HR & Management Opinion South Africa

[BizCareers] First and last impressions...

This week we advise on what to wear to an interview, as well as how to resign without burning bridges.

Hi Juliette,

I am a graduate going for my first interview this week. What should I wear in order to make a good impression? - Heather

Hi Heather,

Dress for success! When you look good, you feel good. No matter what role you are interviewing for, you should always dress professionally. It is best to wear darker, more neutral colours such as black; grey; navy blue etc.

Men have a choice of either wearing a full suit, or opting between a jacket and tie. Being well groomed is also important. Pay attention to the finer details such as polishing your shoes, having clean hands and nails and taking a breath freshener before your interview, especially if you are a smoker.

Ladies have more freedom in this regard having more clothing options. However, making sure that you look neat and formal is key in the interview process. High heels, make-up and neat hair are finishing touches to a corporate look. Remember, the most important part of any outfit is confidence.

Best of luck for your interview!

Good day Juliette,

I am actively on the job market as I am not happy at my current employer. How do I resign from my current position without burning bridges? - Samuel

Hi Samuel,

This is a great question that is extremely relevant to every candidate that is on the market for a new position. Of course, nobody wants to leave a company on bad terms; however there is always a strong possibility that your employer will see an employees resignation in a negative light. The relationship that you have with your employer will also play a large role in their reaction to your resignation.

It would be best to be as professional as possible, handing in a formal resignation letter and taking part in an exit interview to explain your reasons for wanting to leave their organisation. An exit interview is a 'must' when resigning, in order to put all cards on the table and ensure that both the employer and the employee address any issues at hand.

Keep in mind that you will have to work in your notice and you do not want to do so in a hostile environment due to handling your resignation with a lack of professionalism.

Make sure that you deliver the same quality of work in your last days at the organisation, making sure that you do not leave on a bad note or get perceived as an idler.

Best of luck, Samuel!

Remember to Always Love What You Do!
Juliette

Email your questions for publication on Bizcommunity to moc.ytinummoczib@snoitseuqreerac.

Please note:

  • To see your questions answered in the BizCareers Column, please word your recruitment, job or career queries carefully, paying special attention to spelling and grammar.
  • Answers and advice provided will be based on your questions/industry issues, so the more complete and the more accurate your questions, the better. Answers will only be provided through Bizcommunity.com and not as direct responses from Juliette Attwell.
  • The answers provided to questions submitted by readers will be based on the content of questions themselves, current recruitment practices and current legislation in force at the time of writing, and are intended as advisory only and such advice is provided in good faith.
  • Readers' questions are submitted on the basis that neither Juliette Attwell, Recruit Group, Bizcommunity.com, their management nor associates may be held liable in any manner whatsoever for any consequences that might result from the correspondence following the advice provided. Juliette Attwell, Recruit Group, Bizcommunity.com, their management or associates shall under no circumstances be held liable for any error in responses provided in this column as to the references of the candidate, relating to his or her qualifications, skills, personality and experience; as to the compliance with the various legal and medical requirements relating to the performance, by the candidate, of his or her work, or any consequence whatsoever connected to the use of false/incomplete information.

About Juliette Attwell

Juliette Attwell is Head of Marketing & Operations at Recruitgroup. Recruitgroup has won Careerjunction Recruiter of the Year in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as well as Fast Growth Business of the Year at the National Business Awards 2014. Juliette holds a Bcom Honours in Marketing Management and is the resident "agony aunt" on the BizCareers Column, she was also a finalist in the Top Young Executive at the National Business Awards 2014.
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