Job Interviews: Plan Your Appearance to Make a Great First Impression

Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important first impression when you walk into the room for your interview.

So plan ahead!

Some people don't think about what they're going to wear until the morning of the interview. Then they scramble to find something that's appropriate, clean, and doesn't look like it's been slept in.

Imagine putting on that rarely used suit an hour before your interview and discovering that it no longer fits!

Plan your outfit in advance, try it on to make sure it fits well, and get it cleaned and pressed if necessary.

When deciding what to wear, think "conservative business attire." Even if you are interviewing for a field job in which you'll wear jeans and steel-toed boots, those clothes are not appropriate for the interview. It's always better to dress "up" than to dress "down."

The key is to look professional.

Here are some preparation tips:

? Think about your hair in advance and make sure it's as ready for the interview as your clothes. Do you need a haircut or touch-up on the color? This goes for mustaches and beards, too.

? How are your teeth? If they're not pearly white, consider using one of the many teeth-whitening products on the market today. Dingy teeth really can make a negative impression, so don't ignore this.

? Freshen your breath, especially if it's been a while (or if you've eaten or smoked) since brushing your teeth. Don't go into the interview chewing gum.

? Do not plan to wear perfume or cologne. Having no noticeable scent is better than turning your interviewer off by wearing too much perfume/cologne (or wearing a scent that unpleasantly reminds an interviewer of an ex-spouse). And many people are allergic to ingredients in perfumes and colognes. It's safest to wear no scent at all.

? Women, if you decide on a dress or skirt, make sure it's not too sh ort. Be conservative. By the way, pantsuits are perfectly acceptable these days if they meet all the other criteria.

? Don't forget to consider your shoes. Chose a pair that is stylish, but conservative and comfortable. (Spike heels are not a good idea.) Make sure they're clean and/or shined.

Remember, your goal is to look professional and conservative. This applies to makeup, nail polish, jewelry, body piercings, tattoos, etc. If there's any chance that the interviewer might not like it, no matter how "cool" it is, don't let it show!

Dress to impress!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.

---

Employment Law: Unfair Dismissal - Employer Succeeded in Changing Terms of Employment

Good News for Employers wishing to change the terms of employment of employees, however, employers must still take care.In Scott & Co v Richardson [2005], the Dependant,... Read More

How to Ask For a Salary Increase and Get Your Raise

Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like you deserve a raise, here are eight DO's and DON'Ts to build your confidence and tact (and... Read More

The Power to Succeed

It's amazing how we fool ourselves... while at the same time believing we are doing what's best.Let me give you an example. I overheard a guy telling... Read More

How Long Does It Take To Write A Resume?

Many people can easily write a resume in just a couple of hours. They can do this by following a resume sample and just writing their information... Read More

Job Search Tip for College Students

Today everyone is looking for that special job that will suit their exact needs. In this day and age we all have circumstances, situations, obligations, etc. that... Read More

Prepare for YOUR Future now --

All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of promises about YOUR 'social security' when running for the top job. Regardless of the promises, YOU are... Read More

Dressing Tips for Interview Success

Dressing appropriately for job interviews is one of those areas that puzzles some people.Should you dress conservatively or wear casual attire?What colors work best?What types of shoes... Read More

Creating Traffic Jams

It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a newspaper to find a job any more. With a seemingly endless array of career sites, mailing lists,... Read More

Your First Summer Work in the UK - Picking Strawberries The Right Way

Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries or berries in general, raspberries and possibly other berries with which I have not have the lucky... Read More

Five Biggest Resume Mistakes You Can Fix Yourself

A career consultant can diagnose and overhaul a troubled resume. But you can check off the basics yourself.Mistake #1. "The mystery applicant." No contact information.Fix: List a... Read More

Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job

When you start a new job, you probably realize the first three months are critical to your long-term success. Everybody's eye is on the "newbie" as you... Read More

Looking the Part

I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to be profound. A man who worked for one of my colleagues always showed in a shirt and... Read More

Getting Past Fear

Have you gotten tons of career advice, solicited and unsolicited? You nod when you hear it and think, "Yeah, I know this stuff." So, what else is... Read More

Do You Have the courage to ignore the experts?

Do you have the courage to ignore the experts? Do you have the willingness and ability to understand and use the power that is within you? Courage... Read More

How to Negotiate The Best Salary and Benefit Packages

Salary and Benefits NegotiationOne of the most difficult aspects of job searching for many people, especially those who are just starting out or who are making a... Read More

Petite Modeling: is There a Career for You?

PEtite modeling is a tough industry to break into. Especially since most modeling agencies won't represent models unless they're 5 feet and 9 inches tall or taller.... Read More

Career Success: Get Ahead of the Crowd

Regardless of where you open your briefcase or palm pilot each day - at a large corporation, a small business or the end of your dining room... Read More

Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

Job loss affects most of us like any other loss in life. Yes, there are other losses that are greater, but this one comes close too!From my... Read More

Leave Your Dead End Job?For Good!

So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are you hitting the glass ceiling in a job you once loved, but now can't stand? Maybe the... Read More

Minding Your Own Business

Think you have gone as far as you can in your present job? Instead of looking around for a similar position in another company, you may want... Read More

Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale

Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity, gain a promotion, or close a sale, you have two main goals with the networking interaction:1. To... Read More

18 Career Enhancement Caveats

Core value investing in your careerMany people walk through their lives never, ever being better at something than anyone else. What is it that you know or... Read More

Big Job Sites Vs The Small Ones

There is much to say about posting resumes on the big job sites online. There are many positives and also negatives to doing this as well. Posting... Read More

Don?t Be Too Passionate About Your Work

Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing thousands of dollars to get me back on track. However, I must say she was ethical in... Read More

Ten Tips to a Job Winning Interview

These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time -- and go for it!1. Investigate the company's culture, markets,... Read More

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing has a unique service to offer not only to hospitals but nursing homes, private care and doctor... Read More