Ask Zayna
| Networking Newbie | First Date Dilemma |
| Interview Attire | The Language of Listening |
| Serious Scientist |
Please send questions to advice@zmimage.com
NETWORKING NEWBIE
How do I best work a room at a business party to ensure that I get noticed for the right reasons?
Your goal is to make an impact on potential business contacts and friends. Personal presentation is the key!
Dress to impress. Be current, classic or fashion forward. Add elements to exhibit your personality and be appropriate for the occasion – this is critical. 55% of the impression someone forms of you is based on the visual.
Focus on relationship building. Maintain good eye contact and offer a firm handshake. Be yourself, keep points of business etiquette in mind, and convey that you are genuinely interested in the other people at the event. In conversation, ask the others questions about themselves and discuss common interests. This will help you to build rapport. Refrain from talking about what you do for a living until you are asked. A common networking faux-pas: handing someone your business card directly after being introduced.
FIRST DATE DILEMMA
On a first date who pays? After many dates, and if a serious relationship develops who pays?
As a general rule of dating etiquette today, the person who extended the invitation would treat his/her guest (especially if you have suggested an extravagant activity or event). After many dates or if a relationship results, it is best to talk about the situation and to work out a system based on your personal beliefs and financial situations.
Suggestions: take turns paying for dining and entertainment or split the bill.
What should I wear to my job interview for a major corporation?
You will need to research the company’s corporate image and find a way to wear it well in terms of clothing and grooming. Ask a contact at the company, or the person who arranged your interview. Up to 3 levels of business dress are often seen in an office. Your dresscode may be anything from business casual to formal corporate attire. For the interview, your best suit and appropriate shirt, tie and dress shoes will most likely be in order. (Consult an expert for details on levels of dress and to find the styles and colours best suited to your complexion and body type.)
It is advisable to dress one level about what is required for the position for which you are interviewing. This shows that you are ready to represent the company. Strive to make an impression that will showcase your strengths while lending to your credibility and professionalism.
THE LANGUAGE OF LISTENING
How can I convey verbally and using body language that I am being a good listener?
Your goal is to clearly show interest and empathy for what the person is saying throughout the conversation.
Tips for being a good listener:
- Go to a place with few or no distractions
- Maintain eye contact
- Focus your energy on the other person
- Be objective, non-judgmental, keep an open mind
- Verbally acknowledge good points without interrupting (eg. nod periodically and say “good point” or “yes, I understand what you mean”)
- Ask questions concerning details that will help you to better understand the issue or story
SERIOUS SCIENTIST
What is the best way to dress when appearing in front of an audience to present a seminar? Sometimes in the science world, women are not taken as seriously as men (yes, this still happens today).
Although I want to be respected, I do not want to give up my feminine side! So specifically, please comment on suits, shoes, glasses, hair and makeup.
You will want to be conservative to a point to ensure that the audience will perceive your credibility, while adding elements to highlight your personal style. Wearing a good quality, well-fitted suit is not only professional, but can be very powerful and feminine….even sexy (although this may not be the image you want to go for in this case).
An ideal look for presenting your seminars would consist of the following:
- Suit: well fitted, best quality fabric your budget allows, skirt or pants (skirt suits are considered more formal but must be appropriate in length- just below or just above the knee), dark neutral colours are most professional
- Blouse/top: with or without collar and cuffs (with is more formal). Here is where you may choose to add a touch of femininity with colour and accessorization.
- Shoes: a small to medium height heel is acceptable, should be closed toed.
- Glasses: presenters often wear glasses for the cosmetic benefit of being perceived as more intelligent and serious upon first impression. In fact, attractive women often choose to wear glasses at work even though they do not require prescription lenses.
- Makeup: a fresh, polished look is recommended. A shade of red lipstick that suits your colouring is an option as it makes an authoritative statement (therefore often worn by corporate women). Another option is a colour closer to the natural look of your lips.
- Hair: may be worn down if length sits above shoulders. Otherwise, it should be tied up neatly with a clip or in a bun. Be sure to keep bangs and strands of hair out of the eyes and away from the face. Again, the ideal look is one that is clean, polished and professional
