Do You LOOK The Part?

Do You LOOK The Part?
Preparing For An Interview—The Importance of Appearance
© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,
Job Interview Secret


"Dress for Success."

Most people have heard and seen this slogan on television, in magazine articles, in fashion stores. It's become such a common refrain it has nearly lost its meaning. But for you, a wise job-hunter, it's worth taking seriously!

Today's culture is inundated with a 'look' that ranges from casual to grunge. Rarely do you see a truly smart dresser except in the pages of fashion magazines. Women often show up at the theater, office, or fine restaurant in jeans and sliders.

Some men slip into work environments looking as though they just rolled off the couch after a late-night movie. Shirts are rumpled. Pants bag or fall off hips. Hair needs a good combing. Not everyone, of course, but enough to make you wonder.

Imagine the stir you could create if you walked into a hiring manager's office dressed appropriately for the job you wish to get.

THE "WOW" FACTOR

You don't want your appearance to overpower your personality, but it should reflect the person you are and the work you hope to do. Women are always attractive in pants, a sweater or blouse, and a fitted jacket. Basic flats or pumps with closed toe and heel are ideal. This is not the place for stilettos, mini shirts, bare legs or an armful of dangling bracelets. Use make-up that flatters your coloring and complexion. A friend can give you perspective. Wear your hair in a way that complements your outfit and shows off your face.

Men frequently show up for the job interview of their dreams in need of a fresh shave and haircut, an out-of-date tie, a tired-looking shirt and shoes that could stand a good brushing. Spend a little time thinking about style and color. Understated is best. Choose soft colors, pressed pants, polished shoes, a sport coat or sweater and you can't go wrong.

The hiring manager will likely shake your hand so spend a few dollars on a professional manicure. Small details matter more than you might think.

People make up their minds about a person within five seconds of meeting him or her. Avoid squandering your chance to be hired before you even say a word. Present yourself in a way that will cause a silent WOW! You'll be able to tell if you pulled it off by the look in the hiring manager's eyes.

WORTH EVERY PENNY

Appearance isn't everything. But it is something. Something important enough to consider and invest in.

Sparkling eyes, a kind smile, a firm handshake, and an attractive 'look' will go a long way to land you the result you want—an offer for the job you've worked so hard to secure.

When you look refreshed, well groomed, and attractive you'll feel refreshed, well groomed, and attractive. The hiring manager will feel at ease with you and perhaps realize before you even stand up to say good-bye that you are the one he or she wants to hire to fill the job opening.

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."

Visit our friends at Job Interview "Secret" and discover Jimmy Sweeney's breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

Posted by Teena Rose, interview questions and interview tips to give you the advantage.

Managing Interview Stress: 6 Quick Tips to Keep You Cool in Conference

Managing Interview Stress: 6 Quick Tips to Keep You Cool in Conference
Posted by Teena Rose, interview questions and interview tips to give you the advantage.

Nobody likes a job interview. It’s stressful – a potentially life-altering event. Yet, the average worker is going to have 5.4 jobs over his or her career so, if you haven’t already had the pleasure, a job interview may well be in your future.

The best interview you’ll ever give is the one that shows off the natural you and “your way.” Precise and creased or kind of out-of-the-box – when the real you comes out, you’re in the middle of an excellent interview.

Unfortunately, many of us approach a job interview with dread, fear and loathing. We take classes, read books (The Five Minute You’re Hired Handbook) and prep like we would for the SATs and, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s part of the process to visit the company website, read up on the industry and prepare yourself with information that shows you know your stuff.

But, if you sit there stiffly and uncomfortably during the interview, and rattle off industry insider jargon for a half hour, you aren’t going to create an accurate impression of you – the confident, relaxed host who can handle a dinner for 20 as easily as he can improve the numbers as the new regional sales manager.

Here are some tips to put your mind at ease and equalize the playing field so you don’t feel as though you’re in the glare of the spotlight.

1. Wear your favorite clothes.
The suit that fits well and shows off your professional sense of style. The one you like best. Your lucky suit or the one in which you’re most comfortable.

Same with shoes. Go for comfort. The next thing you know, you’re getting a lengthy tour of the facilities while breaking in a new pair of wingtips. Ouch!

If the job isn’t a “suit” job, wear your most comfortable clothes that are appropriate for a job interview. Not blue jeans, a torn Amy Winehouse t-shirt and a Yankee cap on backward. If you look nice – clean, pressed and shined – it shows a potential employer you’re serious about a job.

Be as comfortable as you can in the clothes you choose for an interview. It’s probably not a good time to experiment with a new look.

2. Start preparations early.
Your interview is at 11:00 AM. Get up at 8:00 and give yourself some slow motion time. You don’t want to be rushed this morning. You want to be relaxed.

Try meditating for 20 minutes. Get in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and block out the world. Let your mind go blank and give yourself a few positive affirmations. There is something to be said for this “power of positive thinking” thing.

Keep your pace slow from wake up to arrival at the interview location. The stress of rushing to get there on time will have you vibrating like a tuning fork, and a good interviewer is looking for signs of stress. A hectic morning is not a good start for a job interview.

3. Put your materials together.
Bring a copy of your cover letter, resume, recommendations, licenses, certifications, awards and other information that might be useful during an interview.

Place these materials in an organized fashion in an attaché case, even if you have to borrow one from your brother-in-law.

4. Skip the caffeine.
Or at least cut down. If you’re a five-cup-a-day latte junkie, try cutting back to one on the morning of your interview. Caffeine is a stimulant. It gets you jagged and, remember, you’re presenting the cool, calm and collected you to the interviewer so get comfortable and show them the real, decaf you.

5. Use the interview as a give and take.
This kind of equalizes the playing field and takes the spotlight off of you. An interview isn’t an interrogation (though it may feel that way at times); it’s an exchange of information.

Prepare a list of questions that you want to ask – questions about job responsibilities, chain of command, daily responsibilities, required skill set and other information you need to know to determine if this is a good fit for you. (You don’t have to take the job just because it’s offered to you, unless things are really bleak when you look at the checkbook.)

Asking appropriate questions shows you’re interested in the company, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to talk and it gives the both of you an opportunity to connect on some level. That’s important – especially if the HR interviewer is doing 20 different interviews that day. You’ll stick out as the one who asked some good questions and told a funny joke.

6. Follow Through.
The biggest mistake interviewees make is no follow-through. If you spoke to the manager who told you to give her a call in a week, mark it on your calendar and make that call. If the shift supervisor tells you to come back in the morning, be there early.

And if the head of HR invites you to meet her at an industry conference, take her up on the offer. It’s a good sign that you’re in the running.

Send a thank you note ASAP after the interview – while your face and personality are still familiar. It doesn’t have to be long but send it on professional, high quality, watermarked stationery (it really counts). Some HR coaches will tell you to send a hand-written card. It’s one of those “play-it-by-ear” things.

Nope, no one likes to go through a job interview but there are plenty of things you can do to prepare yourself. Preparation builds confidence and assurance that you know your stuff, in turn creating the sense of security that reduces stress. You know this. No sweat.

There are also lots of things you can do to relax so you walk into that interview as a poised professional who’s prepared, calm under pressure and ready to get down to business.

And that’s just the kind of impression you want to make.

Copyright 2008, Teena Rose, All Rights Reserved

How to Block Stress Before the Interview

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How to Block Stress Before the Interview
© Written By Jimmy Sweeney
President of CareerJimmy and Author of the new,
Job Interview Secret


Just the thought of an interview can set your heart a-thumping. Even the word itself––interview––can bring on cold hands and stomach jitters. When you enter the office and face the employer you may have yet another outbreak of stress—fuzzy thinking and nervous chatter—all of which can result in losing the opportunity to make a good first impression toward landing the job.

So what can you do to rid yourself of these unwanted behaviors? How can you appear calm, cool, and collected, and at your best?

Try these three simple stress-reducing techniques and notice how your self-esteem will rise.

1. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes ahead of your appointment. Spend five of those minutes listening to soft music, and deep breathing with your eyes closed, before leaving your car.

2. Visit the rest room on your way to the interview site. Check your appearance,
smile into the mirror and say the following affirmation silently or aloud if you're alone: The employer and I connect immediately. He/she sees me as the ideal candidate for this job.

3. Enter the company's lobby or waiting room and take a moment to observe your
surroundings, to introduce yourself to the receptionist, and to sit quietly and review
your notes.

Take Charge Now!

Most important: PLAN AHEAD. Never allow yourself to 'wing' it. Take the active approach. Stress, like wild fire, will spread quickly and consume you if you don't block it before it reaches you. Then move into the interview as a confident and balanced individual—a professional well suited to fill the job opening.

Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new "Secret Career Document" job landing system. Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."
Visit our friends at Job Interview "Secret" and discover Jimmy Sweeney's breakthrough strategy that will have you standing out from the competition like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair… DURING your next job interview.

Posted by Teena Rose, interview questions and interview tips to give you the advantage.