Grooming Habits
Good grooming habits are essential for making a powerful first impression and upward mobility in the civilian workplace.
by Rita Gwore

As the old cliché goes, “you only have one chance to make a first impression.” With that in mind, personal grooming is critical in nailing down that civilian job interview, and ultimately, upward mobility in the workplace. Let’s take a look at some of the grooming habits you need to handle to make a favorable firtst impression on your new employer.

Keep It Cut
Your hair is the one thing people will notice about you every day. We change the style of our clothing almost daily to look different, but we rarely change our hairstyles that often. It is important that your hair is clean and neat. Having your hair cut on a regular basis will keep it looking like you didn’t just get a haircut or that you need a haircut. It is worth the extra money. Stay on top of it. If that is not always possible then have a shaver handy at home to remove the hair growth from your neck. This will at least hold you over until you do get a haircut.

Don’t Go To Extremes
Hairstyles for men make subtle changes from year to year. Fashion may say that this year long sideburns are the “in” thing. Then next year they may say that no sideburns are the right way to go. It has more to do with your face shape than fashion as to how you wear your sideburns or even your hairstyle.

Fashion tends to say that anyone can wear the latest look in hairstyles but this is just not true. It really has to do with your face shape and the culture of your job. Do not go to either extreme. A modified look will always keep you in style. What if the longer sideburns make your face look even longer and exaggerated? That would not be a reason to stay in style. If, however, you have an oval face any hairstyle would look good on you.

Fashion tends to say that anyone can wear the latest look in hairstyles but this is just not true. It really has to do with your face shape and the culture of your job. If a hippie longhair look is “in,” you will not see that style in law offices or CEO’s office. So decide if you want to be in style or adhere to the dress codes of your employer. I suggest the latter.

Facial Hair Must Be Trimmed
Facial hair is often used to shorten a long face or slenderize the look of a wide face. Mustaches and beards should always be neatly trimmed. Check to see if the culture of where you are going to be employed accepts facial hair. Certain industries often reflect facial hair styles. College professors and outdoorsmen are people who come to mind when I think of beards while Fortune 500 CEOs rarely sport beards. These are some of the considerations you need to take into account before you decide to grow a beard or mustache. Get the job first and then maybe after you have proven yourself on the job you can modify your look with a mustache or beard.

Hold the Sauce
During the interviewing process, I do not recommend that you wear cologne. There is a possibility that the person interviewing you is allergic to what you have chosen to wear. If they are sneezing or wheezing they are not going to be happy with you. And you did not make a good first impression.

People tend to acclimate to certain fragrances over a time. So while you may not be able to smell the fragrance you are wearing, someone else may think you have over done it. If someone questions or criticizes your choice of cologne, take it to heart and use the advice. It is nearly the same as if someone gently suggests to you that you need deodorant. You have acclimated to your own body scent and it may be offensive to others. There are so many fragrances in our shampoos, body soaps and deodorant that will keep you smelling fresh without using cologne.

Keep Them Clipped
Keep your hands in good condition. Use a moisturizer if you have rough hands. If you have hands that perspire then keep a cotton handkerchief in your pocket so you can put your hand in your pocket to squeeze out the moisture before you shake hands.

You will shake hands during an interview. Potential employers will see your hands and feel them. Make sure you do not work on your car the night before and get grease under your nails. Your nails should be very short with only a fraction of the nail showing. It is perfectly acceptable to buff your nails, but do not put a clear coat on them. Do I need to say wash your hands and brush under your nails to clean them?

Bad Breath
Bad breath is a turn off for a lot of people including your interviewer. If you smoke or drink coffee it can give your breath a less than fresh smell. Use breath mints, sprays or gum to maintain fresh smelling breath, but be sure to take the gum out of your mouth before the interview. Brush your teeth and use whitening strips. Whiter teeth can make you look healthier.

Face It!
A clean shaven face is the most acceptable. When you shave you are basically exfoliating that area. Use a scrub on the rest of your face to remove dead skin cells which produce a healthier glow and even a younger look with fewer wrinkles. Go for it!

Everyone around you will be pleased with how fresh you look and smell.