Week 11 - A Rest Stop

The Trip

The energy in the room was filled with expectation, wonder, sadness, curiosity and presence.  How do I know this?

As a group, we were instructed to breath, relax and remain quiet for a moment. An invisible cloud seemed to rise above us and from us. This cloud was was a "pressure system" filled with everything all of us were feeling when we awoke that morning and brought with us to this next to last session.

Our guests for this week's session were Miranda and Lissette from Heaven on Earth Associates. This session was like none other because we had the chance to remove ourselves from the stress and fatigue of everyday life and transfer that energy to a more spiritual connection with our fellow travelers in the program.

Miranda, led us in a brief meditation session and as a result, we were able to clearly vocalize the feelings we had buried that morning.

It was amazing!

Your Guide

Heaven on Earth Associates' mission "to educate & connect people to their rightful self through the healing power of massage therapy/bodywork" became apparent as both Miranda and Lissette told us the stories of their journey, struggles and chance encounters which culminated in the achievement of their dreams as massage therapists and healers.

They asked us to believe in ourselves and to believe that we could do anything if we just visualize it. Visualization is the practice of seeing oneself (drawing a mental picture) in the position or situation that is desired.
The ladies were treated to wonderful chair massages that provided an even more relaxing element to the session.  I think quite a few are now hooked!

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

"I feel so relaxed"
"I should get this done more often"
"I don't usually reveal myself emotionally like this, but I feel glad that I did"

Week 10 - The Scenic View - Hooray for Makeover Day!!

The Trip
You could feel the nervous energy in the air as the ladies prepared for their makeovers; the purpose being not only to provide them with fantastic and winning professional head shots, but also to give them that boost every woman can use to create a positive shift in their self-confidence.

The amazing talents of make-up artists Misty Easler and Pamela Barrios transformed the client's on the inside as well as the outside.  Smiles were brighter and postures were straighter.  You could sense the difference. 

Here's one example of a transformation courtesy of fellow blogger and DFS Hudson County client Cristina Nieves.  For a look at the "after" pics of the other fabulous ladies click here. They look amazing!

She was also gracious enough to answer a few questions about how she felt afterwards:

Your Guide

What is it about a makeover that makes me think of Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman? Instead of blabbing on and on in this week's blog post about my experience, I'd like to use Ms. Angelou's poem as "Your Guide" to feeling better about everything we have to offer as confident, beautiful, and empowered women.

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered  

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

"Bangin!"
"Wait til my kids see me!"
"Oh My God!"
"You look amazing!"
"Wow!"
"You guys really know what you're doing" (in reference to the make-up team)

Week 8 - The Connection between Space Travel and Interviewing

The Trip
Raise your hand if interviewing scares you.  Many years ago, I would have had my arm held high.  I was terrified of interviews.  Granted, I was young and a girl from the hood who wasn't exposed to the muckety mucks in corporate America; even during my college years, but I wouldn't use that as an excuse for my discomfort.  Plain and simple??? I was intimidated because I somehow felt that the person sitting across the desk from me held my fate in their hands.
Then something changed.  I took a trip to American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Science.  I had no idea what an impact a screening of the Hayden Planetarium's Passport to The Universe, would have on my life...forever...
Aside from Tom Hank's narration (LOVE HIM!!), the visual journey was breathtaking; the underlying message being:

"There comes a time in each of our lives when it first dawns on us that we are not the center of the universe . . . that we are part of something larger than ourselves."

As Earth became smaller and smaller in the overhead dome's "virtual universe" presentation, I had an epiphany...that we are all tiny, tiny specs; significant yes as individuals here on this planet, but the same, nonetheless in our relation to the Universe.  With this in mind, I no longer felt unworthy of or lesser than the person sitting across the desk from me.

I'm not sure if this exhibit is still open, but if it is, I implore you to go see it.  Here's the trailer:

Your Guide 

So once one conquers the jitters, there are some finer points you need to know about the interview:

Converse, Connect and Convince
The Handshake – First Impressions Mean Business

• Shake - Smooth, not limp or over-enthusiastic.  Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder
• Flow - Establish eye contact

Be Prepared

• Re-examine the job posting
• Review your phone interview notes
• Research interviewer
• Revisit the company website
• Review module “Putting Your Best Face Forward”
• Print copies of your résumé
• Get directions/transportation information
• Pick your clothing
• Write and organize your questions - Think bigger than yourself and the job.  Be sure to ask questions about the interviewer
• Plan Your Answers
• Active Listening - Paraphrase the question. Pay attention to non-verbal communication. Ask for clarification if needed
• Soft Selling – Answer the question asked. Stay on point.  Be specific and give examples. Confirm you’ve answered their question
• Relax, Be Yourself and Smile!!!!!

Follow-Up

• Send a Thank You note right away - SAME DAY
• Call - At least 5 days after

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

"I'll try to be myself"

"What can a prospective employer legally ask?"

Travel Advisory

 

Interview Thank You Letter Resources

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/thankyouletters/a/samplethankyou.htm

http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_thank-you_letters.html

http://career-advice.monster.com/thank-you/employment.aspx

http://jobbankusa.com/CareerArticles/Interview/ca10706a.html

Week 7 - Travel Gear

The Trip

I've interviewed several people during my professional career.  Not once did their attire factor into my decision as to whether I should hire them or not.  I wasn't your typical run of the mill hiring manager though and thus, one shouldn't use me an example for any case studies on the do's and don'ts of interview dressing.  I dance to the beat of a different drummer my friends...
That being said, I do know what employers-at-large come to expect and our program coordinator, Linda Street, gave us a very consise and visually entertaining presentation on building a professional wardrobe.

Your Guide

Why Build a Professional Basic Wardrobe?

• Looking professional makes others view you as professional
• Having a polished look puts you in a more "business like" mindset.
• Stocking up on those few key pieces without spending a lot of money provides easy, interchangeable options to wear.
• It’s fun to play the savvy professional woman’s role –a smart wardrobe can help you do that.

Here are the recommended 10 Wardrobe Essentials

1. Suit - well fitted
2. Blouse/Shell - not low cut
3. Dress Tees/Camisole - not tight
4. Pencil Skirt - slim all the way around
5. Blazer - well fitted, 3-button
6. Spring Dresses - wrap or sheath
7. Pants/Trouser - flat front
8. Cardigan Sweater - fitted, not tight
9. Trench Coat - belted
10. Accessories - foundation garments, pumps, ballet flats, belts, stud earrings, pearl necklace, tote/professional shoulder bag, and summer scarves

Words from Your Fellow Travelers
"Think fitted, not tight"
"I'd love to be able to keep my style"
"These ideas can work for me!"

Week 4 - It Seems, Your Bags are Already Packed!!!

The Trip
One of the best, most rewarding jobs of my life was awarded to me even though I had no experience in the field…or so I thought.

I wanted to enter an emerging industry and quite frankly at the time, there weren’t many people out there who knew how to do the job. So I was fortunate enough to get an interview with a company that was looking for someone that had other skills that were “related” to what they really needed. After a series of meetings, I got the gig and loved working in an environment where I was free to shape the course of that company’s future success.

This week, our guest speaker at Dress for Success Hudson County’s Going Places by Walmart workshop, was Ms. Pamela O'Halloran formerly of Dress for Success Worldwide. The topic of this session was Transferable Job Skills; in other words how to identify and use what you've already got.
Pamela started off the discussion by asking clients to think about how to apply their life experiences to:

• Asses the skills they already have
• Extract key terms from those life experiences
• Come up with language to put in their resumes

This task may seem like a waste of time to some, but a couple of really cool examples of how to apply this exercise to roles a few of us take for granted:

   BUSY MOTHER                          EFFICIENT MULTI-TASKER
 

EXPLAINING A PROCESS               TRAINING PEOPLE


Your Guide

• Networking is valuable – Talk to friends and reach out to former colleagues to help refresh your memory about certain results you accomplished
• Borrow Language - Use wording from job postings in your resume
• Volunteering builds skills and your network – let the people you’re working with and for, that you are serious about working there full-time if an opportunity presents itself

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

“Treat volunteer work like it’s your real job!”
“I like the energy in this group!”
“Looking forward to working on my resume more to change some of the wording.”
“When I get feedback about certain skills I lack, I go out and get training to learn that skill.”
“I have MANY interviews now!”
“Create the highest, grandest, vision possible for your life because you become what you believe” - Oprah Winfrey

Travel Advisory

Rising Tide Capital – The Community Business Academy
Linkedin – Get the most from your professional network

Week 3 - Visiting The Richest Man in Babylon

Tiffany "TheBudgetnista" Aliche with the ladies of the Dress for Success Going Place Network by Walmart

The Trip

Volunteer work takes a very personal turn…

I have disrespected money…blatantly for most of my life.

This was an epiphany I had just after this week’s session.  It’s one of the harshest things I’ve had to admit about myself in a long time, but now that I’ve said it, I am sure there is something I can do to rectify the offense.

After a review of Week 2 with the clients, the group was introduced to our guest speaker: Ms. Tiffany “TheBudgetnista” Aliche.  Right away I became keenly aware of her exuberant energy.  She took charge right away and began her presentation by telling us the story of the first bicycle she ever bought…as a kid. 

I’m not sure what everyone else expected to hear from Tiffany and as I mentioned in last week’s post, I left my expectations home.  I purposefully decided NOT to do any research on her because I wanted to be completely objective upon our introduction.  Her next story was a quick synopsis of the book The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.  The basic premise provides the reader with the "golden rules" of money that we should all live by.

Next up! The session, which was a flurry of opinions, ideals, and disagreements all surrounding the issue of money philosophies, was masterfully facilitated by Tiffany.  In the end, most of the women confirmed they were in trouble and I was certainly right there with them.  Tiffany made us all take a cold hard look at our poor spending habits directly in the face so that we could become more accountable for our actions yet motivated to make positive changes moving forward.  Tiffany walked the group through a portion of Day One in her book; The One Week Budget, where clients were asked to:

1.   list every single expense

2.   apply a monthly dollar amount to each expense

3.   subtract that amount from their monthly income

4.   determine if they had money left or if they were in the hole

  

After the calculations were tallied, you could hear a pin drop.  We all know what that meant.  But instead of seeing fear or discouragement on the faces of the women, I saw the look of realization and personal strength; the determination to make a change.

Later, after a giggly photo session (see group pic above), Tiffany was nice enough to offer me a ride to the PATH station…poor girl!  It was like putting a chronically ill hypochondriac in a car with a doctor.  I think I spilled my entire financial guts to her in less than five minutes.  You gotta give it to her, she’s a good listener!  One of the last things I recall muttering to her before I got out of the car was that I had an “existential philosophy” about money…hahahaaaaaaa.  What in the world was I talking about? Pure gibberish!  Excuses, excuses, excuses…

As soon I got home, I started browsing her book first as she suggested and have marked a day this week to start my Day One calculations.  In the meantime, I’m still reading The Richest Man in Babylon and I am totally captivated by its simple yet enlightening message that will indeed “change your money mindset”.  It has for me.  Thanks Tiffany!

Your Guide

Rules to live by: From the Richest Man in Babylon

Acquire Money - A part of all you earn is yours to keep. It should be not less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford. Pay yourself first.

Keep Money - Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you take only what is worth having. He, who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters, shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinions.

Use Money - make gold (money) work for you

Rules to live by: From TheBudgetnista

“Need” means what you CAN’T LIVE without

“You don’t have to have a lot to have a lot”

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

Tiffany,
I was just in the Going Places Networking Workshop. You were/are amazing and have changed my life! Thank you! Your Seminar today was great! Extremely helpful, you have encouraged me to take on a different/better life. I am so glad to have crossed paths with you! Thank you so much!! You are amazing! Glad you kept going because you are helping so many people. :) Congratulations and good luck on all the great things coming in the future!

From a DFS client

Hello Linda,
Thanks SOOOOOOO much for inviting me to facilitate the workshop. The ladies truly touched my heart and reminded me exactly why I began working as "TheBudgetnista" in the first place. I decided in college that I wanted to live a life of service, and I've chosen financial literacy as my vehicle. I'm really grateful for the platform you've provided in letting me help others, learn how to help themselves. I look forward to the next one.
All the best and more,

Tiffany

Travel Advisory

The Budgetnista

The One Week Budget – Learn to create your money management system in 7 days or less!

The Richest Man in Babylon

Photos from Our Trip

Preparing for The Journey

The Trip
It's so "interesting" how God, The Universe, Fate, or whatever celestial energy you believe in, works.  I'm always amazed at how people and/or opportunities enter my life just when I need them.
Here's an example for yall...
My daughters and I have been getting our hair done at the same salon for over four years.  The salon owner, Jennifer, and I have become good friends during this time and every once in a while she would always mention another friend of hers named Linda who I have never met; which was strange in itself because I have met many of her friends over the years and Linda wasn't one of them. 
I was starting to think that Linda was a figment of Jennifer's imagination...
When I finally did meet Linda, it was totally by chance and that's a crazy thing to say since we eventually did meet at a networking event...IN THE SALON!  No one introduced us.  She was just a random woman who started a conversation with me and whose name didn't click until later on in the day when Jennifer asked me, "Did you meet Linda?"

Needless to say (but I will), timing is everything. A chance meeting is everything. 

When she and I eventually sat down for a good 'ole chat, we discovered that our paths were in parallel.  Linda Street works for Dress for Success Hudson County and is the Program Coordinator for the Going Places Network by Walmart.

This program, funded by a national grant from the Walmart Foundation, is designed to help unemployed and under-employed Dress for Success clients gain professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment.

Linda was thinking it would be nice to have someone sit in and document the program's workshops so that she could post the summaries and outcomes on their website, and guess who was working towards beefing up her blogging activities??? Amazing.  I met Linda almost two weeks before the program was about to begin and this is the preview post written to prepare myself and the reader for our journey.

Your Guide 

• Always tell people you meet, what it is that you do or want to do - I have a good friend who teases me about this.  Every time we hang out and meet new people, I always ask them "What do you do?".  She thinks it's a turn-off for guys, but I don't care.  I'm not trying to find out how much money they make.  I want to know so I can see if there is any way we can help one another...that's all :)
• Always follow-up - even if you can't put your finger on what it is you have in common with someone you meet, make sure you follow-up with a phone call, text, or email.  You never know when you will need to reach out to that person and you want to make sure they remember you.
• Keep your mind and heart open - being positive has never failed me.  I didn't say it was easy, BUT keeping your mind focused on the goals you want to achieve and visualizing yourself doing what you want to do, makes that "dream" a reality...cliche, but true.

The first program group  of 15-20 women will meet every Wednesday 10a-12p April 13 – June 29 at a lovely loft complex in Jersey City, NJ.  Stay tuned for more!