Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with people. No. Seriously. I have seen so much the past couple of days with regard to how people present themselves when they come in for an interview or even to pick up an application. I have seen it all: Resumes handed to me on neon paper. Applicants in neon ill fitted blouses with all of their endowments showing. People showing up to interviews wearing gold shoes and plaid shirts (In the same outfit, mind you. And the shoes were a metallic kind of gold. #fail). I have even had people hand me their application filled out in magic marker (No – really. I kid you not). In the highly competitive marketplace, one should not only have the skill set the perspective employer is looking for, but also desire to look the part as well. And let me say this, even if you are looking for a job as an “artist”, this doesnt mean you come to the interview looking like you are doing an avant garde photoshoot or runway show. Presentation is everything, not only with the way you present your application and resume, but also with your physical appearance. Here are just a few tips to help you along…
- Neat, clean hair. A nice simple updo or chignon works really well. If you have a short haircut, make sure it is neat and trimmed. Leave the extreme styles and adornments for your night out on the town.
- Clean neat, manicured nails. Your polish should be on or off. No in between. You may even want to cut your talons down – at least for the job hunting/interviewing process. Dont get me wrong, Im am all about long nails and self-expression but some folks are funny-acting when it comes to long nails, asking foolish questions like “how do you do anything with those nails?” so just cut your nails down a bit. There is no need to scare you prospective boss with the claws.
- Makeup – depends on your field. Of course if you are interviewing for a corporate/conservative job, your makeup should be minimal but polished. If you are in a creative/artistic field, such as hair or wardrobe stylist or makeup artist, your hair and face are your calling card and your makeup/hair should reflect your skill, as you will be evaluated on that. By the same token, I would say keep the extremes to a minimum. Those feather lashes you are dying to wear probably should be saved for a photo shoot or the runway.
- Attire – This can be tricky because as I said before, i am totally an advocate of self-expression and you should be able, to a certain extent be able to express your individuality. However, I do believe that “professional” attire includes the following (especially if you dont do suits):
- A nice pair of tailored slacks
- Coordinating blouse/shirt
- A pencil or A-line skirt that comes to at least your knees
- A blazer, vest, or cardigan.
- If color is your thing, scarves, belts or other accessories such as bangles in a pop color to pair with more neutral shades in your outfit/wardrobe (again this depends on the type of job you are applying/interviewing for)
- Shoes – no open toes/sandals. Keep your foot wear to a pump, kitten heel or oxford.
And please, use a portfolio or folder to present your resume/application.
Hope that helps :0)
