Interview Tip: Makeup Tutorial to Enhance Natural Features

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New year, new job?  Friend of Brightwing and beauty guru, Rachel Weiland, has created a makeup tutorial that is packed with interview tips. Her company, Glow of Grace, has makeup tutorials for every occasion from bridal to holiday parties and has helped us out by creating a makeup tutorial for female interviewees.

First impressions in an interview are so important, but clothing and resumes are usually the focus. An often overlooked interview tip, makeup can have an impact in both a negative and positive way. Wendy Rodewald of Yahoo Daily Makeover writes, ” I once interviewed a job candidate who was wearing so many layers of clumpy, black false lashes that they were falling into her eyes every time she blinked. Needless to say it was pretty distracting. ”

Don’t fall victim to night club inspired, interview makeup! Watch Rachel’s tutorial below, complete with interview tips for outfits, nails and hair! See all of the products used in her original post here.

More interview tips from Rachel:

You want to keep your makeup simple and tasteful. An interview is not the time to bust out your favorite smokey eye and red lip.

Interview tips

You also want your makeup to enhance your best features without being over the top. Neutral and natural with a bit of warmth is definitely the way to go.

Now that we’ve got makeup covered, let me just discuss a few other interview tips that will help you to look your best.

Hair – As long as it’s neat and clean, there aren’t too many rules to follow, but here are just a few suggestions.

  • Try to keep it out of your face so that your interviewer can see you. I’m not saying you have to wear it up or back, but if they can’t see your eyes, that probably won’t go over well.
  • If you’re wearing your hair down and you’re handy with a curling wand, a few curls always look good. Need help? Here’s a curling tutorial just for you!
  • If you are hot tool challenged, go for a simple but elegant updo like a sock bun. If you’re not familiar with styling your hair with footwear, I teach you how to get in on this magic in this tutorial.

Nails – Neat and neutral!

  • Stick to neutral colors like a pale pink. A few of my favorites are Essie’s Limo-Scene, Adore-a-ball, Vanity Fairest, and Sugar Daddy.
  • Keep them neat! It doesn’t look very professional to have a manicure that is super chipped and messy.

Outfit – BE PROFESSIONAL! Obviously your outfit will depend on the type of job you’re going for, but here a few basic interview tips for clothing:

  • If it’s too low or too high, skip it. An employer does not need to see all that.
  • An iron is your friend!! Don’t walk in to an interview looking like you just picked up your clothes from a heap on your floor.
  • For an office job, I recommend picking up business wear if you don’t already own some. It will never hurt you in life to own a nice blazer, a pair of dress pants, and some office-friendly blouses. EXPRESS & The Limited are my go-to stores for affordable business wear that is completely work appropriate, yet still stylish.

I hope that you’ve found this helpful and good luck in those interviews!

Best & Blessings,
Rachel

To check out our jobs and score an interview for yourself, click here.

 

Top 11 Job Interview Questions to Ask Interviewees

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Oprah Winfrey job interview questions

The below job interview questions can be asked at any job level and any position. The answers to questions like these can reveal personality, drive, level of ability and strengths. You should also add questions that are position and or candidate specific for further information, however these get the conversation started. Here are the top 11 job interview questions to ask interviewees:

  • Why do you want to work here?
  • Why are you looking for a new opportunity?
  • What interests you most about this position?
  • What is your greatest strength?
  • What are the reasons for your success?
  • What would you like to be doing five years from now?
  • What kind of experience do you have for this job?
  • What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
  • What are your biggest accomplishments?
  • What training/qualifications do you have for a job like this?
  • Why should I hire you?

18 Essential Job Interview Questions

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job interview questionsThere are so many types of job interview questions that delve into your resume, behavior and aptitude, however there are a TON of questions that potential employers can ask just about you. These are the essential job interview questions that you should be prepared to answer about yourself:
 

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. What are you looking for in your next position?
  3. Where do you see yourself in the next five/ten years?
  4. Why does this job interest you?
  5. What are your strengths?
  6. What are your weaknesses?
  7. What did you like best and least in your most recent job?
  8. What did you like best and least in your recent supervisor?
  9. Why do you want to leave your current company?
  10. When can you start?
  11. What salary or compensation package are you looking for?
  12. Why should we pick you?
  13. What do you have to offer us that someone else doesn’t?
  14. What are your significant accomplishments in your career?
  15. How would your previous supervisors/peers describe you?
  16. Don’t you think you are overqualified?
  17. What if you get a counteroffer?
  18. Where did you tell your employer you are today?

Not every employer will give you the third degree, but being prepared for simple job interview questions will help you avoid the deer-in-headlights affect.

Ready for Those Tricky Behavioral Interview Questions?

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behavioral interview questions

Behavioral interview questions are some of the toughest you may be asked by a potential employer, but they don’t have to be. We’ve answered some of the trickiest behavioral interview questions to make sure you don’t get stumped!

1. What did you like best and least about your previous job?

GAME PLAN: This question exposes a lot about you. When answering what you liked least, keep it brief and don’t be negative. Take the opportunity to highlight the things you liked best that will most appeal to the hiring manager. Give concrete examples of how your previous job allowed you to demonstrate and practice positive behavioral competencies.

EXAMPLE: I really enjoyed leading my team and encouraging the group to work together towards achieving key initiatives for the organization. However, I am looking for a change that will give me greater responsibility and challenges.

2. Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job and tell me how you solved it.

GAME PLAN: Here’s your chance to show your critical thinking and problem solving skills. Aim to give an example of a problem you tackled that will be applicable to your new job.  You can utilize a very simple formula: My situation was A and I took action B and the positive outcome was C. Then follow up with a question that will invite the hiring manager to agree with you.

EXAMPLE: I was working with a department that was slowing down the sales cycle. I brought the issue to the attention of my supervisor along with a list of solutions.  My supervisor gave me the authorization to implement my suggestions. As a result, the sales cycle was shortened and we were able to increase our annual sales by 5% without incurring any additional costs.  I believe this is the type of problem-solving experience you aim to bring to your team. Is that right?

3. Tell me about a time when you had to face a stressful situation.

GAMEPLAN: This question assesses your coping skills. Once again, exhibit positive behavioral competencies such as, conflict resolution, decision making and conceptual thinking. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control your response.

EXAMPLE: I was project managing the design and implementation of a new website. From the very beginning I had all the key players involved. Half way through the project the decision makers started to disagree about the goals and audience of the site, even though we had clearly documented each phase. People were starting to worry the project would fall apart. I stayed calm and immediately set up a strategy meeting with everyone involved, along with key sales people that could offer insight and a fresh perspective. We quickly got the project back up and running and in the end were able to meet our deadline.

Having a positive attitude and rehearsing some of these behavioral interview questions will really help you in your next interview. Remember, interviewers are looking for someone that is competent and confident.

Author: April Jennings

This Initial “Thank You” Could Land You Your Dream Job

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The informational interview or telephone interview thank you letter may be informal, but is an absolute must. Sometimes getting a meeting with a dream employer can be a challenge, and if you don’t thank them for taking the time, landing a job could be out of the question.

This thank you can be handwritten, but because it is more of a discovery meeting, sending an email on the same day as the interview is also appropriate. Here’s how you go about it:

Say Farewell to the Job if Phone Etiquette Is Lacking

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The world of interviewinphone interview tipsg is changing. Face to face interviews are becoming more prevalent later in the process, rather than in the beginning. Although phone interviews and in-person interviews are different in the sense of location, one cannot treat them as so. The initial telephone interview can either make or break your chances of proceeding to the next step, so full preparation and undivided attention is necessary.

  • When the employer calls you, be sure to give them a professional greeting and let them know that you were expecting the call. If you don’t sound assertive enough during the first few seconds, it can seem that you’re not interested.
  • Always confirm the appointment immediately after the greeting to verify it is still a good time for the employer or interviewer. These people usually have very full schedules, and may need to ask to reschedule. Don’t forget to thank them for the time, even if it was just to re-schedule the interview.
  • If calling from a cell phone, make sure your location will give you quality reception. Poor cell service could damage your chances of getting the next interview, simply because the employer had a hard time hearing you.
  • Make sure that the area around you is not noisy. Some noise may be inevitable depending on your current situation. If so, inform the employer as soon as you have said your hellos.
  • Having a printed resume and job description in front of you will allow more focus to be on the employer, rather than on your computer. Be wary if you decide to access these documents from your computer while on the phone. Noise travels and the employer may hear the clicks of the mouse and tapping of the keys.
  • Do not chew gum or drink loudly while on the phone with a future employer. Many phones are equipped with a mute button. If you must take a sip of water, do not be afraid to mute the call for a few seconds.
  • Never forget to thank the interviewer for the opportunity to talk! Also, the same rules apply for thank you notes after an interview. Ask the employer for their contact information so you can send them an e-mail in the near future.

Even though some may think a phone interview is less important than an in person meeting, the volume of applicants and busy schedules of employers are making telephone interviews a necessity.  The key is to treat it like you would any face to face interview. First impressions are first impressions. Be sure to impress your potential employer by following the etiquette rules above.

Author: Allison Mullen

Interviewing Is a Sport: How to Crush the Other Candidates

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facebook stalkingAn important aspect of interviewing is having widespread knowledge about the specific company you are interviewing for. This can be achieved in obvious ways, such as researching the company’s history, mission statement, and its products and services. However, in this technological day and age, one needs to look past the first page of Google. In fact, sometimes Google will not suffice.

Social Presence
Reading the company’s “About Us” section before an interview is a given, so let’s go beyond that. Social media is a staple for companies. Try searching them on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, as understanding the language they use on these sites will be a good predictor of the culture in the office. Sidenote: Do not hesitate to like a post on Facebook from the company or send them a tweet letting them know you are excited to meet them. This will show the employer that you have been doing your research and are enthusiastic about the interview process.

Use LinkedIn to its fullest potential. If you know the name of the person interviewing you, search his or her name and look for any commonalities. Having a mutual connection is something you can discuss during the interview. Also, if you have an acquaintance who previously worked for the company, that person could be a great asset for answering your questions or concerns.

Headlines
To expand your knowledge even further, get in the know about what is happening now. Reading up to date press releases and news articles associated with the company can be helpful, especially when the interviewer asks for your questions. At that time, you can inquire about recent company activity.

Researching a company’s website is key. However, to stand out, make sure to take your research to the next level. The more familiar you are with the business as a whole, the better your chances are for making a great first impression to your prospective employers.

 

Author: Allison Mullen

How to Network

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Business networking tips- Getting past hello

Have you ever found yourself standing in the corner of a crowded room, surrounded by strangers, with your palms sweating more and more with every passing moment? Did this nerve-wracking moment of your life happen to be at a networking event or career fair? Never fear! You are not alone, and this does not have to destroy your chances of success. You showed up, you know who you are and what you have done, so being prepared to talk about yourself is the next step. So how do you get past hello? Having a prepared ice breaker and well thought out elevator pitch is a sure way to get past any awkwardness and on to an actual conversation.

Fat Penguin

Think about how you are going to break the ice with a stranger friend you don’t know yet. It doesn’t have to be complicated or entertaining. Simply walk up to someone, introduce yourself instead of waiting to be approached, and start with any of the following:

  • Have you been to one of these events before?
  • Are you a member of the group/ organization/ an alumnus?
  • What brings you here today?
  • This is my first event with this group, what about you?

The list could go on and I am sure you get the idea, but ice breakers are helpful to think about before you go in case of crowd shock.  You’ll look like a pro!

Fake it ‘til you make it

This doesn’t mean faking your experience. It just means faking your confidence by crafting a mini commercial about yourself that is memorable. Having your 15 seconds written and practiced beforehand will save you panic and mumbling when you are asked about yourself.  So what do you say when someone asks, “What do you do?”  You need to state

  • Who you are: “I am an experienced and enthusiastic marketing professional.”
  • Skills that you have: “and use social media”
  • Something that you have achieved or worked on: “to drive my company’s candidate-facing marketing.”

This will help the person you are talking to have a base from which to ask additional questions. Since you are up to date on your skills, it will be easy to elaborate on your experience

Make a connection

Now that you both know a little about each other’s experience, see if you can help them with anything. Since I work at Brightwing I may say,

  • “Do you know anyone who is not happy with their current job, or anyone who is looking for a job? We would love to speak to them about their experience.”

or if they are unemployed or are looking for something new,

  • “Would you like to give me your card? My co-workers would love to connect with you and see if we can help you find something.”

If I were unemployed and looking to make a transition, I could also ask for help,

  • “Do you know of anyone needing my skill set?”

Even if the outcome isn’t a connection between you and this immediate person, they may refer you to someone or vice-versa.

 

How do you get past hello? If you have any other tips or smooth operator tricks, we would love to hear them!

 

Author: Elyse Lopez

Interview Answers You Must Have in Your Arsenal

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We have all heard the general interview drill: do your research on the company, have your resume printed, prepare a few questions, look presentable, turn your cell phone off, relax a little and do NOT wear perfume or cologne.  However, if you have never interviewed, or if it has been some time since your last interview, behavioral questions have recently come into popularity. Behavioral interview questions, in a nutshell, are when the interviewer interacts with your resume. They want to see beyond what you included on paper, to challenges, triumphs and other significant events. The questions help bring your experience to life for someone who most likely does not know anything about you, so you need to be prepared to tell your side of the story. Here are the top 3 behavioral interview questions, and strategies to help you navigate them.

“So, please, tell us about a time when you…”

…worked effectively under pressure.
This question should be easy to grab from experience be it school projects or 10 years in management. Let’s face it, not everything in life is easy, but how we handle it can help define who we are. Brainstorm a few projects that you have worked on that had deadlines with specific deliverables due. How did you complete these tasks? You should be able to look back and reflect on how you prioritized, delegated or improvised to meet the end goal. If you really want to be prepared, look at the flip side and how you did not meet your goal. How did you deal with adversity or failure? You can talk about how you bounced back for success.

…handled a difficult co-worker/ manager/ customer.
If you tell your interviewer that you have never come across someone who was difficult, high strung, high maintenance or demanding in an unproductive way, they will know you are lying. Even if the person is someone you worked with on a school project, that would be experience enough. How did you work with this person to get your job done? What challenges did you face with them/ your incompatibility, and how did you find ways to get over the issues? These questions could be applied to both co-workers and managers in similar ways. With difficult customers, it is important to see how you handled their problem effectively. How did you diffuse the situation so that you could fix their issue? Did you effectively escalate any issues to managers if they only wanted to speak to someone else? Did they leave wanting to purchase a good/ service from your company again?

…were creative in solving a problem.
There is more than one way to cross a river, so tell your interviewer how you made it across! I used to enter data at my last company. When I found inefficiencies, I decided to do independent reporting to see where the gaps were. I was then able to cut down the time it took to do one part of my job so that I could more effectively do the rest.   How did you look at inefficient processes, complex projects or status quo programs and change them for the better? You have done more than you initially think!

We hope that you have enjoyed the third installment focused on helping experienced professionals get back in the game through priority setting, job searching and interviewing! Just don’t forget to write that thank you note…

Elyse LopezAuthor: Elyse Lopez

How to Say Thank You after an Interview

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thank you noteSimilar to a first date that went well, you need to follow up an interview with some sort of correspondence. But what do you say and how do you say it? Assuming that you did your research about the position and the company before your interview, the thank you note is easier than you think. Here are a few sample thank you letters for different interview scenarios:

The informational interview/ 30 minute phone interview

This thank you can be handwritten, but because it was more of a discovery meeting, sending an email on the same day as the interview is appropriate:

Hi Jane-

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today about ABC Company. From my research and information that you shared with me I think I would be a great fit for the position because of my track record in XY and Z. I am very excited about the possibility to work on your team and would love to come to the office and meet with everyone in person.

Again thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

Elyse

The formal face to face interview
This thank you note can be done either snail mail or email; I prefer hand written for face to face though. A sure way to make sure the letter will get to your recipient quickly is to have a note with you and have an intro already penned. That way when you are leaving, or sitting in your car you can finish the thank you note with details that would pertain to your interview. After you sign and seal the letter, run it back in to the reception desk. For my Brightwing thank you letter to Adam Conrad, I dropped it off at my friend Matt Glynn’s house to ensure next day delivery.

Jane-

It was so nice to meet you in person today and see who I have been emailing with the past few weeks! After meeting with you I definitely think I would be a great fit for XYZ position because of the 3 years experience I have in supporting EFG. I have also spearheaded ABC project where I managed a talented team of 5 people.

As I said today, I have been interested in working for ABC Company for several years and would be elated to work on your team! The culture seems to be one I would fit in and thrive.

 I look forward to hearing back from you!

 Elyse

The face to face interview with multiple people
If you are asking yourself, “Wait I need to write a thank you letter to everyone I met with?” Then you definitely needed to read this blog.  Absolutely you should send a thank you to everyone you met, not a group thank you note. That seems like you are either too cheap, lazy or ran out of stationary. The same timing applies with the multiple thank you letters as the single in person thank you letter. If you weren’t planning on seeing multiple people, it’s ok to wait until you get home to write and send the thank you notes.  The example above would be fitting, just adjust the note to match the kind of conversation you had with each interviewer.

The second round interview
If you have reached this point, and are looking to write your second round, etc, interview thank you letter then great job! You’re obviously on the right track.  With your second, third, etc round interview, the thank you note should continue to emphasize your enthusiasm for the position, the company and why you are the best fit for the position based on your experience.

Peter-

It was great to meet with you for a second interview today! My enthusiasm for the position and working for ABC Company is only growing. In my first interview, meeting with the team was great! I really feel that we would get along personally and professionally.

I still think that I would be a great fit for this position because of XYZ. I showed leadership through ABC and saw success through DEF.

As I have said, I have wanted to work for this company for some time now and am excited to have had the opportunity to interview for this position.

Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me, and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Elyse

 

SEE ALSO: 3 Ways to Say Thank You After Second Interview

We wish  you the best of luck in your interview process, and if you need any advice don’t hesitate to call Brightwing.

Elyse LopezAuthor: Elyse Lopez

How to Make a Positive First Impression

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First Impressions

My dad once asked me a question before my first day at a new school, in a new state, “How many chances do you have to make a first impression?”  The answer of course is once. Like it or not, first impressions matter in all situations both personal and professional, and  they happen in seconds no matter if you are introduced via email or in person.  Nowhere is it more important to make a first impression then when you’re looking for a new job. So here are a few tips to help you make a great first impression:

When inquiring about information via email…Check your spelling

Before you interview anywhere, there is a great chance that you will be communicating via email with your contact. As this may be happening before phone calls, or in person meetings, it is very important to explain yourself well, be respectful, and double check for typing mistakes. If you have a typo, incorrect punctuation or spelling in any initial emails, you may be dead where you sit. When I was in between jobs last year, I wrote an email to a marketing company. I misspelled a word in the subject heading.. What happened you ask? Absolutely nothing.

Look clean, and freshly pressed

I am all for people expressing themselves through their clothing, but when going to an interview, or a meet and greet with potential contacts or employers, you need dress in a way that matches your intention. If you are shooting for a job with a more conservative, corporate company, you will need to wear a suit and laundered shirt. Are you a marketing professional? Look clean and pressed, but be your creative self. Are you looking to meet up with a professional networking group after work? Business casual may be the way you want to go. Know your audience, and act accordingly. For a visual reference click here.

Look people in the eye and sit up straight

This tip is from my mother. She despised when friends of myself or my brother (granted the kids were in middle school) would not look her in the eye, slouch around, drag their feet, and mumble. She trained my brother and I to never (almost never) do these things when we were young. While I can get comfortable in my surroundings now, I still believe that when meeting other professionals for the first time it’s important to show them that you are happy to meet them, that you are listening and that you have yourself together.

Relax a little

Finally, after my etiquette tutorial, remember to have fun with it. You are going out there to meet new people. As long as you carry yourself confidently, listen and provide value to a conversation there is no telling where your first impression can lead you.

How to Overcome the “Overqualified” Label

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“Sorry…You’re Overqualified”!  Those can be disheartening words for sure when someone is in a feverish job search.  Certainly, there are many different points of views: the job-seekers’, the company’s and the recruiter’s.

I spoke with a friend of mine who has been in this situation a couple of times while he was searching for a new job and was told that he was “overqualified for the position.”  Though he was never told why he was overqualified, his senses told him that the company felt he was a ‘flight risk’ and that he would get bored far too easily.  But did the company and companies in similar situations miss out on an opportunity?  Hiring Managers that refuse to consider a candidate that has more qualifications than what the position calls for are far more likely to hire someone that is under-qualified!  Companies  should be clear and concise when speaking with candidates about the role they are interviewing for.  This can save a lot of time for both the candidate and company if there is not a potential match.  Job seekers may have many different reasons for taking a job that hiring managers would say they are overqualified for.  Did they work ridiculously long hours?  Are they starting or adding to their family?  Find out what their true motivation is – this can go a long way in determining whether the candidate is a good fit.  Sometimes, an “overqualified” candidate can greatly contribute  to the company’s long –term organizational goals.  An employer looking at hiring a slightly overqualified candidate is potentially looking into a crystal ball at the future needs of the company and being proactive as opposed to reactive.

According to Dr. Randall Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development websites, there are tactics for helping job seekers to overcome the “overqualified” label:

1)      Let your network speak for you – Nothing is stronger than a recommendation from someone who knows you and your background.

2)      Focus more on skills and accomplishments than job titles.

3)      Take money off the table – Be clear that your prior salary is of no relevance and that you are flexible about salary.

4)      Talk about financial advantages of hiring you – If there is a concern regarding salary, use specific examples that showed how you either increased revenues, cut costs or both.

5)      Talk about teamwork and personality – Show that you are a team player, that team success is far more important than individual team members.

6)      Discuss ‘new’ knowledge – Did you have recent training or skills added to your background that shows you are “up-to-date”.

7)      Demonstrate Loyalty – Alleviate the company’s fears of you leaving with your history of longevity at prior employers.

8)      Get the interview – Be prepared to deal with the overqualified issue, if you can’t get an interview sell the hiring manager on at least giving you a meeting so that you can make your case in person.

9)      Moderation – Do not overwhelm the hiring manager with your experience or ego (especially if the hiring manager is younger).

10)   Express interest and enthusiasm – Nothing is better than a positive attitude and having passion for a new position and potential new employer.

Practicing some (or all) of these tips may be the difference from “Sorry…You’re Overqualified” to “Welcome Aboard”!

Dress the Part: Wear-to-Work Styles

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Fashion in the workplace
Post recession, a good amount of people in our country are looking to find a new job, a job, a  better job, a promotion or expand our networks to make sure we are connected with our industries, and as shallow as it sounds, we need to look good. I have had friends ask about what to wear to networking events, what to wear to work or what does business casual mean? How casual is too casual? I asked a few of our best dressed male and female Brightwingers what workplace fashion looks like to them:

 

What to wear to work Aaron Chernow, CEO of Brightwing
“For new clients always a suit and tie. Definitely dress more formal. I like solid orange ties with grey suits and my dad feels the same way. I love when someone shows their individuality in a pocket square or in a shirt tie combo. If it were a networking event, it would really depend on the mood of the audience. Where is it? Is it formal? Unless I have to wear a tie for a conservative or formal event, I don’t wear a tie because that’s my style. In everyday business casual you should wear whatever makes you feel good about yourself. If you want to be formal I love it, casual I love it.”

 

 

 

David Chernow, CMO of Brightwing
“What I would do is research the culture of the events/ interview/ company that I would be meeting with. Is it a company that wears jeans every day? Am I going to an event with Fortune 500 CEOs? It really depends and you need to know your audience. What if the company I meet with wears jeans? I may not wear a suit; I may wear slacks and a button down. If I am meeting with a conservative audience from an interview to a meeting to an event I will probably wear a suit and tie. My everyday attire for business casual is a polo or button down shirt and casual cotton pants. In the winter I like to wear a button down under a sweater.”

What to wear to work

 

 

Jeff Borra, Business Development Manager
“To a networking event I usually wear a sport coat, button down shirt and dress pants. I like to be comfortable but presentable to potential contacts, candidates and clients. Business casual is more relaxed but can be more colorful. I will usually wear a button down or a nice golf shirt with khakis or dress pants. When it comes to new client meetings, I will wear a suit and tie, usually in conservative colors, but don’t take the business formal so seriously that you wear a tuxedo. Recently I walked a candidate into an interview and he was wearing a full tux.”

 

 


What to wear to work April Jennings, Director of marketing
“Now that it’s summer time I would probably wear a dress with a blazer or cardigan and a cute belt. I am in marketing, and a lot of the creative types are trendy or expressive with their clothes and I love it. One of my favorite stores for staples is The Limited because they make it really easy to mix and match with statement pieces. I am really into the “pop” of color right now.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Peterson, Programs and Partnerships Manager
“I have a young child, and with that I think about a million things that don’t have to do with what I need to wear to work every morning. To make it easier for me, I like pieces that are versatile, cardigans that I can wear with jeans and work pants, shirts that I can wear to work and on the weekends. As far as workpants go I try to find pairs like Limited or Express pants because I know I’ll buy a pair that are comfortable and that I will wear for years… really get my money’s worth. I What to wear to work try to not pick incredibly trendy pieces so they don’t go out of style but still on trend with statement pieces and accessories. I love and need the mix and match and versatility from work to life.”

 

 

 

Meghan Marotta, Recruiter
“If I were going to interview I would wear a simple pant suit with muted tones, my hair out of my face and simple jewelry. On client calls I stick to business casual, meaning pants or work dresses but probably keep things on the conservative side. I would definitely have more fun with my outfits at a networking event or everyday business casual. Jazz up the basics with accessories and statement pieces. Colors are wonderful!”

 

 

 

 

What to wear to work Elyse Lopez, Recruiting Administrator
Being a little self serving I thought I would add my two cents. I generally don’t see clients so a lot of what I wear, as Aaron said, is whatever makes me happy….and what makes me happy are dresses. Nothing frustrates me more in the morning than trying to match a shirt or sweater to a skirt or pants. If I had to sum up my business casual/formal philosophy it would be a dress (wrap, suiting or shirt), blazer or sweater and boots in the winter (cute boots), and a dress with heeled sandals or pumps in the summer.

Author: Elyse Lopez

7 Questions to Ask in an Interview

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We have all heard the question at the end of almost every interview, in every industry, at every level. A seemingly simple question, “Do you have any questions for me?” can make a big impact on the outcome of your next interview. As a recent hire here at Brightwing, I had to prepare myself for such a question knowing that I would have to answer it at some point during the interview process, that being said I have a few question ideas for those currently interviewing.

Who would I report to?
A question like this opens the door to learn and also ask follow up questions about managerial style, culture, departmental norms, and their corporate structure. It also allows you to find out how your success will be measured, how often etc.

What are your current challenges?
I have asked this question in the past as clearly there are points of pain if the position is open and needing to be filled. This can help you identify and speak up about strengths that you have that may be able to solve their problem or need.

What do you consider to be the most important aspects of this position?
This is the glass half full side of the challenge question. Why is this position needed and important? This optimistic question opens up the door for you to be positive and share your related experience and what you may be able to bring to the table if hired.

Is this a newly created position?
In growing companies the position you are interviewing for, may indeed be a new one. If it is new, you will be able to then ask why it was created and what they see for the evolution of the position. If the company you are interviewing for is an established company, and the position has long been established, it is a tactful way of asking why the last person left or was let go. If someone was let go, what issues did they have? What was the problem that they couldn’t solve?

Do you enjoy your job?
I have asked this question in an interview a few times, and it’s actually an interesting one because you turn into the interviewer. On one occasion, the interviewer said that he was unhappy with what he was currently doing, but that he enjoyed the company and aspired to change departments. After he opened up, conversations were more natural.

Does your company have paths for professional growth?
If you are an entry level employee this is a good question to ask as it can show that you are interested in learning and growing with the company. If you are an established worker, it shows that you want to mature in your position or learn to be a part of leadership. If you are at managerial level it can show that you want to learn to be a better manager, or are interested in helping the team you will manage grow to be successful. Never stop learning.

What are the next steps?
As a closer, it is important to know if they are keeping interviews open for a while or if they have a specific timeline. It may also give you peace of mind as to how long you may wait to hear back.

“The opportunity you have is what I am looking for”
Tell the company that you like them and that you want to work for them. If you are just looking for a paycheck, I am sure that they wouldn’t be very excited to see you for 40 hours a week either.

I hope you find these tips useful on your next interview. If you are searching for a new position, send your current resume to the Brightwing website to see what opportunities we may have available for you!

 

 

Author: Elyse Lopez