Watch This: Steve Stout Dishes on Taking Risks and Following Your Gut

EXCLUSIVE: Steve Stoute's "Dare.Dream.Do" Target Commercial! from the.LIFE Files on Vimeo.

This video really spoke to me. Steve Stoute is the founder of Translation, a hugely successful advertising and marketing firm. I haven't written a detailed post about my current career journey because I'm waiting for my experience to "peak" so-to-speak. For now, I will share with you that in January of this year when I quit my job I. Was. Terrified.

But six weeks later -- a mere SIX WEEKS later! -- a chance encounter in the train station -- the massive NEW YORK CITY subway! -- led to the job of my dreams. I still get chills when I think about how that happened. And hearing Steve's story in this video really keeps me encouraged.

You gotta take a risk. Feel the fear and do it anyway.


"I left a big job and put it all on the line to go become a partner at an advertising agency in an industry that I was very new to at 30 years old. But it felt right. It felt like I could, if I bet on myself, I could accelerate my growth within that industry."

"If your gut instinct tells you that it's right, then I don't associate that with risk. I think it's risk when you don't follow your guy instinct. There's something innately within you that says 'This makes sense.' For you not to follow that, you're actually betting against yourself."

"As long as I'm honest about my beliefs and I'm honest about what wakes me up in the morning and go 'Yeah I want to do this,'and I don't allow the fear of risk or fear itself interfere with my beliefs, then I'll be happy. That would be pursuing my dreams. I always wanted to do something I was passionate about and I believed in."

Fashion Resume: Floral Delight

In this new weekly feature on Glam Gigs, I'm dishing up ways to incorporate this season's hottest trends into your wear-to-work wardrobe.

Today's look is all about florals. Since a crisp, white shirt works wonders with anything, I paired mine with this uber-chic pencil skirt by Paul Smith. And what better way to add a touch of spice than with a bright red peep-toe shoe? Totally glam and totally work appropriate.

Love this look? Click on any piece to shop!

Words to Live By...

"WHEN YOU HARNESS YOUR CORE -- YOUR DRIVING PASSION --NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE."

-LARA CASEY of Making Brands Happen

Nicole's Notes: The Importance of a Professional Headshot

As the networking landscape becomes more digitally driven, it's more important than ever that you have a professional headshot.

I get asked about my headshot quite often. When I quit my former job and began revving up my job search, I wanted a picture that made me stand out and said, "I'm professional, sharp, and chic! Hire me!" Because after all, your social media avatars send a major message about who you are and what you do.

A nice-looking, crisp photo of yourself is definitely worth the investment. The old saying is true: A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are a few tips to make your photo stand out from the rest:

Have some professional photos taken. While this is the obvious answer, it may not be the cheapest but there are ways to get around the cost. Groupon and Living Social offer deals from local photography studios quite often. And I'm sure a Glamour Shots is still up and running at a mall near you.

Find a friend with a nice camera. Chances are you know someone who's into photography and has a decent DSLR camera. Give them a ring and schedule a mock photo shoot. Any bare wall makes a nice background. My headshots were taken against the brick wall of middle school building. Totally random but it works.

Remember that your photo should reflect your personal brand. If you're a travel writer, there's no need for the uber-professional, pose-and-smile headshot. A clear, crisp photo of you at your favorite exotic destination would tell your story much better.

Keep it classic. Your clothing, hair, and makeup should be timeless. Before choosing your camera-ready look, ask yourself, "Will I be recognizable in this photo one year from now?" In case you don't get around to updating your photo for a while, you want it to be something you can use over and over again without it feeling dated.

Take inventory of your social media avatars. Are they in line with your personal brand and career goals?

tags: professional headshots, Facebook profile photo, Facebook profile picture, Linked-in profile photo, Linked-in profile photo

Must-Read: Cynthia Bailey from 'Real Housewives' Opens Fashion School

Cynthia Bailey, the former model and fashionable star of Real Housewives of Atlanta, is opening a fashion school!

The Bailey Agency will offer students an intense 6-week course that covers all aspects of the fashion industry including modeling, photography, and production.

The upside of it all is that Cynthia will personally teach courses at the school to share knowledge she's gained via her experience in the modeling industry. Before she became a reality TV star, Cynthia was a model with the prestigious Wilhelmina Models and landed photo shoots in mags such as Essence, Glamour, Elle, and Vanity Fair to name a few.

Details on The Bailey Agency have been kept hush-hush, but I'm keeping my eye out for up-to-the-minute updates via the school's Twitter account (@TheBaileyAgency.) Hopefully more information will be posted soon!



Image source. Article source. tags: cynthia bailey, the bailey agency, the real housewives of atlanta, cynthia bailey fashion school

You're Invited: CEW hosts Cocktails & Connections:Career Insights

Let the networking begin!

Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) is hosting another networking happy hour as part of its Cocktails & Connections series:

Young Executive Cocktails & Connections: Career Insights
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Union Square Ballroom
27 Union Square West
New York, NY 10003

Enhance your career building skills by joining some of the industry’s top HR experts for tips on successful interviewing, improving your resume and cover letter, and learning how to make yourself a marketable candidate through social media.

HR Reps from the following companies will be present:

• 24Seven
• Conde Nast
• The Donegar Group
• Edelman Public Relations
• The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.
• L'Oreal USA

Sounds like a good time to me! Registration is $15 for CEW members or $25 for nonmembers. You can find out more info or register at the CEW website.

Resume Therapy: Beware of These Top 10 Overused Terms

If it's time to update your resume, beware of using words that are on the list of top 10 overused terms according to the Wall Street Journal:

1. innovative
2. dynamic
3. motivated
4. extensive experience
5. results-oriented
6. proven track record
7. team player
8. fast-paced
9. problem solver
10. entrepreneurial

Although you may indeed embody one of the terms above, it's time to get creative when describing yourself on your resume. A simple search on Thesaurus.com will do the trick.

Take a look at your current resume and count how many of these terms are on it. I found two on mine! Womp! They will definitely be replaced immediately.

Source: Wall Street Journal