Last weekend, I went to Chicago. Instead of taking a cab like normal, I ended up taking public transportation to and from Midway. Honestly, it was kind of an ordeal, especially for someone not used to public transit in general. Made me super grateful for my car! But it also made me curious—how do most business travelers get to the airport? I almost always drive my car and park at an offsite parking lot, although this time my husband dropped me off which was nice. What does everyone else do?

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Interviews are hard. Super hard. Add travel, and you’re looking at a very stressful situation. Not just stress about sounding competent and knowledgeable, but stress over hotel and flight logistics! Here’s some advice for acing that interview, regardless of where the interview is.

General:

• Practice ahead of time. Find example interview questions, and have someone practice with you.  For my last interview, Home Warrior quizzed me day and night for a week.  There are sample questions everywhere, but we found great ones on Monster.
• STAR format. Situational interviewing is everywhere, but organizing your thoughts on the fly is hard. Prior to the interview, think of 3-4 situations you can cover, and during the interview discuss them like this: Situation, Task, Action, Result. I.E.: Last year, my team fell 30% behind on sales goals (Situation). Our manager told us to figure out a way to exceed our goals by end of quarter (Task). By expanding our customer base and offering new products to existing partners (Action), the team ended with a quarterly attainment of 105% (Result).
• Research the company, industry, and role.  Before interviewing, spend time learning about the company and role.  Having a working knowledge of the industry is also very important.  Familiarity with these can help you stand out, but a lack of knowledge will be a strike against you.

Travel:

• Plan for delays.  Missing your interview due to flight delays is terrible.  Arriving the day before eliminates this, and you avoid going straight from the airport to the office.  Map out your route from hotel to office ahead of time, noting road construction or other delays and planning accordingly.
• Pack smart. Bring a suit that doesn’t wrinkle.  Affordable, attractive, wrinkle resistant collections are everywhere!  Don’t wear anything new that may be uncomfortable, because worrying about the tag on your pantyhose during the interview is lame.
• Worst case. If you do have to go directly from the airport to the office, don’t wear your suit on the plane.  After landing, go to the ladies’ room, change clothes, and fix your hair and makeup.

Before you land the interview, you need a job to apply for. That’s where BeKnown comes in!  BeKnown is a professional networking app for Facebook.  Set up a professional profile separate from your Facebook profile, network with alumni on the College Pages, search Monster’s database of job postings (without leaving Facebook), and find many valuable tools.  This app is cool—check it out! (As part of this contest I want lots of readers to check out BeKnown—so do a gal a favor and take a look!)

In honor of BeKnown and Monster, give me your best interview tip!  (Bonus points if it’s travel related.) The winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday January 10^th. One entry per person.  Winner receives a makeup kit and business card holder from Monster!

Road Warriorette is participating in a blogger contest from Monster, and will receive a prize kit (makeup kit and business card holder) for participation.

During Blog World in LA, I stayed at the Westin Bonaventure. It was overall a very nice hotel, with a lovely bathroom and very comfy beds, and I’ll do a full review to tell you all about it next week. But they were missing one thing, one important thing: plugs! Business travelers need plugs. Heck, regular travelers need plugs. Everyone needs plugs!! I crawled along on the floor looking for outlets near the desk—nothing. In order to plug my phone in next to my bed I had to muscle the freaking heavy nightstand out of the way to get to the surge protector behind it, and then had to unplug the alarm clock. But no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find a plug to use for my computer. So I ended up charging it in the safest of places—the bathroom. Sigh.

One of my blog friends said that she found plugs somewhere on the front of the desk, so I looked there too. As you can see, nothing.

Last night I stayed in an Embassy Suites that had tons of plugs, and my blogger’s heart sang.

Readers, do hotels usually have enough outlets for you? I would say my luck is usually half and half.

In the business world, we are required to multi-task all the time. Answer email while on a conference call. Finish a report while talking to a customer. Well, in travel the more multi-taskers you’ve got, the less you have to pack. And the less you have to pack, the easier it is to get around. Hooray, multi-tasking! Here are a few of my favorites.

All-in-one makeup. These things are great. In theory, you can use one for your cheeks, eyes, and lips, although I usually just use them for cheeks and eyes. Simplifies your makeup routine, and makes packing super easy. I love Nars’ “The Multiple” in South Beach, a peachy shimmer.

Intuition razor. A razor and shaving cream built into one? Sign me up! I have used this razor for around eight years, and I love it. My favorite type of blade is the Pomegranate one, which smells great and gives me a smooth shave. (Another multi-use toiletry: conditioner. Use it for shaving cream in a pinch.)

Pashmina. You guys hear me talk about the pashmina all the time, but that is because it’s my most important travel accessory. It can be a scarf, blanket, pillow, swim-suit cover up, napkin….. It’s a great and wonderful thing!!

One dress, two (or four) ways. I have a dress from Athleta that is blue on one side, green on the other, and can be worn as a dress or a skirt. The ultimate multi-tasker! I have also seen dresses at TravelSmith that have a scoop neck on one side and a V-neck on the other, or that are patterned on the inside and solid on the outside and can be worn either way. Although I don’t have either one, I am intrigued!

Readers, what are your favorite multi-functional items for packing?

A recent conversation with a traveling friend got me thinking. What are the things I just can’t live without while on a trip? Are those things different when I’m traveling for business vs. fun? What do I need for the plane vs. the hotel, or clothes vs. toiletries? So after much deliberation and consideration, I narrowed it down to five. Here are my necessities for when I’m on a plane:

1. Kindle. Without a doubt, this is the one thing I need on every trip, regardless of work or play. Reading keeps me sane through delays, overly full flights, turbulence, screaming kids, smelly neighbors, and every other travel headache.
2. iPhone. Music helps me feel like I’m alone on a plane of 200. White noise apps help me sleep. Email and internet are fun and entertaining before we take off. I need my phone!!
3. Pashmina. The most useful of all clothing items. Use it as a pillow, a blanket, a napkin, an eye-mask…. It takes up so little room in a bag yet makes your flight so much better.
4. Water/snacks. Getting dehydrated can affect me in so many ways, so I always carry water with me on flights. And being hungry makes me grumpy and sometimes nauseous, so I always carry snacks as well.
5. Notepad. Sometimes I will be struck by inspiration–blog topic ideas, stuff I need to do at home, a grocery list, house decoration ideas…. If things come into my head, I have to write them down immediately or I might forget.
6. Honorable mention: lip balm. My lips get so dry while flying, which is very uncomfortable. Lip balm makes it all better, and the mint kind smells really good (which helps when you have a smelly neighbor).

So Readers, what are your top five travel necessities for a plane? I’m so curious!! Please share.

Have you ever gotten to the airport and realized, “Dangit! I forgot my toothpaste/deodorant/razor?” I know I have. Well, that won’t be a problem anymore. If you forget some critical toiletry item, you can now purchase a replacement at GroomingZone. You all know I love a good vending machine (Sephora anyone?), and The New York Times calls it “The New Touch Face of Vending Machines.”  I would say it’s probably 20 times nicer than a mere vending machine, as GroomingZone does not disappoint. It has all kinds of products, including:

• Razors and shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste, toothbrush,  and whitening strips
• Shampoo

Many products are available as stand alone or part of a nice little kit. Granted, a lot of the brands are more male-oriented, but there are definitely things here that ladies can use. They are also launching a more female-oriented BeautyBar at a variety of malls across the country on September 5. They sent me a lovely bag of sample goodies from the BeautyBar, and I can tell you that there will be some great products in there. (Maybe one will end up in an airport sometime? We shall see!)

GroomingZones have been set up at DFW in Terminal C (near Gate 28), SFO Terminal G, and ATL Terminal C.  So if you have a few minutes, or forget your toothpaste, check it out next time you’re at one of these airports.

My own over-stuffed travel purse

You’ve probably seen it happen–someone walking down the aisle of an airplane, totally focused on what’s ahead of them, and completely unaware that they are hitting everyone already seated with their bag. This past week, the woman in front of me on our normal sized Super 80 (so not a small plane with a smaller aisle) was pushing her rollaboard in front of her and had her large purse on her shoulder. As she was walking by a group of people already seated, she literally hit a woman in the face with her purse. Obviously, she wasn’t trying to be rude, she was just completely oblivious.

My recommendation: don’t keep your purse or briefcase on your shoulder—hold the straps in your hand. Then either pull or carry your rollaboard, depending on how narrow the aisle is. It’s not as comfortable this way, but at least you have more control over where your bags go. And you’re more likely to avoid hitting someone in the face.

I spend a lot of time talking about the awesomeness of pashminas, so I decided that I would dedicate my post today to them. The many uses for these amazing scarf/blanket hybrids include as a scarf or blanket (of course), shawl, wrap, pillow, sarong, swimsuit cover up, nursing cover up….. the list goes on and on. There are some great tutorials all over the web if you’re ever not sure how to wear a pashmina (once you’re done using it as a blanket on the plane). I always feel so inspired to practice new ways of wearing mine after looking at these sites!

Affordable Scarves has a ton of varieties, colors, and budget friendly prices.

For a pashmina made out of, well, pashmina, check out The Pashmina Store. Soft, natural fibers, and still very affordable.

And of course, if you want something very high end, Nordstrom is the place to go. They have several lovely cashmere varieties, as well as designer versions.

Today’s guest post is from Nicky Warner, a young professional who believes in working hard and looking good. She loves writing and blogging, and always has something to say about the latest workwear and fashion trends. Follow Nicky on Twitter @Dressed4Success.

Whether I’m on a business trip or heading to my favourite holiday destination, I love the fun and convenience of air travel; I doubt the novelty of flying will wear off for me anytime soon. I do however have one gripe, and that is the issue of choosing travel shoes.

Sore, stiff feet make the jet-setting experience decidedly less glamorous, and when it comes to travel shoes I often find myself tempted to lace up a sturdy pair of womens safety shoes or Terra footwear boots and leave it at that. Looking into advice on travel shoes however, I’ve picked up some useful tips that will help me make smart choices:

• Flex that Foot. Travel shoes should be lightweight and flexible, allowing you to move your feet freely. This will help prevent cramps and swelling during the flight. I recommend a pair with adjustable straps. Stylish, athletic-style options like the Mephisto Allrounder are a great example of travel shoes that look chic while allowing for maximum comfort.
• Keep your Cool. If you’re feeling hot and bothered in your travel shoes, cooling gel insoles can work wonders. Compression stockings from the local chemist will also aid circulation and reduce swelling.
• Strictly Business. If you’re headed directly to a board meeting and simply have to wear formal shoes, choose something with a low heel and good arch support. Alternatively, wear your comfortable travel shoes and keep the formal pair close at hand in a stylish travel shoe bag.
• Keep Moving. Do regular foot and ankle stretches, especially on longer flights. Take a walk up the aisle if you can, but if you have to remain in your seat, you’ll be thankful you chose good quality travel shoes.

Investing in a good pair of good-looking, versatile travel shoes means you can put your best foot forward the minute you land. Wishing you all happy travels – and happy feet!

With all of the new fees for checked luggage, there has been a lot of emphasis on travel blogs and websites on packing lighter. I talk about how to pack lighter all the time! It’s more efficient, less trouble, and saves room so you can carry-on. People who travel often are usually pretty adept at navigating the carry-on. And others need a little help. Some people loathe the idea of paying to check luggage so much that they will carry-on no matter what. And when I say no matter what, I mean they will try to make any size, overstuffed with who knows what, misshapen bag fit into an overhead bin. This can have so many consequences,  including other people’s bags not fitting, needing help lifting an overweight bag, and bags falling out of a bin and hitting someone.

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when bringing a carry-on:

1. Know your airline’s guidelines. All major airlines have the size and weight restrictions for carry-ons on their website. If your bag is too big, they may make you check it. Also, there are slightly different size requirements for international carriers vs. American carriers, so make sure your bag works for your continent as well.
2. Make sure you can lift your bag. There is no reason for you to expect other people to help you put your bag in the overhead bins. You may be surrounded by senior citizens who can’t help you, or you may be lucky and have someone strong next to you. Also, some flight attendants are not prohibited from helping customers put bags up. You just never know, so it’s better to assume you have to do it yourself.
3. Listen to instructions on where to put your bag. This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. On many American Airlines planes, standard sized rollerboards fit wheels first on the D-E-F side of the plane. On other airlines, a standard sized rollerboard will only fit sideways, and there are no instructions given. On one airline, the bags had to go in handles first. If there are instructions given, please follow them; they are given to you for a reason. If you put your bag in the way it is supposed to be, more bags will be able to fit.
4. Only put your large bag in the overhead. Put your purse or briefcase under the seat in front of you, until you know for sure there will be room. Also, don’t put your jacket in a bin unless it’s going on top of or in front of your bag. Again, we’re trying to make room for everyone.
5. Put your bag in the bin as close to your seat as possible. If you are sitting in row 25, and there is no room over 25 and there is room over 23, that’s one thing. But if you’re sitting in row 25 and you put your bag over row 8, that is just rude. If everyone did that then the people in the front of the plane will have no room for their bags. And there is almost always room at the back of the plane.
6. Don’t make it your plan to gate check. I have been reading about people who knowingly bring their too-big bag onto a plane, assuming that the flight attendants will make them gate-check and they won’t have to pay the fees. Wow. If you bring a normal sized carry-on that you are happy to bring on the plane or gate-check, that is one thing. But gaming the system just seems wrong. If you are bringing too much stuff, check your bag. If you don’t want to pay the fee, bring less stuff. Don’t slow everyone else down because you’re trying to save $20.

This is the list for now, but you know that if I come up with more I will pass them on. The bottom line is, try to be considerate of others. Take up your allotted space and try not to infringe upon the space of others. Try to be as efficient as possible so you don’t make everyone late. And please, for goodness’ sake, don’t hit anyone with your bag. I’ve been there, it is not awesome. Good luck.