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How do you build rapport with your colleagues?
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I need some brutal honesty, so bring it on y’all.
My name is so common so I had to come up with something that wasn’t already taken when making an email during college and ended up with cindyflippinworks@gmail.com
Now I’m a year and a half into my career and people either laugh at it or hate it...should I change it?
I have an offer with Capita plc for 22 LPA for 5 yoe.
It's complete WFH.
Tech stack is spring boot and microservices.
Is it a product based company or a service based company?
How wlb will be in Capita plc?
I have been offered 6A band as senior software engineer, so is 22LPA fair compensation?
Thanks in advance.
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I don’t think it’s necessarily about being more “formal”. I dress in ways that are appropriate for the setting, make me feel confident and start to send the message I want to send before I ever speak a word.
Do I want to be more intimidating or appear more collaborative?
Am I deliberately staking out a power position or am I attempting to blend in?
Do YOU feel less confident when you don’t have your formal “Uniform” on? Are things not moving as well because you show up differently when you are dressed down?
Your confidence and skills are what will ensure that clients take you seriously.
I am strategic about how I dress. I am also in finance and manage my clients money. I need to project trustworthy, conservative, confident. My creative arty fun outfits are definitely not for work.
I've felt that way too. Don't let them get in your head though. Keep pushing and don't stop being the boss you are.
Coach
I’ve found that assimilation works better than dressing formal in certain environments. Overdressing in a casual environment (I work in tech) doesn’t play out as well as I look out of place and I think my attitude and mindset reflects this (stuffy, self conscious, etc.). I’ve looked at what the people in the offices I visit wear from their shoes to jewelry and try and match that. I’ve found that I feel more comfortable and mimicking is a psychological trick that puts others at ease, so that’s something to consider.
I’m the same way being young and female sometimes it’s hard to get taken seriously
A long time ago my friend told me that primary school teachers wear loud heels to assert authority, I always felt this was foreign and skewed advice since leadership can take many forms. If you are confident and take action (direct or indirect) you can be wearing a robe and flip flops and people will follow.
I learned this at a very young age in the ad business. Not just for client meetings. I came in on a Friday dressed casually because all I had planned was paperwork. It ended up that a client was taking a tour of the office. I will never forget that feeling of inappropriateness in the way I was dressed for the office. I was young, I looked young, and frumpy in casual clothing . I handled over a million in media for them. How were they supposed to take me seriously, take my recommendations seriously? Lesson learned.
Mentor
You can dress formal and feminine. But I wouldn’t go totally casual. I believe presentation is very important. So, if I’m meeting clients, I will be dressed more formally and professionally while also being cute and adding my own style and personal flare. I think there’s nothing wrong with the feminine style of dressing, just so long as it’s professional.
In addition to being well dressed, it’s important to carry yourself confidently to be taken seriously. If you’re not being taken seriously, I would say it’s mainly about how you are carrying yourself and projecting yourself and less about how you’re dressing.
Dress for your office and the vibe of your company. Dress better for client meetings. Keep dressy shoes and a blazer in your desk.
Fit the situation. It's easier for men.