Dardis difference

Mar 30
1

Four Years: How to Make it Count

By | Career Advice | No Comments

From the first day of freshman year, eager college students choose their classes, major and more in anticipation of their final goal – graduation. But many students don’t look past the commencement ceremony to see the real world, which is not defined by term papers and final exams.

To make their college experience count, students need to focus not only on earning their diploma, but also setting the stage for a career when they transition from student to alumni. Here are five ways to make the most of this unique time:

Think long-term
College may be your main focus now, but there is life (and lots of it) post-college to plan for. Enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime college experience but make sure you devote time and energy into professional organizations and activities that will serve you long after your days on campus.

Build your resume
Just because you’re bogged down with a full course load doesn’t mean that you can’t start investing time into opportunities that will build out your resume. Internships are a must for any student, but you can also use volunteer work to gain invaluable experience that will set you apart in the job market.

Set goals now
It’s never too early to set short- and long-term career goals. Make sure they’re SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) and posted somewhere that you see every day. By understanding where you want to go in the next year, five years and ten years, you can make choices that best position you to reach your goals.

Make connections
Professional networking begins on the first day of class as you interact with other aspiring young professionals and faculty. Strike up thoughtful conversation where you share your career goals, and seek out professors with a business background that matches your interests. Build your network early, so you can also reap the benefits early.

Be resourceful
Colleges recognize the need to prepare students for a career after college, so most schools provide valuable support services to set you up for success. Take advantage of these free opportunities – such as resume reviews, etiquette dinners and interview coaching – to bolster your real-world skills prior to graduation.

By setting your eyes on your future career while simultaneously working toward your degree, your college experience will lead to more than just a paper diploma. Use these four years to learn and grow in these key areas, and you will build a solid foundation for a successful professional life.

Jan 30
0

The Tools You Need to Succeed

By | Career Advice | No Comments

Standing out in today’s saturated job market represents a challenge for all undergrads. A college diploma is no longer enough to get you the job as hundreds of similarly-qualified young professionals compete for every entry-level job, sometimes even with experienced professionals looking for a new direction.

To ensure your resume lands on top, you need a combination of soft skills and experiential learning experiences – along with your college degree.

Soft Skills

As a college student, you likely spend most of your time hitting the books to learn facts and methodologies. But in the real world, book smarts won’t carry you through the Monday through Friday grind. Employers know this, which is why they look for well-rounded candidates that have honed their minds through college but have also focused on developing the soft skills that make a positive impact in the workplace.

Presentation skills, maintaining a professional image and following proper business etiquette are just a few of the soft skills that many college grads lack. Look for business clubs on campus that will help you develop these soft skills and seek opportunities within your regular course load to learn how to effectively work in teams and set goals – two other important soft skills.

Experiential Learning

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
– Aristotle

While research shows that the majority of learning comes through experience, our education system relies highly on instructor-led training in a formal setting to teach future professionals. There’s a significant missed opportunity for development that can only come from experiential learning – the process of making meaning from direct experience.

Combined with your college courses, you should be applying what you learn through internships, volunteer work and job shadowing. Explore different job fields and actually try your hand at different tasks. You can then leverage these experiences through your resume and interviews post-graduation.

By combining the knowledge you gain through your college education with a variety of soft skills and experiential learning experiences, you will have the real-world tools you need to land your first job and succeed throughout your career.

Photo credit: Sean Svadilfari via Flickr

Mar 14
0

Dardis Classroom to Career: Just the Beginning

By | Classroom to Career | No Comments

As we look forward to the May 1 application deadline for our 2014 summer internship program, our Recruitment Managers are sprinting to the finish line, spreading the Dardis mission across the Midwest and beyond to prospective interns.  At career fairs, information sessions and individual meetings, they speak about our executive-level training program, the value of business experience and even the opportunity for interns to win a trip to Mexico.

Each of these pieces adds value to our Classroom to Career program, which continues to educate and propel college students into successful careers. But our internship is just the beginning for Classroom to Career alums. The tools and skills that students gain through our program impacts not only their job search post-college, but also the opportunities they have after they’ve landed their first job.

Dardis alums can rely on the professional skills and practical experiences they gain through Dardis as they advance into management roles and take on new responsibilities. The values of hard work and a commitment to excellence will make them strong and fair leaders. Our internship program is more than just selling clothes – it’s molding a business professional that can succeed and make a difference in any field, both today and years down the road.

The connections that Dardis interns make during their summer experience help them build a network quicker than their peers, which can open doors for them at any point in the future. A thorough, well-executed presentation as a Dardis intern can lead to a job opportunity or even a recommendation in a later season of life.

The Dardis experience serves as a gateway to limitless opportunities and success for young adults in a crowded job market – something that our former interns don’t take for granted.

“Learning the skills in the Academy and then seeing success as a result is huge,” said Ben B., a 2012 Dardis Academy graduate. “Not only for a confidence booster, but also for paving the way for the rest of my career. This is the real thing. Real life. Real world. Real business experience.”

Photo credit: by tableatny via Flickr

Feb 21
0

Dardis Key to Success: Presentation Skills

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

In part three of our Dardis keys to success series, we highlight the importance of presentation skills. This core component of the Dardis Academy training ensures that our interns feel educated and confident to present the Dardis product to prospective clients and then handle questions and overcome objections, if needed. Solid presentation skills strongly contribute to a successful career – knowing how to effectively communicate your key messages to your target audience, whether in a conference room or a large meeting room, earns you credibility and buy-in.

An effective presentation is more than a flashy PowerPoint. Oftentimes, crowded slides and over-the-top graphics actually distract your audience, so instead, focus on your content and your delivery, no matter what presentation format you follow.  As a presenter, you have to win over your audience and draw them into your message to really make an impact. When our interns present to business professionals in their community, they have the opportunity to practice their delivery and discover what works and what doesn’t. These firsthand experiences pave the way for quality, well-organized presentations in their future careers.

For practical ideas on how to nail a presentation in the first 60 seconds, check out this LinkedIn blog post that recommends you:

  • Plan your opening in advance: You should know exactly how you are going to open your speech. Look for ways to signal that you are a person with a valuable message to share.
  • Prepare the room in advance: If you like to move around, give yourself room to move, and you need an aid like a clicker, make sure it’s easy to access. The worst thing you can do is to step in front and start fumbling around.
  • Expect the unexpected: No matter what happens, your role is to remain calm and composed. If you do this, you will win over the room.
  • Be immediately interesting: Even if you have housekeeping notes or details to go over with the audience, don’t start with these. First, build a rapport and demonstrate that you are both in control and worth their attention.
  • Use terror to your advantage: As part of your planned opening, say something that either acknowledges your anxiety or makes it seem like good acting.

Equipped with executive-level training experience from Dardis Academy, Dardis interns have the tools to deliver the high-quality, captivating presentations that will move business – and their careers – forward.

Photo credit: World Travel & Tourism Council via Flickr

Feb 14
0

Dardis Key to Success: Professional Image Skills

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

In the Dardis Academy training course, we stress to our interns the importance of skills like business communication, selling techniques and effective presentations– all things they won’t learn from a textbook. But beyond these practical, career-focused components, we also teach our interns the importance of an often neglected “skill” – maintaining a professional image.

While a professional image won’t land you the job, it can definitely lose you the job. The difference between a professional image and a sloppy look can mean the difference between a promotion and a demotion. Professional image isn’t just about the clothes you wear –it’s a persona that effectively displays your confidence, your expertise and your passion for your work.

By arriving to work (or worse, an interview!) with a crumpled, untucked dress shirt, you portray to your colleagues that you do not value what you do or what you bring to the company.  Conversely, by dressing smartly with a careful attention to fit and detail, you send the message that you are prepared to take on challenges and thrive in an evolving environment. At Dardis, we sell professional apparel for a reason – it matters!

Beyond your physical appearance, you can enhance your professional image by maintaining a professional demeanor at the office and always treating every situation as a worthwhile learning experience.  Your supervisor and your colleagues take note about how you handle challenges with other teammates and how you deal with stress. Don’t let a heated moment or a difficult project break down your professionalism and threaten your career advancement opportunities.

Not sure how to hone your professional image? Start with these recommendations:

  • Be authentic: Potential employers see right through a false exterior. Be genuine in your words and actions.
  • Dress the part: You don’t need a fortune to invest in quality pieces that enhance your appearance and show you’re ready for the job.
  • Find a mentor: Identify a mentor that embodies the professional skills you hope to also portray and look for ways you can develop similar skills.

A professional image takes time and effort to maintain, but by entering the job market with this firm foundation, you will be ready to handle everything that comes your way.

Photo credit: Dell via Flickr

Feb 07
0

Dardis Key to Success: Selling and Negotiation Skills

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

Before our summer interns head to their local communities to begin selling the Dardis product, they complete a week-long, executive-level training program to prepare them for their internship experience and most importantly, their careers. Through this unique opportunity, students learn the real-world skills that they need to succeed with Dardis and beyond. These keys to success range from presentation skills to business etiquette and more.

This month on the Dardis Academy blog, we will feature these keys to success and showcase how these skills will give students the tools they need to succeed in the workplace.

Selling techniques

Sales skills sit at the heart of business. No matter what role you currently serve in or what your career aspirations may be, your work will focus on selling something – a product, an idea or even your skills and experience. At Dardis, our product happens to be professional clothing, and we train our interns thoroughly on our product so they know the detailed features and benefits, as well as the apparel industry and the fashion trends, so that they can serve as experts during the selling process.

This foundation allows them to engage in an effective sale by first listening to the client’s needs and then providing a solution to meet their needs. Effective selling is relational, and we challenge our interns to ask the right questions and work as a partner, not an overbearing sales person. We draw upon years of experience through Dardis Communications training high-level executives to educate our interns on effective selling techniques that will close the deal.

Closing and negotiation skills

To be successful, the right selling techniques must match the right closing and negotiation skills. Very few sales are simple and straightforward, so Dardis interns learn in the Dardis Academy to effectively close their presentation and if needed, navigate through the negotiation process. We train our interns to first recommend the right sale to close the deal, and we also train them to respond to challenges that will undoubtedly arise. Negotiation skills take years to develop, so we encourage interns to see each sale as a learning opportunity, even if they don’t complete the sale.

By giving students the tools they need to successfully sell our quality Dardis attire, they can experience, first-hand, the thrill and challenge of the sales process and prepare themselves for a future career armed with this key to success.

Photo credit: Brenda-Starr via Flickr

Jan 24
0

Recruitment Manager Spotlight: Lisa DeMar

By | Someone you should know | No Comments

Recruitment Manager Lisa DeMar spreads the message about Dardis Academy in the state of Michigan, showing students that the Classroom to Career internship program provides the tools, training and real world experience to succeed in all areas of life. In our latest Recruitment Manager Spotlight, she explains why Dardis Academy is on the cutting edge:

Why should students spend time now focusing on their future careers?
It is so important for students to take full advantage of every opportunity they can during their college career to better themselves for their first steps into the real world. If they don’t take advantage of it, the student next to them will!

What is the greatest benefit of the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program?
The competitive advantage the student gains in multiple facets of life. They will walk away with excellent communication and presentation tools that will benefit them in many areas of their life, as well as the confidence of knowing that they have taken that extra step toward a successful future.

In one word, what’s Dardis all about?
Cutting edge. (Well, I guess that’s two!)

What is one piece of career advice you give to college students?
As you enter the workforce, know that there are hundreds of other equally qualified graduates vying for that same entry level job with the same tenacity. Knowing you have taken those extra steps to better yourself and your resume will give you the confidence in the interview process to stand out. The applicant who cannot articulate why they are the better candidate in the interview will not be getting the job offer!

What can interns expect to learn in the Dardis Academy?
In the Dardis Academy, the student will gain essential communication skills to succeed in life. Whether the student has modest or extravagant future goals, having the necessary skills in communication, presentation and professional image will give that student the confidence to succeed!

Why are you passionate about the Dardis mission?
Dardis has given students, at such a critical time in their lives, the opportunity to develop and attain high level communication skills and self-management tools. Obtaining these skills and having the ability to apply them in a real-world setting is crucial for overall success in life.

How can students contact you for more information?
Students in in the great state of Michigan can learn more about this exceptional opportunity by contacting me at Lisa@dardisinc.com or calling 269-330-3271.

Dec 27
0

What You Really Need To Know Post-College

By | Classroom to Career | No Comments

As a college student, there will come a time when you have to close the textbooks, pack up your off-campus apartment and set up shop at a job where your boss will expect you to work hard for your paycheck – everyday. The real world transcends the security of any college campus, challenging you to think differently and apply the skills and concepts you studied for four years. A graduation date will no longer loom in the distance. This is real life, and you have to be ready.

Thousands of young people enter the workforce every year, but research shows that most new college grads do not possess the skills that companies look for in candidates. One survey by the Workforce Solutions Group at St. Louis Community College finds that more than 60 percent of employers say applicants lack “communication and interpersonal skills” — an increase of 10 percentage points in just two years. Many of those managers also say today’s applicants can’t think critically and creatively, solve problems or write well.

A National Association of Colleges and Employers survey of more than 200 employers shows that the vast majority of employers look for candidates who are team players, problem solvers and can plan, organize and prioritize their work.  It’s the soft skills – not the textbook knowledge – that really set you apart from the rest, not only in the interview process but into your career.

While students inherently learn some soft skills as they work through group projects and power through assignments, they need real world experience to complement their diplomas. Valuable internship programs like the Dardis Classroom to Career program teach college students how to succeed in the business world through structured training programs focused on soft skills like communication and presentation skills.  They then give students the opportunity to hone their skills in a true work environment.

Wondering if an internship makes a difference post-college? According to a survey of more than 2,000 college students and 1,000 hiring manages, more than 80 percent of employers want new grads they hire to have completed a formal internship.  Those employers know that internships provide students with the skills they need to succeed and reward those students with career opportunities.

If you’re a current student, continue to study hard but remember that in addition to your book smarts, you’ll need real world skills and experience to succeed. That’s where we come in. Apply today.

Photo credit: mer chau via Flickr

Nov 15
0

Experience Is Essential

By | Someone you should know | No Comments

A recent poll showed that in 2012, 63 percent of the students in the Class of 2012 completed at least one internship, and 28 percent of students completed two. Internships are no longer an optional piece of the college experience. They represent a crucial component of any student’s resume, and the college students of today are recognizing that experience is essential in today’s job market.

Not all internships are created equal. Employment at a well-known company can jump off the page, but it’s the real world experience that will help you land the job and propel your career. Dardis’ Classroom to Career internship program combines the respect of the Dardis, Inc. umbrella of companies with the tangible pieces that students need in their working lives post-college.

Networking, communications skills and sales training all contribute to a successful career, but the hands-on experience in this unique internship program ensures students stand out among the rest. During the interview process, past Dardis interns can speak about specific customer experiences, selling techniques and high-profile presentations that will convey the sense of passion and motivation that recruiters look for in recent grads. While some interns focus on secretarial work, Dardis interns do the work and gain valuable experience along the way.

In our latest Recruitment Manager spotlight, Josh Martens shares more about this challenging and worthwhile internship experience:

What is the greatest benefit of the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program?
The opportunity to gain professional work experience.

What sets the Dardis internship apart from other internship opportunities?
Not only is there opportunity to gain experience, but it also takes students through executive level training, which will help them excel in their career after graduation, and also in the classroom until they graduate.

Why do you think it’s important for students to gain real life career experience while in college?
It is one of the major things that employers look for, and if a student expects to get a career after graduation, it is essential that they gain this before graduation.

In one word, what’s Dardis all about?
Professionalism.

How can students contact you for more information?
Students can call me at 402-650-0087 or email me at josh@dardisinc.com.

Jun 28
0

Revolutionizing the shopping experience

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

Have you ever stood in the very middle of your favorite department store with a frazzled look on your face as you took in the endless racks surrounding you? Have you ever avoided the nearest shopping mall to prevent that scenario from ever even transpiring?

If so, you’re not alone. Take a look around you the next time you enter a retail store, and you’re bound to see a few grimaces or looks of confusion, especially in the men’s department. The truth remains that most men dread the shopping experience, but they know how important it is to maintain a professional image.

We recognize that reality, so we have built our company in a way that makes buying clothing easy and convenient. Through our team of trained clothiers, we come directly to you with the finest in menswear, offer it at a great price and eliminate the need to shop.

We provide value in three ways:

Product
All of our merchandise is private labeled under the Dardis brand. We spent years researching, interviewing and establishing relationships with the best manufacturers in the world.

Price
By manufacturing our own clothing and ordering in bulk, we are able to save you money on the final product. As a customer, you end up with the best product for the best price.

Convenience
Our highly trained clothiers meet you at your home or office, and we also offer tools like our wardrobe assessment and a tailor network that enable us to be a complete resource for you.

Our clients are the best Dardis brand ambassadors. Here are just two of the many positive reviews we have received:

“As a busy person, it is highly convenient to have someone come to my office and provide class A clothing from start to finish; socks to pants, shirts to suits. It fits my schedule. The quality is second to none, the service is unbelievable and the products are very reasonably priced.”
– Dr. James Mezhir, Surgeon, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

“I love Dardis! Yes, the product quality is very good, but I especially like the service. The students offer great suggestions on clothing options and pairings, which is a huge benefit for some of us who are challenged with what looks good together. I’m hooked!”
– Chad Furlong, Senior IT Manager, University of Iowa Foundation

Visit our website to learn more about how we are revolutionizing the shopping experience.

Contact Dardis today to learn more. Contact Us