LIFESTYLECAREERS
Jobs for the Girls
Joanne Savage gets some tips for the top from women at the height of their chosen careers…
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tuck in a career rut? Itching for a change or curious about your entrepreneurial potential? In need of some expert advice on how to polish up your interview technique to nab that dream job? Well, read on, ladies. In my quest to reach peak earning potential, I’ve grilled professional fashionista Cathy Martin on interview style, Johnathan Brown at Apple Recruitment on the importance of a firm handshake, and two female highflyers who’ve made their entrepreneurial aspirations a reality: Jayne Crosby, who made the bold move from property to retail, and Maria Clarke, who’s plastering company is the culmination of over thirty years in the male dominated construction industry…
Dressing for Success
It’s the interviewees’ classic dilemma: trouser suit or skirt and blouse? High heels or flats? Cathy Martin, director of Fashion Pharmacy style consultancy, stresses the importance of image in making a good first impression. In Cathy’s expert estimation “about 50 per cent of what your potential employer will mark you on will be image, so let your clothes do as much talking as you will.” To navigate the sartorial minefield that is interview dressing, Cathy offers the following pointers:
Illustration : Helen Wright
Women at work
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NW September
• Comfort is of optimum importance, so wear clothes that are smart, clean, airy and light. • Suits can suggest professionalism without individuality. To strike a balance, add something of your own style with carefully chosen accessories. Subtlety is key. Avoid flashy jewellery and overpowering perfumes; these can distract from what you are saying. • Check for any snags, stains or splits on any item you’re wearing. Bring along a spare pair of tights just in case. • If you wear a skirt, make sure it is not too short. Ensure that other items are not too tight, as this will send out a less professional image than you would like. Never bare your midriff! • Image goes beyond clothes; make sure