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Dress For Success When Job Hunting

Guest post by: Jim Meisenheimer

Article Overview: Learn how to dress for success when job hunting. It's very important to create a good first and lasting impression.

Dress For Success When Job Hunting

Always dress for success when you're job-hunting. I know you're probably thinking that's a no-brainer. Unfortunately not everybody has brains!

A few weeks ago there was a picture in the business section of my local newspaper. The article accompanying the photo was about a Sarasota job fair.

There were dozens of employers interviewing hundreds of job seekers. Will Rogers once said, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."

The photograph was very telling, at least for me it was. Wearing jeans to a job fair is like jumping from a plane without a parachute. What were these people thinking?

Probably - they weren't thinking.

In sales, first impressions are often lasting impressions. You have to look good and of course you have to sound good too.

The recession we've all experienced during the last few years has kept people in jobs they don't like. It also meant a lot of people lost their jobs.

I am an optimist and believe things are starting to turn around for the better which means more people will be job-hunting for better positions.

As you get ready for your job interviews remember if you want to look fit and trim, it means you have to be fit and trim. You are a walking Billboard during every job interview.

When you look in the mirror what do you see? What you see in the mirror is what your potential employers will also see.

Here are some tips to help you create positive and dynamic first impressions.

The best advice I've ever seen on buying clothes, and I wish I could remember the author's name but I can't, "Is to buy half as much and spend twice as much."

The color of your belt should match the color of your shoes.

Another small point is to keep your shoes shined - especially the heels which can get scuffed with all the driving you do.

During a job interview how you are dressed can set the tone for the entire interview.

Interviewers are making yes / no decisions in less than 10 seconds.

Your appearance can establish credibility and build rapport for you.

You're more likely to underdress than overdress. Your best bet is to call the Human Resources Department and ask, "What is the appropriate dress for an interview?"

When it comes to your hair, it should be well groomed.

Be conservative when it comes to wearing jewelry.

Avoid pouring on the cologne and perfume.

And of course - no visible body piercing.

Your fingernails should be trimmed.

The safest colors to wear to job interviews is navy, dark grey, and black.

Your clothes should be cleaned and pressed.

These tips will help you dress for success when job hunting.

Here's another big tip for you to consider.

When it's appropriate, ask some good questions.

Let's assume you're interviewing for a sales position. Here are several questions you can ask the interviewer.

What are the responsibilities of your salespeople?

What are the biggest challenges your salespeople face?

What qualities are you looking for in your salespeople?

What are your criteria for making a hiring decision?

How do you measure the success of your new hires during the first 120 days?

These questions will turn heads and may open the door to the second interview.

Choosing the right attire is more complicated than ever.

Just remember your clothing is the first and fastest clue your interviewer sees.

So always dress for success when job hunting.

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Article Tags: dress for success, first impressions, job interviews



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