average of a year<\/a> for workers 55 and older to find work (longer than any other age group!), it\u2019s especially important to consider in detail the impression you\u2019re making on potential employers.<\/p>\nBased on advice I give my clients (male and female!) who want to refine their images during a job search, here are four reasons why you might not be getting that second interview:<\/p>\n
Your body language and manners aren\u2019t saying what you want them to.<\/b> It\u2019s smart to evaluate how your body language and manners might look to someone else and to make a conscious effort to speak the physical language of confidence and capability during job interviews. I recommend that you:<\/p>\n\n- Have good posture when walking in and sitting at the interview. Also, keep your arms at your sides and not crossed in front while standing, and keep your hands in your lap when sitting. Keeping your chest open sends the message that you are open and receptive.<\/li>\n
- Show confidence, interest, and alacrity as you engage in the interview. Have a pleasant, relaxed look on your face and focus on meeting your interviewer with a firm handshake. During the interview, meet the interviewer\u2019s eyes and try to refrain from mannerisms that might connote nervousness or insecurity, such as wringing your hands, picking at the material of your pants or skirt, biting your lip, etc. And don\u2019t forget to smile\u2014you want the interviewer to know you\u2019re enthusiastic about the job opportunity!<\/li>\n
- Be mannerly\u2014but not overly so. Specifically, make sure that the way you treat other people doesn\u2019t make you seem disinterested or diffident. You shouldn\u2019t dispense with courtesy, but be aware that being too<\/i> polite, laid-back, soft-spoken, and self-effacing can be misinterpreted as a lack of confidence.
\n<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nYou are dressed inappropriately. <\/b>While many of my clients understand the basics of interview attire and etiquette, I often find that there are small details they aren\u2019t aware of or are overlooking. Here are some \u201chazards\u201d you should avoid:<\/p>\n\n- Trying to appear too youthful. <\/i>Try to convey youthfulness with your attitude and ideas, not your wardrobe. Women, stay away from \u201csexy\u201d pieces and\/or those that show too much skin. Men, avoid overly trendy suits, such as those with matchstick trousers.<\/li>\n
- Ill-fitting clothing.<\/i> Clothing that doesn\u2019t fit well (too tight, too short, or too large) not only detracts from your look; it can also make you feel uncomfortable. You don\u2019t want to be pulling at the hem of your skirt throughout the interview or be distracted by the fact that your shoes pinch! And you don\u2019t want your interviewer to remember you because your pants were too short, for instance, or because they puddled over your shoes.<\/li>\n
- Dressing for the wrong time or place.<\/i> Dated suits and shoes can work against you by conveying that you\u2019re stuck in the past. And remember that fashions, as well as ideas of what\u2019s in good taste, do vary from place to place. For instance, an office in Boston might expect different attire from an office in Los Angeles. And if you\u2019ve ever lived abroad, the differences might be even more pronounced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your look is distracting.<\/b> At an interview, you always want the person with whom you are interacting to be looking at your face and eyes\u2014not<\/i> your clothes\u2014and listening to what you are saying. Above all, your look should be congruent. You don\u2019t want your interviewer to be looking at your statement tie, your patterned stockings, your jewelry, your elaborate hairstyle, or your cleavage while you\u2019re talking. Before your interview, look at yourself in the mirror to make sure that one element of your outfit doesn\u2019t stand out compared to the others. While every job applicant wants to stand out from the crowd, at the interview stage it\u2019s best not<\/i> to do so via your look. Instead, focus on setting yourself apart by how you present yourself, your experience, and your potential.<\/p>\n
You aren\u2019t well groomed. <\/b>When it comes to personal grooming, nothing is too small to overlook. As applicable, make sure that:<\/p>\n\n- Your hair is in place and that you\u2019re not touching it nervously.<\/li>\n
- Your facial hair is well groomed.<\/li>\n
- Your nose hair is not showing.<\/li>\n
- Your body odor is not noticeable and\/or you\u2019re not sweating through your clothing.<\/li>\n
- Your fragrance isn\u2019t overly strong\u2014your perfume or cologne shouldn\u2019t enter the room before you do!<\/li>\n
- Your teeth aren\u2019t yellow. Yellow teeth say, \u201cI\u2019m old!\u201d while white teeth convey vitality. (Crest Whitestrips are quite effective if you don\u2019t want to go to your dentist for whitening.)<\/li>\n
- Your nails and cuticles are groomed.<\/li>\n
- Your nail polish isn\u2019t chipped or flashy. Play it safe and wear a nude or pale polish.<\/li>\n
- Your shoes are polished and your heels aren\u2019t worn down.<\/li>\n
- Your clothing isn\u2019t faded, worn, or pilled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Above all, remember that the best thing you can add to your interview look is confidence<\/i>. If you\u2019re feeling pessimistic or defeated (which may be the case if you have been unemployed for a while), an impeccable outfit won\u2019t be able to mask your attitude. Before going into your interview, do whatever you need to do in order to revive yourself and boost your energy. Listen to an upbeat song, read a motivational quote, or call your spouse or a friend for a pep talk. Even the simple act of hydrating with a glass of water can help!<\/p>\n
When you walk into an interview feeling comfortable and confident, you\u2019ll be setting yourself up for success. And you\u2019ll also be one step closer to getting that coveted job offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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