Copyright 2008 The New York Sun Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:39:07 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jordan Speer :: Stories from The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/authors/Jordan+Speer istoll@nysun.com (Ira Stoll) webmaster@nysun.com en-us JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/guidelines-for-men-on-dressing-to-impress-for-job/13888/ Mon, 16 May 2005 00:00:00 EST An executive at a Fortune 500 company once told me that he changed his mind on the decision to hire a job candidate when, at their third meeting, over dinner, the young man in question salted his food before tasting it. The executive said that this behavior indicated to him a personality likely to make hasty decisions, without first evaluating all of the circumstances and options. A bit harsh, perhaps. Yet it goes right to the heart of the interview process, in which impeccable credentials and... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/what-to-wear-to-the-office-during-and-after/13520/ Mon, 9 May 2005 00:00:00 EST Our suggestions on maternity work clothes prompted a variety of questions. This week, we will tackle a number of them. Dear Jordan: I'm heading back to work next week after being home with my baby for two wonderful months, and I just realized that none of my work wear will fit, as I'm still not down to my original weight. I am determined to shed these extra pounds and don't want to invest in a new wardrobe, especially since my body is changing weekly, and getting closer to "normal" every day... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/sartorial-selections-for-public-speaking-gigs/13138/ Mon, 2 May 2005 00:00:00 EST Congratulations. You've been invited to give a presentation in front of a large audience. You've obviously mastered one discipline - now it's time to develop expertise in a few others: overcoming public-speaking jitters, and selecting appropriate attire. A reader writes this week about such a quandary. Specifically, he is concerned not so much with the particular type of clothing, but its caliber, and the image it projects. For example, when you're in front of a crowd, is it time to dress for... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/dress-in-layers-to-handle-temperature-swings/12745/ Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST You're freezing in the morning and sweltering in the afternoon. Sound like a typical workday? Spring can be one of the most fun seasons for fashion, yet with temperatures that can may vary as much as 30 degrees in one day, it also can be one of the most frustrating. Short of actually bringing a change of clothes to work, here are a few tips to keep you comfortable all day long: YOUR BEST BET: Dress in layers. For ladies, a sweater set is the tried-and-true favorite. Pair it with lined linen... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/how-to-bling-femininity-and-professionalism/12391/ Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST A reader poses an interesting dilemma this week. She holds a high-powered position in a male-dominated field, for which she dresses very professionally. Her quandary comes from after-hours affairs, where the spouses - mostly wives - come in "little cocktail dresses" and other very slinky numbers. Our reader is concerned that dressing in kind will lead her colleagues to regard her differently - to suddenly treat her as one of the wives rather than as part of the team, a fellow professional. She... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/art-of-packing-for-the-short-business-trip/12005/ Mon, 11 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST When your job requires frequent, yet short, business trips, minimizing your time in airports becomes a quality-of-life issue. In pursuit of this goal, many busy executives travel light, skipping the baggage claim by opting to bring only a carry-on tote. This can decrease travel time, but requires smart packing. To reap the most from your day and your suitcase, make a list of everything you'll need, giving yourself ample time to pack. Stressed-out last-minute packers often forget crucial items... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/mens-suits-make-strong-comeback/11612/ Mon, 4 Apr 2005 00:00:00 EST After losing ground to the casual Fridays approach, suits are finally making a comeback. Men's suits survived the long hiatus and are now being embraced in the workplace; yet, judging from the questions we are receiving, they are presenting challenges to some men who have simply forgotten the basic "do's and don'ts" of wearing a suit. For those wanting to shed the casual look and get back to business wearing a suit, here are a few tips to follow: * Single-breasted suits are always appropriate... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/spring-cleaning-can-boost-wardrobe/11233/ Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST If spring has arrived without enough "green" in your pocket to make your work wardrobe blossom, consider plumbing the far corners of your closet to resurrect old favorites. It might be time to start mixing and matching in new ways that will provide the appearance of a whole new wardrobe, but without actually spending a dime. Today's colorful styles and new fabrics, combined with the new wave of style trends, have opened lots of options when it comes to making old items look new. Here are a few... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/breaking-the-mold-with-uniforms/10867/ Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST Many nurses lament the fact that their personal flair is squelched beneath the animal and flower prints of the typical medical-practice garb. They often feel frustrated because their matching apparel might influence their ability to receive individual accolades or promotions. While most uniformed professionals are evaluated based on their skills and performance rather than their snazzy attire, when fashion plays a role in defining who you are, uniforms can become a major barrier in attempts to... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/maternity-wear-that-works-at-work/10527/ Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST Have a great new idea but you're afraid the boss won't take you seriously in your gunnysack? Fear no more. Being pregnant and dressing stylishly are no longer mutually exclusive. In fact, with apparel retailers jumping into the chic maternity-wear game, it's now possible to draw as much attention for your high-stepping fashion as your far-reaching belly. As you plan your maternity wardrobe, keep this in mind: Just as with your nonpregnant counterparts - and despite any product-labeling to the... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/your-best-foot-forward/10168/ Mon, 7 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST On a recent elevator ride I was drawn into a conversation with an exhausted-looking woman, feet clad in 3-inch spikes. Oh, her aching back! Her sore and tired legs! Tough kickboxing class? I inquired. Training for the New York City Marathon? No, she replied. She was working a trade show at the Javits Center. Say no more. Like everyone who rounds the tradeshow circuit, I knew the score. If you're like me, you've probably been tempted more than once in these circumstances to slip into a pair of... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/brand-loyalty-can-help-office-wardrobe/9811/ Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST French leader Charles de Gaulle once asked: "How can you govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?" Tough indeed. While freedom of choice is one of the hallmarks of a democracy, it can at times be overwhelming. From the nothing-but-shampoo aisle at the drug store to the paint department at the hardware store, consumers are faced with innumerable choices in every facet of their lives. This can be true even with selecting and maintaining a wardrobe. If you break out in an anxious sweat at... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/wardrobe-malfunctions-at-work/9158/ Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST Last Sunday's Super Bowl was a disappointment for anyone taking bets on the next purveyor of the halftime popped top, but it did remind me of some less notorious - yet very real - office wardrobe malfunctions that befall most of us at one time or another. While the risk of citation by the FCC is slim, wardrobe problems at work can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and time consuming. I once had the unfortunate experience of rounding the corner into the office kitchenette as one java drinker was... JORDAN SPEER http://www.nysun.com/careers/creating-a-winners-wardrobe/8815/ Mon, 7 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST In a few weeks, we'll all be watching the superstars clutch their Oscars while showing off their Versace and Oscar de la Renta out in Hollywood. But what do you do when your envelope is opened, announcing that you've been voted tops in your field? Whether you are anointed "Employee of the Month" or "Top Sales Director," there's probably a special ceremony, banquet or company-wide presentation in your future, which may arouse more anxiety than the work that led to the award in the first place...