On a recent day, my internet at home wasn’t working so I sat
at the library to use the Wi-Fi. As I sat at the edge of the parking lot, I
watched several people walk across. The unemployment office across from me was
holding a job fair. During the time I sat working on my laptop, about 100
people passed by, hoping to find leads for jobs.
I saw men and women that were a variety of ages. Some wore
suits, while others wore jeans, ball caps, and sneakers. Many were
well-groomed, but a surprising few had greasy and untrimmed hair. I realized
that there are obviously many people who have no idea how to dress to impress
at a job fair. The goal is to look professional and competent, not sloppy.
Tips
Look sharp — suits, business wear, slacks, skirts,
hosiery, etc. Don’t dress too casual, avoid jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts. Men
look good with a button-up shirt or at least polo. Women should opt for
business style blouses and button-up shirts. Go for a conservative look, with
neutral makeup and minimal jewelry.
Wear clothes that fit — most of us grow it ways we’d rather
not, and sometimes finding a pair of pants in our closet that fit is challenging. Please
keep in mind that tight pants and high-water pants don’t look good.
Be organized — bring your résumé in a leather or faux
leather folder or portfolio. It doesn’t look impressive to carry around a worn
folder or peechee or spiral notebook stuffed with papers.
Don’t forget to look at your shoes — we can’t all afford top
of the line footwear, but keep in mind that your shoes to help define your
overall look. Dirty sneakers don’t impress anyone. Don’t ruin your look with
scruffy and worn shoes that don’t fit your look that you are trying to project.
You may be doing a lot of walking to look at different displays, and I do know
the importance of comfortable footwear. Look for shoes that are clean,
comfortable, and that look nice.
Walk tall — Good posture makes a valuable statement. Walk
tall & proud because it will help you look more confident.
I know it’s not nice to judge people by their appearance,
but unfortunately that is what happens. If you are going to a job fair or
interview, you need to put your best foot forward to present a good image of
yourself. While sitting that morning, watching people come and go, I got a
mental picture of those who were serious job seekers and professional, and
those who were sloppy and had a bad attitude. The important issue here is the
psychological aspect of creating a positive image, which your choice of attire
can impact.
more job fair tips Tips for Success and How to Make Job Fairs Work for You
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