Arizona Career Search Blog

They’re called ‘accessories’ - those little bumps that skim the floor. They’re down so low you would think no one sees them, but they make a statement about what you are bringing to a prospective employer. Take heed, because in a job interview they are more important than you think!

Shoes. They are available in all different styles, textures and colors. Choose them carefully because their voice is easily heard.

What would you like to say about yourself? Say it with your shoes.

The high heeled shoe may make you feel confident, but let’s find another way to portray confidence. This pretty baby is a hit on dates or parties, but is not appropriate for a job interview.

The same is true for color and textures. A shoe that matches your suit shows that you are coordinated and organized, that you “have it all together.” The second choice could be a basic color that blends with your suit, like black, brown, navy. Dark colors, simple patterns and basic styles show that you are serious.

You should inspect your shoes the day before your job interview. Clean them, polish them, replace them if worn. Worn shoes convey either poverty or a lack of self-respect. Being seen as either is a negative statement.

The best choice is a flat shoe in good condition, like a loafer or pump, and is stable as you walk on the floor. It states that you, like the shoe, are a dependable, safe, stable choice. Stick with the simple classics, and your job search will start on the right foot!

You can have an attractive resume, but without good content, it won’t get a second look. Employers get hundreds of resumes—you have to catch their attention in the first few seconds. Let’s assume that you have already customized your resume by researching the employer, and have used action verbs where possible.

An additional way to attract notice is by including as many specifics as possible and attaching numbers to what you’ve done.

Another way to attract attention is to use a superlative in reporting your accomplishments, Anytime you can use words like first, only, most, best, and highest, your reader will be more impressed. Here are some examples using superlatives:

Examples include:

• First undergraduate to serve as research assistant to dean
• Highest-selling Sales Associate in the fastest growing unit in the chain.