Career Coach
Issue 7
Dear Juliet,
Welcome to this weeks edition of Career Coach,
your fortnightly burst of tips and advice putting you
in control of your career.
This week fashion style expert Ali Kedge has given
you her slant on how to "Dress to Impress". Ali has
worked for the BBC and now has her own business as
a fashion consultant.
In this weeks issue:
- Interview Skills Preparation - Dress To Impress
- Review Your Development - Part 2
- Feedback
Juliet Sidney
Changing Your Career
Interview Skills Preparation - Dress To Impress
Whether we like it or not, our clothing does our
talking for us. Before we even get the chance to
introduce ourselves, our clothes have enabled people
to make decisions about us, good or bad. We can all
moan about how unfair it is and how terribly shallow
to judge people in this way, but it's a well-known
fact, within 15 seconds of meeting someone new,we
will have made a decision about them based on what
they are wearing! That's bad enough in everyday life,
but crucial to get it right for an interview when you
may only have one chance to impress. How can you
be sure that you're judged in the way you intend and
create the right first impression?
Some simple rules:
1. Make sure that you're well groomed -
- No dirty or bitten nails - or chipped nail
varnish!
- Shoes must always be polished - not scuffed and
tatty.
- Clothes must be clean and in good condition - no
frayed cuffs, grubby collars, bobbly woollens!
- Always ensure that you smell good - no BO and
be careful that perfume/aftershave is not too
strong.
Although this may be common sense, it's surprising
how many people don't look well groomed for their
interview.
2. Decide what you want your clothes to say
about you - Once you have a clear idea it is
possible to play to your strengths and use these
random judgements to your advantage.
- Decide whether you need to wear a suit or
whether the interview requires a more casual look. If
you choose to wear a suit, make sure it's up to date.
Ladies, please no ¾ length jackets with knee length
skirts!! They smack of the past and will make you
look as though you have no idea what's up to date!!
And guys - make sure your suit is smart - no shiny,
worn areas around the seat, knees or elbows!!
- If you opt for a smart/casual look - make sure
you keep to the smart side rather than the casual,
no ripped jeans, bare midriffs, revealing tops.
3. And finally -
Be yourself! Wear comfortable, well fitting clothes
with colours that suit your complexion and make you
look warm, approachable and confident.
For more information about personal styling and
image consultancy look at www.alikedge.co.u
k or contact info@alikedge.co.uk
029 20 30 98 64
Career Habits
Review Your Development - Part 2
Last issue we talked through the basics of a
development plan and encouraging you to proactively
review.
The purpose of this review process is for you to
check that you are on track? Ask yourself have you
and other goal owners been carrying out the actions
you agreed to achieve your goals. If not, try to
understand any potential barriers. The following
questions may help to understand why things aren't
happening:
- Were the goals realistic?
- Have circumstances changed?
- Have you remained focused/motivated?
- Are work volumes high and impacting on your
development time?
- Have other owners not carried out agreed
actions?
By asking such questions you can identify the
problems and react quickly. By catching things early
you can resolve more quickly. Where others have let
you down you can discuss with your manager or if
appropriate with the individuals themselves.
Remember sometimes due to work pressures people
let things slip, by calmly discussing your concerns
you will show the other person how keen you are to
develop and they will take you more seriously.
In next weeks edition we will look at the importance
of asking for feedback.
If you want to make the most out of your career -
click here
Your Say
Feedback
If you have a question about any of this weeks
topics please email me here.
I will email you directly in answer to your question
unless I get a number of similar questions. In this
case I cover the topic in a future issue.
Email me your suggestions here
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