Student Career Tools

Professional Image

Remember in job-hunting first impressions are critical. You are marketing a product – Yourself – to a potential employer. The first thing the employer sees when greeting you is your attire.

• A large part of the hiring decision is based on the non-verbal portion of an interview--handshake, eye contact, posture, listening skills, clothing and accessories.
• First Impressions Never Go Out of Style - Research shows that body language, including dress, account for 38 percent of an overall first impression.

Projecting the Proper Business Image:

• Eye Contact: Non verbal communication says so much! Eye contact is a balancing act. Too much eye contact and you are staring. Too little eye contact and you may be seen as shifty or untrustworthy.
• Miscellaneous Gestures: Watch out for such unnecessary and unprofessional gestures as tapping your foot, fiddling with a ring or other jewelry, twirling your hair and drumming your fingers on the table or chair. You do not want to appear nervous, impatient or bored.
• Good Grooming: Essential to projecting the proper image. Good grooming shows that you care about yourself and the interview is important to you.
  

Image Checklist:

• Clean fingernails and use hand cream for dryness
• Well-groomed hairstyle - Neatly trimmed, haircut, out of face and eyes
  Men – If you have facial hair, keep it short, clean and trimmed
• Brush your teeth and use mouthwash
• No gum, candy, breath mints during interview
• Minimal cologne/perfume
• Jewelry – keep to a minimum - Avoid bangle or clanking bracelets or necklaces and too many rings.

Make choices of clothing, fragrances, jewelry, hairstyle, etc. that are not distracting and do not call attention to themselves. You want the interviewer’s attention on what you say and your qualifications.