The document provides tips for grooming and personal appearance during a job interview. It recommends keeping hair short and neatly cut, grooming eyebrows, trimming or shaving facial hair, brushing teeth, wearing well-ironed and properly fitted clothing, clean and polished shoes appropriate for an interview, short and clean fingernails, minimal piercings and covered tattoos, and ensuring one's overall appearance makes a positive first impression within 15 seconds. The document was written by a retired US Marine who coaches on transitioning from the military to civilian jobs.

1. Ace Your Job Interview
Grooming 101
By Jaynine Howard, USMC (Ret), PhD(ABD)
910-539-2810 www.writetherightresume.com

2. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The need for this topic!
• I would like to think this topic didn’t need
discussed.
• However, after speaking with hiring managers I
know I need to address it. Your personal
appearance during the job interview matters.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

3. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Present You
In a positive manner!
• My tips below will help you present yourself in a
positive manner.
• Your resume got the door opened. Now, your
grooming needs to keep it open while you sell
you.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

4. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Let’s Take It From The Top!
Let’s start at the top and work downward.
1. Hair style – Keep it conservative. This goes for
both men and women unless you truly know
your industry standard. In a military community
they are going to be looking for a somewhat
short neatly cut tight to the head haircut for
men. If you have curly hair keep those curls
tamed.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

5. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Your Hair Styles
• Many of the people who will be interviewing you
are related somehow to the military and
resonate with short hair for men and
conservative for women.
• No date night hair styles ladies. Men, do not
show up looking like you just rolled out of bed
and didn’t own a comb.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

6. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The eyebrows
2. Eye brows – get them groomed.
 Men you need to get rid of the uni-brow.
Women make an effort to get yours
groomed too. Yes, the hiring manager is
noticing your eye brows.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

7. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Mustache
3. Mustache – ensure it is trimmed correctly. This
means that you may need to go to the barber
shop and get it trimmed.
If you are doing it yourself and you mess it up
then you need to be prepared to shave it off.
Ladies, get rid of your mustache too.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

8. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Beard
4. Beard – wear it neatly trimmed or shave
completely.
Most interviewers have said they do not like to
see a beard.
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9. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Teeth
5. Teeth – brush your teeth and invest in
whitening strips or a professional whitening kit.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

10. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Clothing
6. Clothing – ensure it fits correctly. Practice
sitting in your interview suit. Do your buttons
gape open?
 Are the pants too short? Are your socks tall
enough? Have someone critique you while
standing and sitting.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

11. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Clothing
 Also, take time to iron your clothing. Do not
wear fabric that will wrinkle while you drive or
that will get wrinkled from the seat belt.
 Ensure you have a lint roller in your car so you
can use it upon exiting your vehicle. Pet hair is
not an accessory.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

12. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Shoes
7. Shoes – ensure your shoes are clean, buffed or
polished and that the heels are not excessively
worn.
 If your shoes have laces then lace them. Make
sure the shoes are appropriate.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

13. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Shoes
• Do not wear sneakers with a suit. Open toed
shoes and sandals are typically a no no for the
interview even in the summer months.
• Don’t be too casual. This is an interview. A
professional appearance speaks volumes.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

14. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
The Fingernails
8. Fingernails – men keep your nails short and
clean.
Ladies keep the length of your nails and polish
conservative for the job interview.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

15. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Piercings and Tattoos
9. Piercings and tattoos – ladies one pair of
conservative earrings. Men leave the metal
home. Cover your tattoos.
 You will want to research the dress code policy
for the company to ensure what tattoos or
piercings are allowed once hired.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

16. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Your appearance
 Communication experts say it takes less than 15
seconds for someone to sum you up based on
your appearance.
 Make the most of the time by looking your best.
My nine tips for personal grooming will make
the interviewer stop, listen and take you
seriously.
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

17. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
About Me
• I’m your host Coach Jaynine
• I am a Retired United States Marine
• www.writetherightresume.com
• 910-539-2810
• Jaynine@coachjaynine.com
• Facebook Fan Page – Coach for the Military
• Twitter – uneedaresume
• Pinterest – CoachJaynine
• LinkedIn – Jaynine Ray-Howard
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved

18. Coaching The Military – From Military to Mainstream
Thank You
Copyright © 2013 Coach for the Military. All rights reserved