3 of 20

Write now Article Tools

Looking for Work? Then YOU Need to Face the Employer!

A prospective employer usually makes a positive or negative decision regarding you within 90 seconds of your first meeting. His or her first impression is usually based upon your appearance.

I remember interviewing a young woman for a job referral to a cashier opening that was available at a local department store. She was an attractive woman wearing short-shorts to my interview. She told me she had two children and was recently divorced. She was in tears and desperate for work because she had no income. I told her that I wanted to send her to the interview but she needed to change into more appropriate clothing-such as a dress. Going to the interview in short-shorts would not work. I asked her to return after lunch in a dress or something other than short-shorts, and I would give her the referral. She agreed.

At one o'clock sharp, when I returned from lunch, there she was sitting and waiting for me in the lobby. She had on an attractive blue dress that covered her shoulders and went up to her neck. I was pleased at what I saw, and invited her into my office. She followed me and sat down in the chair next to my desk. I quickly wrote up the referral form and handed it to her. She thanked me for the referral and stood up while flashing a happy smile. When she turned to leave, I fell back in my chair! She had chosen a backless dress with the back of the dress plunging way, way down! I was stunned! It was too late to recall the referral! My coworker, with a large smile, came up to me and said, "that's okay, she probably will get the job before she turns around after the interview."

She did get the job!

Another time, a young man with rumpled clothing, long hair flowing to the middle of his back, and an equally long, scraggly beard, sat across from me. He wanted a work referral to a trainee position at an automotive electrical shop. I knew the owner of the electrical shop and what he expected in referrals from me. A referral of this gentleman, at this time, would not work. Around machinery, the length of his hair and beard were not safe for the work conditions he was applying.

He was a nice young man with a pleasing personality. I asked him if we could come to an agreement that would help him land the job? We needed three things to happen: put on clean clothes and trim his hair and beard. I explained that after he landed the job he could then re-grow his hair and beard to a length that was safe under the work conditions provided by the employer. He agreed and returned the next day. The change was so dramatic I did not recognize him. With a smile, he told me his parents were amazed and pleased at his change. I referred him.

He got the job.

The clothing you wear, your hairstyle, and your beard length (if you wear one) should be appropriate for the job you are applying. Good grooming and wearing clean, proper clothing plays a large role on how you are sized up by the employer. If you are looking for work in construction, apply in clean clothes with hair and beard cut to a length that is safe for construction work. If you are looking for work in a store or office, wear clothing and be groomed in a way that will reflect positively on the employer and the employer's customers.

Most of all, like that young lady above, remember to face the employer.

Learn more about this author, Victor Coelho.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The importance of first impressions in a job interview?
We want to hear your view. Write now!