Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_05_13/GA_1305_E1_020.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

May 13 2004

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY
First impressions count. You may only meet someone for a few seconds but in that short time you form an opinion of them. This is influenced by everything from their appearance and speech to the warmth of their handshake. If you are looking for a job, it's important that you remember this. Experts say how we dress accounts for 55 per cent of the impression we make on others. Furthermore, in job interviews about 75 per cent of the decision to hire is based on the applicant's appearance. So, if you dress inappropriately for an interview, it could adversely affect your chances of success. These are challenging statistics for the job hunter, says Brona O'Boyle, an image and impact coach based in Ardrahan. A former director of a leading marketing services consultancy in the UK, she says one of the most common mistakes candidates make is failing to concentrate on creating a good impression during the first 30 seconds of meeting the interviewer. If your appearance, language and non verbal behaviour are not consistent, you reduce your credibility from the outset, she warns. "Too many times candidates concentrate on sheer content and intellect for the interview. But what makes us successful is our ability to convince via non verbal means as in our handshake, body language, eye contact and, of course, our overall appearance and clothes." She says it is wise to remember that interviewers are always under pressure time wise and have very little to go on apart from a candidate's CV and initial appearance. "Research has shown that we all make unconscious judgements about each other as diverse as credibility, trust and likelihood to succeed in those crucial first 30 seconds." aware of their "personal branding potential" and see themselves as products with unique characteristics and assets, she says. She urges them to look at clever ways of presenting their worth and value in an eye catching but credible manner. "It is no secret that products enjoy billion dollar equity based on their `outward packaging' on retail shelves around the world. In addition to this, recent articles in the international press have highlighted that as key economies move away from manufacturing towards knowledge/service based economies, the demand is growing for candidates who have presence, character, gravitas and ability to build relationships quickly. "These `soft' but vital skills are what organisations are looking for in order to grow and respond to change quickly. Recent research in the UK has revealed that education, while extremely important, is not the sole determinate of career success and those that make it to the top are not necessarily the most intelligent." It is important that candidates understand where they operate best as it helps them be more convincing at interviews, she says. Being aware of your good points and learning how to sell yourself properly, are vital tools in today's competitive market, she believes. Dressing appropriately is hugely important, explains Brona, who has also worked in Germany and Ireland as a company mentor responsible for staff recruitment, motivation and retention. Spend time finding out what looks suit you best and are appropriate for the occasion. Experiment with colour and accessories bearing in mind that less is more when it comes to dressing for interviews. "Projecting the image you want can influence and persuade people before you even communicate verbally. Each of us possesses our own individual colour characteristics that are determined at birth. No two people have identical colouring. When it comes to selecting clothes and accessories, there are literally thousands of colour combinations

O'CONNOR
available." She says wearing the right colours can even out skin tone, diminish lines, blemishes, and dark circles and bring definition to the features. However, wearing the wrong colours can cast shadows onto the face, exaggerate uneven skin tone and make the complexion look drained and dull.

Get that job
Poor colour choices
To avoid looking drained and overwhelmed by poor colour choices, the solution is to match your personal colour characteristics to the colour contained in your interview outfit. So if your overall look is deep, with a cool and bright skin tone, black will look good on you. If you have a warm and muted skin tone, warm grey or navy will look better on you. Colour can be used to project authority or accessibility and help get across the magical ingredient of gravitas, she says. "In terms of style, remember body lines and scale determine the correct fabric, cut and finishes of garments. The lines of clothes should reflect overall body lines, ie, when they share a similar degree of curviness or straightness or a combination of both. Getting it right can make a phenomenal difference to an individual's personal branding strategy. " If you want to get that job, be prepared, advises Brona. "Be self aware, sell and present yourself well, know key facts about the organisation and think seriously as to why you want the job. See the interview as a two way relationship but you should expect to do 80 per cent of the talking and you should have at least six good questions for the interviewer. A good interviewer will expect to be asked questions. Candidates who make a serious effort in preparation and presentation on the day will have the edge - only 20 per cent of candidates ever do. "

Projecting the image you want can influence and persuade people before you even communicate verbally, says image coach Bronagh O'Boyle.

Boosting your career
Recent research reveals there are three factors which determine whether someone gets promoted or not. (1) Doing the job (3) Exposure and visibility Your performance rating and how well you really are seen to be doing the job - 10 per cent Your known achievements, contacts and the kind of reputation you have - 60 per cent (2) Image and personal style How you come across, your approach to your responsibilities and your attitude - 30 per cent

Personal Branding
Job applicants need to be more

Tips to get you started
* One CV does not fit all jobs, tailor your relevant skill sets to the position you want. It should be no more than two pages with a sharp layout focusing on results and achievements * Dress like a star performer, not a wallflower * All positive skill sets should be backed up by case studies, it makes for better responses to interview questions *Be ruthless. Honestly ask yourself if you were the interviewer would you "buy" you?

Creating the right image
Your appearance - how you look, act, dress, your grooming, fitness and body language accounts for 55 per cent of the first impression you make on people Your voice - how you speak, modulation, pace, accent, tone accounts for 38 per cent Content - the words you say represents just seven per cent