Page 198 - Talane Miedaner - Coach Yourself to a New Career_ 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life (2010)

186 COACH YOURSELF TO A NEW CAREER

worth the initial investment in hiring an excellent image consul-
tant. Also, as a side benefit, dressing for the career you want will
help you attract that career as well. People who interview you or
encounter you will immediately sense that you are “one of them.”
It is no good to show up for an advertising job wearing a conserva-
tive banker’s suit unless you are applying to work in the accounting
department! One of my senior executive banking clients men-
tioned she couldn’t focus on an interview candidate because the
young lady was snapping the string of her bikini. She clearly wasn’t
dressed appropriately for a banking job! Get a friend to make a
video while you conduct a mock interview to ensure you aren’t
unconsciously making any distracting gestures or movements. It
is all part of projecting the right image.
If getting an image consultant isn’t in your budget right now,
you can often get free fashion and style consultations from the bet-
ter department stores. Many will provide you with a free personal
shopper. Scout around until you find someone who really under-
stands you and the look you want to achieve. When you’ve been on
an informational interview or two, take note of the style changes
you’d like to make so that you look the part for that field or job.
Perhaps you have a friend with a keen sense of style who could go
shopping with you and give you honest feedback. You can also find
reliable resources about colors and styles that work best for you
online and in books available for free at the local library.

Career Reinvention: Be Open to

Change and New Experiences

Many people make the mistake of listening only to their heads
instead of using their entire body to help them choose the right
career path. A job can look great on paper, but if your heart isn’t
in it, then it isn’t the right job for you. If you aren’t jumping up
and down with joy, then it may not be the right choice. That being
said, some jobs are so new you’ll have no way of knowing if it is