1. Suit up
There is nothing better that portrays seriousness
than a man in suit and tie. If you are a woman, pick a 2-tone knee-length dress
- nothing too dull and officer-like but one that is sufficiently fitting to
show your curves. Wear or carry a blazer around to show that you are always
prepared for an emergency client meeting or any circumstances as such. Of
course, outfit itself is merely a basic step. To top up your appearance, always
carry a calendar notebook and a Mont Blanc-resembling black pen (most probably
from Papermate as you can't afford even the tip of Mont Blanc pen LOL). Put one
on hold while you flip through your calendar which has been scribbled all over
before confirming your availability for any date.
2. Start investing
Property investment, stock exchange, mutual funds
etc, you gotta have one of them! Or at least, start a new hobby of reading
investment brochure so the next time someone asked you about stocks, you'll be
able to brag about your knowledge on Twitter's IPO. Show the world you have an
absolute control over your income and is farsighted in terms of financial
planning. Not a risk taker? Buy an insurance. Place your money into FD. Heck,
even buying designer bags is considered a good investment! Just make sure you
go for durable calf skin products, not cheap canvas handbags like those that I
own (as far as I could afford, sadly). Stick to the classic. After all, no one
wants a seasonal item with the lifespan of a housefly.
3. Drink coffee
Correction on my sentence earlier. If there is
anything I enjoy more than reading a book on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, it is
sipping a cup of hot latte at a cosy coffee place. Latte must be accompanied by
unique coffee art for my album collection.
Go for an extra shot when needed. The need for
caffeine indirectly tell others that you are an important person who have
important tasks on hand and hence you need extra dosage of caffeine to
reenergize.
4. Cook!
There is nothing more attractive than a man in
apron.
Regardless which gender you are, being
able to cook is definitely an additional point. Emphasize the importance of
home-cooked food by pointing on the amount of MSG and oil when you eat out. Hair
loss, weight gain, poor health, always put the blame on MSG. If possible,
pretend to come out with your own recipe even if it tastes awful. What are the
chances that people will borrow your recipe anyway? Even if they do and the
food turned out like crap, it is their fault for not blessed with the natural
culinary skills.
5. Be a career planner
So it's been only 6 months since you graduated from
uni and your CV is nothing longer than half a page. It doesn't matter, you can
still be a career expert everyone looks up upon! Start giving career advice to
your juniors and even your peers. Be equipped with basic knowledge and current
issues of all industries eg. Which is the best investment bank in the country?
Which among the big 4 accounting firms offer the best corporate finance job?
Who is the developer working on the MRT project? What is the higher paying
government firm? Which PR company has the best client etc etc. Be firm and
certain when giving your opinion as this will show that you are confident and
believe in what you speak of. Who else would emulate your carefully drawn out
career plan if you yourself aren't even sure of it?
6. Know your cocktails
The next time you go on a Friday night out with
fellow colleagues, order yourself a classic cocktail. Take no longer than 60
seconds to flip through the beverage menu before placing your order. Be it
Sangria, Daiquiri or Sex on the Beach, always choose something you are familiar
with. Better still, know the ingredients and offer to make your favourite
cocktail for the next house party. You know the house party they have long
discussed will forever be postponed or never happen. When the day comes, it's
never too late to google for the procedure and go for a trial-and-error basis
XD
If you are a man, always order something on the
rock. Anything on the rock makes you cool and macho.
Beer is a no no. It simply shows how dull and cheapskate
you are. Well unless the rest of the group insists on a tower. Just shut up and
show off your cocktail knowledge the next time you hang out with a cooler gang.
7. Take your supplement
Vitamin C or probiotic or whatever (whatever because
those 2 mentioned are the only supplement I take), Store your pills in a
container separated into daily dosage to show that you are an organized and
responsible person who takes health as priority. It is also an indicator to
others that you are aware of your health condition and is taking steps to
enhance it.
8. Read a book
No, text books and bible don’t count. Always have a
novel wherever you go. Personally, I don’t believe in self-help so I always go
for fiction. I used to read classical during high school (peer influence wtf)
but soon I discovered that they are the most boring of all genres. Moved on to
chick flicks later which I must say contributed significantly to the bimbotic
person I am today LOL. Oh, and I must proudly announce that I had already
finished all 7 of Harry Potter books last year (kinda late I know, used to
think they were too thick so I didn’t want to read). Reading isn’t exactly
Asian culture. If you want the easy way out, at least know a few famous authors
like Dan Brown, Agatha Christie, Jodi Picoult, John Grisham and Sophie Kinsella
(Confession of a shopaholic!!!). No Stephanie Meyer in the list since I don’t
read Twilight. Pick up their books in the book store, skim through the summary
and read the last page. There, you have just finished the entire book! Teehee.
Of course, that is not what I usually do. There is nothing I enjoy more than
reading a good book on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.
9. Be familiar with countries
Browse through Tripadvisor and memorize the famous
tourist spots all across the globe. Just because you are too poor to travel to
Europe doesn’t mean that you should be oblivious of the Lourve museum.
The next time someone brags about going to Paris,
you are at least able to request him to bring back some Laduree macarons. As
for countries you have been to, don’t forget the places you have been. “I know that restaurant along Hongdae street
that serves the best Dak Galbi! I will send you the address for you to look it
up on your next visit!”
10. Pick up a new language
If you are a Malaysian or Singaporean, Mandarin and Malay
don’t count as new language. We are raised to be articulate in 3 languages that
it’s no longer a big deal. However if you can speak an additional language
(Japanese and Korean are the norm these days), not only potential employer, but
people in general will be impressed.
