Page 146 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

Handle Yourself Nonverbally 139

Thus how you dress for the interview, how well you control the
outward signs of nervousness, and how dynamic you are as you talk to the
employer will all contribute to the overall impression that will weigh in
heavily on the outcome. Strategies to help you be a winner in these areas
will be the focus of this chapter.

A Winning Image

Appearance is the first thing you communicate to those you meet. Before
you have a chance to speak, others notice your appearance and dress and
draw inferences about your character, competence, and capabilities. Image
has the greatest impact on the percep-
tions others have of us when they have
little other information on which to Most interviewers
base judgments. This is precisely the screen candidates
situation a job applicant finds himself in in or out during the
at the start of most interviews.
Many people object to having their first 3-5 minutes of
capabilities evaluated on the basis of the interview -
their appearance and dress. “But that is primarily based on
not fair7” they argue. “People should be
hired on the basis aftheir ability to do the job nonverbal cues.
- not on how they look. 77 But debating the
lack of merit or complaining about the unfairness of such behavior does
not alter reality. Like it or not, people do male initial judgments about
others based on their appearance. Since you cannot alter this fact, it is
best to learn to use it to your advantage. If you effectively manage your
image, you can convey positive messages regarding your authority,
credibility, and competence.
Much has been written on how to dress professionally, especially since
John Molloy first wrote his boolts on dressing for success in the 1970s.
Although some expectations for dressing have changed in the past decade,
for most job interviews it is still best to err on the side of conservatism.

Dynamite Images for Men

It is important to lunow the range of options you have available from the
most powerful professional look to a less powerful but still acceptable