Having started a new job, I have been a little lost with workwear ideas with the erratic weather. I have loved these hot and sunny days, but for those other days with hints of warmth and cool breezes, I wanted to pull together a look that brings a touch of glam and iridescence to the standard trouser and polo combo.
I picked up this gorgeous white coat from Topshop’s premium range as the perfect lightweight overcoat for those busy commutes and lunchtime strolls! I also felt the need to reinvent my office trouser style as I have in some ways gotten into a rut with the usual black and grey check tailoring (as you would have seen in many previous posts). On this occasion, I wanted to feel elegant, creating some flow and movement, so I gave these oversize wide leg culottes a go and paired them with this gold knit polo.
The idea of getting out of a wardrobe or style rut has got me thinking about career ruts. With my new job, I have moved into a completely different sector of Financial Services. It feels as though I am mixing up my career as I would my wardrobe…. just not as frequently! It’s a big change but an opportunity to learn and experience something new. I’m particularly excited to find out what the work culture would be like comparative to banking.
Going through this change reminds me of a piece of advice I was given early in my career; every 2 years you should either being moving up in your role to a more senior title within your team or you should be moving on internally or externally. If you want to have a bigger salary increase, then you have to move externally unless you can truly negotiate what you want. In reality, this can be challenging but everyone’s circumstance is different. As a result, I have never been in the same role more than 2 years.
For me it is important to never get too comfortable in one firm or one role. That doesn’t mean its bad to dedicate your whole life to one firm, but know the market and know your worth. Keeping agile in your career gives you the skills to handle whatever is thrown at you.
Remember that financial firms, especially banks, are always looking to make cuts in order to hit their quarter-end targets. So why should you or I feel guilty when our head gets turned by a better offer, even if you are relatively new in your role? Lets be real, you never know when they are about to cut you loose. We have all been to those townhall meetings and listened to MDs talk about a new vision and structure for your division with some irrelevant PowerPoint slides. Then you leave that wasted 1 hour of your life thinking I have no idea what this means for me. This happened to me 8 months into my first job only to find out a few days later that my job was at risk and I would have to re-interview against an existing colleague.
Interestingly, when I handed my notice in over a year later, the Executive Director tried to make me feel apprehensive about my choice to leave for an investment banking opportunity, which he considered to be a ‘shrinking sector’. Quote from him, “so after this new 6 month contract is up then what are you going to do? Do you think you’ll be coming back here for a job?” So you can cut me loose but equally act like a little bitch when I choose to leave?!?!
Funnily enough, this is the same bank (a very British bank), which is currently being sued for numerous sexual harassment and gender pay gap cases. Thank you Mr. Executive Director but I think I made a very wise choice to take control of my career and leave your team.
I think we have a lot more serious issues to discuss in future blog posts alongside workwear styling!
Prior to that incident, I was trained to believe that jumping around from job to job looks bad, especially when you are young in your career. To which I now say F*** off.
If you can get rid of me, I can also be prepared to leave, as long as I have my story straight. I have been questioned about this in interviews and my response was ‘There was a restructure announcement so I quickly got my CV out there as I did not want to waste time while the organization decides to get rid of me… I have bills to pay.”
Always (regularly) seek out new roles internally or externally and use that to your leverage. It will give you power in never being scared of interviews (I mean I have screwed up a good few in my time), but always remember…. it’s just a conversation! This will prepare you should that next round of redundancies come your way.
So for any young career girl or established career women, as you would with your wardrobe or beauty collection, always seek to change up your career game and never get stuck in a rut.
Most importantly the more firms you work for, the bigger the network of people you have. Some of my closest friends have not come from university or school life, but my work life. It’s not just about the network, but the people you meet and friends you make. That’s been the greatest blessing of all – working with so many intelligent and successful women who have guided me, taught me, supported me and befriended me! Thank you to all you amazing women!
Zara trousers | Massimo Dutti gold polo | Topshop coat | Gianvito Rossi shoes | Cluse watch
Photos: Emma Pharaoh
No Comments