12 Holiday Mingle & Jingle Helpful Hints

Presented by Maxim Healthcare Services

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the holiday season! With a much needed break for relaxation from studying, one thing you should not put the brakes on is NETWORKING! Your holiday break is the best time for you to get your name out there with your personal brand! Tis’ the season for giving, so Maxim Healthcare Services would love to spread the holiday cheer by offering these “12 Holiday Mingle & Jingle Helpful Tips:”



1st tip – Get to know your university’s career center and their resources! The career center is there to help you start the ball rolling with networking and job seeking opportunities! Chances are there will be holiday events the center will know about.

2nd tip – Seek out networking/mingling opportunities:
• Holiday family functions
• Social gatherings with friends
• Sporting events
• Volunteer
• Seasonal employment

3rd tip – Practice making conversation easy:
• Talk to family members you do not see all the time (e.g. aunt/uncle) and get their feedback about how the conversation went and did it flow well
• Talk to servers/hosts at restaurants
• While checking out at a store talk with the cashier
• Go inside your bank so that you have to speak with a banker face to face
• While shopping for gifts over the holidays talk to the floor sales reps

4th tip – Ease yourself into conversation by introducing yourself and elaborating on your rhethorical question to show your interest.
• “Hi, how are you? ~ or ~ Hi, how’s it going?
• “My name is Jeff. Are you enjoying the event and what brings you here?”

5th tip – When conversing ask questions the right way so that you exchange information.
• Limit the number of close-ended questions. If you are hearing too many “yes” or “no” responses then rephrase.
• Ask open-ended questions where one can elaborate – “Please tell me about ________?” “Will you explain to me a little more about ______?“
• If you get stuck with what to ask then mirror the question the person just asked you after you have answered their question.

6th tip – Have a couple fall back questions:
• How long have you been with the company?
• Where did you get your degree and what is it?
• What are your likes and dislikes about the company?
• Could you see yourself staying with the company for a while or even retiring from
it?

7th tip - Have a 60 second infomercial about yourself:
• Know your resume
• Know your goals
• Be flexible when talking to an employer so that you are keeping your options
open

8th tip - Dress to impress and always err on the side of being overdressed! If you arrive and feel overdressed you can always:
• Take a tie/scarf off
• Take your suit coat/jacket off
• Unbutton the top button on your shirt
• Be sure to iron your clean clothes, fix your hair, shave or trim facial hair, shine
your shoes – practice good personal hygiene

9th tip - Have something to talk about:
• Stay informed of current events/issues
• If an employer will be at the event research their company and find interesting
facts
• Talk about a project you’re currently working on and what the inspiration is

10th tip – Avoid off color humor. You could easily offend someone without knowing you have done it! Also avoid hot button topics like politics or religion.

11th tip - If you attend a networking event where employers will be, they want you to approach them. Don’t hesitate – Be confident – Smile – Give a reassuring handshake – Know yourself – Have a clear voice – Be persistent - Be professional – Enjoy the experience!

12th tip -Approach networking like your job search and make it your full time job over the holiday! It will keep you on track and forward focused!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Keep Calm and Ace Your Finals: Tips for Surviving the Week We All Dread

Written By Lauren Lind

It’s almost that time of year when the stress levels shoot through the roof and emotional breakdowns are in full swing. This week and next week, the library will be packed at all hours of the day, while you struggle to find an open power outlet to charge computer and caffeine will have become one of your BFFs. Some of us deal with the stress by eating copious amounts of junk food and some of us handle it by exercising excessively in order to remain with at least an ounce of sanity. 

Whatever you do to deal with your stress, realize that you are not alone and that everything is going to be okay. School is important, but so is your wellbeing; so as you tough it out, also realize that your self worth is not solely dependent on a grade. That’s not to say you shouldn’t give it your all, but why have an emotional breakdown when it’s not necessary? Here are some tips for surviving finals week that I have found to be helpful in the past: 

1. Breathe. As simple as this sounds, many times when people are stressed they forget to take deep breaths. Inhale three deep breaths and exhale for a count of 5. Yoga can also be a good release by getting you to breath and your mind and body to center. 

1. Plan for success. Write down out your plan and approximate time needed to study for each subject before finals week starts. Also find out which if your finals are cumulative and plan accordingly. This will help set you off in the right direction by not leaving things until the last minute. 

1. Take Breaks. Allowing yourself to take breaks will actually help you to study more actively. Giving yourself something to look forward to while you study can increase your productivity. You could watch a TV show, or go for a walk, or meet up with a friend for dinner.

1. Sleep. I know all too well about pulling all-nighters; however sleep will help you do better on your tests. If you do have to stay up late, try and get at least three hours of sleep in order to retain the information that you have just crammed into your brain. Or go to bed and get up early to review the information. Either way, get some rest. 

1. Take care of yourself. Drink a ton of water and make sure you are consuming good brain foods. Avoid eating a ton of foods that are high in sugar and fat because they will make you crash. This is easier said than done, so allow yourself a treat after you accomplish a certain amount of studying. 

1. Change up your study environment. Studies have shown that people retain more information when they switch up where they study as opposed to spending all their time in one place, so avoid locking yourself in your room or living in the library. 

7. Get in at least 30-45 minutes of exercise a day. I have often been tempted to skip my workout during finals because I feel that I don’t have anytime to squeeze in a workout. Instead I’ll find myself distracted on Twitter wasting time away that could have been used to help me de-stress. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain and has been shown to improve students’ academic performance. 

Keep calm and do the best that you can on your finals because ultimately that’s all you can do. Hopefully these tips will help you stay breakdown free and congratulations to the December 2013 Graduates!!! 

Hat tip: Stefanie Weisman with colllegecountdown.com and dosomething.org

Breaking out of the Boulder Bubble: Why it is important to keep up with current events

Written By: Lauren Lind 

Over this past break I realized that I am far removed from current world events, living in the Boulder bubble. When my family would bring up certain issues, I had to pull out my cell phone and look up what it was that they were discussing. This made me feel out of the loop and I think it is important for myself and other college students to stay up to date with what is going on in the world. I know that many students do stay current which is awesome and here are 7 good reasons according to Kelly Marcus, blogger from allwomenstalk.com, as to why it is important to keep up with current events:

1.  It is easy. Social media and the Internet make the excuse that it’s too hard to stay up-to-date with the news, completely invalid. Follow newspapers and outlets on Twitter and subscribe to news outlets on Facebook.

2.  It makes the world smaller. The news allows us to get a glimpse into the lives of people in different places and realize they are not so different from us. It is such a wonderful thing that we can be allowed updates by the minute of things happening across the globe.

3.  It is eye opening. Some people like to live in their own little bubble and worry about themselves. Keeping up with current events pops that bubble. Not everything is as perfect as we think it is in America. Hearing about the stories is such an eye opening experience. It really makes you appreciate all that you have.

4.  It makes you cultured. News stories teach you what is acceptable in some cultures and what is not. They also teach you how different daily life in other cultures can be.

5.  It is a good conversation starter. You can end awkward silences by bringing up interesting news stories that you have read about and you can impress others with your knowledge of current events.

6.  It is relevant. You may think that a story about the Chinese economy is completely irrelevant to you, but in the current world where everything is connected, it has a lot to do with you. Something in one country can impact something completely different in another country. Keeping up with current events will help you see the connections across the entire globe.

7.  You will learn a lot. Learning something new is one of the best reasons to keep up with current events. The news is there to teach and inform you. Take advantage of that source of information. I’m sure you will learn something new and interesting with every different story you read.

If you weren’t convinced already with why it is important to stay up to date with current issues, I hope that Kelly’s reasons will have some sway and make you want to be a well-informed member of society.

Hat tip: Kelly Marcus

Stay Active: Workouts for the Office

Written by Lauren Lind

Sitting at a desk eight hours out of the day can lead to increased strain on your back, wrists, eyes and neck, and can result in a general loss of muscle tone. There is also much weight gain that can occur because office spaces are set up to require little movement. While recovering from the damage done during Thanksgiving, I gathered some exercises that you can do at the office to help keep you active and combat the holiday weight gain. Fitting in a little exercise each day improves concentration and actually makes you more productive. Here is a great office workout from military.com:

Stretching regularly - walk around the office for about 3-5 minutes. Get some water, go to the bathroom, etc. Take a few minutes to get up and get away from your desk.

Five Key Stretches
(do stretches for 15-30 seconds) 


1) Neck Stretches - Slowly tilt your head toward your shoulder and hold for ten seconds each side. Keep this one slow and easy, the neck is very easy to injure. 



2) Arm/Shoulders - Pull your arm across your chest, hook your other arm around it to pull the tension out of your upper back and rear shoulders. 



3) Back / Legs - Lean forward at the waist either from the standing position or sitting and bring your chest toward your thighs. Slowly try to straighten your legs by stretching your hamstrings. 



4) Thigh Stretch - Sit on left edge of your chair or stand. Grab your left ankle and pull it upward toward your buttocks. Switch sides. 



5) Calf Stretches - Stand and lean into your desk with your heels on the floor. Bend your knees slightly to stretch your Achilles tendons. 



Five Key Exercises



1)   Leg Squats - Stand in front of your chair and repeat sitting down and standing up 10 times three times a day. 


 2)   
Shoulder Shrugs - Just pull your shoulders as high as you can and roll them forward ten times and backward ten times throughout the day. 


 3)   
Dumbbell Curls - While on the phone, you can grab a dumbbell and do bicep curls for 20 repetitions three times a day. Straighten your arms by your side and bring your hand (dumbbell) to your shoulder. Keep your palms up. Do one at a time if on the phone. 


 4)   
Bench Dips - Using your chair or sturdy table, place your hands on the edge of the object and bend your arms to slowly lower yourself about six inches lower than the seat. Raise yourself by straightening your arms. Repeat this three times a day for 10 repetitions. 



5)   Assisted Push-up - In the office, lean up against your desk and push yourself away from the desk while in a leaning position. Repeat this three times a day for 10 repetitions.

For more great office workouts check out 10 Office Exercises You Can Do Secretly, A workout at work?, and Exercise at Your Desk.  Also be sure to check out this 15-Minute Desk Workout video specifically designed for the office!

Hat tip: Stew Smith with Military.com, Jodie Schneider with Discovery Fit &Health,  Christian Torres with The Washington Post , Jean Lawrence with WebMD, and Nicole Nichols with SparkPeople Videos. 

Be Thankful For These Job Search Resources

Written by Lauren Lind 

While you are searching for a job, you might feel hopeless at times. Don’t fret! Here are a few things to be thankful for when job searching:  

• The unemployment rate in the US has decreased almost 3% in the past 3 years.

• There are a lot more job opportunities out there than you thought possible! There were 3.6 million job openings at the end of 2012. About 80% of available jobs are never advertised (Forbes.com).

• Keep in mind that there are so many opportunities that you are not aware of yet, but somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer.

• Job opportunities are rapidly growing in healthcare, personal care, and community/social services industries.

• 56% of employers reported that a candidate rejected their job offer in 2012, which leaves room for you to apply for positions that may not be filled yet.

• Social media can be used to your advantage when job searching (read more here).

• There is always someone who is worse off than you. Be grateful for what you do have and be proactive in your job search. Help others and volunteer to help you gain perspective on your situation.

• There are a variety of different websites to help you find a job! Check them out:

1. Builtincolorado.com - Startups

2. http://www.boulderstartups.org/jobs/ - Startups

3.http://www.startuphire.com/lc/Boulder-startup-jobs?s=CO  - Startups

4. humanresourcesjobs.com - HR

5. AndrewHudsonsjoblist.com - Variety of industries

6. www.coloradononprofits.org/‎ - Nonprofit

7. http://www.aiacolorado.org/default.aspx - Architecture

8. Indeed.com – Variety of industries

9. http://www.connectingcolorado.com/# - Variety of industries

10. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/Colorado/default.cfm - State of Colorado

Job searching can be stressful to say the least. However, there are many opportunities available and you will find the right place for you. Remember that gratitude can be found through hard times as well as the good.

Hat tip: Bureau of Labor Statistics , Jacquelyn Smith with Forbes.com

How Facebook Can Get You Fired

Written by Lauren Lind 

Be careful with not only what you post on Facebook, but also be aware that the content you like and comment on can affect you in the long run. Remember that coworkers and your boss can see what you post and even if you aren’t friends with them directly. Word spreads quickly, especially when it can be documented on the Internet. The First Amendment only applies to government action, not a company's actions. The Constitution protects free speech from government interference. In the private sector, however, courts have made management discretion the rule, which means you can legally be fired for what you post on Facebook. Listed below are some ways that Facebook, or rather the manner you go about using Facebook, can get you fired. (Numbers 1,4,5,7, and 8 are real examples of when people were fired due to posting inappropriate content).

1. Going on a foul rant about your boss or colleagues.

2. Complaining about own working conditions.

3. Criticizing the company on an elected official's Facebook page.

4. Liking Facebook Pages that conflict with your company’s values or beliefs.

5. Posting photos, references to or evidence of shenanigans in work hours or within the workplace. 

6. Checking-in during work time (or when you’ve called in sick). If you’re meant to be in the office, it’s probably smartest not to check into somewhere else.

7. Liking or posting prejudice content.

8. Trying to be funny, when it relates to your work, your customers or your colleagues. (on Facebook). Sometimes the sarcasm is not always translated.

9. Spending all your work time on Facebook.

Save the negative venting for your best friend or journal. It’s best not to post about work on your personal Facebook account unless you have good things to say or really don’t want to keep your job. Happy posting!

Hat tip: Cara Pring with the Social Skinny and Donna Ballman with Aol Jobs.

Show Appreciation For Your Coworkers and Boss: Create a Culture of Gratitude in Your Office

Gratitude is the state of being grateful or can also be described as thankfulness. With Thanksgiving around the corner I think we can all use a reminder to express gratitude. I have found that most people, including myself, forget to show appreciation for the people with whom we interact with almost every day....our coworkers. Showing genuine appreciation for those around you can change the entire culture of your organization. 65% of people said that they do not feel appreciated at work according to a recent Gallop Survey(reliableplant.com). This is alarming because we spend a good amount of our lives working, so to feel negativity that often cannot be good for our well being’s or our company culture. Here are some ways to generate a culture of gratitude and show that you are thankful.

•Find something that your coworker has done well and tell them specifically what you found admirable about their actions.

•Go back to the basics and remember to say please and thank you. Sometimes we lose our polite demeanor in the office and tend to elect things which generates a negative vibe.

•Express genuine interest in your coworker’s or boss’s life. Ask about their family, weekend, hobbies, etc.

•Get to know your coworker’s likes and find out what interests them. Surprise them with a small thoughtful gift every once in awhile. This will make their day.

•Food is a great way to show appreciation as well. Go out to lunch with a coworker or bring a dish work to share. Cookies, bagels, cupcakes...doesn’t have to be anything fancy.

•A lot of times, bosses only hear negative things. Make sure you sincerely thank them. Make sure they know that you’re thankful for your job because it has made a positive impact in your life.

•When someone has made your life easier by doing a good job, let them know you are thankful for their efforts.

•Check out this Co-Worker Appreciation Board on Pinterest.

A simple, sincere “thank you” can go a long way. There’s a fine line between appreciating and going overboard, so make sure that your actions are genuine. Be thankful for your job and the people who make your employment possible. Most importantly, show your gratitude through your actions.

Hat tip: Susan M. Heathfield with about.com, reliableplant.com, Pinterst.com, Lisa H. with gettingtozen.com

Job Searching Using Social Media

Written by Lauren Lind

Social Media can be used for more than just enhancing your social circle. You can use these platforms while job searching. Here are some tips specifically on how to use Facebook and Twitter to your advantage when trying to find a job: 

• Make people aware that you are looking for a job by posting specifically what type of job you are looking for. They will think of you when an opportunity opens up and can tell you before its posted on job boards.

• Use Facebook to network by utilizing your hundreds of friends and because you know them personally, they will feel more inclined to help you succeed.

• Change your Facebook profile to private and make sure only your friends can see your information in case an employer searches your profile.

• Search hiring mangers on Twitter to help you better understand more about them and then you will be able to tailor your cover letter to their preferences.

• Hyperlink your LinkedIn and Twitter profile information to your resume or just LinkedIn, depending on how you interact online. This gives employers another way to contact you and shows you are social-media savvy.

• Make sure your professional friends can’t see what you don’t want them to see. On Facebook, go under Account, then Friends, create a new list, and customize your privacy settings so professional friends only see certain content. Doing this, your close friends can still keep up with your photos and personal updates, without jeopardizing your professionalism.

• Figure out who you need to know to land a job and retweet their tweets. This may get them to follow you. Unlike most other social networks, Twitter users rarely have private profiles and you can easily instigate conversations with other users.

• Follow all the companies you would like to potentially work for and engage with them, however do not do this if you are not comfortable with them reading your previous tweets.

• On Twitter, join industry chats that are specific to your industry. Search #(keywords for your industry) and you can meet helpful contacts.

• Follow career experts on Twitter and like their Facebook pages and you can get job search advice easily.

• Do keyword searches to see if anyone is looking to hire in your field. Many businesses advertise their job offers on Twitter. Use TwitJobSearch and enter the keywords in their search bar to see all the job opportunities that match your criteria from Twitter.

• Regularly post content that relates to your desired line of work and try showcasing your own work, such as your blog posts, and share other people’s content.

• Use Facebook’s graph search to find people in your network who work in the industry you want to work in. This is similar to LinkedIn’s connections feature, however many people don’t think to use Facebook to their advantage in this way.

• Subscribe to influential industry experts rather than friending them and you can gain insight into their world and that may give you that edge needed.


Hat tip: Alexis Grant with US News, Lilach Bullock with Social Media Today, and Irfan Ahmad with Social Media Today

You got the job! Now what?

Written by Lauren Lind

Congratulations on landing your dream job! All your hard work has paid off. Now what? You should be focused on gaining respect, visibility, and credibility now that you are in the role that you always wanted. This beginning time period of your career will set the path for your long-term success. Here are some ideas for what exactly you should do:

• Call everyone who is important to you and share the fantastic news. Jump up and down and scream! You have to get that out of the way first.

• Next, let other companies that have offered you a position know that you have decided to take a position elsewhere. Be respectful and don’t leave them hanging.

• You must become very clear on what is expected in the role and what your new responsibilities are. It'd be a good idea to set up a meeting with your boss to clarify your duties and ask any questions.

• Be sure to align yourself with your company's business priorities, culture and mission statement. Ask many questions, ask for feedback,  and try to remember new faces.

• Start to form positive relationships with your new coworkers. Remain understanding, clear, and honest. This will aid in building in-house networks. Reach out to everyone including the mail guy, the security guard, the IT guy, and your manager’s executive assistant. You need all the support you can get to enhance your professional career in the future. Be sure to be genuine when you talk with these people or your good intentions might be misread.

• Make it a priority to be on time, keep commitments, and meet deadlines.

• As time goes on, make sure you show your eagerness for advancement within the company through your actions of accepting challenges and completing goals.

• Have fun and do not overwork yourself. Find a balance and although you are enthusiastic about the job, make sure you take “me-time.”

For more information on what to do once you have landed the job, be sure to check out the event “Adapt For a Changing World” on December 4th from 3:00-4:00pm in the Center for Community room S484. This event is part of the CU Buffs Professional Program, which supports you working at your own pace to explore CU-Boulder majors and connect the dots to your career. This program is only open to current CU-Boulder undergraduate students. For more information, call our front desk at 303-492-6541.


Contributors: Ford R Myers with careerpotential.com, Dorothy Tannahill-Moran with makeithappennow.com.

Men's Suits Buying Guide

Written by Stephanie Petersen from Overstock.com


Every man should own at least one great suit, and this this buying guide will help you know what to look for so you can determine which suits are right for you. The key is to look at all of the elements which make up a suit and decide which ones are right for your body, your age, your lifestyle, and your personal style.

What to Look for in a Suit Jacket:

Double-breasted or single-breasted: Double-breasted suits will always be stylish, and they can look very distinguished. The only people who may want to avoid double-breasted suits are young men, who will be overpowered by the width, and men who want to avoid looking wider. Single-breasted suits are a look that can be worn by any man.

Number of jacket buttons: If you opt for a single-breasted suit, you'll need to decide how many buttons you want.

One-button: One-button suits are not very common and can make you look like a member of the Rat Pack. If you are going for a retro look, then a one-button suit will look very cool. If you only plan to have a few men's suits in your wardrobe, this may not be the choice for you since it is not very versatile.

Two-buttons: Double-buttoned suits are a classic and look good on nearly everyone. You can't go wrong with a two-button suit as long as you wear it with the top button buttoned only.
Three-buttons: Three-button suits have become popular in the last few years and are now widely available. Wear these men's suits with either the middle button buttoned or the top two buttons buttoned.

Four-buttons or more: Single-breasted suits with four or more buttons are also available, and this is a very fashion-forward look. If you feel like this describes you, go ahead and wear one of these designer suits, but be sure you have some more conservative business suits to wear as well.

Lapel shapes and sizes: Lapel widths change with the current fashion. Thin lapels that were popular in the 1960s can add a retro edge to a modern suit; but for a timeless suit, look for lapels that are between three and four inches. Peaked lapels (which look like an upside-down "V" at the tops of the lapels) are more common on double-breasted suits, but you may see some on single-breasted suits. Notches (which have a cut-out "V" on the sides of the lapels) are common on single-breasted suits.

Vents: The opening at the back of the jacket is called a "vent," and you have a few styles to choose from.
Double vent: Double vents, also known as side vents, are the most functional because they allow you to sit and stand up with the least amount of restriction. This style is also very flattering.
Single vent: The single center-back vent is a typical American suit style that allows for moderate movement.
No vent: Classic Hollywood actors often wore suits without vents because they look good on film. However, unless you are very slim, it can be restrictive while sitting in a car or at a desk.

Jacket waists: The fit at the waist can affect how the jacket looks when buttoned.
Suppressed waist: This European style fits closely around the waist. A suppressed waist suit looks more tailored and may be more flattering for thin men who like their clothing fitted.
American fit: The suit jacket falls straight from the underarm to the hem. This fit is better for larger men, whether because of muscles or weight.

Shoulders: Shoulders are the one thing that can't really be altered by a tailor, so you'll need to pay attention to how these suits fit.
Pads: All dress suits have a bit of a shoulder padding to give them shape. The shoulder pads are something that a tailor can't change, so make sure you like the thickness and the shape of the pads.
Slope: If your shoulders slope a lot, a thicker shoulder pad will help your shoulders look even. If you have broad shoulders, then avoid adding very much padding to them.

What to Look for in Suit Pants:

Drop: Suits have what is called a "drop," which is the difference between the number given in the size and your pant size. American suits typically have a 6-inch drop. For example, an American suit in size 38R would have pants that are size 32. Slim-fit suits or European suits typically have a 7-inch drop. So, you will need to subtract 7 from the over-arm measurement to see what the pants size is. Most pants can be let out one inch and taken in up to two inches, so your body doesn't need to have the exact measurements as the suit, but you'll want to choose one that is as close as possible.


Break: The break in a pair of pants is the spot where the hems fall on your shoes.

Full break: Pants are hemmed to reach down to the top of the shoes' heels, with the front of the hem "breaking" naturally over the shoes. This look is considered very fashionable.

Half break or medium break: Pants are hemmed to reach about halfway down the back of the shoes. This classic break is a very popular choice. It offers a traditional look.

No break: Hems end right before shoes, and a bit of sock is showing. This look is more casual.

Suit Fabrics

Cotton: Cotton suits are excellent for men who live in warm climates. If you want cotton business suits for hot weather, choose cotton suits in dark colors. A casual linen suit in a light color is appropriate if you need a suit for a destination wedding in a tropical location or you work at an office with a relaxed dress code.

Wool: Wool suits are beautiful and durable, which makes them very versatile. Wool is made in several weights, including worsted wool, so it can be worn anytime of the year.

Blends: Polyester, rayon, or a blend of the two, are also used for suits. These suits are very affordable, but may not have the long life of a wool suit. You may also see wool blended with silk, which will give your suit a luxurious feel. A suit's lining may be made of polyester, acetate, or some other man-made fiber; this is not unusual and these are still high-quality suits.

Get the Right Size Suit

Suit sizes have a number with a letter or word, such as 40L or 40 Long. The number is your chest measurement or your over-arm measurement minus 7 inches. If these two numbers are about the same, use your chest measurement as your suit size. However, if the measurement over your arms is larger than your chest, use your over-arm measurement (minus 7) as your size.

The suit jacket length is described as short, regular, or long, but this may be designated with just the first letter: S, R, or L. The letter or word given in the size refers to your overall height. These measurements are not perfect for everyone, though, so be aware of your body proportions. Choose the suit jacket length that covers your rear end without going any farther. For example, if you're 5'10" but have a long torso, then you may want to shop for a long.

Short
5'5" to 5'7"
Regular
5'8" to 5'10"
Long
5'11" to 6'2"

Measurements and tailoring are an essential part of buying men's suits. An ill-fitting suit can make a poor impression and be uncomfortable, so make sure you take accurate measurements and take your suit to a tailor for the finishing touches.

Slim-fit suits are popular among stylish men. However, finding the right size can be tricky if you are used to a more relaxed fit. We have provided tips on buying a men's slim-fit suit to help you figure out the differences.

Do you need more help getting the measurements for your new suit? Read our guide on how to measure yourself for a men's suit and you'll find out the tricks for getting it just right.

Frightening Office Wear

Written by Lauren Lind

In the spirit of Halloween, I have gathered some office wear that is just down right frightening and should not be worn in the office.

Ugly Patterned Suits

 
You may be trying to make a statement, but you’ll end up just looking like a clown. Keep the suits classy and less distracting.








Crocs


Need I say more? Please do not wear these rubber shoes to work. Ever. Unless you are a nurse, of course, then these are right up your alley.









Short-Shorts

Save the Daisy Dukes for the beach. Too short of shorts are never appropriate in the business world.










Shirts That Show Too Much Cleavage 

Cleavage, like short shorts, is inappropriate for the office.  It may have worked out for Julia Roberts, but unfortunately it won’t work out for you.













Workout Gear

Sweating is for the gym, not the office. Maintain a professional demeanor and never get caught wearing this at your job, unless of course you work in a gym.









Crazy Heels 


These are scary. Keep the heels functional and needless to say, stay away from studs and spikes. Don’t wear heels to the office that you would wear to the club.










And this...


Yeah, don’t ever look like this going to your job. Or ever, because this is just creepy. :)





Happy Halloween! Stay safe out there!

Check Before You Push Send

Written by Lauren Lind

Have you ever sent an email or text to the wrong person? That “Oh s*&%!!!” feeling runs through your body as you tragically try to stop the message from sending. Last week my friend emailed a picture of her hilarious Halloween costume to a business professional with the same name first name of her friend Jason. Her Halloween costume was not as funny to 60-year old manager Jason, as it would have been to her friend Jason. It is important to check before you push send because the recipient may not be so forgiving. Luckily, the manager was understanding and my friend’s mistake did not cause her any trouble.

This man also was lucky when he accidentally texted his boss:

“I was really exhausted and bored at work one rainy day so I texted my girlfriend at the time: “I just want hot chocolate and snuggles.” A few weeks later I needed to text my boss about a meeting when I noticed the last text I sent him said: “ I just want hot chocolate and snuggles.” I went in and copped up to it, but he played dumb and pretended like it never happened.” (huffingtonpost.com).

It seems like a simple no-brainer that you would make sure you are sending your message to the right recipient; however, this is a mistake we all make at one point or another. A good way to decrease your chances of sending messages that could ruin your reputation or career is to not use your work email to send personal messages to people.

Remember that sending the message to the wrong person can happen in a number of ways. One includes posts that were meant to be seen only by certain people. Don’t talk smack about your job, your co-workers or your boss on the web. It will come back to haunt you. Check out these Facebook posts that resulted in the posters’ termination from their jobs.

Avoid awkward situations by being meticulous and check yourself before you wreck yourself...you’ll be glad you did.

Contributors: Huffington Post