Creating Personal Presence

1Consider First Impressions Like First Loves

If people turn to look at you on the street, you are not well dressed.

—BEAU BRUMMEL

The operations manager handed me two files to conduct the third and final round of interviews for a marketing specialist. “In my opinion, both are equally qualified,” she said.

Caitlin’s interview was scheduled first. Dressed attractively in a business suit, she walked into my office with an air of confidence well beyond her thirty years. She shook hands firmly, maintained great eye contact, smiled often, answered my questions clearly and crisply, and asked for the job before she left.

But I was predisposed to hire my second interviewee of the day, Rachel, because she came highly recommended through a colleague. She ...