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Career Tip: Professional Wish List

My Professional Wish-List!

 The holidays are just around the corner.  In our over-commercialized society, no matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year (Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, etc.) they usually involve one thing…a wish list!  While most of us have a few things in mind (i.e. an ipod, X-Box and T.M.X. Elmo ), our family and loved ones may be thinking something else (tube socks, bath salts, and that gross strawberry candy in the “souvenir tin” ).  Make it easy for them this year.  Your “Professional Image Wish List” will not only ensure that you get what you want, but is a great way to get the stuff you need for the interview process without having to pay for it. 

1.  Mom & Dad –  INTERVIEW SUIT – Just like everything else, suits can range in price from bargain basement to Rodeo Drive.  Be expecting to pay about $200-$400 for a good suit.  Sure…we have all seen the 3 for $300 sales advertise, but be wary!  A suit should be an investment that can be worn over and over.  Don’t waste your money on the cheap stuff.  Don’t forget to build in some money for alterations and tailoring.  Many stores will charge an additional fee for fitting.  While you are shopping, remember, classic and professional is the way to go.  Suits in traditional colors (brown, black, gray, dark blue) are best.  Look for a suit that is a wool blend and cut to fit your shape.  For men look for 2 or 3 button jackets…4 or more and people might mistake you for Cedrick the Entertainer.  Many ladies wonder if they should purchase pants or skirts…my suggestion…buy both!  Many designers make their basic black suits with both bottoms – so why not go for both (after all, Mom & Dad are paying, right?). 

2.  Grandma & Grandpa –– NEW DRESS SHOES - Grammy and Gramps love you, right?  Let them shell out about $100 on a nice new pair of dress shoes.  Wearing flip flops, sandals, or your Chacos with your new suit is a major faux pas.  Professional footwear should be a compliment to your outfit.  Guys – lace ups in brown or black will be more dressy and versatile than loafers.  Go to a store that has a shoe salesman who knows what he is doing.  A well-fitted pair of dress shoes should be almost as comfortable as your sneakers.  Ladies, I don’t know who made the rule that if you put some beads on a pair of flip flops then they become a dress shoe.  That won’t cut it in the business world.  Cover your toes.  Also, for once, choose comfort and practicality over style.  You may be on your feet a lot going from interview to interview.  Make sure that you have chosen a heel that you can walk in and that won’t leave your “dogs” howling! 

3.  Little Bro Johnny – NICE NOTEBOOK / PORTFOILO & PEN – Give the little guy a break…he mowed lawns all summer, so he gets out easy with this gift.  A nice leather portfolio notebook makes you look prepared and is a great place to store your extra resumes.  Bring it along with you in the interview to jot a few notes in.  A professional looking pen is a relatively inexpensive as well.  It doesn’t matter what color it is as long as it writes.  You may also choose to take a professional looking briefcase.  Your briefcase should be made of leather or another high quality fabric.  Save the backpack or KAVU bag for your yearly hiking trip. Also, ladies, if you choose to take a brief case, leave your purse at home / in the car.  Two bags will be awkward.  

4. Aunt Shirley and Uncle Darrell – PERSONALIZED STATIONARY – Nothing says “classy” more than personalized stationary.  Choose something simple and classic with your whole name (first, middle & last) or your initials.  Resist the temptation to have your return address printed on the envelopes, as you may move before you run out.  You will need it to write all those thank you notes to your interviewees.  In my opinion, thank you notes should be hand-written and sent within 24 hours of your last interaction with the interviewer.  Throughout the day, collect business cards to make the note writing process easier.  A little trick that I have found helpful is jotting notes about our conversation on the back of the card. (for example: explained new administrative structure, son went to DSU, loves the Packers, etc.)  In the note, personalize it by thanking them for their time, restate your interest in the position, mention something that you talked about, and state when you hope to hear from them again.  Once upon a time, only the most considerate interviewees wrote thank you notes…now…the secret is out!  Everyone writes thank you notes and you should too!! 

5.  Your Sweetie – DINNER AT A NICE RESTAURANT – I mean a NICE restaurant…somewhere that you have to dress up for and that doesn’t have a drive through window.  This will give you an opportunity to practice your dining etiquette skills.  Start by unfolding your napkin and laying it across your lap.  At a really swanky place, the waiter/waitress/host/hostess may do this for you…if so…LET THEM!!!  It is part of their job.  Next, wait a little while before you open the menu.  Chat with your guest about the weather or the restaurant.  Don’t worry…you will be fed.  When it comes to ordering, go for something that is moderately priced and easy to eat.  La Petite Mason may be known for their baby back ribs, but do you really want to get that messy in a place like that?!?  As for the silverware, start from the outside and work your way in.  When your knife isn’t in use, rest it at the top of your plate, blade facing you and lay your fork and knife across your plate when finished.  It will be easier to practice your etiquette with someone that you feel comfortable with as opposed to waiting till your first business luncheon. 

No matter how appreciative we are, we have all received a “crappy” gift before.  This “wish list” will help eliminate the time you will spend in the return lines and provide you with the essentials for your big interview.  For more information on interviewing, feel free to stop by the Career Center.  Best wishes to you for a successful job search. 

 

Source: Jason Umfress, 2006