Is Your Poor Image Blocking Your Promotion?

When you were interviewing for the job, you dressed up and paid extra attention to your grooming. But after you had the job for a while, did your grooming regimen take a vacation? If so, the lack of attention to your appearance could be blocking your climb up the corporate ladder!

According to a survey by Careerbuilder.com, employers have identified the personal attributes that would make an employee less appealing for a promotion. Bad breath, unkempt clothes, piercings and visible tattoos topped the list.

CareerBuilder said bosses look at the whole package – not just strong performance and leadership skills – when it comes to promoting successful employees. Employers want to promote employees who have a professional image on the inside and the outside.

The top 10 personal attributes employers say would make them less likely to extend a promotion include:

1. Piercings (cited by 37 percent of employers)

2. Bad breath (34 percent)

3. (tie) Visible tattoo (31 percent)

3. (tie) Often wears wrinkled clothes (31 percent)

4. Messy hair (29 percent)

5. Dresses too casually (28 percent)

6. Too much perfume/cologne (26 percent)

7. Too much makeup (22 percent)

8. Messy office or cubicle (19 percent)

9. Chewed fingernails (10 percent)

10. Too suntanned (4 percent)


Your boss probably won't tell you, but now you know. So, check yourself before you wreck yourself… and your career!


The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive among 2,878 hiring managers (non-government) across industries.

Resolving to Lose Weight? Skip the Charade!

It's December. The end of another year. Time to review what we accomplished. What lingers on our to-do list. And, yes... what we resolve to do next year.

I hate this part of the holidays. Just call me The Grinch Who Stole New Year's.

Each year I used to resolve to eat more fruits and vegetables (and fewer fries); drink more water (and less soda and coffee); and exercise at least three times a week.

It never happened.

So I finally dropped the charade of a new year's diet. You should, too.

Why?

Every January millions resolve to lose weight and/or get in shape, after which they plan to buy new clothes and pay more attention to their appearance. Many even join fitness clubs and put forth a valiant effort... for about six weeks or so.

By spring, most of those resolutions have been abandoned, and trips to the gym have dwindled or stopped entirely. This, of course, means they never get to the second part of the plan... the part where they buy new clothes and pay attention to their appearance. As a result, they spend the remainder of the new year looking (and feeling) just as bad as the year before.

I propose that we all skip the weight-loss charade! Stop kidding ourselves that we are going to exercise diligently and lose weight at the beginning of the year. There is nothing magical or special about the month of January. (I mean, you could have started last May. Or August. What was wrong with October? See.)

Instead of postponing 'looking better,' I say begin where you are right now. Instead of signing a contract for a gym membership (that you are likely to abandon), you should spend the money on a couple of new outfits in your current size.

"But I'm fat!," you say. Yes, you are. I won't lie to you. But stick with me; the brilliance of my plan is about to come through!

Wearing clothes that fit well and are flattering - regardless of your size - will have a positive influence on your outlook. Your family, friends and co-workers will notice, and compliment you. The compliments will serve as motivation to lose weight.

Soon you will think, "If I look this good in a size XXX, imagine how much better I will look if I diet and exercise and get down to a size X!"

I know this works. Last year one of my clients was struggling with her weight and was not in the mood to do anything about it. After I helped her get some new clothes (in her size at the time), she was energized and motivated to begin a diet and exercise program. Today she has lost weight and a few dress sizes, her confidence is back, and she looks and feels amazing!

You can do it, too.

So, out with the old resolution to lose weight first. Start looking your best where you are RIGHT NOW. By spring - when the fitness centers are empty again - you can begin making your outside look as good as you feel inside.

Cheers!