In today’s business climate, with unemployment at all-time high, you can run the risk of trying to be someone else. Judy Garland said it the best, “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of the second rate version of someone else.”

Begin to take inventory of what is it that you want and how you want to come across in an interview. The basics do not change. They are to engage your interviewer and be honest in your communications.

If something does not sound right, ask a question to confirm you understand what is being said. In other words, what you hear is what it means to you. Keep these things in mind and you will be a first rate version of yourself.

When you are attending an event as couple, the person who has the tie-in to the event is the one to determine when to leave. The rule of thumb is that the time to exit and who suggests it to the host should be discussed before the event.

Also, do not depart in a herd. This means to wait and give the host space to properly say good bye. Follow these guidelines and you will always exit gracefully.

Carrying personal calling cards appears to be a new practice for many. But, what should be on it? Should it be a simple card or contain a design? If you have a second career or hobby should the personal card reflect it?

A card also provides information so the recipient of the card has information on how to contact you. Miss Manner’s recent advice is that the simpler, the better. Design the card with the end in mind.

If you use the card for contact information only, you can choose a different color paper or ink to jazz it up. Of course, or you can never go wrong with black print and white stock. A quality appearance is important.

If the card reflects something you are promoting, it should contain information about the product or service. The bottom line is that a personal calling card should describe what you want the recipient to know about you.

This is a client comment: “I could not get over what an inch or two off my sleeve or the length of my top did to make me look thinner.”

These are the five areas where an inch really does matter:

• Sleeve length
• Sleeve width
• Jacket length
• Letting out or bringing in at the waist of a top or jacket
• Adding a half-inch pad to the shoulder

So remember an inch can be a tipping point to appearing thinner instead of wider.

These are the common clothing mistakes that add weight to women.
 
Avoid:
• Pleats on pants, they will add inches to your stomach. 
• Ruffles anywhere because they add volume.
• Bulky fabrics. Chose closely knitted fabrics, instead.
• Wide horizontal stripes – they will make you look wide!
• Wide belts – thin ones are better.
• Raglan sleeves – they will make you look like a football player.

Follow these tips when deciding on your new clothing choices and you will be removing weight from your body shape.

Have you ever selected clothing items because you like the color or the style on the hanger but when you put the clothing on, it does not fit or it makes you look bigger than you are?

Here are some wardrobe tips to enhance your body:

• Top heavy – like a stalk of broccoli. Good choices: tailored jackets and V-neck tops will slim you. Bad choices: fussy tops and big prints.

• Middle heavy –like the cauliflower. Good choices: Wrap style dresses and blouses (blouses ending below your stomach). Bad choices: Short jackets. Stay away from anything that will draw attention to your waist.

• Bottom heavy- like the turnip. Good choices: A-line skirts and maxi style dresses (that flow slightly under your bust). Bad choices: blousy tops and flowing skirts.

When you look in the mirror and the first impression you feel is that it does not look good, don’t buy it. If you are nervous about it, bring a friend who has a good eye.

The question keeps coming up for women – do I have to wear hose?  Of course, the answer is obvious if it is cold outside (around 40 or below), wear stockings. It is when the weather gets very warm, you have nice tan legs and they do not look too fleshy that you can opt not to wear hose.  However, if you are making a major presentation and wearing a skirt, hose would be more appropriate.

Too many times pictures of folks on their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles do not look like them. Your photo needs to be a professional one – not a glamour shot you cannot live up to.

For example, make sure the picture shows you wearing your hair as you usually do. For women, if you typically don’t wear make-up, be sure the photo gives the appearance of natural makeup—not too heavy.

The only item you can fudge is glasses. You don’t need to have a photo with them on if you only wear them occasionally. But I do recommend you eventually have photos taken with glasses if you wear them all the time.

Overall, make sure your online profile picture looks like you.

There are many style shirts for both men and women that can be worn out and look very appropriate. The key is to know when it works professionally.

When going out casually men have worn shirts out as it is the very hip style these days. However, for professional situations the shirt should always be tucked in. For women, wearing a shirt out has become very acceptable. Make sure the length keeps it neat and to the body proportions (above the hip line) and that the shirt cuts straight across the bottom.

In a recent Jay Leno show a Republican presidential candidate was the guest. Jay is an easy interviewer and a moderate Republican so it seemed like the guest should have been comfortable. Instead, he was very wooden and stiff. His posture shouted: I am uncomfortable and not too likable.

Not everyone is going to have a natural ease about themselves. However if you are going be in the public eye, practice and exercise your body so you convey a fluidness and ease in front of the public.

Here a few suggestions:
• If you can take a workshop, I highly recommend an improv class (I took one and it helped me tremendously)
• Stretch before you present or are going to be interviewed
• Take a dance or yoga class

I firmly believe the folks who can appear naturally relaxed in front of an audience practice it. Plus, a few fortunate ones probably began speaking early in front of an audience. Avoid being perceived as wooden. It takes so much work to change that perception.