Sometimes career advice is lurking just around the most unlikely corner. For example, we recently discovered that Paris Hilton had a few things to say about online freelancing and contract work.
With nearly 3.5 million Twitter followers, Paris’ morsels of wisdom are obviously in demand. Here’s our take on some of her most notable quoteables:
PARIS SAYS: “Trust me, people act differently toward you when you’ve got jewelry on your head.”
What It Means: You might be thinking having “jewelry on your head” means wearing a tiara. However, in this case having “jewelry on your head” is, we’re pretty certain, just a fancy socialite euphemism for “looking professional.” If your online profile/portfolio picture makes you look professional, then online contacts will treat you like a professional. (Trust us.)
PARIS SAYS: “You can see all these girls leaving a party at the end of the night and they look terrible … This is a huge mistake. People remember how you look when you leave as much as they remember how you look when you arrived.”
What It Means: Paris is trying to tell you that “how you look” (i.e., your job performance and your professional behavior) at the end of a contract should be as important to you as how you looked when you were trying to land the job in the first place — look good on your way in and on your way out. Contract employers will remember how you performed the tasks more than how you presented in the interview, and your feedback will be based on performance throughout. (If you’ve already blown it, take this advice.)
PARIS SAYS: “I only want friends who are there for me like I’m there for them. Otherwise, it’s too painful.”
With nearly 3.5 million Twitter followers, Paris’ morsels of wisdom are obviously in demand. Here’s our take on some of her most notable quoteables:
PARIS SAYS: “Trust me, people act differently toward you when you’ve got jewelry on your head.”
What It Means: You might be thinking having “jewelry on your head” means wearing a tiara. However, in this case having “jewelry on your head” is, we’re pretty certain, just a fancy socialite euphemism for “looking professional.” If your online profile/portfolio picture makes you look professional, then online contacts will treat you like a professional. (Trust us.)
PARIS SAYS: “You can see all these girls leaving a party at the end of the night and they look terrible … This is a huge mistake. People remember how you look when you leave as much as they remember how you look when you arrived.”
What It Means: Paris is trying to tell you that “how you look” (i.e., your job performance and your professional behavior) at the end of a contract should be as important to you as how you looked when you were trying to land the job in the first place — look good on your way in and on your way out. Contract employers will remember how you performed the tasks more than how you presented in the interview, and your feedback will be based on performance throughout. (If you’ve already blown it, take this advice.)
PARIS SAYS: “I only want friends who are there for me like I’m there for them. Otherwise, it’s too painful.”
What It Means: Paris wouldn’t waste her time with employers who aren’t just as professional and courteous as she is. Otherwise, it’s too painful. Dump that client! (Or, as we suggest, try to give them constructive feedback – perhaps some guidance on the best ways to work with you will change how they do business for the better.)
PARIS SAYS: “The best thing about owning your own nightclub is that everything’s free and you can tell the DJ to play whatever you want.”
What It Means: We’re fairly sure that “owning your own nightclub” is Paris-speak for having your own business. (Fancy socialite euphemisms strike again!) Because the best thing about contract work is that you work for yourself. Your business belongs to you. And just like Paris asking that DJ to play her favorite song, you can ask your employers to pay you whatever you want. (Within reason, of course. And, PS, nothing is free.)
PARIS SAYS: “I’m an actress, a brand, a business woman. I’m all kinds of stuff.”
PARIS SAYS: “The best thing about owning your own nightclub is that everything’s free and you can tell the DJ to play whatever you want.”
What It Means: We’re fairly sure that “owning your own nightclub” is Paris-speak for having your own business. (Fancy socialite euphemisms strike again!) Because the best thing about contract work is that you work for yourself. Your business belongs to you. And just like Paris asking that DJ to play her favorite song, you can ask your employers to pay you whatever you want. (Within reason, of course. And, PS, nothing is free.)
PARIS SAYS: “I’m an actress, a brand, a business woman. I’m all kinds of stuff.”
What It Means: Paris wants you to think of yourself as a real professional. A brand. A business person. You are the whole package! Believe in your abilities and be your own PR team, because — just like Paris — you are all kinds of stuff! (And here are the ways to communicate that to potential employers.)
And there you have it: Great freelancing advice from Paris Hilton. Whose unlikely advice has impacted your life? What was the best career advice you’ve received? Let us know in the comments!
And there you have it: Great freelancing advice from Paris Hilton. Whose unlikely advice has impacted your life? What was the best career advice you’ve received? Let us know in the comments!
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