I respectfully disagree and think a session with an image consultant can be beneficial. After being flat out told I needed a makeover, I swallowed my pride and hired an image consultant. She really helped me. I'm overweight, and already had a pretty good sense of what to wear to look my best but she gave me some tips on styles and fabrics that I never would have thought of. We also spent a lot of time on colours, as it turned out I'd been wearing a lot of the colours that weren't best for my skin tone and hair. I could see real differences in how my face looked, just based on what colour was wrapped around my neck. But the biggest thing for me was makeup. I've never worn makeup, but she convinced me to try a little eye makeup and lipstick, and showed me how to apply it properly. I wear very little, but I'm getting huge compliments from everyone on how great I look, and that I look younger and more alive. So for me it was worth it - the job market is a war zone, and if wearing makeup helps me get a job, I'll wear makeup.

The other thing I'm finding is people definitely do prefer to hire people who are currently working. I've been unemployed now for over a year, except for a 2 month stint in a job that didn't work out, and so isn't on my resume. But this past summer, I got a part time job teaching at accounting in continuing ed at a university. As soon as I put that on my resume, I started getting more hits with my resume.

And if you have extended periods of unemployment on your resume, make sure you're prepared to explain them in a way that doesn't send off any red flags for employers.

splitimage