Prepare For Your Interview

Before an interview, prepare 3-5 main points you’d like to cover. If the conversation goes astray, revert back to these – www.prpr.net

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

This past week, we had to interview several candidates for a job opening in our company. While hiring is never an easy process, you would think that most of these potential employees would have the common sense to follow the adage: dress to impress. Sadly, I have to say that most of them did not. I wasn’t able to keep track of the exact numbers, but I was shocked by the types of outfits these people wore for their job interviews. Low-cut shirts, sloppy-looking pants, wrinkled tops, open-toed sandals were the norm and few people even wore a suit! What were they thinking?

You never want to judge a book by its cover, but when you are hiring someone, you do want to be impressed by the full package — someone who looks the part, and has the brains and experience to back it up. Having the right image can open doors or close them, just as easily. One of our clients, Ellen York, an image consultant in Seattle, says that distractions about your appearance and mannerisms can make people re-evaluate whether they want to do business with you, no matter what kind of work you do. Even the small details like wearing too much cologne, or using too much makeup, or having unpolished shoes can make a difference in the impression you make.

The recent hiring experience made me take a look at myself and what I wanted to project. I assessed my own image and came up with a few details that needed some additional work. I sat up a little straighter, made sure my clothing was a little more pressed, and my nails were suitably polished — and hopefully my clients, supervisors and co-workers noticed a more professional me. It doesn’t take an expensive suit, Italian shoes, or a designer handbag to make the right impression (though it can help!). All it takes is a little more effort in the details to make a huge difference. So the next time you look at yourself in the mirror, will you find the details that help make a lasting impression?