综合教程 致用英语 A comprehensive English course
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organisation responsible for the event to uncover the proper attire. If you can’t be certain, it’s
always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And it’s not just what you are wearing—but
how you’re wearing it, so make sure your clothing is clean and well-pressed.
Grooming is also an important part of first impressions. Hair should be neat—and certainly
not windswept. For men, facial hair should be either nonexistent or well-maintained. For
women, less make-up is always better than too much. A light perfume or cologne is acceptable,
but be careful of overwhelming the people in the room. Finally, a minimal amount of tasteful
jewelry is best.
A small, but relatively unknown fact about name tags—they should be worn on the person’s
right shoulder area so that when someone approaches to greet and shake his/her hand, the
person’s eyes follow the arm right up to the name tag, making it much easier to greet the
person—rather than looking all the way over to the other side of the person.
Next up for first impressions are the handshake and greeting. Handshakes should be
simple—extend right hand and grasp gently but firmly. No bone-crushers and no four-handed,
one-hand-over-the-other shakes. And no sweaty handshakes. If your nerves cause you to get
wet palms, carry a handkerchief in your pocket and wipe your hand before you do the meet and
greet. The greeting should be short and simple, making certain you listen for the other person’s
name. For example, I might greet someone in a business setting as, “Hi. I’m Dr. Randall
Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers.” Be certain to speak clearly and properly.
To nail the good impression you’re trying to make, the last tip when you’re in this setting is
not to make the conversation all about you. You want to engage the other person in conversation,
making certain to use his/her name for emphasis. You can, of course, talk about yourself, but
don’t make the whole conversation about you—and keep stories short. Look for common
ground with the person you’re talking to, and share stories about that common interest. And, of
course, avoid talking about controversial subjects, such as religion, politics, and sex. If you’re
naturally funny, you might use humour, and show your serious side also.
2.
Because the job interview is usually your first face-to-face with the employers, first
impressions are especially crucial. Arrive about 15 minutes early so that you have time to find
the exact office, perhaps with a stop at a restroom to conduct a final grooming check—as well as
possibly complete some paperwork before the interview starts. Always be polite to the support
staff, as the impression you make with them will often be factored into the hiring decision. Of
course, dressing for success and proper grooming are essential. Never arrive with any kind of
food in your mouth or on your teeth, and try not to smoke right before the interview. Turn off
your mobile phone on the way to the interview. In the interview, smiling and making strong eye
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