2012 in Review: Instagram

31.12.12

I've loved using Instagram this year- and can't wait for more snaps to happen in 2013!

I can be followed at lauraemilyd, and check out a small selection of images I have taken this year.











Political Style on the Web

28.12.12

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There are many ways to keep up to date and follow the latest developments on Political Style.







Make sure you check out the accounts and follow today!

As always, thank you all for your support! 

#26 Acts

21.12.12


Ann Curry recently blogged about #26 Acts, a campaign inspiring Americans, and individuals across the world to perform acts of kindness to remember those individuals lost in the shooting in Newtown, CT.

Some of the #26 Acts tweeted by individuals are below and more can be viewed here.

What will your #26 Acts of kindness be?





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Career Q&A: Jaime Petkanics, The Prepary

21.12.12



A big thanks to all of you who submitted your questions for our career Q&A with Jaime Petkanics from The Prepary.

We hope the answers bring you the advice you need! For more top employment tips check out The Prepary. 

Do you have any tips for Europeans seeking employment in the US? E, Barcelona

Try to look at and apply to companies that really value a global perspective. Companies that do are more likely to sponsor visas/work authorization and will also value what you can bring to the table right away.

How can you successfully network if you are nervous and a shy person? A, Boston

I think (as with many things) it takes a lot of practice and putting yourself in situations that aren't necessary comfortable the first time around.  The more you do this, the more comfortable you will become.  Now there are also a lot of opportunities to network "digitally" (such as through Linkedin and email) and that is actually a nice trend for those of us that are a bit shy and intimidated by in person networking events.  The best networks are built slowly and naturally over time so being overly aggressive isn't always the best strategy.

What is the best way to expand your network to search for a new job? L, London

I think speaking to lots of different people who do something you are interested is a great way to get started.  Fellow alumni, friends of friends, and former colleagues are good people to start with. Set up time to hear from them about what they do and how they've succeeded in their career. You'd be surprised how many people will also be willing to help you. A little more info on this topic can be found in this post.

What are your top tips for a resume layout? A, New York 

A tip I have that makes a huge impact is organizing your experience by what is relevant and what is "additional".  A recruiter usually looks at your resume for 30 seconds or less in a 1st screen so you want the top parts of your resume to tell a strong story (where your focus is obvious and not lost amongst other roles). I have a post that elaborates on this.

Should you have a creative looking resume if you are applying for a creative job? C, Los Angeles

Yes, I think you should. Though I would also advice to have one more "plain" version to use to apply online (when you submit the resume through the system) and another to use when you are emailing the resume directly.  Sometimes systems don't know how to make sense of fancy, formatted resumes and you want the system to be able to pick up on keywords.  Sometimes recruiters actually rely on technology to match candidates with jobs so you want your resume (that goes into the system) to make that possible.

How can you find your perfect job if it is not publicly advertised? L, Barcelona 

That's a tough one. It's hard to stay "top of mind" for people at a company. Of course it's ideal if they think of you first when they have a job in mind (that's not posted) but that is not usually what happens in reality.  The best way to make sure you stay on someone's mind is by staying in touch.  Do it appropriately (check in at select times in the year) but not aggressively (like checking in every month).  Overall, it's good to ask if companies usually post their jobs and if not, what is the best way to keep in touch.  They'll tell you what method they prefer.

What is the best way to make sure that a company keeps your CV on file? L, Barcelona

The best way to get your resume on file is to submit it through a system (by applying online).  That means your resume will always be in there and be searchable.  However, don't rely on someone to go and find it when a job opens up.  Stay very plugged in on the companies job postings and reach out directly when you see an opening that excites you.

What are the best ways to find an internship? M, New Haven, CT 

The best way to find an internship is probably a combination of searching online (indeed.com, internships.com, monster.com and lots of other sites) and networking (to ask if there are internship opportunities).  Once you get interviews, being really prepared is key. Since interns don't generally have a ton of previous experience, their work ethic, research, and preparation are that much more important.

The working atmosphere at my office is absolutely horrible. What steps can I do to improve it? J, Washington DC

Unfortunately that's a tough one. Depending on how big the company is and how set in their ways they are, you may not be able to improve the environment. what you can control is how you let it affect you personally.  There might be ways to "detach" from it, not take things personally, and work on letting things go after a tough day.  Of course, this is easier said than done!  If you don't see things changing and you don't feel like you are learning or benefitting from the job, it may be time to look elsewhere.

How do I search for a job whilst still in employment? H, Providence RI

This is a tricky one and a common question. Overall, devote a certain period of time per day/week and treat it like a part time job.  Also, don't let anyone know that you are looking and try not to burn any bridges as you go.  This is the abbreviated version of course - I wrote a few articles on this which you can check out here and here.

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Shop the Boden sale!

20.12.12

Boden
The Boden sale has begun! Shop now for up to 50% off! I scored these Zip Ankle Skimmers for only £24.50 each!

Goodies from Crabtree & Evelyn

17.12.12

Author's Own

A big thanks to Louise at my local Crabtree & Evelyn branch for sending me over some lovely samples to try out!

The Evelyn Rose body wash and body cream smell like an English rose garden, and the Himalayan Blue hand cream is fast becoming my favourite treat for treating winter's dry hands! The Mulberry Lip Tint has a gorgeous sheen and is the perfect lip treat for your Christmas party's!

Check our Crabtree & Evelyn online for the full range of products.

Christmas Goodies from Archipelago Botanicals and Fly Ties

16.12.12

Author's Own

A big thanks to Style House PR who sent me over a box of goodies earlier this week to try out!

I was really pleased to receive some of the gorgeous 'Milk' range by Archipelago Botanicals- they are as delightful as they sound! I also received a packet of Fly Ties in 'Twilight.' These also arrived at just the right time as I really needed some new hair ties!

Supporting the JFK Library Foundation

11.12.12


This Christmas, why not give the gift of supporting the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Your gift will help to:


  • Continue to support a living memorial to the 35th President, where visitors can experience and share the hope of the Kennedy administration
  • Preserve and provide access to artefacts and documents from a powerful time in America's history
  • Support an award-winning educational centre, providing free and dynamic programming to tens of thousands of students each year on-site and through the Library's website
  • Preserve and maintain the largest digital archive of Presidential Papers, providing on-demand access to the archives of the Kennedy administration
  • Support the Kennedy Library Forums as a major public program for conversation, debate and exchange


For more information on supporting the JFK Library click here.

Donations can be made securely online through the JFK Library and Museum website. 


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30% off at Candystore Collective!

7.12.12

Candystore Collective

Get 30% off all items at Candystore Collective until December 15th by entering 'GIFTSFORALL' at checkout!

My Career: Jaime Petkanics, The Prepary

6.12.12





Are you in need of career advice, tips on how to improve your resume or how to successfully expand your network? Then look no further than The Prepary! Founded by Jaime Petkanics earlier this year, The Prepary provides advice for the modern job seeker and professional all under one roof.

Read on for an exclusive chat with Jaime and to learn how you could receive some personal career advice!


What difficulties did you face when starting out in your career? 

My first big challenge was actually finding a full time job, like so many others! I graduated from NYU in May and launched my job search early that summer.  I didn't start my first job until that October so needless to say, I started to get a bit panicked as the summer went on.  The toughest part was turning down offers that were good, but didn't feel 100% right.  I'm glad I held out though (and worked part time in the process) because the role I ended up taking was worth waiting for.

What interested you in becoming a recruiter?

During my senior year at NYU, I watched many of my peers go through the campus recruiting process and watched them land Consulting and Investment Banking jobs months and months before graduation.  At first I was a a bit envious that they already had it all figured out, but then it clicked.  I didn't want to be a Consultant or a Banker, but I was really interested in being the person who came to campus and shared information about those opportunities - the campus recruiter role.

After a long search, I landed in my first role as a Campus Recruiting Coordinator and was promoted to a Campus Recruiter role about a year later.  After 3 years in the Finance Industry, I realized I loved recruiting, but wanted to work in an industry I was more passionate about.  That's when I moved into a Recruiter role at Tory Burch - a brand I was incredibly excited about.  I can't say enough about working for a company that excites you.  It makes every day so much more interesting and fulfilling.

What motivated you to establish the Prepary?

As a job seeker, I was very frustrated about the lack of transparency and reliable information around the job search process.  Then, as a recruiter, I was able to see how things worked from "the other side".  I knew that if I could help share that information with job seekers, and if they had a resource (and person) they could trust for advice on this topic, that i'd be able to help more people get jobs.  That's what I am most excited about in launching The Prepary - that it will help more people get their dream jobs.

What are the pros/cons of running a site like the Prepary?

I love running the site and my client business as well because I see it helping people during what can be an extremely frustrating process.  As long as The Prepary can support people and make the experience a little bit less painful, I am thrilled.  So far, I don't see any real cons.  Of course, running your own business is riskier than working a stable job (which I've done for the past 5+ years) so that's definitely one adjustment.

How many requests for help do you receive on a weekly basis?

Depends on the week! At least a few a day.  I work with some people one-on-one to act as a "job search coach" and for others, just help answer random questions as they come up.  I also love hearing from readers about what is on their minds so I can cover the topics in future posts.

What is your long term vision for the Prepary? 

Eventually, I'd like The Prepary to have tools built in that will help people manage and organize their job search and that will automate things that take up tons of time.  Keeping track of all of your contacts and applications can feel like a full time job.  I am definitely interested in making that easier for people!

What is the best career advice you have ever been given?

One piece of great piece career advice I received was around the importance of going above and beyond the call of duty for your coworkers, clients, superiors, etc. My first boss (who is a major mentor for me) had this extreme attention to detail that at first I thought was excessive, but then I realized how valuable it made her to the company.  Go above and beyond and deliver a flawless and reliable work product, and you will quickly get noticed and handed more responsibility.  By doing that, you also make yourself indispensable.  Equally important is to pursue a career path where you're excited to give that 110%, not dreading it.

Political Style is running an exclusive Q&A session in partnership with The Prepary! Jaime will be answering questions exclusively for Political Style readers, with the answers to be published on the site and on Political Style's Twitter feed. 

To submit your question, send an email with 'Prepary Q&A' in the subject line to: politicalstyle@gmail.com 

The closing date for question submissions is the 13th December 2012. 

You can follow The Prepary on Twitter, Facebook and on Pinterest.
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