Comments on: Job Search Tips – Job Seekers Iron Out the Wrinkles

By: Tiffany Willis

Tiffany Willis — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:49:36 +0000

Hi Jessica! At Great Job! we do webinars on various job search topics, and a question/concern that comes up in nearly every webinar is the “age” issue. I'd love to see some tips and strategies for working with one's age and learning to push it forward as a strength. Stability, wisdom, experience…What can an older worker bring to the table, and how can they communicate that?

By: Tiffany Willis

Tiffany Willis — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:49:36 +0000

By: DC Jobs

DC Jobs — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:51:46 +0000

I think working on looking your best is good advice up to a point after which it becomes unhealthy. If you'd like to get a nice haircut, spend extra time grooming, or spend time studying style magazines to improve your look, I think those all could be valuable investments.

Hearing the some people might be considering Botox or plastic surgery as part of their job search strategy makes me sad. I think it's because it shows that people have been tricked into thinking that there is something wrong with them that needs to be fixed, and this belief has led them to take drastic measures to alter their bodies.

In truth, the problems people are facing in the job market are a symptom of the fact that there is something wrong with our society and our economy. That is where the root of the problem lies, and that is the only place any meaningful fix can affect change.

By: jessicamillermerrell

jessicamillermerrell — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:21:29 +0000

Jim,

Thanks for the response. Botox and these physical enhancements are not just about looking younger but feeling better and more confident about who you are and what you do. This can translate into a confident and smooth interview. People are often extremely self conscious. For some, Botox is no different than are current hair style or a freshly pressed suit.

I work and speak with many candidates who feel as though their appearance makes them less attractive to an employer. The fact remains that judgements are made not only by what we hear but also what we see. Consider the job search much like dating and courting. Putting your best foot forward is all about making a great impression.

Thanks for the comment!

Jessica

@blogging4jobs

By: jimarmstrong87

jimarmstrong87 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:23:43 +0000

I respect the fact that you wrote about a topic many others would have avoided. With that being said, I think that botox or any other cosmetic surgery is an absolute waste of time and money for a job applicant. If an employer is going to bypass a candidate because he/she looks 5-8 years older than their desired age range, than that person may be better off working for a company who values him/her as a person, not for how he/she looks. This seems like a quick fix strategy (a hallmark of Gen Y) and not a decision that will have many discernible benefits.