Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP
Most job seekers know and understand the value of a positive image. However, many of us struggle in defining what “image” means. Laura Morgan Roberts, a professor at Harvard Business School, defines professional image as the “set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of your competence and character as judged by your key constituents.” Image is not restricted to dress but embraces many other factors including:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The importance of image starts when you walk through the door for an interview.
ADVANCEMENT: Career advisors encourage job seekers to dress for the desired job. As a reminder, your attention to your image needs to be addressed when interacting with supervisors and its overall style represent your personality and goals.
CLIENT MANAGEMENT: Clients, like everyone else, form an opinion of your capabilities based on your image.
IMPROVING YOUR IMAGE: Working on your image is a continuous opportunity since it opens the door to building your character and opportunities.
Keynote Speaker
Is Your Image a Deal Breaker or a Door Opener?
Gloria Petersen, @GlobalProtocol
Gloria shared with us her expertise in how we could make our image a door opener!
YOUR IMAGE IS YOUR TRADEMARK!
• What you wear, why you wear it, and how you wear it says a great deal about you.
• Clothing expresses your individuality, values, and inspirations.
• Remember your image goes everywhere you go.
• How you communicate, handle a conversation and interact are essential components of your image.
• Research companies you are interviewing with to determine the dress code/standards.
• Dress one level up for your interview.
IDENTIFY YOUR INDUSTRY
• Creative industries include retail/fashion, public relations, technology,
cosmetology and entertainment.
• Moderate industries are consulting, training manufacturing, education and sales.
• Conservative industries are represented by banking, medical, law, government and management
• Job seekers need to dress to meet expectations.
• Viewing the company’s Board of Directors or stock images will provide details on an organization’s dress.
LOOK, ACT, AND SPEAK LIKE THE BETTER PRODUCT
• Doing so will inspire trust with your appearance, posture, and eye contact.
• Eye contact is a powerful part of your image!
TODAY’S WORKFORCE
• The one time professional dress of the workforce has evolved greatly. Most organizations promote casual dress.
• In attending interviews, it is easy to make your formal presentation more casual by asking permission to remove a suit coat.
• Make sure your image matches what you say you are. If you are a detail-oriented professional, be sure your shoes are not scuffed.
• With the emphasis of a casual environment promotes more relaxed behaviors.
• It is more important than ever to handle people, situations and one’s own behavior with diplomacy, dignity, finesse, tact, and civility.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS FOR FEMALE PROFESSIONALS
• Use makeup to create a polished look.
• Blush brings out the color of eyes while mascara will brighten your eyes.
• Wearing a necklace will encourage the interviewer to look at your face during your responses.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS FOR MALE PROFESSIONALS
• Well-groomed facial hair or clean-shaven is best.
• Ill groomed hair or hairpieces are distracting and risky.
• Mustaches should not exceed your lips.
MIRROR THE IMAGE OF YOUR DESIRED POSITION
• Dress for the position you are seeking. If you are seeking a position with a casual workforce, you would not wear a three-piece suit.
• Your dress should project the pay grade you are seeking. If you are interviewing for a CEO position, you are encouraged to dress more formally in quality fabric.
FOR THE MEN….DETAILS = DETAIL MINDED
• The widest part of you tie should be even with you waist.
• Your belt should be the same color as your shoes.
• Trimmed haircut.
• Clean shaven.
• Warm smile.
• Feel confident.
• Formal dress.
• Firm handshake.
• Correct body posture.
• Wearing a tie establishes the strategy of accomplishing efforts with a purpose. It is also a sign of authority.
FOR THE WOMEN….DETAILS = DETAIL MINDED
• Your skirt length should be above the knee or maxi.
• Add color to dark solid suiting. The eye goes wherever color goes.
• A necklace adds authority and will guide the interviewer’s eyes to focus on your face as you communicate.
• High Quality + Exquisite Tailoring + Contrasting Colors = The Look and Feel of Power
BODY LANGUAGE
• Approach with confident posture.
• Body language is a composite of messages.
• Remember how your body language sends positive/negative messages.
• A person’s eyes and smile, sets the tone of interaction.
• When shaking hands mimic the strength of the other person. Keep in mind how your handshake makes the other person feel.
BEHAVIOR IMPRINT
DEAL BREAKER
• Cell phone present.
• Raise voice when on cell phone.
• Interrupts conversation.
• Self-serving, Opinionated.
• Ungrateful, Disrespectful.
• Gloom and doom attitude.
• Contradicts.
DOOR OPENER
• Cell phone on mute and out-of-site.
• Conscious of voice volume.
• Listens for comment opportunity.
• Aware of others, Open to opinions.
• Demonstrates appreciation, Respectful.
• Engages the up side of situation.
• Supports.
FINAL REMINDERS
• Interviewers are looking for people connectors.
• Your appearance, body language, and behavior should project confidence and competence.
• Your attitude should enhance your qualifications, not be the distraction.
• When networking at an event, look for someone standing alone or odd numbers.
• Balance a conservative demeanor since a conservative presence is interpreted as controlling.
• Be sincere and transparent.
• Older job seekers need to focus on value and what he/she brings to the table.
Hiring Companies
ADOT/Arizona Department of Transportation
@ArizonaDOT
Rob Briggs, Talent Acquisition
Gabriel Barraza, Recruiting Coordinator
ADOT is a multi-modal transportation agency responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining a complex highway system in addition to providing motor vehicle services throughout the state. Arizona Department of Transportation also operates the Grand Canyon Airport and publishes the award-winning AZ Highways magazine. The organization’s mission is to provide safe, efficient, cost effective transportation systems. ADOT embraces a culture in which every employee has the opportunity to be a leader upholding their values of accountability, integrity and respect. The State of Arizona provides excellent comprehensive benefits including affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans; top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans; accrued vacation pay and sick days; 10 paid holidays per year; deferred compensation plan; and wellness plans. A sampling of current positions represented are highway operations, administrative, finance, operations, engineering, customer service (MVD) and many more. For the latest job openings and to apply online, please visit the ADOT website.
VincentBenjamin
@VBenjaminTalent
Mike Bidak, Executive Recruiter,BD
Mike Gonzalez, Executive Recruiter, BD
VincentBenjamin was founded in 2009 and is located in Phoenix, Denver, Orange County and Los Angeles. For 3 consecutive years VincentBenjamin has been honored to make the Inc. 5000 List for fastest growing private companies in America and Phoenix Best Places to Work. The firm specializes in IT, Accounting and Finance Staffing including contract and permanent placements.
There are several reasons a job seeker should work with VincentBenjamin. From a client perspective, positive motives include specialized recruiters who understand highly technical skill sets; small company feel but backed by a large organization; and excellent client/candidate matching. From a candidate perspective, candidates will find follow up; building relationships; employer understanding & relationships; and understanding needs and skill sets. Roles VincentBenjamin is looking for are all levels of positions in AP/AR, Admin, Service Desk, Project Managers, and Software Engineers to CIO & CFO. Internal positions include roles on both verticals-IT and Accounting/Finance, Recruiters and Admin. Staff. If interested, apply directly from open jobs on VincentBenjamin site.
Chase
@ChaseCareers
Lekheythan Malone, Sr. Recruiting Professional
Chase’s global reach allows employees to get where they want to go. Whether the candidate wants to sharpen their skills or gain something new, they will have the experience that offers flexibility to move to another division or country if desired. Chase’s workplace is where you feel welcomed and valued; and creates diverse, inclusive teams that support Chase’s business and each other. Chase is heavily invested in its communities and encourages employees to do the same. Benefits include health care and insurance plans, retirement savings programs, wellness programs, employee programs and family care. A sampling of current jobs in demand are customer service, collections, business development sales, loan underwriters, client services advisors, relationship and private client bankers and tellers. To apply go the Chase website.
Allstate
@AllstateCareers
Jill Romanowski, Agency Process Specialist
Allstate was founded 86 years ago in Chicago, Illinois. The organization has a broad and diverse portfolio that offers up to 47 products to better serve customers’ needs. The SW Region is growing quickly and is represented in AZ, OK, NV NM and UT. Tempe houses the regional office for the Phoenix area. Benefits are robust. Some different offerings include group legal, adoption reimbursement, childcare discounts, flexible work schedules, good life, and lifeworks employee assistant program. Allstate is an advocate for hiring the military and their spouses. The company is supportive in community giving to community grants, disaster preparedness education, greater good grants, teen safe driving and Purple Purse Domestic Violence. Allstate has a generous referral program of $10,000. Open positions include claims adjusters & claims analyst, education consultant & sales leadership, financial analyst & product analyst, corporate relations & marketing internships, customer advocates, HR and small business owner. For additional information go to Allstate careers.
Closing
Sheila Coulam, Director of Programs, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking North Phoenix Baptist Church and the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Scottsdale on Thursday, June 22, 2017 and features Jean Briese as speaker for the topic “Discover and Unleash Your SuperPower”. For additional information on this event and future events, please visit the website.