Life presents us with many opportunities, but in order to be successful at securing and performing during those opportunities we have to be well equipped. After all, one opportunity can lead to many. And I use the word opportunity, but that word gives the connotation of something big. The truth is even the smallest encounters can lead to great things. One interaction can lead to your dream life! However, we don’t always have the time to prepare for these opportunities. We just have to be ready to give it all we’ve got. I have put together a list of must haves for every successful woman so that you can always be prepared to rock any opportunity like a B-O-S-S.
- Dress/Pant/Skirt Suit
I don’t know why I started off with such a lengthy category… Well actually, I do. Although this category can be lengthy, and some would consider it miniscule, this is a very important category. First impressions are the most important impressions, and people will see you before they hear you. I don’t necessarily think that’s a best practice, but I’m not going to act like it isn’t true. And I don’t make the rules. You’re judged by how you present yourself visually before even being able to speak for yourself. But like I said, it’s nothing new, and we can only control what we can control. So, to avoid all of that, we dress for success.
There are four categories of business attire: business formal, business professional, business casual, and casual. I don’t really consider the “casual” category. It’s described as close to business casual, which doesn’t make sense to me, but I don’t make the rules. Now, I’m not going to go through each of those categories and their specifics. I’ll save that for another post. By the way, I’d say I’m pretty well versed in that subject matter, as I created and presented the women’s category of majority of the Professional Dress presentations during the years I was in pharmacy school. That was my thing since I enjoy dressing.
What’s important to note about this category on our list of must haves for successful women is that every successful woman (and women wanting to become successful) should have a dress, pant or skirt suit pressed and ready to go. These items fall under the category of business professional. You never know what opportunities may arise. The good part about having a business professional fit on standby for a business-related event is that you can never go wrong. Regardless of whether the environment ends up being more formal or casual, you’re likely to be dressed for the occasion in a suit. Worse case scenario, you’ll feel like you could’ve opted for the flats instead of the heels for a business casual environment because they’re more comfortable. By the way, heels are no more professional than flats by today’s standards. I have a dress suit on standby. If choosing the pant or skirt suit, make sure you have a top pressed and ready to go as well. If choosing a dress or skirt suit, know that you’ll also need hosiery for business professional attire.
2. Updated Resume/CV/Portfolio
I tried to cover all career fields with the heading for this point. Either you’re presenting your skills and experience with a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) or a condensed, targeted resume, or you’re displaying your skills, abilities, and experiences via images with a portfolio. Regardless of which it is, it needs to be current. A lot of times we secure the job and completely forget about all the updating and perfecting we were doing to our resumes while in the process of trying to secure an interview to obtain a job. At any point, a new opportunity may be presented to you. If it’s urgent, you may miss out on the opportunity. And we all know, thrown together or last-minute resumes do no justice. If you keep your resume updated, not only will you always be ready to hand it off, but not as much energy and time will be required to update it for the next planned event or opportunity. Applying for jobs right out of school was a smooth transition for me because I had an awesome up to date CV. My CV was so awesome and up to date because I worked hard to perfect it and had it reviewed multiple times in preparation for Midyear. So, I was submitting my CV with the applications I filled out for jobs. The only thing that I had to and was proud to update on my CV was my licensure section because at that point, I had passed my licensure exams.
I will say the transition to a resume was a challenge for me. I haven’t had to submit a resume anywhere yet because I’m still holding one of the jobs I applied for after becoming licensed. However, as I stated above, I needed to stay current, and after being employed for this amount of time and no longer being considered a new grad, a resume is expected. I say transitioning to a resume was challenging because it’s not as broad or detailed as a CV. With my CV, there’s more opportunity for me to tell how great I am and every single experience that covers skills, abilities, and qualities that would make me a good candidate for a position. There’s also no page limit. A good resume is limited to 1 page, and how can I possibly fit all my greatness into that lol.
3. Elevator Speech
Elevator speeches are great for anyone because they’re rehearsed, so it doesn’t require much on the spot effort other than making it flow naturally and not sounding awkward. And no, it’s not just for elevators lol. I first became familiar with elevator speeches during my third or fourth professional year in the Pharmacy program. This type of speech was brought up along with the topic of CVs. An elevator speech is one that briefs someone on who you are, what you do, your intentions, experiences/highlights, and a question to further your intentions. These components are listed in no particular order; however, the question usually does better at the end, after the personal introduction.
Your intentions would be obtaining a position in a certain field, a product/project launch, participants for your portfolio, opportunity to present, etc. A question to further your intentions would inquire whether the person you’re speaking with knows of any of these positions available, someone who could help you achieve your intentions, people who may be interested in participating, etc. These are just a few ideas listed to show how the information used to construct an elevator speech can be catered to any job or career. Elevator speeches are a good introduction tool and are definitely a vital item on the list of must haves for every successful woman.
4. Notebook
Every successful woman must have a notebook. A notebook with room to write in; not just one for show. You never know when you’ll need to jot down a few notes or some important information. Depending on the environment, it may look more professional to write something down instead of pulling out your phone. It’s kind of like having your bible on your phone or taking church notes in your phone during church, and everyone’s looking and thinking, “Why is this girl texting during service?” Lol. Okay, in all actuality, you’re probably thinking that that’s what they’re thinking because they’re probably into the sermon and not worried about you lol. But no, in this technology driven world, it shouldn’t be a surprise that one pulls out a phone to take some information down.
Notebooks are more than just a must have for every successful woman. They aren’t a must just for business environments and situations. Notebooks are used for planning, organizing, writing out your thoughts, and much more. They’re so versatile and play an important roll in the lives of successful women. I always say to write it out and make it happen. Writing things down really makes a difference. It’s also a lot easier to keep up with notes when they’re bound together and not all over the place because they’re on single sheets of paper.
Outside of preparation, planning, and organizing thoughts, notebooks can be used for self-care. Sometimes writing can help clear your mind. Self-care is also an important factor in the lives of successful women, as it helps to stay rejuvenated and refreshed, which is needed to perform at one’s best.
5. Business Cards
The only intention of a business card is to leave people that you come across with a way(s) to contact you. You could always jot your number down, but it’s more professional to be able to take out a card and pass it on. Plus, depending on what your contact information is being jotted down on, it can easily get misplaced. From 3D print to QR codes that link directly to websites once scanned by your phone, business cards can get really creative and complex. All of that is nice but isn’t necessary nor important. Unless you’re networking or interviewing with a tech company. If someone gets on their computer and types in a website for whatever reason, your QR code that links to your website won’t be a game changer. Now if it’s a person who doesn’t like to type because of their worsening arthritis, then I’m sure they will definitely appreciate your technology infused business card.
If someone wants to get in contact with you, they’re most concerened with an email address or phone number. So, it doesn’t hurt to keep it simple. Don’t overdo it. Make sure your name, number, and email address are visible and easy to read.
*** BONUS ***
6. Confidence
Successful women have that “I’ve already got it” mentality, and that’s what’s needed in life. This is one of the most important must haves for every successful woman. You’ve got to know that you’ve got it and it’s yours before you even arrive. It doesn’t matter who the competition is or whether anyone else thinks you’re qualified. People love to talk about manifesting things, but manifestation doesn’t work if you don’t actually believe it. Don’t give people room to have the thought, “who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?” You have to already know that whatever it is that you want is already yours. Hold your head high, walk into the room, and own it. Whether you’re interviewing, speaking in front of an audience, or even attending a networking event. I definitely had to have confidence when implementing what I did in the post “https://theluxedocs.com/will-i-get-a-job-after-pharmacy-school-how-i-landed-my-first-job-as-a-pharmacist/.”
Really, you should always be confident no matter what it is that you’re doing. Even if you’re just taking a walk. It’s not like your work voice or fake smile that you turn on and off depending on whether you’re directly dealing with a customer or not.
Plus, confidence helps make your LUXE life what it is!
The overarching theme in all of the must haves for every successful woman is if you stay ready, you won’t have to get ready. Now make sure you’re ready for that next big opportunity. Network like a beast and leave a piece of you with them literally and figuratively. Make them remember you. You got it girl!
And remember…
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