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Esquare runs assessment center for Hire Labs employability test

Our research shows that there is 1 new job that is created for every 12 students that graduate. The rapidly shrinking economy and the increasing number of fresh graduates are adding to the rising unemployment rate that currently stands in excess of 27%. In times like these, the biggest challenge is job placements for fresh graduates. The challenge becomes greater for 2nd tier universities since the corporate sector can not assess candidates from each university due to their own limited resources. HireLabs - ProfileSense, a Stanford University based research firm that is a global leader in creating pre-employment testing, has started advocating for qualified fresh graduates from 2nd tier universities and promotes them to employers both to the local and a global market. After in depth analysis of the current needs of the corporate sector, HireLabs - ProfileSense has developed a first-of-its-kind Employability Test (ET), to assess and measure a fresh graduate’s skill as required by the corporate sector. This Employability Test is a standardized test that measures the fresh graduates’ aptitude when entering the workforce, much like how other standardized tests such as the SAT, GMAT, or GRE measure the student’s aptitude when entering an educational institution The ET is standardized measure used to assess a graduate’s skill as required by the corporate sector. The test consists of 5 sections, 4 of which test those elements and traits required by all employers. The sections include: • English Comprehension • Quantitative Ability • Reasoning and IQ • Behavioral test/ Personality Analysis • An optional section, which is customized to YOUR specific field. Why do you need to take employability test • Opens new avenues by enabling you to access Multinational companies, as well as SMEs • Applying to multiple employers becomes simpler for you • Exponentially increases your chances at employability • Helps identify your strengths and weaknesses • Enhances your experience at real-world employment tests • Personalized career counseling and detailed analysis about your strengths and weaknesses. Take a test , Get a job Get register at www.hirelabs.com/services_employability_test

Esquare launched UNEMPLOYED LOUNGE to eliminate unemployment in Pakist

Do not give up hopes, if you are unemployed, together we will find a job for you. We will even train you to get those jobs, we will invest in you, but all you need to do is to not to give up hopes and work hard with us. This time too shall pass, and InshahAllah, you will look back and smile, one day soon. As a jump start, we have can deploy you in our telemarketing area, where you would be trained to sell products & services. Rest assure that any body can do this job, so, don’t give up hopes, • Send us your CV at unemployed@esquare.com.pk & follow up at +92 21 111-376-377 or visit us at 104, Tariq Center, Main Tariq Road -Karachi.

Esquare Creates job opportunities for physically challenged

Physically challenged: hearing problem, sight problem or issue in limbs If you are physically challenged (PC), or if you know some one who is physically challenged (PC), don’t lose hope. Today there are people with no vision or no hearing ability, doing jobs around us. Just contact us and we will work some thing out for you InshahaAllah. We believe that if you are challenged in or two physical elements, then Allh must have covered those weaknesses in you by giving you other strengths. Lets us together explore those strengths in you. Send us your CV at pc@esquare.com.pk and follow up at 021-111-376-377 or visit us at 104, Tariq center, main tariq Road-Karachi.

HireLabs signs up with E-Square for talent management

A mutual approach with a distinct vision to enhance talent management in Pakistan that will result in new growth opportunities for both companies. Karachi July 9, 2010: HireLabs Inc.US based pre-employment test and assessment firm has signed a deal with ESquare, a company that specializes in recruitment to create Pakistan\\\'s first recruiting service provides pre-screened and tested applicants. Through this agreement, companies will be able to reduce their screening and recruitment cost by upwards of 60%. As the job markets decline, the number of job-seekers increased, making it that much more difficult for corporations to find the hidden talent in the stacks of CVs that they receive, this has led to an increase in wrong hires. In 2005, a job-post for a call center position would receive 300 CVs, however in today\\\'s environment employers tend to receive over 700 CVs for that same position. This alliance will help companies to test and screen job-seeker beforehand, thereby only allowing the most qualified job-seekers to come to the interview. Screening is conducted through testing the job-seekers on behavior and skill relevant for a specific occupation. Companies will be able to use HireLabs intellectual property called Occupation DNA which was developed at Stanford University in California. Since HireLabs launched its services in Pakistan, over 125,000 job-seekers have been tested. The test results indicate that the Pakistani talent has very strong basic skills, but unfortunately majority lack in-depth knowledge to compete in the global market. Saleem Qureshi, President and COO of HireLabs, puts the blame on education system which has failed to cater to the market needs. He added that the educational institutions should sit down with industry leaders and ask them about the market needs in order to update the curriculum and prepare graduates to address the challenges of the next ten years. E-Square\\\'s Chief Executive Officer, Javed Sheikh said this partnership is a reflection company\\\'s commitment to collaborate with the corporate sector in strengthening the workforce and providing them cutting-edge workforce management solutions. About HireLabs Inc. HireLabs Inc. is a talent assessment company that grew out of Stanford University. It has used its intellectual property, developed over the last 9 years, to build a highly scalable technology which is currently provided as an S.a.a.S solution for workforce development and pre-employment assessments. HireLabs launched its services recently in Pakistan and have acquired business in corporate sector with Mobilink, TradeKey, & Esquare.

The Top 10 Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Job interviews in many organizations are getting sophisticated these days. Psychological tests, role plays, and challenges to one\'s \"quick intelligence\" and street smarts are often part of the package. While it\'s impossible to anticipate everything you may encounter, here are ten tips that will help you negotiate the interview process successfully.

1. Prepare and over-prepare.

It is assumed that you don\'t go in with egg on your tie, spinach in your teeth, or without a thorough knowledge of the organization and position for which you are interviewing. Beyond that, there\'s an important principle that will enable you to be much more confident. It\'s called, \"over-preparing.\" It goes like this: Plan your strategy--your answers to all the possible questions you may be asked or the challenges that may be thrown at you--and then practice, practice, practice. Role play and repeat your best responses until they are entirely natural, until they simply roll off your tongue with the apparent spontaneity that comes only with successive repetition.

2. Be particularly clear on what you know and what you want to achieve.

If your interview is resume-based (you\'ve had to supply a resume either before or concurrently), have the facts of your stated objective, relevant experience, education, etc. thoroughly memorized and mentally supported. As to your job objective, be clear on what you want, as well as what you don\'t want. There\'s little room in the job market for the applicant who\'s willing to take anything; he or she will usually get nothing!

3. Make sure your responses match your claims.

If, for example, you\'ve taken extra coursework to qualify for a particular position, license, or certification, tie it into your narrative, e.g., \"When I took my coursework for my CPA, I learned that ...\" Build on your resume, but don\'t refer directly to it (assuming the interviewer has it in his or her possession); make sure the connections are there, but do it subtly.

4. Be clear about your strengths.

You\'re almost certain to be hit with questions pertaining to your strengths and weaknesses. Know your strengths and emphasize those that relate specifically to the position for which you\'re being considered. If, for example, you\'re applying for a sales position, you might describe one of your strengths (if it\'s true) as follows: \"I\'ve made a study of personality types and I\'ve learned to quickly type people in terms of the kinds of approaches that might best attract them.\" Be prepared, in this case, to back up your claim if the interviewer suddenly asks: \"What type would you say I am?\"

5. Describe your weaknesses as strengths.

This is tricky, so let\'s think about why the question is asked. The interviewer probably wants to learn several things about you with this question, such as: whether or not you are arrogant (\"I really don\'t think I have any weaknesses\"), whether you know yourself (\"Well, I\'ve never really thought about that\"), and finally, what you are doing to eliminate your weaknesses. Here are two ways to answer this question so that you leave a positive impression in the mind of the interviewer: (a) Show that, in overcoming a weakness, you\'ve learned. If, for example, there\'s a period in your chronology that just doesn\'t fit (say that you took a job selling cars between jobs as an accountant ... it happens!), you might tell the interviewer: \"One weakness, which it took me some time to overcome, wasthat I really wasn\'t sure that I wanted to be an accountant. For example, in 1988-90, I worked as a car salesman. I did so because I couldn\'t decide if I wanted to make accounting my career. That experience taught me that I really didn\'t want to sell products, and that I was much more challenged by the opportunity to solve client problems. (b) Pick a weakness that is really a strength. If, for example, you\'re interviewing for a job in an organization you know is hard-charging and unforgiving of average performance, you might say, \"One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be impatient with people who aren\'t willing to pull their full weight and give 110%.\" In this case, your \"weakness\" may help you get the job.

6. If you\'ve been fired, be forthright about it.

So many people have been laid off through no fault of their own in the past ten years that it\'s no longer a stigma to have been fired--unless it was for justifiable cause (e.g.,- you socked your boss). Answer directly, but without a \"charge\" in your voice. Expressing your bitterness over being let go tells the interviewer (rightly or wrongly) that you can\'t accept the realities of modern free enterprise -- that downsizing is acceptable and often necessary.

7. Be clear where you want to go.

A standard question which has all manner of variations is: \"Where do you want to be five years from today?\" Only today, the answers are different. Unless you plan to inherit Dad\'s company, your answer is apt to be a lot more general than it might have been a decade ago. Why? Because the economy and nearly every industry are changing so fast that specificity with respect to the distant future is extremely difficult. So, instead of responding to the question with, \"I plan to be in a position of senior leadership in this company,\" you might want to say: \"I plan to become qualified in every phase of this industry.\" The exact response depends upon the specifics of your job hunting campaign, but the principle is: be specific while allowing yourself the flexibility which suggests that you understand the complexities of the business you\'re applying for.

8. Have clear personal standards.

This is a sleeper because, on the face of it, the question doesn\'t seem to have much to do with the immediate interview. Today, however, many organizations are looking for people who DO have standards regarding their personal and professional lives, who can articulate them clearly and concisely, and who live by them. In this case, the briefer, the better. \"I delegate my weaknesses.\" \"I don\'t take on projects unless I can give them 100% dedication.\" \"I respond in specifics and avoid meaningless generalities.\" \"I am committed to life-long learning and growth.\"

9. Interview the interviewer.

The applicant who will take anything offered is unlikely to win any but the most temporary of positions. A competent interviewer (there are some) will respect your efforts to assess the organization and the position in terms of whether or not it meets YOUR requirements. And you owe it to yourself to have defined before hand, what you ideally want and what you are willing to settle for, under certain conditions. For example, you might really want a salary of $75,000 to begin with, but you\'d be willing to take less if the opportunities for growth are clearly in the picture.

10. Don\'t allow yourself to be badgered by the salary issue.

Even today,it\'s still not uncommon to hear the old refrain: \"Our policy is not to pay a new employee more than X% higher than he/she is currently making.\" Sorry, that doesn\'t fly. The real issue, and the only one at stake here, is whether or not your prospective employer is willing to pay WHAT YOU ARE WORTH. And, your worth is a function of the job itself and your capability and willingness to perform it. In most organizations, there are clear parameters for a given job, a range of salary that is adjustable depending upon the market and the applicant\'s experience. In most cases, unless you are very good, you will have to work within those limits. But, within the limits, what you are worth is a matter of mutual agreement based on your own knowledge of your worth and your ability to convince those interviewing you. So, to sum it up: Know the range of compensation for the job you\'re seeking, make your own realistic determination of what you\'re worth, and then be prepared to stand your ground.

Resume Writing - Top 10 Resume Mistakes

Here is a list of the top ten common resume mistakes made by novice resume writers:

1. Spelling and Typing Errors.
This simple mistake makes you look careless and/or ignorant, both are resume killers.

2. Using Long Sentences and Paragraphs.
Potential employers don\'t want to read a wall of words, they\'ll just toss your resume into the recycle bin. To get your resume read, divide it into sections and use bulleted lists instead of paragraphs.

3. Making your Resume too Busy.
Your resume should be easy to read. Use no more than 2 fonts. Use 10, 11, or 12 point Times New Roman or Arial. Those are the easiest fonts and sizes to read. Bold and underline only to highlight a new section or very important information. Keep margins at 1 inch.

4. Using Complete Sentences.
Again, your resume must be easy to read, skim, and scan. Only the \"objective\" should contain a complete sentence. Otherwise, do not use articles like \"a\", \"an\", or \"the\". Also avoid pronouns like \"I\", \"me\", \"my\", \"our\", and \"mine\". They take up space that could be used to make your accomplishments shine!

5. Saying \"Was responsible for...\".
Avoid passive statements like this one. Instead, use active verbs whenever possible. For example, instead of saying \"was responsible for writing department web page\" write \"created and maintained department web page\": and provide the web address!

6. Writing Vague Statements.
Your resume is the place to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Pick specific achievements to highlight. Use statistics when possible and appropriate. Say \"increased production by 35%\" or \"sold 5.7 million dollars in real estate during the month of May\".

7. Excessive Length.
Most resumes should be one page. If you\'ve had a long career, you may need two pages. But, remember that the point of the resume is to get you an interview, not to get you the job! Leave some details to discuss during the interview.

8. Too much Information.
Employers don\'t need to know your social security number, height, weight, marital status, religious affiliation, or political beliefs. In fact, some employers may discriminate against you if they know these details. Check your volunteer or service information to be sure it\'s not personally revealing.

9. Using Graphics and Pictures.
Do not include any graphics or pictures that might distract the reader.

10. Inappropriate Contact Information.
Your e-mail address must be business appropriate. It also should not include your birth year in case of age discrimination. If your address is \"sexy114@yahoo.com\" that\'s fine for your friends, but not for your resume. Your voice mail message must be business appropriate. Now is not the time to let your child leave a message or to let callers hear your favorite song!

Top 10 Resume Writing Tips to Get You the Interview

There are many reasons why you could be in the market for a new job right now. Perhaps...

You just graduated from high school--or even better, college--and you’re ready to strike out on a quest for your first "real" job. Your worst fears finally manifested and you’ve been downsized. You’re bored with the career pathyou’ve been on for the past few years, and you’re ready to strike out in a new direction. You want to change jobs (within your field) for better salary, benefits, or chance at promotion.

Whatever your motivation, a powerful resume is essential. In truth, a resume alone won’t get you that dream jobyou’re craving. Not even if you implement every resume writing tip you can get your hands on!

But a great resume will get you in the door for an interview. It will make you stand out as a superior candidate for the job you’ve applied for. And that achievement is huge, given the fierce competitive nature of today’s job market. Not only that, but a well-crafted resume will put the decision-maker you meet with in a hiring frame of mind. As long as you don’t blow the interview, you’ll have a great shot at that job!

Digest and apply each resume writing tip below as you craft a powerful resume that will make all the difference in your adventure to land a job!

POWERFUL RESUME WRITING TIPS: 10 Steps to Success

Resume Writing Tip #1:

Gather your background materials. To complete your resume, you’ll need to know your dates of employmentat each of your previous jobs and when you went to school. You’ll also need to be able to describe your skills and accomplishments on the job, so put some thought into those areas.

Resume Writing Tip #2:

Decide on a format. Before you can start writing a resume, you’ll need to decide if the functional or chronological format will work best for you. Remember, you want to put yourself and your abilities in the best light.

Resume Writing Tip #3:

Put together a general outline. A resume outline will help you get organized and will prevent you from overlooking any essential pieces of information that should be included.

Resume Writing Tip #4:

If your resume is targeted at a specific employer or career path, learn all you can about what they need. Spending time on this research will help you with your resume, with the cover letter that goes with your resume, and with the upcoming interview. Make sure you know what qualities will most benefit the employer and think about how your abilities match those qualities. (Read another resume writing tip on how to target.)

Resume Writing Tip #5:

Plan, plan, plan. Before you actually start writing, spend time just thinking about how you’ll present yourself in the resume. What is your objective in seeking a job? This objective should serve as a sort of bull’s-eye to structure your resume around. What have been your most significant accomplishments? You’ll want to highlight them. What unique qualities do you bring to an employer? Think in terms of benefits. Also think about the resume design you’ll use, the fonts within, and the resume wording .

Resume Writing Tip #6:

Start writing, following your outline. Take your time. Use a lot of action words . Be concise. Don’t use "responsibilities included" or "responsible for." It’s a waste of space. Use bullets, rather than long paragraphs.

Resume Writing Tip #7:

Cut and paste your content into your resume template. If you’re at this site, you’re probably not an experienced, professional resume writer. So, take a resume writing tip from a pro. Use a resume template . There is no reason why your resume must look amateurish.

Resume Writing Tip #8:

Review, edit, and proofread like a maniac. One of the biggest resume mistakes is typos or grammatical errors. These errors may seem trivial, but they can cost you the interview, and ultimately the job. After all, if you can’t be bothered to make sure that your resume is 100% accurate, what guarantee is there that your job performance will be high caliber?

Resume Writing Tip #9:

Get someone else you trust to look at it. It can be really helpful to get someone who knows you to look at your resume. Not only are they more likely to catch simple errors, but they may point out strengths you’ve missed or underemphasized. Tell them you want their honest opinion and you’re open to questions. Use their input to clarify your resume. Even if you write your own resume, you may want to think about getting a professional to do a resume critique .

Resume Writing Tip #10:

Send it out into the world. The more resumes you submit, the more likely you are to get an interview. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by applying for only one job. And, don’t be afraid to take some risks and apply for a job you’re interested in, even if you don’t quite match all the qualifications. Most employers ask for many more qualifications than they absolutely require.

Top Ten Technical Resume Writing Tips

1. List your technical knowledge first, in an organized way. Your technical strengths must stand out clearly at the beginning of your resume. Ultimately, your resume is going to be read by a thoughtful human being, but before it gets to that point it often has to be categorized by an administrative clerk, and make its way past various sorts of key word searches. Therefore, you should list as many directly relevant buzz words as you can which reflect your knowledge and experience. List all operating systems and UNIX flavors you know. List all programming languages and platforms with which you're experienced. List all software you are skilled with. Make it obvious at a glance where your strengths lie - whether the glance is from a hiring manager, a clerk, or a machine.

2. List your qualifications in order of relevance, from most to least. Only list your degree and educational qualifications first if they are truly relevant to the job for which you are applying. If you've already done what you want to do in a new job, by all means, list it first, even if it wasn't your most recent job. Abandon any strict adherence to a chronological ordering of your experience.

3. Quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, such as monetary budgets/funds saved, time periods/efficiency improved, lines of code written/debugged, numbers of machines administered/fixed, etc. which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work.

4. Begin sentences with action verbs. Portray yourself as someone who is active, uses their brain, and gets things done. Stick with the past tense, even for descriptions of currently held positions, to avoid confusion.

5.Don't sell yourself short. This is by far the biggest mistake of all resumes, technical and otherwise. Your experiences are worthy for review by hiring managers. Treat your resume as an advertisement for you. Be sure to thoroughly "sell" yourself by highlighting all of your strengths. If you've got a valuable asset which doesn't seem to fit into any existing components of your resume, list it anyway as its own resume segment.

6. Be concise. As a rule of thumb, resumes reflecting five years or less experience should fit on one page. More extensive experience can justify usage of a second page. Consider three pages (about 15 years or more experience) an absolute limit. Avoid lengthy descriptions of whole projects of which you were only a part. Consolidate action verbs where one task or responsibility encompasses other tasks and duties. Minimize usage of articles (the, an, a) and never use "I" or other pronouns to identify yourself.

7. Omit needless items. Leave all these things off your resume: social security number, marital status, health, citizenship, age, scholarships, irrelevant awards, irrelevant associations and memberships, irrelevant publications, irrelevant recreational activities, a second mailing address ("permanent address" is confusing and never used), references, reference of references ("available upon request"), travel history, previous pay rates, previous supervisor names, and components of your name which you really never use (i.e. middle names).

8. Have a trusted friend review your resume. Be sure to pick someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique your writing, and will give an honest and objective opinion. Seriously consider their advice. Get a third and fourth opinion if you can.

9. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Be sure to catch all spelling errors, grammatical weaknesses, unusual punctuation, and inconsistent capitalizations. Proofread it numerous times over at least two days to allow a fresh eye to catch any hidden mistakes.

10. Laser print it on plain, white paper. Handwriting, typing, dot matrix printing, and even ink jet printing look pretty cheesy. Stick with laser prints. Don't waste your money on special bond paper, matching envelopes, or any color deviances away from plain white. Your resume will be photocopied, faxed, and scanned numerous times, defeating any special paper efforts, assuming your original resume doesn't first end up in the circular file.

TOP 10 Interview Tips

Whether you\'re a manager or not, consider the following checklist the next time an interview is about to commence. As an interviewee, these actions might give you a competitive edge. As an interviewer, they might help set your standards on how you rate potential candidates.

1. Be punctual.
If necessary, drive to the interview location the day before to ensure you know how to get there.
2. Prepare for the interview.
Research the company and its products and services, and make sure you know the company\'s correct name. Stating the wrong name probably won\'t earn you a second interview.
3. Relax and be yourself.
So many times, people stress over a job interview. Your best bet is to be the best, professional version of yourself, and look at an interview as an adventure. You are likely to learn something new and useful, even if you aren\'t the right person for the job.
4. Smile and be friendly.
An interview is not the time to be shy. A warm smile goes a long way toward establishing a good first impression and rapport with the interviewer.
5. Use a firm handshake and direct eye contact.
A limp handshake or lack of eye contact can make you appear ill-at-ease and possibly less than honest.
6. Bring copies of your resume and portfolio.
Interviewers don\'t always have a copy of your resume available and you will seem ultra-prepared if you have extras. A leather portfolio containing samples of your work is also impressive. Of course, the type of job you are applying for dictates what goes in your portfolio.
7. Look the part.
You want your potential employer to be able to visualize you in the role. Good grooming and professional appearance are important. Even if you know the office is typically business casual, a well-fitting suit makes an excellent first impression.
8. Ask questions.
Make sure you have prepared a few questions ahead of time. Typically, interviewers gauge your interest in the position by whether you ask questions.
9. Bring a planner or pad of paper and a pen.
This way, you can take notes or even write down your questions if you tend to get nervous.
10. Write a thank-you note.
Make sure you get business cards from every person who interviews you and send a handwritten note to each one. Make sure you spell their names correctly. So few people write thank-you notes that this alone will create a positive impression.

Top Ten Guidelines for Organizing The Closet of a Highly Successful Pe

Organizing our closet is one of the most powerful actions we can take to improve our image and our lifestyle! I work with clients across the United States, and whether my presentation takes place during a one-on-one session or in a seminar with several dozen to several hundred individuals, I invariably close the program with a call to action, urging my clients to go home and remove five or more articles of clothing from their closets. By discarding clothing that no longer fits or is worn out, faded, stretched, or in need of repair, we are taking the first step toward gaining control of our wardrobes … and our lives! When our clothing is organized and easily accessible in a closet that “works”, we eliminate the stress that ensues from a daily, time-consuming search for “something to wear”. We also discover the empowerment that comes from choosing what we wear, rather than allowing the state of our wardrobe and the contents of our closet to make that decision for us.

1 If you seek a promotion or a salary raise, you will want to dress as if you already hold that position. The clothing which directly affects your income will become your regular, ongoing work attire. It should be located in a section separate from all of your other clothes, preferably near the front of your closet. Choose visually prominent dividers for your closet. A belt rack, a few empty hangers, or a rack of ties or scarves serve nicely for this purpose. Your goal is to make the process of getting dressed in the morning so streamlined that there is no way to make a mistake. Clothes for work must appear neat and coordinated, and must be appropriate for the workplace. Unfortunately, many employees today are confused by their company’s dress codes, often misinterpreting the standards provided by the Human Resources department. For instance, Business Casual is frequently taken by employees to mean the same as Weekend Casual, although the two are very different. Weekend Casual clothing is defined as clothing worn when we work in the yard, wash our cars, or participate in such off-duty activities as picnics and sporting events. Weekend Casual clothing is not appropriate for the workplace. It is essential to take the time to divide your clothing between those items that are “workappropriate” and those that are not.

2 Be sure you understand which types of clothing are appropriate for your workplace and which are not. Are any of your colleagues being sent home from work because they are not adhering to the company’s dress code?

This type of “questionable” clothing usually includes the following:
>> Skirts that are too tight and/or too short
>> Skirts with thigh-high slits
>> Blouses with revealing necklines
>> Sleeveless tops or dresses (revealing a person’s undergarments)
>> Halter tops, tube tops, or “spaghetti” straps worn without a jacket
>> Cropped tops that reveal your navel, your waistline, or tattoos
>> Shorts – any variation
>> Capri’s – such as you might wear to the beach
>> Leggings
>> Workout clothes
>> Overalls
>> Low-rise hip-huggers (pants or skirts)
>> Satin slip dresses
>> Sheer fabrics or anything that is “see-through”
>> Anything that is so wrinkled it looks ‘slept in’
>> Clothing that you might wear to wash your car or work in the yard

In a section of your closet separate from your work attire, you might wish to keep your Weekend Casual attire. This would include clothing worn when you are:

>> On vacation
>> Participating in sports-related activities
>> Engaging in outdoor work, such as gardening or home repairs
>> Attending special or formal occasions
>> Participating in seasonal activities
>> Attending a holiday or costume party
>> Wishing to attract a member of the opposite sex

Some examples of Weekend Casual attire would be T-shirts, Hawaiian print shirts, or any clothing that is intended to attract attention, such as articles incorporating:

>> Loud, bright, or “neon” colors
>> Dangling fringe, with or without beads
>> Prominent advertising or slogans
>> Sequins, excessive shine, or a “metallic” finish
>> Garish, wild, exciting prints or “animal” patterns
>> Any item that might be worn by a rock star, a runway model, or a popular celebrity

3 Paying attention to the details can play a significant role in improving your image in the workplace. An individual who is meticulous in his or her appearance may be assumed to be someone who will be detail-oriented regarding the company’s interests, as well. The following items must be eliminated from your closet:

Anything that is not something you wear (for example, gifts,
photographs, sports equipment, luggage, or furniture). Find a permanent home elsewhere for those items.

Any clothing that:

>> Is too tight or too loose
>> Is frayed or stretched out of shape
>> Is stained, dingy, or faded
>> Has unintentional holes or rips
>> Has gaping buttonholes
>> Has not been worn in more than two years
>> Induces unpleasant memories
>> Represents a “buying mistake”

4 Hang up ONLY those clothes that are clean and ready to be worn again. A frequent source of stress can be walking into a closet and seeing clothing that needs to be repaired, washed, or pressed before it can be worn again. Often, when we are in a hurry, we will pull a stained or frayed shirt off the hanger, throw it on, and run out the door to attend an important meeting, reassuring ourselves that “no one will notice”. But, the fact is, people do notice … more often than we realize! It is much wiser to keep our closet free of these potential hazards. Train yourself not to hang up any articles of clothing that require:

>> Repairs or alterations
>> Laundering or dry-cleaning
>> Ironing or steaming (to remove wrinkles)
>> Removal of price tags
>> Shaving to remove pilling (for instance, on such items as coats or sweaters)

Clothing that is outdated or beyond repair no longer may be worn and should be removed from your closet and discarded. Separate these items into two piles:

1. Clothing that will be donated to charity or given to children for playing “dress up”
2. Clothing that you are unwilling to part with for sentimental reasons. (For these items, you may wish to create a “memory box”.)

5 After sorting your wardrobe and discarding all non-salvageable items, you now are ready to organize your remaining clothing into these four basic categories:

>> Tops
>> Blouses
>> Shirts
>> Pullovers
>> Polo shirts
>> Twin sweater sets
>> Bottom pieces
>> Skirts
>> Pants, jeans, khakis
>> Dress slacks
>> Matched suits and dresses
>> “Third” pieces (These are your “power” pieces.)
>> Jackets
>> Sweaters
>> Cardigans
>> Vests
>> Oblong or large scarves
>> Ties

Within each category, you may wish to further separate the items according to such features as sleeve or hem length. Or, perhaps you may decide to organize your clothing according to color. If your wardrobe consists of more than 50% black or dark-colored clothes, you may be able to use your white or light-colored clothing to separate individual black pieces. On the other hand, a variety of colors in your wardrobe might lend itself to sorting by color, from light to dark (which is most aesthetically pleasing): Whites – Tans – Blues – Brights – Reds – Grays – Blacks. Make sure that your closet is well lit, so you can accurately see the colors that you are coordinating.

6 Leave space between your hanging clothes. This allows air to circulate throughout the closet and among your individual articles of clothing, reducing body odors and wrinkles, and making various items easy to find and access. Remove plastic dry-cleaner bags as soon as you place the clothing in your closet.

7 The dry-cleaner usually sends your clothing home to you on wire hangers. Return those wire hangers to the dry-cleaner! They will kill your clothes! Clothes spend more time on the hanger than on your body, so make sure they are hung properly on quality hangers. Invest in hangers that are sufficiently wide to protect the shoulders of your clothes, especially your heavier items, such as jackets and coats.

8 To prolong the life of your wardrobe and create more room in your closet, you may wish to use shelves or drawers for the following types of clothes:

>> Delicate fabrics that tend to slide off hangers
>> Heavy, bulky sweaters
>> Weighty knits
>> Exercise clothing
>> Casual clothes for “at-home only” use (doing yard work or washing the car)
>> Holiday costumes

9 Keep the following clothing-care tools on hand:

>> An iron and ironing board or a professional steamer
>> A fabric shaver
>> A sewing kit
>> A lint brush
Wide hangers (cedar, wood, molded plastic or plastic tubing)

keep the air fresh in your closet with such items as:

>> A small fan
>> A negative-ion generator
>> Cedar chips

10 To ensure that every outfit is a favorite, clothes on both sides of the closet should:

Fit your body as it is today
Be up-to-date and reflect the latest styles
Be in season and appropriate for the current weather
Incorporate colors that communicate your personal message
Please refer to E-zines #1 and #2.)
Be comfortable and create a smooth silhouette over your body
Empower you because you feel so terrific when you wear them

TO CREATE A CLOSET FULL OF FAVORITES, MAKE TIME TO TAKE ACTION EITHER TONIGHT OR THIS WEEKEND!!!

Place charity donations in your car right away or call for charity pickup and leave the clothes outside for collection. If you are planning to mend your clothing yourself, be sure to schedule time for making those repairs. If you intend to have a tailor do the repairs, place the clothing in your car so that you can drop it off while you are running errands. Place clothing that goes to the dry-cleaners in your car, as well. Be sure to schedule “at-home” laundry days. Check your closet before you go shopping, and make a list of the items that you need. It can be all too easy to give in to our passions (“I can never have too many pink skirts!”) when what our career really requires is a classic navy suit. Know what your wardrobe lacks and be prepared to make thoughtful purchases, keeping in mind such considerations as color-coordination, current trends and fashions, mix- and match-ability, and seasonal changes. Using the tips discussed above, you can have a closet full of favorites that will serve all your clothing needs year-round … and give you the personal and professional power to propel yourself into your next career success!