Lasting Impressions: Lessons from a Men’s Underwear Buyer

I know a lot about men’s underwear.  It’s true.  As a former retail buyer of men’s furnishings, underwear was one of my categories.  Despite the seemingly odd nature of this job, I embraced it just like any other position I’ve had and wanted to be the best men’s underwear buyer around.

While I took this position very seriously and of course showed only professionalism on the job, my assistant and I used to find ourselves ROTF with laughter after yet another vendor launched into the benefits of a super absorbent front panel (you know what I’m talking about).  We only did this after the vendor left the room, of course.  We had no intention of embarrassing anyone; it was just such a funny thing to discuss in the workplace.  

And the unsolicited samples from vendors hoping to get their brand in our store!  Each came with a brochure, featuring super-hot models wearing the scanty undergarments.  Can you say “Playgirl”?  Others could probably hear us down the hall, shrieking with laughter every time we opened a new box of samples.

I learned more than I ever thought I needed to know about men’s underwear.  Briefs, boxers, boxer-briefs, silk boxers, low-rise, regular-rise, thread counts, seams – whew! Little did I know that some underwear doesn’t have a useable fly opening, although I’m still not sure why underwear would have a fake fly.  It hardly seems like a worthwhile design element if it’s not useable.  Of course that’s my female POV.  Suffice it to say, there was and still is tons of information about men’s underwear and I’m still not sure that most men really care that much about the technical specifications of their underwear. After all, men basically enter a store on a mission when shopping - they just want to pick up a 3-pack and head out the door.

But that job was years ago, just a memory now.  In fact it was one of my first jobs out of grad school and it’s been reduced to barely a line on my resume since my career has expanded so much.  I’ve got more important things to talk about than super-absorbent panels.  In fact, many of my current friends have no idea that at one time I was an expert in the field of men’s underwear.  It’s pretty irrelevant at this point.

Or is it? 

The topic of self-branding came up recently, and part of the discussion was the importance of leaving a lasting impression as you network and interview.  After all, there are a million MBA’s running around now and we women have flooded the work force, so it’s important to set yourself apart in order for people to remember you.  A former colleague was part of this discussion and brought up my skills as a men’s underwear buyer, pointing out that this factoid was not included on my resume.  He suggested I incorporate that into my talking points during an interview. 

It’s actually a brilliant idea and I wish I’d thought of it sooner.  It’s the kind of fun fact that may help someone remember me over other candidates or people at a networking event.  Even if my lengthy Italian name doesn’t make an impression, surely a healthy discussion of briefs vs. boxers will.  I hope it works. At least it will give people something to think about.    

© Tami Cannizzaro 2012 All Rights Reserved

Over Networking

Networking, the fine art of establishing business contacts and/or relationships, is something we’re all familiar with.  We’ve all been told that this is the best and sometimes only way to actually find a job opportunity.  The concept is simple enough, although true networking – really good networking – takes time.  Hard to fit this into a busy schedule, huh?

When I was first starting out, networking was the buzz word.  We talked about it in school. We talked about it at my first job. We talked about it at happy hour.  “Everyone’s doing it; aren’t you?”  I’d play along during these happy hour discussions, nodding in agreement that yes, I did indeed have a vast business network.

Inside, I was panic-stricken.  Honestly I had no idea how to network or exactly what I was supposed to do.  I had the crazy idea that networking was closely related to cruising the club scene to meet guys.  That networking meant walking up to a total stranger – no matter where I was – to introduce myself in an attempt to find out about job opportunities.

Thank goodness I didn’t try this tactic.  At best, I would have appeared to be socially challenged. At worst, well, let’s not go there.

One thing I had going for me is that I’m good at relationship building and staying in touch with people.   As my career progressed, I made a point to periodically call or email past colleagues just to stay in touch.  I thought it was a nice gesture, something that I would have appreciated had the shoe been on the other foot.  Little did I know that I was networking! 

I continue this tried and true tactic even now.  It seems simple to me, staying in touch with people.  It does take some time, but the pay-off is great.  Each week I shoot a couple emails off to former colleagues, just to see how they’re doing.  A no-brainer.  Besides, I really enjoy staying in touch with people.

It’s occurred to me that not everyone is good at this.  Some know what to do, yet just don’t take the time. But there are others who aren’t quite clear on the concept of networking.  Unsure of how to meet people and use connections to look for opportunities, these individuals tend to push themselves too hard in an effort to be productive.   The unfortunate consequence is that they alienate themselves instead of building their network.  They “over-network”.

Case in point:  Met a fellow at an industry event.  I introduced myself – after all, isn’t this what you do at these things? Within seconds of our introductions, he immediately launched into his elevator speech followed by “do you know of any opportunities for me?”

Really?  I just met you! I don’t even remember your name, despite the fact that you’re wearing a name tag.  How would I even know what you’re capable of?  Much less feel like I want to represent you to my colleagues?

This person continues to contact me.  With the same format as the first time we met. And I still don’t know much about him except that his delivery is poor, he doesn’t have any more experience than the first time we met and I honestly feel uncomfortable recommending him to anyone.  

To be clear, I really like helping those who are looking for work.  Truly I do.  But I can’t recommend you if we haven’t established – over time – a relationship, one that lets me get a feel for your qualifications, not to mention your abilities.  Remember, you’re asking me to put my reputation on the line and recommend you to my colleagues.  

With social media it’s easy and tempting to “over-network”, to try and align yourself with as many contacts as possible.  Besides, we’ve all been told that the only way to find a job these days is through networking.  That must mean connect with as many people as possible, whether you know them or not, right?  How could this be a bad thing?

In my experience, networking has to happen sort of organically over time and through a variety of sources.  Great networking comes from those who know us best, not people we meet randomly.  When we are reaching out to someone new, it’s best to have a mutual friend or colleague vouch for us.

In the wrong hands, networking apparently becomes toxic. A bit sad. Sort of creepy.   But done right, it works wonders.

© Tami Cannizzaro 2012 All Rights Reserved

Burying the Lead

As much as I enjoy writing, there’s one writing task that I find difficult to do: write my resume.  Actually, writing anything serious about me is tough.  I’ve always chalked it up as a “girl thing”, the inability or resistance to promoting my career successes.  You know us girls – unless it’s promoting the fabulous new shoes we’re wearing or our ability to uncover fashion bargains, we tend to lay low when it comes to self-promotion.

My guess is that many of you share the same feeling when it comes to writing and/or revising your resume.  What to leave in? What to leave out?  How far back should we go with our work experience? What about awards or recognition?  Hobbies?  Other?

In theory it seems simple.  A resume is a list of accomplishments that should give the reader an overview of our capabilities and success stories, as well as a bit of history as it relates to our work and education.  But when the rubber meets the road, or the VISA meets the purchase decision, we tend to under-promote ourselves, overlooking some of our greatest accomplishments.

And have you noticed how much easier it is to write someone else’s resume than it is your own?  I can easily pound out some great verbiage for others, but when it comes to my own resume my brain seems to turn off. I sit frozen in front of the computer, almost as if I have no idea how to use the thing.

Recently I had the privilege to speak with some top-notch graduate students who will embark on their careers in the next year.  Their assignment was to develop their “elevator speech” and try to network with me and other executives.

Note: I still have a hard time using the word “executive” to describe me in any way.  All sorts of questions race through my head: at what title, years of experience, etc. does one earn the right to call themselves an executive?  But I digress.

Anyhoo, one of the students approached and presented her elevator speech.  In speaking with her during the follow-up critique, I discovered that she had been captain of the university swim team.  After more discussion with her professor, I learned that not only was she captain, but also a six-time All-American.  And an Olympic trial qualifier!

Wait a minute – you were team captain at a division 1 university AND a six-time All-American AND good enough to even qualify for Olympic trials AND you failed to mention it during your 3-minute elevator speech?  Are you kidding me? 

I must admit that if I had been captain of anything in college, even the Laundry Club, I would include it in my elevator speech.   

In her defense, she’s not alone here. Many of us do the same thing, even those of us who are seasoned veterans. We do what journalists do sometimes when trying to down-play negative news. It’s called “burying the lead”, when the main story is buried under more inane stories.  You know, like having the headline “Slight chance of rain on Tuesday” in bold type as the main story on the front page, with “Earth invaded by Martians” in eight-point font buried on the bottom of page 26 next to an ad for toilet paper. 

I immediately pointed this out to her as a gigantic missed opportunity.  By leading with her unique background, she would be remembered and stand out among a sea of job applicants.   

And I really must thank her. She helped me remember to lead with my main story when I’m networking, rather than burying it under the more mundane stuff that needs to be included but is basically the same as everyone else’s experience.

Wish I could include six-time All-American in my speech.  

© Tami Cannizzaro 2012 All Rights Reserved