Put together by Yuli Hayashi, Andrea Roberts, Sara Rosenberg, and Sruthi Swami. 

LETTER FROM HANNAH SELIGSON:
 
Dear 85 Broads @ Columbia,
 
Hi! A brief introduction. My name is Hannah Seligson. I'm a journalist and author.  In 2007, I wrote a career guide for young women called New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches. Between us, I really wanted to call the book How Not to Cry at Work. The book is based on interviews I conducted with young women and women who have made it to the top of their fields, like cosmetics legend Bobbi Brown and CNN super-star Soledad O'Brien. You can read more about the book here: http://www.hannahseligson.com/sub/ngotj.html.
 
I've been asked to write about "First Impressions."  Here are some thoughts, culled from the book, about how not to botch it up.
 
"Eighty percent of success is just showing up," Woody Allen famously quipped. But that leaves 20 percent left to chance, and there are no do-overs when it comes to making a first impression. And unfortunately, just putting on a swanky new suit doesn't make you a professional. In practice, the process takes time, some good strategies and a certain degree of faking it.  While employers value the energy and enthusiasm newcomers bring to the workforce, that doesn't mean they necessarily find "youthful" traits endearing. Generally speaking, employers are not impressed by new hires who act like it's college orientation (read: getting sloshed at your first work function), have no sense of appropriate topics for office chat (read: no one wants to hear what your therapist thinks) or act like they've been on the job for years (read: giving your boss advice on improving things before you've memorized the address of your office).
 
As the astute social observer Mae West once said, "It ain't what I say, it's the way that I say it."  At the office, tone, delivery and word choice matter. Deals are thrown off kilter, clients are alienated and opportunities are lost because of poor word choice and other issues of nuance.  Some rules to remember: Err toward the formal: Address new people you meet by Mr. or Ms. until the person tells you that you can use their his or her first name. And always use your first and last name when you introduce yourself.  Avoid the touchy-feely: Don't use the word "feel" interchangeably with "think," and only use the word "like" as a way to make a comparison to something else. Don't mumble: In general, but especially at meetings and presentations, speak slowly and clearly, and make eye contact.
 
I hope these have been helpful. You can read more of my reporting on the workplace here: http://www.hannahseligson.com/sub/reporting.html.
 
Good luck, and please feel to get in touch with me directly. You can e-mail me at hannah@hannahseligson.com.
 
All the best,

Hannah


ADVICE FROM 85 BROADS @ COLUMBIA
 
First impressions begin even before the interview begins, so remember to follow these tips to make a lasting, positive first impression to help land you your dream job!

QUICK TIPS:
 
1. Email: If you correspond with an interviewer via email, the first thing the employer will see is your return address.
- Make sure your email address is appropriate: hotmama123@domain.com will not make a good first impression. It is best to use your Barnard or Columbia email address, or an address with your full name.
- Be brief, courteous and to the point in your emails. Do not use slang and delete any quotes, lyrics, etc. in your email signature.

2. Pre-Interview: You are noticed from the moment you walk into the door.
- Be on time. Turn off your cell phone, iPod, and any other electronic devices before entering the building. Smile, and be polite to the receptionist.
- No food and beverages when you walk into the interview.

3. Dress for success: “No matter what type of office environment you work in—casual, formal, or in between, you should always strive to display an appropriate level of professionalism in your clothing," (Seligson, pg. 25).
- Bobbi Brown, founder and CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, puts it bluntly about how young women dress for work, “A lot of girls have no clue how to present themselves. You have to open your eyes and look around and see what everyone else is wearing. I’ve seen too much cleavage, too many thongs, and definitely too many piercings,” (Seligson, pg. 25).
- When you are shopping for your office wardrobe, you should be thinking about brands like Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Club Monaco, and not Forever 21, H&M, Old Navy. It is better to invest in quality clothes that will last for years (and give you that professional confidence!) than to purchase a ton of low-quality clothing.

4. Body Language: It is important to make sure your interviewer is not distracted from your responses by nervous moments.
Videotape yourself during a mock interview to highlight any areas you need to work on. Here are some basic tips.
- Avoid rocking back and forth, uncrossing and crossing your legs, touching your hair, face and mouth.
- Sit up straight and maintain eye contact. Eye contact helps to exert confidence.
- Make the interviewer see that you are confident and comfortable. You may feel nervous, but by being able to control your body language, you will project an image of a strong, confident and capable woman ready for the job!
 
FURTHER READING:
 
* Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) by Cathie Black
* New Girl on the Job by Hannah Seligson
* How to Dress for an Interview: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewdress.htm
* What is “Business Casual?” http://www.career.vt.edu/Jobsearc/BusCasual.htm
* How to Conquer the First Impression: http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-409-Getting-Hired-How-to-Conquer-the-First-Impression/
* Pre-interview Bloopers to Avoid: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/aug/05career.htm
 
Missed Leadership Week, Day 1?  View it here: https://secure.85broads.com/public/blogs/jessica-l-stevenson/articles/leadership-week-day-1-getting-started-how-to-make-your-plan
To receive Leadership Week articles via email, send an email to 85BroadsCU at gmail dot com (85broadscu@gmail.com).

85 Broads @ Columbia
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