Rehearse: It’s Not as Much about Performance as it is about Presentation
Most of us think of rehearsing in terms of sitting down in a mocked situation and “pretending” to be interviewed, or to give a speech. Some of us have done it, many of us have not (or at least we have not done it in front of a live audience, but rather at home in the mirror or while driving alone in our car).
Set aside for a moment what I said in the introduction, about giving a
performance. Indeed, the means with which you present yourself make all the difference in the world
First, before we talk about speaking, let’s consider dress. There are countless books and resources on how to “dress for success.” I’m not going to go into any great detail, but most career counselors will recommend that you dress conservatively, professionally and well groomed (which generally means no beard for men). Men and women both should wear a suit—men should avoid any “cute” ties, and women should wear makeup and jewelry with restraint. Ladies, remember: makeup is NOT intended to be noticed. Rather, it is intended to help other people notice you. Likewise, you may have jewelry that is a popular conversation piece, but you are not there to talk about jewelry! Keep it at home.
Keep your interview wardrobe separate and always ready for action. Make sure it fits, and wears well.
What Presentation is Really All About
I used to think that an overemphasis on appearances was a shallow concern—but it really isn’t. True, what is more important than appearance is, in the words of Martin Luther King, “the content of a man’s character.” But how can people appreciate and benefit from who you really are if they cannot help but be distracted by a negative outward appearance?
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The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter. |
