{Appropriate for positions such as engineer, coder, startup product manager, graphic designer, communications specialist, digital marketing strategist, videographer}

So, an in-person interview has been confirmed. You are taking hours to study the industry, get to know the company, understand the role. You’ve printed 5 copies of your resume and got that portfolio of your work ready to go.

Now, the last and the only loose end is the outfit. What should you wear for this in person meeting?

Your main goal is to look professional, showcase your style, and have a little bit of an edge so you leave a strong impression. You have done the research (you’ve looked on their social media channel, read the company blog, searched for news pieces that feature them), you know the company has that business casual environment where people dress according to their personal style.

What are some rules of thumb to follow when creating an outfit for an interview in the creative industry?

Be Confident and Comfortable

You want to feel yourself, and not be worried about a longer than usual sleeve or a pair of pants that’s tight in a place you’re not used to. So, don’t wear clothes you’re not used to wearing. And when in doubt, opt for “soft material on the inside and stiff material on the outside.” For example, a silk shirt allows you to be comfortable, and a more structured blazer will give you that professional looking edge.

Use Colors to Your Advantage

Wearing a pop of color is an easy way to add a focal point to an otherwise simple and minimalist outfit. Try a colorful bag to an otherwise black and white outfit, or a colorful (but simplistic) necklace, or a pair of colorful shoes. These will help those people that you meet remember you.

Start with a Basic Must-Have

If you don’t know where to start, I always tell people to start with one piece of clothing that you know says “professional”. Take a pencil skirt, a crisp blazer, a silk blouse, and go from there. Once you have the foundation of your outfit, pick other things in relatively neutral colors that compliment this piece. Finally, add a pop of color somewhere, and you should be done!

Do you need help putting together an interview outfit? Email me! We can do a 15 min Facetime session and try to put together based on things already in your closet. Or, if you are inclined to shop for the interview, I can also make recommendations for that!

All Photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

If you’re looking for more sample interview outfits, here are 4 interview outfits some other amazing fashion bloggers. Click on the images to see their posts!

The post What to Wear To A Job Interview [For the Creative Industry] appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I am constantly trying to spruce up my work wardrobe. It’s one of the reasons why I started this blog, which is to share my outfit ideas with all of you and to know what other office dwelling women are wearing.

After 6 years spent in the corporate world, I have a set template developed for how to dress for the everyday office days. But occasionally, I like to add elements of surprise just to feel like I’m not wearing uniforms.

This trench coat is one of these totally surprising elements!

 Trench Coat: Miilla; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie

The lapels of the trench coat give it the structured element that you want to have in an office outfit, but the long flow-y nature of the piece elevates the style of the outfit.

I paired the outfit with some mules that are probably on the more casual side, but with any of these loafers or even heels below, this outfit would be perfectly office appropriate. They’re all under $100!

 Trench Coat: Miilla, available via Poshmark; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie  Trench Coat: Miilla, available via Poshmark; similar here, and here Loafers: ASOS; similar here Jeans: Topshop Jamie

On a separate note, these photos were taken around Alfred Tea Room in downtown LA. It’s SUCH a cute place, and of course, makes really awesome photos thanks to their pink decor! It was funny because when we were there, I saw at least 5 other groups there for photo shoots. If you’re in the LA area, don’t forget to check it out!

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post On Repeat In My Work Wardrobe This Fall appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

I think I was lucky. I didn’t start my career in the corporate world until I was 26 because of grad school, so I think I got into the working world a little more matured and a little more ready. Maybe I was more ready to become, shall we say, a #GirlBoss?

But thrown into the midst of the workplace without much experience, I was facing a steep learning curve and some real growing pains. Like my manager told me on the day I started, “Be ready to drink from the fire hose.” She was not exaggerating. And this was how my career in biotech marketing began.

It wasn’t just the workload or the new processes and jargons I had to pick up. It wasn’t even the fact that I was hired to fill a position that required at least 2–3 more years of experience than I had. It was the fact that this is now a new environment where things operate based on completely different rules. I came to learn that the work place is a complex ecosystem with hidden intricacies. From what you casually mention to your boss, what you use as desk decor, to what perfume you are wearing; everything adds to or detracts from your reputation. And reputation, as I’ve come to know, could mean the difference between promotion and layoff, getting visibility and never being noticed, moving on and up and staying static in your position.

So here are a few things that I have learned from 5 years of working in the corporate environment. If I could go back in time and chat with my 25-year-old self, I would tell her:

1. Choose your work friends carefully

Your work friends are people you eat lunch with, seen going on coffee runs with, people that you actually directly work with (which you have less control over), and people that you do happy hour with. This is simple: birds of a feather flock together. If you associate with people that are lazy, overly casual, “loose”, and careless, you will be perceived as the same.

2. Don’t be labeled as “The Young One”

Even if you are the youngest on the team, don’t ever settle for a label as such. Labels like this often come with the association that you lack experience or even skills. Just because you are younger in age, doesn’t mean you don’t have more to offer. Labels like this are also very hard to get out of once you have it.  What’s worse, is that “the young one” is often used as a psychological crutch that hinders people’s growth. Stay away from it, for your development’s sake.

3. Know your core competency, and find ways to make it shine

In the early phase of your employment, try to find out why you were hired. Is it your analytical skills, sales experience, or technical know-how that got you your job? Find it out, and stick to what you are best at. Are you good at Excel? Add data to your presentation. Are you really good with PowerPoint? Create a presentation even when you don’t need to. And in your spare time, develop other missing skills. Not great at presentations? Volunteer to present. Not good at Excel? Find a co-worker who is, and ask nicely or bribe them – do whatever you have to do to have them teach you.

4. Know the job after this one

This doesn’t mean you start looking for the next job as soon as you find one. This means that the job you are interviewing for and preparing for should pave the way for your next one.  Never leave “figuring out what my next thing is” till after you get a job; you should do that prior to your interview. The reason is that so you negotiate terms that allow you to develop skills you are lacking (refer to the last point) and make you more prepared to go for a more senior, but similar position, or switch to a tangential kind of function.

Shoes: Kenneth Cole; similar here, here, here Blazer vest: Chelsea28 x Olivia Palermo; similar here, here, here Bag: Louis Vuitton Bag; similar here, here, here

5. Find a mentor

A good mentor can guide you through uncertain times and difficult decisions. They may have been in your shoes and know the consequences of taking certain directions  But finding a good mentor is not easy. Mentors are not floating around waiting to teach you the ropes or how best to climb the corporate ladder. Mentorships have to be sought out, fostered, and maintained. But mentorships could also come from places you least expect. If you’re lucky, your boss could be your mentor. Or our co-worker could be your mentor. The best mentor is the kind that is personally invested in your development.

Whichever direction you go in to look for a mentor, know to always prepare questions before you meet with your mentor. Your mentorship is as good as you make it out to be. It takes work.

6. Your boss is not your buddy

Don’t get me wrong – friendship can certainly exist between you and your boss. You can even have a friendship outside of work.  Your boss is there to make sure, as a team, you deliver results. Your boss may even be there to motivate you, encourage you, and help the team be efficient. What they’re not required to be, is to be your friend. They may look out for your benefits and crack jokes with you and that would be great, but they’re certainly not obligated to.  The point is to never default your boss to be your friend, or worse, your equal.  Because they are not.

7. If you think you are being underpaid… prove it

Rather than complaining about being underpaid, spend your time investigating your “worth”. Simply put, in the working environment, your “worth” is equal to what an employer is willing to pay you. Different employers may have different opinions. So if you think you are being underpaid, prove it by looking for other jobs and seeing if others are willing to pay you your ideal salary. If you do, you either have found a new employer or solid evidence that you deserve higher pay at your current job. If you don’t find an employer willing to pay you your ideal salary, then maybe it’s time to explore options to enhance your value and skillset, so that eventually you can find offers with your ideal salary.

Top: Zara; similar here, here, here Blazer vest: Chelsea28 x Olivia Palermo; similar here, here, here Bag: Louis Vuitton Bag; similar here, here, here

So what do you think? I used very specific examples that related to my particular experience. Do you have anything else that you’d share with your 25-year-old self if you could go back in time?

The post 7 Pieces of Career Advice I Would Give to My 20-something-Self appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

A few close friends have noticed that lately I have been a tad obsessed with Banana Republic. Other than the renewed style and design lately, the only other thing I can attribute this to is seeing the series of collaborations between Wendy’s Lookbook and Banana Republic lately. If you haven’t seen them, you should! Or, maybe, just maybe, it has to do with me having turned 30 this year… In any event, I have my eyes on Banana Republic lately and I invite you office ladies to join in the chicness!

I love the silhouette of this knit top. It’s called the Textured Sweater Tank from Banana Republic. It weights quite heavy so it really accentuates my waistline in a flattering way. I have been reaching for this top and wearing it almost once a week in the past month. It’s starting to feel like my chic uniform!

For this outfit I paired it with jeans from Topshop, and some more blue hues with some d’orsay heels from Madewell. Literally, this is what I’m in almost EVERYDAY in the office – a comfortable top and jeans – and I love it! I’ll admit to a little secret though. I keep a pair of spare flip-flops under my desk and slip out of these heels when I am slaving away in front of my desk. It’s my way of staying in heels 8 hours a day plus my 1.5 hour of commute!

All Photography by Ngoc M Nguyen

Something that enlightened me this week…

If you’ve been following my Instagram, you may have heard me complain once or twice about how busy of a week I had at work. Despite all of it, I am finding some new found energy by reading a book a close friend/mentor at work had gifted me this week. It’s called Search Inside Yourself. I am currently reading the book and maybe I’ll share my thoughts here at some point!

The post Office Staple for Every Season: White Knit Top [Banana Republic] appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

BRIGHTS & PRINTS

It can very well be just brights alone or prints alone, the point is that they’re both sure-fire ways to instantly add more fun and dimension to your outfit!

Blue Blazer Similar
1. ASOS Soft Blue Drape Blazer
2. Halogen Seamed Back Linen Blend Blazer
3. Forever 21 Single Button Knit Blazer

Fun Print Silk Top Similar
1. Anthroplogie Girl from Savoy Top (found on Poshmark, Size 0, Size 6, Size 8)
2. Anthropologie Alexa Chung for AG Gordonderry Silk Blouse
3.. Anthropologie Palisades Button Down

Black and White Mini Skirt
1. Ro & De Pleated Stripe Skirt
2. WetSeal Classic Striped Bandage Skirt
3. Silence + Noise Textured Striped Mini Skirt

WINDOWPANE BLAZER

Needless to say, windowpane ANYTHING is trendy and eye-catching these days. (see windowpane trousers I styled in an outfit here) and this blazer is no exception. I bought it off of Poshmark from a fellow fashionista, and this is a boutique piece so I can’t find the exact one for me readers.. but I provided some similar ones below the pictures!

Similar ones can be find here

1. Finders Keepers the Label – “Speakerbox” Cutout Blazer 
2. Tommy Hilfiger Windowpane Boyfriend Blazer
3. A’Gaci Night Out Windowpane Blazer 

Animal Print + Whites 

If you find animal print too bold for your office or corporate environment, try pairing it with a white or pastel color piece to tone down the boldness. Sometimes an animal print piece that has a cute/lady-like shape helps reduce the “sexiness” in your outfit that you may not want in an office environment.

Similar skirts can be found here
1. ModCloth Has a Nice Wing skirt 
2. Michael Kors Giraffe Print skirt 
3. Neiman Marcus Geo Print A-Line Skirt

What are you office wear staples that you wear to state FUN in function? Share with me in comments section! Better yet, share a link with me so I can go shopping too!!

-Jessica

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All photos by Ngoc M Nguyen Photography

The post Putting the “FUN” in “FUNCTIONAL”: How to have fun with your everyday office wear! appeared first on Cubicle Chic.