Job hunting, now why exactly do they call it "hunting"? Well, first you have to put on the combat gear, then you have to mentally psych yourself up, scope out your prey, layout your plan of attack and then

• Part 1 - Combat Gear-
  
  • What should you wear?,

  Part 2 - Mentally psyched-
  

  • Are you prepared, really prepared?

  Part 3 - Scope out your prey-
  

  • Who can really benefit from "Me"?

  Part 4 - Plan of attack-
  

  • How will I get in and then sell myself?

  Part 5 - Strike-
  

  • Let's do it!

Part 1 - Combat Gear

What exactly do I mean by "Combat Gear"? Well, I'm glad you asked, basically what you have to do is to make sure that whatever your skill set or what ever skill set is required is positively and professional displayed by your clothes or the way you carry yourself. For example if you are interviewing for a Professional, Senior or Executive position you may want to stay away from things like:

• very faded clothes,
• wearing extremely wrinkled shirt or tops,
• pilly sweaters,
• scuffed shoes or boots,
• extremely flashy or uncoordinated combinations,
• and the dreadful loud ties, suits, skirts, or blouses.

To continue on that last point, what you have to remember is that people perceive you through your actions, how you carry yourself and just as importantly what your wear. Let's face it bright pink skirts or Garfield ties aren't going to cut it, if you are trying to project a professional image.

As this point you may be saying "that's not true, I don't have to dress up for my job, nobody cares anyway". Well, I've actually gone through a metamorphic experiment and have found that people will not only pay you more, but will heed your words with greater confidence. Working as a consultant for about two years I found this out quickly, the first thing you need to make it and make it good is a decent wardrobe, nothing expensive like Barney's, just classy. Take my word for it people really do notice and many will even comment and compliment you.

Telling you that having nice clothes is easy, but telling you that having ring around the collar or yellow marks underneath your arm pits and that you have the same stain on the back of your pants you had last week can really hurt and no one will tell you, so I will. Clean your clothes regularly, do like I do, send all your shirts to be dry cleaned and starched and periodically have your suits clean and pressed. For you ladies just apply this concept to your clothes. Even if you have the time to do this, having the clothes done professionally will definitely help you in the long run.

Combat gear isn't just what you wear but also: personal hygiene, groomed hair and first impressions. Always make sure you are positively spotless and completely clean and fresh. Many times I've notice some extremely disgusting features on ones person and really couldn't get over them, don't let this happen to you. Here is a quickly checklist of things to keep your eyes open for:

• your breath - if you think it doesn't stink, think again, brush them again
• your hair - go to your regular stylist and get it trimmed nicely
• your face - shave it, wash it and never rush (sweat bead are a turnoff)
• your sweat - if you sweat a lot, take off your tie, jacket or coat just until you enter the door, also wash your hands while your waiting for your appointment.
• your eyes - make sure you don't have any EBB (Eye Ball Boogies)
• your teeth - poppy seed bagels are an interviewee's nightmare
• your pits - yes your arm pits, spray or deodorize them before stepping near the office
• your nose - probably the most disgusting one, blow it, rub it, clean it and repeat until you are absolutely sure everything is out, this is a major turn off!!
• your nails - clip them, file them, clean them. When you pointing something out with your hands you don't want the car grease to show up under your nails.

All sarcasm aside, you really should care a lot about how you present yourself to others. Most of us do, but really don't pay attention to the fine things, the things that may stick in someone's head. Most of the above has been collected from about 12 years of personal experience in going to job interviews as well as holding them. Don't let the same mistakes happen to you as they did to me or others that I have see. This pretty much concludes the Combat Gear piece stay tuned for the rest of the series coming to you soon. And as always give us your feedback.

Mel Reyes