Piercings, tats and nails, Oh my.
Dressing the part – Making an impression (the right one)
Let me preface this by stating the obvious (or at least, I think it’s obvious); Going on an interview is not auditioning for American Idol.
Cotton vs. ploy blend-Best dressed-worst dressed. Which is better? Who is right?
Well, the thing about do's and don'ts, polys and cottons ...is that we all believe that we are right.... about everything don't we?
Don't agree? Really?
When you dress in the morning, does the image in the mirror scream out 'what the f*#@k are you thinking?' or 'Wow, you look good!'
Bottom line, our perception is definitely our reality.
Don't mind the folks smirking as you walk by. You look great babe.
Being yourself is a great thing but if you really want to get a job, make sure you are dressed appropriately for the initial interview.
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My Perception / My Reality:
My monthly internet service will be worth every penny if I can get the following message out to everyone who needs to hear it, without having to take a hostage.
DO NOT WEAR JEANS TO AN INTERVIEW
and
BRING A PEN!
I don’t care if you are interviewing for a construction position or waitress position.
You do not wear jeans to an interview.
Should I say it again?
DO NOT WEAR JEANS TO AN INTERVIEW.
One more time.
DO NOT WEAR JEANS TO AN INTERVIEW.
You don’t think that interviewers notice everything but they
do! When an applicant leaves I
usually won’t remember their names but will always remember something… the
day glow orange nail polish, jeans (I obviously can’t let it go), flip flops,
white shoes, body odor, nice suit or the winning smile.
Unlike American Idol, I would strongly urge your creative expressions to be limited to a low key lip gloss or slightly decorative tie if you must (no ducks please) for the interview process.
By being low-key, you are allowing your qualifications and personality to shine without distractions.
You want the focus to be on you, not your hoop earrings (and hopefully not the one in your nose).
Now, if you plan on reverting back to your body holy ways once you are hired, make sure that there are no stipulations in your shiny new employee manual that states that the only things allowed to be pierced is the copy paper.
Still utilizing the power of my internet service:
Chewing gum. Stop it.
Filing your nails while you wait. Stop it.
Talking on your cell phone while you wait. Stop it.
Oh and my favorite, searching out the nearest vending machine and having coffee and a snack while you wait.
Say it with me.
STOP IT.
Oh, and I certainly don’t want to leave the people with bad breath out. Please pay attention to your oral hygiene. I am begging you. You do not want to be remembered for this personal hazard, trust me.
Another perception of mine is that wearing NO perfume to an all important interview will guarantee that nosebody takes offense.
I also believe that it won't kill you to abstain from liquid neck decor for a few hours.
You may think that wearing your favorite perfume is o.k. to an interview (after all, you paid a fortune for it right?).
So who is right? Me, of course. Hello? HR person. My site. But just to prove it....
I can't tell you how many eye tearing, invisible nose hold, silent sneeze interviews I have conducted.
My nasal passages would be protesting so loudly that my ears didn't hear a damn word the applicant was saying..AND I was afraid to open my mouth to respond for fear of noxious fumes entering my system and doing permanent damage.
It could happen.
So after a few singed nose hairs, I wished them smell and told them I would let them know.
Stink I'm exaggerating? Trust me, you may think you smell like heaven but the nose is a powerful thing. And for those of us who are fume sensitive (like me, I admit it), it is a major red flag.
It is definitely not worth ruining an interview for a few drops of potentially hazardous liquid.
Oh..and sweaty hands? Nobody wants to shake hands with a wet wash cloth. Wipe 'em off please.
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Spilling Your
Guts
Isn’t it nice when someone
listens to you?
Isn’t it great when you just get the feeling that you can tell this person anything?
Aren’t you happy that you finally got that off of your chest?
WELL I’m not! Did you really need to tell me about your husband cheating on you? Or that it was your third marriage? Or that you drank way too much and called him last night to tell him that you want a divorce? Uh, how does this all relate to the job interview again?
The amount of applicants that I have spoken to that were just waiting for a tiny crack in the conversation to pry their personal lives into it would astound.
Too much information is not always a good thing.
You may get a little comfortable during an interview and feel that it is o.k. to get a little personal. Well, really it isn’t.
You should not present your full drama package prior to getting the job. It’s kind of a rule.
Keep all of the dirty laundry far away from the interview table!
Even if it looks like the Interviewer is interested (kind of like we all just have to look a Jerry Springer for that quick second when we pass it on the tube), trust me, they are just being nice. Throughout the remainder of the interview, they will be desperately mentally searching for the Tactful Way Out off-ramp.
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Interview Dress Up Party
I find that generally, when you look good, you feel good and when you feel good you look good.
Even if feeling good is an infrequent occasion with your hectic life schedule, try to make it happen! I can’t preach this point enough.
A must occasion for feeling your best is for a job interview. Feeling like a winner is being a winner.
Walking in straight and tall are all winner body language traits. Slouchy and sluggish scream loser.
If you feel good inside, you want to make sure that you look good outside. Here are some inexpensive self decorating hints for the girls. Let’s visit the feel good department. These tips could make a million dollars worth of difference. Try to do them a few days prior to the interview:
Get a manicure!!!
Chipped nails are awful even on regular days. You certainly don’t want to have chewed up nail polish on an interview. I have seen manicures for as cheap as $5.50. Go with a light neutral color. Nothing too distracting (put that day glo orange back on the shelf). If you are unable to get a manicure please, please, please remove the old nail polish at least.
Your hands tell a story. Tell a pretty one.
Get an interview outfit
Get one knock ‘em dead
outfit. Do not spend a fortune. You can wear this outfit to all of your interviews. Nobody has to know and
who really who cares if they do? Get one great I’m a winner outfit and keep it fresh and clean in your closet. The trick is to get something
conservative, classic and stylish. The right combo could last for years. But
the biggest, biggest, biggest trick is to get something that flatters you.
For a second interview, just make sure that
the shirt is a different color than the first time (which is usually white). Nobody will remember.
Size matters. Do not try to squeeze into your old size.
Denial has no home within an interview outfit. Nobody needs to see what color
your bra is or your underwear outline. Tight does not look good! Comfortable
does. Pick something that is your current size. Work on your fitness goals later.
Not everyone looks good in black or beige. Work with the colors that give you color. Don’t go for the right outfit if it is not right for you. Try on different colors. Try on a pants set or separates that compliment or match. Try on a suit. Check out other stores or different departments that you would not normally shop in. Pick out stylish comfortable shoes (that match your interview outfit).
Most importantly: Bring an honest friend.
Miracle In-house make over.
If you have roots and I don’t mean genetically, cover them, as I am sure this is not the look you were going for when you decided to change your hair color.
Check out your current make up stash. Usually, when you have a hair color change, your make up choices should shift slightly as well. As nobody can afford a professional make over these days, why don’t you mosey on down to the mall and check out the make-up counters in the beauty department? The girls behind the counters are usually bored out of their minds and would love to play Barbie on some unsuspecting soul. They are probably also looking to make a commission on all of the products you will purchase after they make you look like Angelina but, as they know, there are no guarantees in life and in sales. You have no obligation to purchase anything.
If you are loving the results of the new quickie make-up application, carefully watch what they use and how they apply it. Ask them questions. Remember their answers. Here is your opportunity to learn from the experts for free. Then, before you forget everything, run to a drug store and try to match the same colors they just used on you and purchase them there. It will be much cheaper. Then practice your make up application at home.
If you wear glasses and if it is within your budget, I would suggest a stroll down to an optical showroom. Try on different frames. Try different color frames as well. You could not imagine what a difference a new pair of glasses could make.
Even if you don’t purchase a new pair that day, it will be fun to explore the other styles (again, free self entertainment).
By doing any of the above, what is the worst that can happen?
A few hours of productive, self-improvement time?
A semi-new you?
A tiny boost of self esteem?
Some much needed girlfriend time?
A small payment into the self-need kitty?
It is all good.
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