By Merrick Andrews,
Youth Writer
STILL LOOKING for that dream job? Maybe you're still on the job-seeking trail because of the '70s plaid suit you wear to every interview. Or could it be the Jansport you wore on your back last time though you were properly attired in shirt and tie.
Have you dyed your hair lately? It may be that the reddish hue you were hoping for is more like orange carrot. Or is it that your mother was right after all that skirt was truly way too short.
Don't panic, we have tips from the experts on how to dress for the job.
Job-hunting is no joke. It's not the right time to experiment with that skirt meant for clubbing. Dirty shoes are also a no-no and the platinum blonde dyed look won't cut it. Some young people forget or don't realise that what's cool on the streets or party gathers can be a turn off to their potential bosses.
We know, we spoke to some of them. They identified dressing properly and speaking well as two of the key areas in landing the job.
This is what some of the bosses have to say about their experience interviewing young people:
Desnoes and Geddes
Beverly Madden, Human Resource Advisor, recalls one public holiday when a 17-year-old boy from a prominent high school in St. Catherine came in for an interview, seeking a job in mechanics.
"Based on how he spoke in the interview I wondered if he actually went to his English classes in school because he spoke very little English. For the most part he spoke patois. It was just poor. Then he was wearing his school uniform. But there were other instances when he actually came in looking quite dirty.
Even during the day when he came in for lunch, or tickets or to ask questions he was just exceptionally dirty. The only reason he got the job was because his school asked us to take on some students for the experience."
Union Bank
Marjorie Burke, Human Resource Department:
She recalls interviewing two men in particular.
"I can remember one young gentleman. He was neatly dressed, clean and everything, but he looked more like he was going to a disco party. He was not appropriately dressed for the occasion he wore no sober colours. He had on a black suede shoes with a silver thing across the front, it resembled an embroidery one of those things that you would probably stitch down on clothing. The tie was black and white diamond, the pants was black and white plaid. He was seeking a Teller job.
I also remember a teenage gentleman coming to an interview with a knapsack on his back. He was a very young fellow... probably it was just a habit for him to have the knapsack on. He didn't do the interview with it but before he'd had it on both shoulders..."
National Commercial Bank (NCB)
An employee of the National Commercial Bank's (NCB), Human Resource Department on teenage job seekers:
"His shoes were so dirty, his clothes were crushed up. He was about 19. Most times they have no working experience. Some of them don't have the parents to say don't leave the house like this, they leave on their own. We had a young lady who came with her skirt so short, that when she sat down you could see underneath her. You have many young people who come here looking shabby. I don't know why they are so untidy. Most of them are teenagers. The males have their ears pierced and sometimes the women come in with the coloured braids."
