Portray the right image

Kay explained that one’s appearance, actions and attitude all play a part in making up one’s image. In order to give a good impression during a first meeting or a job interview, Kay suggested being aware of your appearance as this counts about 55 percent towards how a person is perceived.

“The colour that you wear plays a large role in this perception,” she said. “It has been shown that in a corporate setting, blue is considered trustworthy and credible, black represents leadership and red, which displays power, is discouraged as it can be seen as too confrontational. Brown is too comfortable for an important formal interview or meeting. Orange is unprofessional and white is seen as organised. Purple and yellow are best kept for creative fields, as yellow represents creative optimism.”

For women, Kay also suggests neat hairstyles, light natural makeup, short or average length fingernails and knee length or longer skirts. “Casual clothing, heavy make-up, chunky jewellery and short or tight skirts and unconventional hairstyles are not acceptable for women to wear to a formal job interview,” she said. “Be careful of dressing too trendy as this tends to cause uncertainty about your professionalism and gives off a message that you are more interested in the way you look than your work. The fashion, advertising and entertainment industry are however a lot more accepting of fashionable and creative dress than other professions.”

Kay said that to start the meeting or interview, stand and shake hands. “Keep your right hand free to initiate or accept a handshake,” she said. “Always make eye contact and smile. Extend your arm parallel to the ground and extend your hand at a slight angle with the thumbs up. Shake from the elbow and not the shoulder or wrist.”

Kay advised giving two to three smooth, firm shakes and then letting go. She added that the interviewee must always aim to remain one or two arms-lengths away from the interviewer.

“Your body language at a job interview is very important,” she said. “Remember that direct eye contact is essential when speaking or being spoken to. Avoiding eye contact makes you come across as untrustworthy; looking elsewhere shows disinterest.”

Details: www.christallkay.co.za

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