nothing else that takes this insignificant amount of time that helps this much. So, why not do it?
August 12, 2012
So common, so valuable
What's the number one thing couples fight over at the time of their child's birth? The name. It has to be just right.
It has been said that a someone's name is one of the most valuable assets that everyone posses. Not in the fact that you can sell it and make a good profit, but that you can make it mean something. Take Michael Bay for example. When a film is produced by him, you can be sure that it will a high intensity action film, far from a love story. Another example is Donald Trump. If you are purchasing an apartment from him, you can be sure that the quality will be superb.
It can go the opposite way as well. If you consistently default on your promises, run late, etc. you will be associated with those characteristics.
Take some time to think about what your name might mean today to people. Is that what you want it to mean? If not what do you want it to stand for? How can you go about doing that?
It has been said that a someone's name is one of the most valuable assets that everyone posses. Not in the fact that you can sell it and make a good profit, but that you can make it mean something. Take Michael Bay for example. When a film is produced by him, you can be sure that it will a high intensity action film, far from a love story. Another example is Donald Trump. If you are purchasing an apartment from him, you can be sure that the quality will be superb.
It can go the opposite way as well. If you consistently default on your promises, run late, etc. you will be associated with those characteristics.
Take some time to think about what your name might mean today to people. Is that what you want it to mean? If not what do you want it to stand for? How can you go about doing that?
August 10, 2012
The power of words
Even though he served two terms as president, George W. Bush has been regarded as one of the worst public speakers the world has seen. In almost every speech you could find a blunder or a misspoken phrase. Of course it was funny to all of us, but in a position of power like the presidency, it looked unprofessional.
The same can apply for you and your job or interview. Most positions in today's corporate world force you to come in contact with other to make business deals or negotiate terms.
Therefore you must be able to speak to them in order to get your point across. If you can't do that, you will lose the deal. If it's in an interview, you could lose the job.
The same can apply for you and your job or interview. Most positions in today's corporate world force you to come in contact with other to make business deals or negotiate terms.
Therefore you must be able to speak to them in order to get your point across. If you can't do that, you will lose the deal. If it's in an interview, you could lose the job.
August 9, 2012
"Put your behind in your past"
Almost everyone has seen the Disney movie The Lion King. Even if you haven't, you know the song "Hakuna Matata" that Timone and Pumba sing. Based on a mindset of no worries, it may not be the best thought for all situations.
Before the song starts, Pumba (in incorrect terms) gives Simba the advice to put his past behind him. Too many people constantly think about what could have been, or what went wrong in a situation.
Their past haunts them.
Do not let past failures in your job, company, or interview dictate how you think or act today. The past has gone, and nothing you do will change it.
Move on. Work to ensure that you never fail in that same way again.
Before the song starts, Pumba (in incorrect terms) gives Simba the advice to put his past behind him. Too many people constantly think about what could have been, or what went wrong in a situation.
Their past haunts them.
Do not let past failures in your job, company, or interview dictate how you think or act today. The past has gone, and nothing you do will change it.
Move on. Work to ensure that you never fail in that same way again.
August 8, 2012
A thought on knots
A staple in almost every business professional's dress is the necktie. Some prominent figures are known to wear ones that are flashy and stand out while others just wear one because everyone else does.
I find that I look nice in them, but they make me stiff and uncomfortable. I figured I just had to suck it up and deal with it until recently. An article by Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Empire has taken a new stance on the fashion piece.
His thoughts were that the traditional dress was too uptight and was limiting to his employee's friendliness and customer service. Interesting thought in a time when customer service seems to be key.
In some occupations it is still a necessity in order to be taken seriously. If given the option, I am going to lose the tie every time from now on knowing that Sir Richard is with me on this one. What do you think?
I find that I look nice in them, but they make me stiff and uncomfortable. I figured I just had to suck it up and deal with it until recently. An article by Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Empire has taken a new stance on the fashion piece.
His thoughts were that the traditional dress was too uptight and was limiting to his employee's friendliness and customer service. Interesting thought in a time when customer service seems to be key.
In some occupations it is still a necessity in order to be taken seriously. If given the option, I am going to lose the tie every time from now on knowing that Sir Richard is with me on this one. What do you think?
August 1, 2012
Who doesn't like free stuff?
If you are ever going to go interview for a job, research position, organization position, etc. you are not going to want to commit one of the Seven Deadly Sins of Interviews.
I'll send you these free.
Just sign up to follow this blog by putting in your email to the right and I will send you the sins. You are going to want to make sure you know these so that you have the best chance.
I'll send you these free.
Just sign up to follow this blog by putting in your email to the right and I will send you the sins. You are going to want to make sure you know these so that you have the best chance.
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