Corporate Cassie

This is the hair of a hardworking woman at 3:57 on a Tuesday....

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:58:25 -0500

This is the hair of a hardworking woman at 3:57 on a Tuesday.

It also slightly resembles how I wore my hair all day everyday in high school.

And I know that you're a sucker for anything acoustic.

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:16:56 -0400

Fortunately, or unfortunately, for my office mates I discovered the emo station on spotify today. Not sure whether it is impressive or embarrassing that I know (and/or been to a show) every single artist that has played so far. And not like, oh I’ve heard of them once or twice. Like oh, I used to cry in my room to this song and sharpie the lyrics on my ribcage to see what it would look like when I got them tatooed on my body.

I’m talking the classics. Yellowcard, dashboard, TBS, Brand New. You name it. Today I will be spending this halloween sitting at my desk thinking about 16 year old pre college pre corporate Cassie moshing my life away at Warped Tour.

so you agree, you think you're really pretty?

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:26:24 -0400

I know I have touched on this in previous posts but I think it is so important that I am dedicating an entire post to it: Corporate Clothing.

After 8 years of all girls education I had a very skewed idea of what it meant to dress up. In high school I was literally known for my messy bun. I brushed my hair twice a week, maybe. In college my attire for class consisted of two options: sweats and a hoodie or whatever outfit I had on the night before and didn’t have time to change out of. That was it. Not exaggerating.

So when it came to dressing for the real world I had a lot of learning to do. Here are some of my tips for dressing appropriately in the work place.

1. Forever 21 vs. The Loft: The Loft is the Forever 21 of of the real world. If you learn one lesson from this post let it be this:

Putting a blazer over an outfit that you would wear to a club/bar does not automatically mean that it is work appropriate.

This is a corporate clothing crime that I have witnessed way too many times (and have been guilty of way too many times). Dressing for work does not have to be elaborate or expensive. I promise. If it did I would go to work naked all the time.

When it comes to skirts or slacks, make sure they are not wrinkled. Skirts shouldn’t be too short and the slit should not be too high. A test I like to use is to make sure that my skirts are at least a few inches (or centimeters…) below my hands when they are on my sides.

Make sure your blouses are clean and crisp. A key with blouses is to make sure they are not too tight. You know what I’m talking about. When the buttons are busting at the seams and you can see your bra - not a good look for anyone.

A general rule of thumb, make sure you look clean and classy; nothing is too tight or too short, and you should be good to go.

2. Casual Friday. In college dressing casually was my thing. I literally only dressed up on Thursday nights when we went to Club Fever. As any domer knows, Fever was the only establishment in South Bend where a clean pair of sweats was not acceptable attire. After I graduated I started my first real job about 2 weeks later. Naturally, when my first Thursday rolled around and I had put in four full days of grinding I felt I was deserving of a ~~promotion~~ celebratory cocktail after work. Typical of my life, however, one cocktail turned into 13 and serious FOMO kicked in. I ended up partying way too long and hard; dominating the Beaumonts dance floor and calling it a night circa 4:00 am. Three hours later, at 7:00am I woke up and had to be out of the house at 7:15. You can not imagine how grateful I was that it was causal Friday.

I hopped off of my air mattress (it took me 53 days to get real furniture when I moved to Chicago) and started getting dressed. I threw on a pair of jeans. Not just any pair of jeans - my favorite pair of jeans. They were baggy, worn out to perfect softness, ripped in a million places, and the most comfotable pants I owned. Then I threw on my favorite ND hoodie, laced up my nike high tops, put my hair into my signature messy bun, and 15 minutes later was out the door.

I rolled into the office with about 30 seconds to spare-crispy creme in hand. After 20 minutes of settling into my cube I had to ask my supervisor a question so I causally strolled into her office. When she turned around and saw me her jaw literally dropped. Like you know in cartoons, when the characters jaw drops and literally hits the floor - that is exactly what happened. This was her exact quote: ”Did you know where you were going when you left your house this morning?”

Ouch.

From that moment on, I knew casual clothing as I knew it would never be the same.

So let me explain what causal Friday really means. You wear exactly the same thing you wear every other day except you replace your pencil skirt/slacks with a pair of nice, fitted, dark jeans. Same heels/dress shoes, same blouse/button down, same jewerly, and same hair that doesn’t resemble that of a lions mane.

3. Dress for the occasion. Not much to say about this one. When you want your boss to know you care or you want your prospect/client to feel special take the time to make yourself look nice. The first thing some one is going to judge you on is what you are wearing, so make sure it is respectable. If you work in an office like mine you do not need to wear a full blown suit every day but it is important to be able to recognize those moments when it is important to class it up and wear a suit.

In conclusion, dressing for the corporate world isn’t hard. Just make sure your clothes are not stained and/or wrinkled. Dress respectably and people will respect you.

Miscellanious Thoughts

-I can’t be the only person to not have known this so I feel it is necessary to share. When you buy a business skirt chances are the slit in the back may have two stitches holding it together. Apparently, those stitches are supposed to be be removed, who knew? I learned that one the hard way. So just make sure you remove those stitches, it is a rookie mistake so don’t do it.

-Accesories are key. With the right accessories a plain and simple outfit can come to life. You can truly dress up an outfit with some funky accessories. This is something I still struggle with.

- Let’s be real. I still struggle with every aspect of dressing appropriately. It will take time to learn. One time I walked into the office and my coworker told me I looked like I was going to a club (first of all, I don’t even go to clubs). I walked straight to the loft and bought an entire new outfit. I was totally distraught and embarrassed for the rest of the day. What I learned, however, was that it’s okay and it happens.

She's Baaaaccckkkk....

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:17:55 -0400

After a 6 (or 7 or 8) month sebatacle Corporate Cassie is making a triumphant return.

Stay tuned for some lessons to pave your path to living the corporate dream.

Every office bathroom in America should have one of these.

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:33:24 -0500

Every office bathroom in America should have one of these.

We wear our sunglasses at work.

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:14:54 -0500

We wear our sunglasses at work.

“can I put you on hold for a second, I have a photo opp...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:29:00 -0500

Just another day in the office...

totally casual

“can I put you on hold for a second, I have a photo opp with a life size snoopy that is lurking outside my office door” - said only people that work for my company

newyorker: A shoulder-rubbing co-worker cartoon of the day....

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:07:30 -0500

newyorker:

A shoulder-rubbing co-worker cartoon of the day. Don’t forget to enter this week’s caption contest: http://nyr.kr/r46had

Real World: 101

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:53:00 -0500

There are many things I learned in college. How to shotgun a beer, how to wear foundation, how to make a paper longer by adjusting the spacing of the period..and other such valuable skills. What I didn’t realize at the time, however, was how well some of these precious skills would transfer to the real world. There are many things I learned in college that have helped me in the corporate world..and most of them I did not learn in the classroom…

1. Facebook Stalking vs. LinkedIn Research

Well I guess technically I perfected this skill in the classroom. Everyone knows that the prime time for facebook stalking is during boring classes or whilst at the computer lab pulling an all nighter and/or “cramming” for an exam. The art of Facebook stalking is one perfected by every college female (and male –he is just less likely to admit it). It’s important to know the little facts like someone’s favorite movie, book, or quote so you can pretend like you have something in common. “oh my god, yeah I just love the cult classic The Big Lebowski. Can’t believe we have that in common…SO random??”. Who knew that when “researching” a prospect you are essentially just creeping on him or her? Trying to find out every detail of their public life so you can seem like you have as much in common with them as possible.

2. Scenario: It’s Wednesday morning. Having spent the previous Tuesday night taking ~~far too many~~ just enough $2 soco shots at your local watering hole, crushing pitchers of Budlight, dancing your goddamn face off on the dance floor/table -you wake up at 8:50. Head pounding. Confused. Possibly (probably) still drunk. Shoes are nowhere to be found. Oh wait – here they are in the fridge, obviously. You have a class at 9:00 am that you absolutely cannot miss on account of 1. Having already missed the allotted number of classes 2. Received threatening emails from your professor 3. Need this class to graduate 4. It being your second semester senior year … But anyway… How do you manage not only getting to class on time but actually look like a presentable human that is very interested in the Aztec theory on sailing?

a. Baby powder – your absolute key to success. This is mainly geared towards the ladies. You spent hours on the dance floor in a sweaty bar, probably had a few beers poured on you – your hair is bound to be greasy. All you need to do is throw some baby powder in that lion’s mane and you will look like you are on your way to audition for a Tresseme commercial. Dry shampoo also works wonders but when in a pinch baby power is just as good. Just sprinkle some on your roots and brush through. Note – if you are a brunette make sure you brush your hair really well so it doesn’t look like you got in a fight with a fire extinguisher.

b. Febreze wrinkle release – The stuff seriously makes me question how shower, washing machine, or perfume companies even stay in business. FWR is a gift handcrafted by the gods specifically for every college student that likes to casually black out on a Tuesday. It’s common knowledge that as long as something is ironed it counts as being clean. So all you need to do grab something from the floor, throw some FWR on that perfect combo of jeans and a hoodie, and you are all set. Now, if you went to a school in a place that is somewhat socially progressive there probably isn’t smoking allowed in bars. If you are blessed to attend college in a town that for some ungodly reason allows smoking in bars you have to worry about the stench of bar seeping from your every pore. This is another reason wrinkle release is magic. Your signature scent can go from degenerate, drunk, 78 year old townie to clean mountain breeze in the matter of a few spritzes.

c. Gatorade. Seltzer. Doritos. (Repeat) The trifecta. Hangover helper. Breakfast of Champions. This is all you need to help cure your hangover. At least for the 50 minutes you need to be alert during class before you crawl back your bed and recover for the next night.

3. The art of kissing ass. There is a very fine line between being charming and sweet and being an annoying cheesy brown noser that everyone hates. Now, my GPA in college was not stellar. Apparently drinking 6 nights a week, sleeping during a majority of the day light hours, and strictly avoiding reading anything of substance for four years is not a recipe for a dean’s list kind of college career. SO in order to get good/decent/passing grades I had to learn how to finesse my professors. One thing that was helpful was being in a major that literally didn’t require me to take multiple choice exams. Pumping out an award winning (be it an Oscar or a Razzie) essay in mere minutes was a skill I developed quite quickly. My other go to method was attempting to charm the shit out of my professors. Granted some professors could see right through my antics but those were usually the classes that I generally did well in. Things like staying after class, asking about kids, sending random emails on a Saturday, really help you connect with your professors on a different level. The same is true with prospects. Shooting them an email over the weekend, sending a package to them, remembering a birthday all go a very long way in earning a prospects trust. Establishing a true connection with someone, be it a professor or a prospect, can often times have more importance than your grades or the product you are selling.

Corporate Cassie sure has grown up a lot over the past few...

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:29:00 -0500

Corporate Cassie sure has grown up a lot over the past few years. Also, I am an absolute dead ringer for the little kid, Sam, in Love Actually.

The Networking Event

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:25:00 -0500

Ahh, the networking event. When not being used as a feasting ground for young professionals who jump at the chance to relive their college glory days by attending an open bar on a Tuesday and pretending they are at a “trader bros and corporate hos” theme party - it can actually be quite useful. To be honest the concept is a little bizarre to me but according to a lot of people I’ve spoken to they are a great tool for getting your name out there. I recently attended a networking event with an older demographic and picked up on quite a few interesting tid bits of information.

Small Talk - Being good at small talk is an essential skill for the networking all star. “Oh why yes, Wintson, I do agree- the weather has been unseasonably warm.” The key is turning that chit chat into something of meaning. “So unseasonably warm that one of the non-profits I work with has been able to keep their outdoor children’s pole vaulting program open for an extra two weeks… What was that?? Oh yes my company does a lot of work with non-profits…” so on and so forth.

Here are some good v bad topics of conversation

Good: I was born and raised in NY and attended an all girls high school in Queens. I just love the comradery of a single sex education.

Bad: I went to high school in Queens. Sometimes there were flashers on the subway in the morning. I saw more private parts than a proctologist.

Good: I graduated not too long ago in 2010. Yes, I do like life after college. It feels nice having a little more responsibility.

Bad: I graduated from college in May of 2010. Don’t worry though, I still go back as an alumna pretty often and all my favorite bartenders still remember my name.

Meeting people you have communicated with via email in real life- This may only be me (I am the same girl that pretends she is in a music video whenever listening to my iPod) but I have a habit of seeing a complete stranger and creating their entire life story in my mind. Not only do I do this pretty frequently (on the el, walking to the el, at a restaurant, waiting for a table at a restaurant, at the gym, etc..) but I also create incredibly elaborate scenarios as well. You can only imagine the fantastical stories I can come up with when I am actually communicating and establishing a relationship with someone. Needless to say, when meeting someone in real life I usually have a preconceived notion of what they are going to look like, family history, sexual preference, etc… It’s important to not get the stories you have made up in your head confused with whatever information said person is giving you during small talk. “So when did you start working for your company? Was it before or after you decided to run away with the circus to Zimbabwe and pursue your dream of doing a one armed handstand on a giant elephant standing on a tiny ball with all fours? What’s that, you are deathly afraid of elephants and have never been to the circus..That’s so weird, I could have sworn…”

Side note: the same concept applies when you create nicknames for people based on their email tendencies…”Hi, you must be aggressive exclamation point man from such and such a company” “So nice to meet you grammatically challenged Charlie” “I would love to keep in touch, CAPS LOCK CAPTAIN”

Some other things to be aware of (including but not limited to):

- Appropriate attire. Words of advice that were drilled into my head throughout my 12 years of Catholic education: If you look in the mirror and wonder if an outfit is inappropriate – it probably is. Ladies, the excuse “my skirt isn’t short I just have low knees” doesn’t cut it in the real world. Keep the 3 b’s hidden (boobs, belly, butt). Males, tuck your shirt in, shine your shoes, cool it on the cologne, and keep your top button buttoned. You are at a networking event not an audition for Miami Vice.

- Weak handshake. Nothing is more annoying than a weak handshake (for a male or female). A firm handshake is a great nonverbal that says you demand respect and you mean business. (please note – firm does not mean swinging the other person around like a lasso). A weak handshake screams “oh look at me, I’m just a poor country girl lost in the big city hehehe I like the puppies” (please read previous sentence in a high pitched English accent)

Entertainment

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:56:42 -0500

Entertainment

Our friends from UCP joined the fun to pick up the second batch...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:27:39 -0500

Our friends from UCP joined the fun to pick up the second batch of gifts. Best part of the day so far :)

"most likely to break her new years resolution before noon on january 1st- Cassie McDonagh"

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:04:38 -0500

““most likely to break her new years resolution before noon on january 1st- Cassie McDonagh””

- Holiday superlative award

Live blogging from the holiday party commences. Yes that is the...

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:26:07 -0500

Live blogging from the holiday party commences. Yes that is the partner of my company. Yes that is a “green man” Santa suit. Yes this is only the beginning.

3 Tips For Surviving The Office Gift Exchange

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:56:28 -0500

moneyisnotimportant:

Everyone runs into this situation at some point in their professional career. You’re sitting at your desk, and your super peppy co-worker drops by with a holiday gift just for you. You accept the gift with guilt, because you had absolutely no intention of getting that person ANYTHING this year. You make up some excuse about their gift being in your car, and the next thing you know, you’re spending your lunch hour wandering around a convenience store trying to decide if a Hostess Cherry Pie with a bow on it counts as a gift.

Believe it or not, there are ways to avoid these awkward situations. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to enjoy the holiday festivities at work, and keep your gift budget in check…

Read More

One of the great perks of working for a consulting firm that...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:56:00 -0500

One of the great perks of working for a consulting firm that works with a lot of charities: getting to take part in all of their fun events. Every year we adopt over 200 kids from United Cerebral Palsy and make their Christmas dreams come true. We still have to shop for over 40 kids tomorrow night :) I love the holidays. Also, I’m pretty sure if one more person makes the “are all these for me” joke Tara at the front desk is going to flip out.

And so we begin.

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:24:08 -0500

As a child I had many ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up - none of which involved a cubicle or pencil skirts. Growing up I wanted to be famous. First I wanted to be a popstar/singer/Avril Lavigne, those dreams were dashed in the 5th grade when I auditioned for the role of Dorothy and was cast as the yellow brick road (seriously). Then I decided to be an actress. Those dreams were dashed after I dropped my theatre minor in college because there was a mandatory class on Friday mornings.

So 23 years later here I am. A college graduate with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in womens studies. I entered the corporate world a little over a year ago and have been making my mark ever since. I’ve made a ~~few~~ lot of mistakes over the past year. (Luckily for me I managed to land a job at a company that accepts me for my quirks but more on that to come later).

I wanted to start this blog because I am fairly confident that there have to be other people out there like me…right?!? (at least that’s what I believe to make me feel better about myself) Brand new to the corporate world, clueless about office etiquette, considers dressing up wearing jeans without holes, etc….

My goal is to document some of the mistakes and overall expereinces I have had as a “real” girl so that others can learn from me. No use in two of us showing up to our first casual Friday in baggy jeans and a hoodie, right?

Let the adventure begin….

"Just Watch"

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:50:56 -0500

““Just Watch””