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Job Seekers: Resolve
to Make a Better Impression in 2015
(StatePoint) First impressions
matter, particularly when you’re in the market for a new
job. While a top notch resume and cover letter can help get
your foot in the door, only you can seal the deal.
The New Year is the perfect time
to revamp your look for a smooth job search. Make a strong
first impression at your next interview or networking event
with these easy tips:
• Be a good listener. What you
say is just as important as being engaged when others are
talking. Make good eye contact and ask questions to show you
are interested in what is being said.
• Anticipate the questions you
will be asked so you are prepared with intelligent,
confident and articulate responses. Define your strengths
and weaknesses ahead of time to answer every hard question
with ease.
• Get a good night’s sleep the
night before an important interview or convention. Not only
will you look fresher and more alert in the morning, you’ll
be thinking more clearly as well.
• Know how to explain any gaps
in your resume. If you have taken time off from your field
to pursue a passion for travel, be ready to discuss this
time off and explain how it has helped you professionally.
• Prepare your 30-second
elevator pitch to communicate your strengths and goals. You
never know where a conversation with a hiring manager may
lead, so be sure to tailor it to each person you speak with
so it does not sound over-rehearsed or unnatural.
• The maxim often holds true
that, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” Be sure
that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, showcasing all of
your recent work. Connect with headhunters, friends, family,
or even old classmates and coworkers to learn about
opportunities you may not have heard about otherwise.
• Dress to impress to be taken
seriously. Denis Daly Wood, founder of Dalys1895.com, a
century-old men’s luxury designer and online retailer,
recommends standing out with a unique accessory for your
suit, such as a stylish tie clip, tie, pocket square, or
pair of cufflinks that can break the ice and start a
conversation.
“A unique pocket square can
finish off the look of a suit or blazer, while also helping
convey that you are stylish and put together. What you wear
communicates a lot about your personality and who you are,”
says Wood.
Seek quality accessories, such
as the limited edition Caravaggio Italian silk pocket
squares, which are handmade or the Dalys 1895 Alligator
Belts, which are measured to each inch for a perfect fit.
Wood also reminds job seekers that outerwear and a bag may
often make or break the first impression. A sophisticated
briefcase, coat and winter scarf, such as the exclusive
Caravaggio wool and silk men’s scarf, can give you a
polished look when you’re making your entrance. More style
inspiration for briefcases, cufflinks, and more can be found
at www.Dalys1895.com.
In the professional realm,
presentation matters from your social media profile to your
suit and tie. For a successful job search, resolve to
showcase the best version of you in the New Year.
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