Continuing with my series on the topic everyone is talking about - jobs - it is said that a first impression is made in three seconds.

In this very short time, a potential employer assesses your appearance, your body language, your mannerisms, your voice, as well as how you are dressed, and forms an opinion.  

This opinion might be set in stone, one way or the other, no matter how the rest of the interview goes.  

When you walk into a job interview, you know you've got the expertise and experience, but does your image communicate that?

Diane Parente  says that you should think of your image as your visual resume that is a powerful non-verbal communication tool.

A well-respected professional international image consultant who has been in business many years and has written books on the subject, Parente works with private clients all over the world, and also gives presentations on dressing with style and credibility.

Luckily for us, she lives in Marin. Her research reveals that a professional look communicates confidence and self esteem, which translates to power.  She says that Image Sells You, which happens to be the name of her company.

Parente, a busy, productive and well dressed woman herself, is a style ambassador for Northgate, is on the board of San Rafael's nonprofit Image for Success, and is partnering with another nonprofit, Women's Initiative in Novato, which provides training and tools for low income women to start a business.

During our interview, Parente offered many style and wardrobe tips to help if you are job hunting. Whether new to the work force, changing jobs, or re-entering after many years of being a mom or doing something else, she suggests you consider makeup, hair and clothing.  Sorry guys, the rest of this column relates to women so you can stop reading now. I will get back to you later.

Makeup

Parente says the job seeker has probably has not updated her makeup in a while.  The professional look today is natural and healthy.  One of the best ways to brush up on new makeup products, colors, and techniques is to visit a professional makeup artist. Renaissance House of Beauty in San Rafael is great for lessons or an application.

Or, you can have complimentary makeup done at the cosmetic counters at Macy's or MAC in Northgate.  The pros will show you what products and colors are right for your skin type and coloring.  Be sure to fill them in on your job hunting goals so they will lead you in a good direction for a daytime professional look.

My makeup artist, Ron Pernell, says that for an interview you should stay away from red lipstick which can be intimidating. "You want to look fresh," he says, "and lip pencil with gloss creates a beautiful healthy lip." Here's a tip he wanted to pass on. "Take Vaseline and a baby toothbush to exfoliate your entire lip, then wipe the Vaseline off and put lip gloss on. Your lips will be lovely and soft."    

If you are going on a particularly important job interview, consider making an appointment for a makeup application so that you truly put your best face forward. But it is equally important to learn how the tricks about doing your own make up so you look great every day. 

Both Parente and Pernell think you should try some of the mineral make ups as a base, because often they achieve a lighter and healthier look than many cream or liquid foundations.  Working with loose powered mineral makeup takes some practice because it can be messy getting it from jar to brush to face.  Whatever formulation you like, you should choose one of the new foundations with sun block. 

Both experts say that you should always put on your makeup before you get dressed so you don't get it all over your clothes.  (And please don't apply mascara in the car! That is as dangerous as texting.)

Hair

If you have been out of the work force for a while, Parente thinks you probably are wearing a sporty or comfortable hairstyle like a pony tail.  Or maybe you have worn your hair in the same style for years.  

Parente says the job seeker's hair needs to look sharp and current. She suggests you visit several hair stylists and ask them what style would look best on your face shape and will work for your hair type.  Rather than yearning for hairstyles on celebrities in the magazines, she suggests you study the female television newscasters because they look professional.

"Hair should compliment your face shape and be shiny and healthy. The look needs to fit into a business environment." she says.  Parente feels shape and cut are very important because often you are out in the wind and elements on the way to and from meetings and your hair should fall back into place after you enter a building.

You also need to share with a stylist how much time you want to spend in the morning on your hair.

For boomers, unless you have chosen to "go gray," which looks great on some women, be sure to have your hair color done before an interview, so you don't have gray roots showing.

I also asked Ron Pernell, hairdresser to the stars and me (you know, the one with the second salon in Los Angeles and a Hollywood agent), for some tips.  He agrees with Parente that you should not yearn for celebrity hairstyles in magazines. 

"Many of those stars have hair extensions and the often the lighting for the photographer determines the hair color shown so if a client brings me that picture as the color she wants her to be, that might not be realistic to achieve." He should know, he styles hair and make up for many photo shoots.

"When you have professional hair color applied, ask the stylist to go a little lighter around the face, which brightens it up. Hair should not all be one color tone," Pernell says.   When applying color in his salons, Pernell always does a lighter shade first at the hairline, then one shade darker as he goes back.  

If you color your own hair, Pernell suggests you buy two boxes, with the second one a shade lighter than what you have chosen as your hair color. 

"In salons, the terminology for this process is 'color blocking' and it helps soften a harsh demarcation which often happens when you put a dark color next to the skin." Also he says, "The eye is attracted from light to dark rather than dark to light."

Pernell feels strongly that hair be a sensible length for the professional woman.  "If you like to wear your hair long, for work pull it back in a chignon."  He  believes in side parts, not a middle part because, "Only perfectly symmetrical facial features work with hair that is parted in the middle."

As a salon owner who has worked with many different hair products over the years, Pernell sees and uses formulas for every type of hair issue (fine, curly, thick, fly away, flat, or processed) and suggests that you ask your stylist what type of products you should be using even if you want to purchase them in a drug store. 

Though his salon sells professional products, he says that there are good brands even on supermarket and drug store shelves but at a drug store you might not find anyone who knows what you should be using.

"Hairdressers research and experiment with all the new products on the market. We also attend hair shows where we see before and after demonstrations on live models. In my salons, we tell you what professional products will work for your type of hair, and we show you how to use them since, unfortunately, we can't be with you every day," he laughs.   

So now that you have your hair and make up done, what are you going to wear?

Clothing - Style tips from image consultant Diane Parente 

Foundation Garments:Bras

Parente says we need to understand our body shape. And foundation comes first. Every year we should see a bra fitter. A bra, she says, makes a big difference. Parente tells me that Macy's in Northgate has good bra fitters. "Most people are not wearing a correct size or type. Having the right bra takes 10 pounds off of you and gives you a waist," states Parente.

Foundation Garments: Briefs

Parente says, "A thong does not fit into a business environment because you jiggle. No matter what you are wearing on the outside, you move when you walk and people see you going as much as they see you coming. So save the thong for evening and wear briefs during the day."

Dress:

Parente says there are essential pieces for any business or basic wardrobe. Here's what you need:

Jacket (1)

Bottom: Skirts or pants (2), either two skirts or two pants or one of each

Tops (4).

She likes the mix of black and khaki or tan. "The tops can punch things up and be in brighter colors like coral or aqua, even cream, so everything can mix or match," she says. 

Jacket: The length depends on your figure size, your shape, and your height.  "Even though cropped jackets are in the magazines they are not right for everyone."

Bottoms: "Avoid wearing short skirts. Make sure your pants are long enough. You want the front to break over the insetp and drop in the back. When you have the pants hemmed, wear the shoes you plan on pairing with the pants. Save the jeans for the weekend unless you are interviewing for a position in a jean environment."

Two tops: A sleeve is better in an office, either three-quarter-length or bracelet.  Cap sleeves are fine too. Wear sleeveless under a jacket. And leave the jacket on.

"The more covered up you are defines a modern business look. You don't want people to see your 'less than great arms' or your bra," Parente says.  "You are in business to do business so you need to be more covered up than you would be in the evening at dinner." 

Shoes: "Five-inch heels are for clubbing, not for the office," pronounces Parente. The best styles for the office are the kitten heel, flats, lace up shoe or boot with a moderate heel. Unless you are in a creative industry, skirts with boots and leggings with boots are too trendy for most offices. "In finance, investments, or anything to do with money, you need to be more conservative," she says.

Handbags: Your handbag says organized or disorganized. "Look for one that stands up when placed on the floor and has several dividers so you can organize your PDA, wallet and papers. Aim for the look of leather. Avoid the sagging or scuffed bag. Black is best if you are buying only one but also bright colors like tangerine work with the basic wardrobe colors," she suggests.

Professional looking handbags can be found at the discount stores like Ross or department stores like Macy's and Kohl's. Consignment stores like Image for Success on Fourth Street often have great handbags at good prices.

Coat: Since it is winter now, you need a coat. And there are great bargains around as I found when I wrote the holiday shoppoing columns. Parente says a timeless coat is black or tan and single breasted is best. "Unless you are very thin, you want to avoid a belted coat, or you might look like a sausage." Another consideration is a collared coat with side pockets, making it more versatile. . 

Raincoat: Black or tan in a light weight fabric if you have only one. Try it on over a jacket. You may want to go up a size. It should be light weight because you will typically wear it over your other clothing.

Jewelry: Add earrings, and a belt. "These would complete the look and if there is extra money you can also add a necklace." 

Glasses: Parente also wants to address glasses especially for boomers. She says that a good pair of glasses can have the same effect as a face lift. 

 Fit

Parente feels that fit is one of the most important elements to dressing with style and credibility. "You want your clothing to glide over the body gracefully and highlight your figure, not be so revealing that you see every curve. Save the date clothing for after hours."

"Remember you are in business and you want to be respected and trusted," she says.

She tells us to look in the dressing room three way mirror. What looks good in front might not look good in back. "Does a skirt or pant grab your curve or can you see everything? If you can barely button a jacket, you should go up a size." And when you are trying things on, note that European sizes are much smaller than American sizes.

"People pay far too much attention to the size rather than to the fit," Parente says.

I agree with her completely and have always spent a great deal of money having my clothes tailored to fit me properly.  I joke that I never care what size it is. If the alterations gals feel they can make it fit, I will buy a size 0 or a size 12.  Saying you wear a certain small size (like 000) is more about vanity than about looking good in your clothes.   

Style....don't leave home without it 

Diane Parente's final tip: Make sure every time you leave the house you look good. Whether in casual work out clothes or jeans, you could run into a potential employer on the street or in the supermarket.  Have your hair clean your natural make up on.  "You just never know who you might meet." Indeed.

My final tip: You may have read that I'm kind of a fashionista myself so I wanted to give you my final "jobs" style tip in regard to Parente's comment above. 

In Marin we are so casual now. Many of us work out of our homes and run around in gym clothes and fleece jackets with no make up when we leave the house. Guilty as charged myself. 

Lately though, I've started wearing a short belted raincoat (I know, Diane, but belted works on me) or an even shorter belted jacket, which I put on over jeans or velour sweat pants when I go to the market or run "about town" doing errands. Sometimes I wear a fitted puffer vest, which is a bit dressier than my fleece vests, over a turtleneck with jeans and flats or short flat boots.  In the rain, I add a fedora or a beret rather than the baseball cap everybody else seems to favor.  I wear a little make up "about town" as well. 

As Parente says, you just never know. 

www.imagesellsyou.com 

www.ronpernellstudio.com