| sonal stylist is as vital to a man as the services of an | | | | shortcuts to form opinions about a candidate. Often |
| experienced resume writer. Why is this so! | | | | they will rely on their intuition to decide whether they |
| When a man is seeking a new job or a promotion he | | | | trust and like the person in front of them. The way a |
| well might seek the professional advice and services | | | | man dresses, stands and speaks tells the world a |
| of an experienced resume writer. He would | | | | great deal about who he is, what he does, how he |
| appreciate the skills and knowledge this person would | | | | feels about himself, where he comes from and |
| bring to bear on his quest for advancement. After all, | | | | where he is headed. |
| a resume says so much about a person’s | | | | Consider two professional men looking for a job, one |
| work experience, qualifications and aspirations. A | | | | in a conservative law firm the other in an innovative |
| prospective employer makes important judgements | | | | advertising agency. Both men will wear a suit and tie |
| based on a resume. The job seeker would | | | | for their interviews. Both men need to be judged as |
| acknowledge this fact and that a professionally | | | | qualified, capable and professional. But one needs to |
| presented resume makes a positive impression. | | | | convince his prospective employer that he is learned, |
| However, would the same job seeker recognise the | | | | conservative and careful, the other needs to be |
| importance of his own personal presentation and | | | | perceived as creative, dynamic and a risk taker. Both |
| accept that an employer makes equally important | | | | need their visual appearance to support them. How |
| judgements based on this? The saying, ‘you | | | | do they do this? Engaging the services of a personal |
| can’t judge a book by its cover’ may | | | | stylist would be a great option. |
| be true, but when there are thousands of books | | | | Stylists understand the subtle nuances created by |
| vying for readers, it helps if your book attracts | | | | the colour of a tie, the cut of a suit and the nature |
| positive attention. And I’m not sure that this | | | | of accessories such as watches, briefcases and cuff |
| analogy is completely true for people. We tell the | | | | links. A personal stylist can assess a man’s |
| world a lot about ourselves in the way we visually | | | | current image and give him an honest appraisal of the |
| present. People may not always interpret us correctly | | | | tangible and subliminal messages he is sending about |
| but the point is that people use our appearance to | | | | himself. Then the stylist and the client can decide if |
| form opinions about us. | | | | those messages are conveying accurate and positive |
| Many men would acknowledge that appearance | | | | information. If not, the stylist will lead the client on a |
| matters. Many others would challenge this premise | | | | journey of self discovery to create a visual image |
| with arguments that the quality of | | | | that will truly reflect his personality, abilities and |
| someone’s work is what really matters. | | | | potential. The stylist will help the client present in a |
| However, few men would truly understand the | | | | way that best suits the position to which he aspires. |
| subtleties of subliminal messages and visual short | | | | No visual image will ever replace professional skills, |
| cuts. The job interviewer does not have the time to | | | | work ethics and qualifications however an appropriate |
| get to know the candidates sitting before him. | | | | visual image will afford a man opportunities that a |
| Consciously or otherwise he or she will use visual | | | | poorly presented person rarely receives. |