5 Ways to Undermine Your Credibility at a Career Fair
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| Green Career Tip of the Week |
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
-- Anonymous
Earlier in the month I had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of people at two different job fairs. I have to be honest, I was a bit shocked by some the first impressions I was having of some of the attendees. I was saddened to know that employers were going to be having the same experience. The impression you make before you even open your mouth can had an impact on how you are received in any setting. At a job fair where it's easy to see the difference between those who have their act together and those that don't, it's even more important to be aware of how you are perceived. Read this week's article for tips on how you can undermine your credibility without even knowing it!
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Tip of the Week: 5 Ways to Undermine Your Credibility at a Career Fair
 First impressions and next impressions are critically important if you are in a job search or exploring a future career. Each second someone is interacting with you they are building an impression - positive or negative - that influences their decision to help you, hire you, or minimize contact with you.
Often this happens before you even open your mouth!
Although it's impossible to be ON all of the time, you do want to take the time to be mindful of the impression you are making throughout your life. You may need to step up your game a bit to make the impression you want to make.
These tips may seem like common sense...but based on what I witnessed as 1000 people walked by my booth at two professional job fairs last month, I'm not sure everyone's thinking through the impression they are making during their career transition. Scan through the list to see if there's anything you can strengthen.
Please note: Every example used below, no matter how outlandish it seems, is a true story!
1: Personal Grooming - As you talk with someone at close proximity, is there anything about your hair, facial hair, or makeup that would be distracting or uncomfortable? If so, take care of it and then do what you must to keep on top of this throughout your job search. A few distracting examples...
- One young man's bangs were so long I couldn't see into his eyes.
- An older gentleman had such bushy eyebrows some of stray hairs seemed in danger of poking him in the eye.
2: Clothing Choices - Dress in a way that is appropriate for the setting. Any time you attend a job or career fair assume potential employers will be present.
- The pants and jacket were fine, but the leopard print bra under the white tee-shirt didn't provide a professional impression.
- Think twice before you wear a wild array of fuchsia-colored bangles and sequined accessories.
3: Cell Phone Habits - For the duration of your career transition, consider how your cell phone behaviors will look to potential contacts and hiring managers.
- Now might be the time to swap out the romantic love song or hard rock ring tone for your partner or your kids.
- Don't spend time checking your phone during an event. Be present at the event. Interact with the people in front of you.
4: Attitude - Would you hire you? If you've been through a difficult period--personally or professionally--you may be oozing negativity without even realizing it. It's possible you don't see how your approach to life is coloring the response you get from others. Ask a trusted friend, colleague, mentor, or family member to reflect back to you the impression you are making. Here are a few of patterns to consider:
- Yes, but...This mindset is common when you've hit a rough spot. It feels like you've tried everything and nothing has worked, so you take on this "yes...but it will never work" attitude. The unfortunate thing is that with this attitude you'll never give anything a chance to turn out positively. Try... "Yes, I've tried that...and I'll give it another try."
- Antagonistic...If you meet each situation by being right, you are closing more doors that you are opening. Hiring managers don't want to bring someone on board who is one-upping everyone around them.
- Desperation...With the job market the way it is right now, it is completely understandable if you feel at wits end, and not sure what to do and how to get out of the situation you are in. Unfortunately, hiring managers aren't attracted to potential employees who are coming from this place. Brainstorm ways you can lift your energy. Find a way to volunteer. Giving your time to others left fortunate than yourself will give you energy, pride, and initiative.
5: Business Card - If someone is interested enough in you to ask for a business card, it's important to continue to lift their impression of you by having a professional business card at the ready to hand over.
- Go to VistaPrint.com or the printing department of your local big box office supply store. Create a very simple business card with your name, email address (see Tip 6 below), phone number, and a few words beneath your name that describe your target career direction.
- Take a stack of the card with you everywhere you go... put a few in the fanny pack you take to the dog park, put a few in your wallet, keep a stack in your car, include a few in your carryon luggage on a flight, and by all means take a stack with you to any and every networking meeting.
What changes can you make to your approach to your career transition?
Copyright 2011, Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc.
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Green Career Central(TM) is an online coaching and resource center designed to help mid-career professionals, students, new grads, and career counselors make sense of the green economy and the green job market.
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