Dress For Success

Tailored

JOB                Image

Promotes

Success

 

You have probably heard the phrase, “Dress for Success.”  This is very important in your job search.  First impressions can make or break an interview, so presenting a Tailored Image is a good first step to Promoting Success in your job search.

Employers can tell horror stories about people who show up on their doorstep looking for work with:  torn jeans, t-shirts with offensive sayings, dirty fingernails, uncombed hair, curlers in their hair, and poor attitudes.  While you have the right to dress the way you want on your own time, it is important that you dress the way an employer wants if you expect to be considered for a job.  (This may also mean removing studs or getting a hair cut.)

When you are dropping off resumes, dress as if you were going to be interviewed, because you might happen to be in the right place at the right time and have the opportunity to speak to the employer or manager right away. 

Many businesses have now adopted a more casual dress code, but it’s a good idea to take some time before your interview to check out how the other employees are dressed.  A good rule of thumb is to dress a little better for the interview than you would expect to dress on a daily basis.  Dress above the position you want when to make a good first impression. 

It is not necessary to have a big budget to present a tailored image.  All it takes is time, careful shopping and a little ingenuity.

 

To your job search success

 

Fran Watson

First Impressions

Now that your resume and cover letter have got you in the door, it is time to make a good first impression. Remember, the interviewer makes a decision within 2.8 minutes, so it is up to you to make sure that the decision is in your favour.

“The interviewer makes an immediate overall judgment about you within the first five seconds, and the next 25 seconds are spent checking the chemistry and verifying the initial impression”
–Ollie Stevenson, author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Job Search Problems

Your appearance is very important. This is the first thing the employer sees. Your appearance will reflect your attitude and give the employer an impression of what your work habits will be like – will you be neat or careless in doing your job? Will your appearance affect the customers that the business serves? How will co-workers react to you. In short, does your appearance indicate that you are conscientious about how you do your work?

Jewellery should be minimal and go with what you are wearing. Check your appearance in a mirror from as many angles as possible. Sit in a chair in front of a mirror to see how you look sitting down. Make sure there are no gaps showing. Body piercings are your choice, but they may impact the employer’s decision to hire you, particularly if you will be doing customer service.

The other important part of appearance is how do you smell? Many people are allergic to perfumes. Sometimes people try to cover up body odour or cigarette smoke by applying scented deodorants or colognes. It is hard to concentrate on interviewing someone if your nose is being assaulted. Some people may actually get headaches from the smells, and for someone who is a non-smoker, the smell of a freshly smoked cigarette is unpleasant.

So, ensure that you are freshly showered, hair clean and neat, teeth brushed (with or without mouth wash), nails clean, shoes polished, no perfume or cologne (or very little – basically, if you can smell it, it’s too strong), don’t smoke within 10 minutes of your interview and then use a breath mint before the interview.

Body language can play an important role in your interview. Much of what we say or think is reflected in our body language. That is one of the reasons why it is important to be able to defend everything on your resume. If you are unsure about any part of your resume, it will come across in your body language – in the way you hold yourself, your eye contact, or your voice.

Project the image that fits the job you’re going after
• Make eye contact, smile and trust your gut reactions
• If they sit, you sit; if they joke, smile
• Sit forward in your chair to show interest and enthusiasm
• Check out your posture and outfit in a full-length mirror before heading out to the
interview

Don’t slouch, play with objects, shift a lot, laugh nervously, cross your arms in front of your chest – these actions indicate nervousness

Good luck!

Fran Watson
P.S. Stop back for more job search tips

Are You A Zebra?

STRIPES OR NO STRIPES; THAT IS THE QUESTION

I woke up this morning wondering if Zebras believe they are better than donkeys. (It is a good thing I did not have to work today because it got me thinking for a long time.)

Zebras seem like they always take extra care to look ‘just so’ and donkeys are frumpy in comparison. I still don’t know if zebras feel superior to donkeys, but I do know this: people judge other people by how they look all the time.

Case in point: last week, I held a first class ticket on Via Rail from Quebec to Montreal but was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. As I approached the first class lounge, I was stopped and told to go to the back of the line for economy ticket holders. At the same time, a woman in a very smart business suit bi-passed the same line and let herself into the lounge, no questions asked. In this example, she was a zebra, and I was an ass.

Not convinced? Then ask 5 kids under four which they would rather be when they grow up and I will bet you dollars to donuts that at least 4 will say, “Zebra, I want to be a zebra.” Why? Because they know that zebras demand more respect just by how they look.

Do you want to go places? Then dress like a zebra and people will more likely clear a path for you. Sure a zebra is more likely than a donkey to be taken down by a lion or river croc, but that is the subject of another week’s newsletter.

Have a great week!

PAUL HUSCHILT'S FREE FLUFF AND OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS is a complimentary weekly newsletter. Forward it to a friend. To learn how you can, with permission and thanks, reprint in your own publication for free, simply email paul@paulhuschilt.com.

Paul Huschilt is an award-winning speaker who specializes in humour and workplace wellness. Visit www.paulhuschilt.com to see if he might be the perfect intervention at your next meeting.

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Dressing For The Job is very important in your job search. Do you need a suit? Not for all jobs, but you make a good impression when you dress up to show respect to the person who is interviewing you.

Good luck on your job search.

Fran

Georgia Donovan: http://www.theclothesdoctor.com/index.html
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Has Business Casual Gone Too Far

Get rid of the tee shirt that has your life motto or philosophy statement written across it. A simple white or colored tee works best.
Get rid of anything dirty, worn, torn. If you wash your car in it or wear it to clean out your backyard it's not right for the office.
Get rid of anything tight. That goes for guys too. Loose the tight jeans, tank tops or anything that is suggestive or bare. Short shorts are a no no and are in very bad taste.

Get rid of the backpack and save it for weekends. Invest in a good briefcase.

Get rid of the baseball cap. Save if for the softball game.

Get rid of your favorite tattoo, I'm not saying that you should go to local dermatologist and get it burned off, but at least cover it. The same goes for body piercing.

Get rid of those dirty sneakers .

And women should never ever go braless! I don't care if you're a 32AA, you ALWAYS wear a bra to the office.

What works best: A basic blazer in navy, black or tan over a great pair of pressed jeans and a white tee shirt. Denim shirts with khaki pants or skirts.

The look you want here is professional yet casual . If you still haven't a clue as to how to put it together, here's a tip. take a look at your boss's, boss.

The above is from Georgia Donovan's blog. For more information on Fashion and Makeup, check it out here:

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To putting your best foot forward in your job!

Fran Watson