Singapore Job Guide > Job Search Tips Dressed to succeed You have only the first few minutes of an interview to make a good impression Cats Recruit in The Straits Times - April 15, 2008 ............................................................................................... RESEARCH shows that impressions formed during the first two to six minutes of an interview seldom change later. So it is important that you plan the professional image you want to project. General guidelines Wear clean, pressed clothing that fits properly. Check clothing for missing buttons, hanging threads, lint, dandruff, stray hairs and stains. Hair should be clean, groomed, styled and should look natural, even if you colour it. Hands and nails should be clean and trimmed. Wear deodorant. Use perfume or cologne sparingly. Breath should smell fresh, but do not chew gum, candy or mints during the interview. Jewellery should be minimal. Remove all visible body piercing other than one pair of conservative earrings for women. A conservative watch completes your professional image. Cover any visible tattoos. Appearance aside, you should also pay attention to your non-verbal behaviour during the interview so that you can effectively communicate your strengths to your potential employer. These include: The handshake A firm handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence. Not shaking hands is a very clear form of rejection and is extremely insulting to the other person. Eye contact Maintaining eye contact demonstrates attentiveness, respect and honesty, and is an opportunity to establish trust with the interviewer. Aim for a steady gaze, not a long, hard stare. That is rude and will make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Proper posture Proper posture conveys confidence, alertness and interest. Lean forward a little with your head slightly tilted when the interviewer is speaking, particularly about the company, the job description and duties. Head movement Nod carefully and sparingly, to show that you are listening to what the interviewer has to say. Slow, deliberate nods are favourable to consistent, quick nods, which signal an eagerness to please. Gestures Use hand gestures to express yourself and to emphasise certain points. However, if the interviewer notices a contradiction between your words and gestures, you can be sure the latter will leave the stronger mark. Facial expressions If you want to convey the message "I am comfortable", your smile must be genuine. The biggest indicator of your true inner state is your facial expression. Listening Being a good listener enables you to respond to questions more effectively. You an also get information which will help you ask better questions. Article by Nisha Nanwani, a consultant with Training Edge International. She has a wealth of experience in business etiquette, recruitment, training and service excellence standards. Website: www.trainingedgeasia.com Visit the exhibition and seminars at Career Discovery - CATS Recruit Career Fair on April 26 and 27 April at Suntec Singapore Hall 401. Different trainers will be speaking on various topics related to career planning and development such as interviewing tips and networking skills. Log on to www.st701.com/careerdiscovery2008 for more details and registration. Please feel free to share the URL of this article with your friends and colleagues.