Dressing for a Job Interview

The day has finally arrived! You got an interview. You rehearsed the company’s “About Us” section on their website over and over in your head, you know exactly how many gains and losses they had last year.  But the only thing you don’t have, is interview attire.

Many times students stop by and ask me “What do I need to wear on my interview?”  It can be quite simple, but sometimes it isn’t if you are the indecisive type.  Allow me to share an Image Consultant's insight on what to wear on an interview. 

The employers first impression of you will be your personal appearance.  If you want to WOW them, then you must be dressed to impress!  Remember, you are marketing yourself!  You are trying to “sell” your product and the product is YOU!!

Women's Interview Attire                      

• Solid color, conservative suit / Indian wear–This all depends on the industry you are interviewing in.  If it is business related, stay on the conservative side.  If it is in public relations, advertising or anything in the arts industry, you might want to spice up your look. Wear more vibrant colors.
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoe
• Only one point of focus
• Limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Tan or light hosiery
•  Sparse make-up & perfume
• Manicured nails
• Formal bag or briefcase

Men's Interview Attire

• Solid color, conservative suit - This all depends on the industry you are interviewing in.  If it is business related, stay on the conservative side.  If it is in public relations, advertising or anything in the arts industry, you might want to spice up your look. Wear more vibrant colors.
•  White long sleeve shirt –Depending on your suit color, you can also wear a blue or cream colored shirt.  Try to always wear a solid color on interviews. Once you get the job, you can of course mix it up!
• Conservative tie
• socks matching to pant/ shoe, oxford shoes
• Very limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Go easy on the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase (No backpacks Please)

With a confident stride and a winning handshake change your destiny!

Good Luck! I hope you DRESS to IMPRESS! (and get the job!)

Wish to know more about Interview etiquettes?

Get in touch with me on info@imagsmith.com

Manage Image, Differentiate Yourself!

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Best wishes,

Supriya

The ABC of Image Management

Earlier, image consulting was just thought of as for elite class, as personality development or as fashion styling or choosing the right clothing colors and learning which fork to eat with at business dinners.  Well...times have changed! Today, managing your image and promoting yourself as an individual are two key strategies professionals and students are using to make more sales, gain the next promotion or land the dream job or just stand out amongst a crowd of look-a-likes. In fact, image management really relates to the three most basic areas of what makes up your professional persona - the public face you show the world each day. Those three areas are Appearance, Behavior and Communication. By looking at all three critical components of your Image, we can help our clients do four things: Represent more fully to the world what makes you successful Maximize your image strengths and minimize your image weaknesses, giving you a stronger overall professional persona Reach personal and professional goals by fine tuning your appearance, tweaking your behavior and strengthening your communication skills. Be more comfortable and effective in both professional and personal environments Now, let us look at the ABC's Image Management Model: By focusing on the ABC's of image management - Appearance, Behavior and Communication - Consulting Image Smiths help a client reflect to the world what makes them successful. Plus,we can help them target areas and make changes that have lasting and profound impact on one's personal goals and professional potential. Investing in it, is a life time investment, as you can use the skills acquired over and over again in your life span. Hence we can have a 6 years or 60 years old as a client. Still having difficulty in identifying 'What is that I can do for you?' Feel free to write to me on supriya@imagsmith.com You can follow us on Facebook for our regular updates using this link: https://www.facebook.com/imagsmith Would love to hear your thoughts on this.  Supriya Satbhaiya www.imagsmith.com

The Art of Dressing up!

HAVE you ever heard somebody described as being dapper or well dressed and wished you could be described that way? I think most people like to make a good impression on others but sometimes do not know exactly how to put themselves together.

As an image consultant, I am keenly aware of how others dress. If somebody does not look great, I usually know exactly what is wrong with his or her outfit and/or hairstyle and mentally re- dress them so they look their best. I think it is important to look your best and see the whole process directly correlating to your self-esteem. Personally speaking, I know that the way I look affects the way I think, feel, act and conduct myself. On those days that I know I look great I feel myself looking forward to seeing people. I am more apt to be friendlier, look people in the face and have them look at me. When I act friendly, others also react positively. This turns into a positive cycle and contributes to a happy day. On the other hand, when I do not look my best, I am not as friendly and hope that I do not run into any body. If I do, it usually makes me uncomfortable. Our image is one of the few things in our lives that we can directly control.

Most of us have more freedom to dress as we please in our personal lives. But in business settings, it is a different story. There is no excuse for sloppiness. People assume that those who do not pay attention to the details of their appearance probably do not take care of the details in their work. What do you think of the person who sends you a letter with spelling or typos on it? Do you think less of the person? Isn't a mistake on a resume the ultimate faux pas for a job applicant?

So how can you be well dressed every day? My five-part definition of a well dressed person is somebody whose clothing and accessories 

1) complement their physical appearance 

2) coordinate in colour, pattern and fabric 

3) fit properly 

4) are current 

5) are appropriate for the occasion. 

Each element is equally important and all must be in place to have you be well dressed.

• The first element is wearing clothing and accessories that are complimentary to your physical appearance. This means that your clothing should highlight your assets, your positive physical traits and if necessary, diminish your liabilities, your less positive parts. For example, if your shoulders are narrow, you will look much better wearing a jacket with padded shoulders. If you are a little overweight, you should be careful not to wear horizontal stripes because they will make you look heavier. If you are a woman with a small waist, you will look better with a belt and your shirt tucked in.
• The second element is wearing clothing that coordinates in colour, pattern and fabric. The colours should be harmonious to your eyes, skin and hair colour. If you have dark hair, you will look better in primary colours such as navy, black, brown, red and white. Colours that are pale such as beige, cream and khaki are usually not flattering to people with strong colouring and features. It is best to wear colours that either match or are complimentary to your hair/especially close to your face. I always recommend matching the colours of your belt and shoes and if your watch has a leather band, it should match as well. The same is suggested for handbags and totes.
• The third element is fit. Fit is one of the biggest areas that most people miss. In order to look great, your clothing must fit properly. Sometimes it is hard to find clothing to fit you exactly because the manufacturers use models who have perfect bodies. My suggestion is to find a brand or a store that has clothing that fits your body and shop there. If you know that the fit is right for one season, it will most probably fit right the next time. If you have any special concerns, such as height or weight, you may need to find a tailor to alter your clothing. 
• The fourth element is wearing clothing that is current. Fashions change every season and wearing up to date clothing is as important as keeping up with the news, technology and social issues. I am not suggesting that you buy the latest styles every season. I am urging you to invest in classic clothing that will not go out of style. You can update your image every season with new accessories such as shoes, ties and shirts for men and shoes, handbags, eyeglasses and jewelry for women.
• Finally, last but not least. The last element is wearing clothing and accessories that are appropriate for the situation. If you are overdressed for an occasion, you will feel uncomfortable, as will those around you. Alternately, if you are under-dressed, you might seem disrespectful to your hosts, colleagues or friends. The best way to ensure this from happening is to ask what the dress code is. Casual dress has become so commonplace today that most people are advising guests what to wear in order to avoid making any one uncomfortable.

Although casual dress has many meanings depending on the type of industry you work in, job function, and image goals. My advice is to always bring a jacket with you. If the other people are more casual, you can always remove yours.

And do not forget. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

See you soon again..

Love,

Supriya

Image touches every moment of our life

It takes only 3-7 seconds to form a First Impression, make them count!

In my earlier post I said "image is perception about yourself in your and others eyes and minds". Our image is primarily dependent on how we see ourselves and then how others view it. How we view ourselves is our self esteem. And our  self esteem is clearly visible in ouRoberts titude, body language, expressions, dressing, self confidence, etc. And when others view these things in us, they reciprocate us with respect , otherwise they neglect us. 

Everybody out there is making perceptions about us, based on what we put on display. Right from your milkman, to your maid, to your kids, to your husband, to your neighbors, to your colleagues, your seniors at work, and the list continues... The process starts when you meet some one for the 1st time, in your personal, professional or social life. 

People start forming perceptions about you as soon as they see you, and what do they see in your appearance? Your clothes the first thing, then your grooming, jewelry, facial expressions, body language, etiquette; and based on these they evaluate you and decide weather or not to approach you for any further communication. They form judgement about your character, credibility, intelligence, income level, status, etc. 

Remember "Pretty woman ", where Julia Roberts initially enters a luxury store in a very unsophisticated appearance and is disdained by the saleswoman. Then she goes back to the hotel and shares this with Richard Gere, 

and then he gets her dressed in a beautiful suit, teaches her the basic etiquette and then goes back to the same store ! 

This is the Power of Image! 

What do you think, your image tells the world? 

What is your opinion on this? Does Image impacts you and your work?

Do share with me.

Waiting to hear from you. 

Love, 

Supriya

Image is always from within!

One day all the employees reached the office and saw a big advice written on the door.

Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. You are invited to join the funeral.

In the beginning, they got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they got curious to know who was the man who hindered their growth.

Everyone thought: Well atleast the man who hindered my progress died!

One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside they were speechless. They stood shocked in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a mirror inside the coffin and everyone who looked inside could see himself.

There was a sign next to the mirror that read:
"There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth...It is you. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, success and realization."

Your life does not change when your boss friends or company change.....your life changes when you change...you go beyond your limiting beliefs and you realize you are the only one responsible for your life.
It's the way you face life-  that makes the difference!

If an egg is broken from outside force, life ends... but if it is broken from inside force, life begins. Great things always begin from our inside.

Managing Image is also a inside task, and you need to own the responsibility of your image. The only person holding you back is You!

Ponder over and write to me your thoughts.

Love,
Supriya

Welcome to Image Smiths

This is my first blog ever.. And it gives me great sense of achievement in writing this.

At the onset let me welcome you to "Consulting Image Smiths". Consulting Image Smiths is a Image Management organisation. Your first query would be "Image"?? Whats is that?? Some of you might assume that its related to IT, or pictures, or any thing else. However let me clarify this, "Image is you! Your valuation about yourself, how you display yourself and how others perceive You to be". Your Image is your "Personal Brand". Hence we call it "You in the eyes and minds of yourself & Others". It is formed by what we do and how we do it!

Let me give you an example, if i ask you to fit a persona into a Image based on the following cues:

• The person is a celebrity
• A versatile actor
• he is highly trusted
• Made India proud on International level
• A voice recognized by every Indian
• Dynamic & Smart
• Has screen play experience of over 4 decades
• Respected and recognized for his work by every one
• Aged yet modern    
• Voted as Youth Icon 

I am pretty sure, you would not have read all the cues and still at the 1st attempt guessed it as Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. That is the Power of Image! 

It differentiates you! Makes you Unique! Separates you from the others!

Does this makes you think a little? If yes, I would be happy to respond to your queries!

Hope you enjoyed reading this..

Will be back soon with more on this.. Till that time stay blessed! :)

You can like us on facebook for our regular updates: https://www.facebook.com/imagsmith

Love,
Supriya
Manage Image, Differentiate yourself