Page 197 - Talane Miedaner - Coach Yourself to a New Career_ 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life (2010)

STEP 7: MANAGING THE TRANSITION SMOOTHLY 185

only two suits (one of them marginal) to get me started. I then had
a designer tailor a new wardrobe for me, since I wasn’t an off-the-
shelf size—very few people are. I must have spent about $7,000 on
this new wardrobe, which, given that I
was recently unemployed and starting
my own business, didn’t seem like a very Don’t be afraid to
sound business decision, but what it take a big step if one
gave me was worth every penny. I knew is indicated. You can’t
that I looked my best, and that gave me cross a chasm in two
the confidence I needed. For example, small jumps.
when I was on TV as a guest, I wasn’t
one bit concerned about my appearance. —DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
I was able to focus all my attention and
energy on the interviewer.
Having the right look is considerably more important than
you may realize. If you feel self-conscious or worried about your
appearance, all that angst will consume your precious energy.
Remember to dress for the career or the work that you want, not
the one you have.
When I was at Georgetown working on my master’s degree, I
had the opportunity to take a business class with one of the adjunct
professors. He wasn’t an academic but rather served as a vice pres-
ident of the Import Export Bank. He told us that he expected us
to wear our business suits to class, because when you go on an
interview, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable in your suit. For a
student used to lounging around in a T-shirt and jeans, wearing a
business suit felt strange at first, but it was valuable advice—wear
the clothes that are appropriate to the career that you want. And
practice wearing them before your interviews so they feel com-
pletely natural.
If you can afford it, I’d highly recommend working with an
image consultant. The sooner you do this, the longer you’ll reap
the rewards, and the more money you’ll save, because you’ll know
exactly what designers look best on you, what jacket is most flat-
tering, which cuts and colors are best for you, even what sort of
glasses, cosmetics, and hairstyle accentuate your best features.
Knowing what works for your body type and coloring is well