Spring is here. Does that make you think of baseball? Gardening? Maybe the warmer weather prompts visions of something less pleasant, such as road repair or housecleaning. Well, if you're thinking along those lines anyway, why not extend the analogy to cover physical improvements? Improvements to your physique, that is.
Like it or not, physical appearance can be a critical factor in one's job search and career success. Despite what we think should be so — that employers would make decisions based only on one's work performance — our common sense tells us otherwise.
Appearance does count, and it's largely in our control. Why not do what you can with what you've got?
Look at the following categories and think about your own situation. If your Achilles' heel is on the list, now is a good time to make improvements.
• Weight. With the exception of those few who think they're too skinny, almost everyone believes himself or herself to be overweight. Of course, most of us are right. I don't care if my job-search clients are fat or skinny; I care if they look put-together, as if appearance matters to them.
Take stock of your body and ask yourself if anything has shifted since you last looked for a job. The interview outfit that fit perfectly last year may hang like a sack or stretch like cling wrap if your body has changed shape. Now is the time to take corrective action: Either resolve to get your old body back, or get a new interview outfit. Personally, I favor the second solution, but it's your choice.
• Stamina. For many people, winter is a sluggish period, with more hours spent in front of a computer or TV. Being unemployed usually doesn't help. The net result of all this inactivity is a loss of energy and stamina — two ingredients job-seekers need if they're going to keep a productive pace and impress employers. To increase stamina, spend more time walking and being on your feet. Build in an exercise and stretching routine to reap even more benefits.
• Smile enhancement. How are your teeth? If they're not attractive, you probably just closed your mouth. That's exactly why you need to improve your smile.
I'm not talking about whitening teeth that are already acceptable. Instead, I'm concerned about job-seekers with missing teeth or with poorly fitting dentures that click.
I know this can be a Catch-22: Without a paycheck, you can't afford dental work; without dental work, you might not get a paycheck. Before giving in to this logic, do everything in your power to get your teeth fixed. Look for free and low-income services; ask for help from family members, job agencies and nonprofits; or work out a payment plan with a dentist.
• Eyeglasses. If your glasses fit poorly or are badly outdated, it's time for a new pair. Try to do this sooner, rather than later, to reap the most benefit for your job search.
• Hearing aids. If you've been asking people to repeat themselves, you may need a hearing test or a new hearing aid. Don't put this off; it makes a difference in the interview when you can hear the other person. Trust me on this.
• Canes and wheelchairs. If you use an assist to improve mobility, is your equipment clean and fresh-looking? If not, there is probably a chrome cleaner or something else you can use to spiff things up a bit. It may sound silly, but think about it: You wouldn't wear the same shirt every day without washing it. Make sure that everything you carry into an interview represents you well.
• Plastic surgery. Heck, why not? I'm not telling you to do this, but, if you don't mind the idea of cosmetic surgery (it scares me silly), now's not a bad time to look into it. Removing acne scars or other blemishes probably makes more sense for improving your job search than would changes below the neckline. After all, you're trying to make a positive impression and put your best face forward.
• Hairstyle. OK, if the other suggestions seem too difficult, expensive or far-out, why not settle for a new hairstyle? It's always good to get a fresh look, and it's completely reversible if you don't like the outcome.
- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com or at 1071 W.Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.