Daily Career Connection

Now that we’ve finally gotten through this interminable election cycle, I’d like to take one phrase you’ve likely heard more than once and examine it from an employment perspective.

“He looks presidential.”

What does that mean?

It’s all about intangibles. It has to do with the manner the candidate carries himself. How he speaks. How effectively he exudes confidence.

Add to that the simple matter of visual appeal. Television has everything to do with this one. The one who looks better on camera tends to do better than his opponent.

You’re probably familiar with the post-mortem of the 1960 presidential debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Those who listened via radio felt that Nixon won handily; on the other hand, those who watched on television thought Kennedy came out on top.

When you review the visuals and see that Nixon was perspiring under the hot lights – but Kennedy wasn’t – you can see that one candidate clearly looked better than the other.

What kind of image do you project?

When you’re interviewing for a job – or when you’re pitching a prospective client, for that matter – how are you perceived by the person sitting across the table?

• Do you “look the part?”

• Do you project confidence (not arrogance…confidence)?

• Are you able to easily engage the other person?

• Do you fidget?

• How’s your posture?

• Do you maintain good eye contact?

• What are you wearing…and how well do you wear it?

• Are you smiling?

Of course, there needs to be substance behind the façade. You need the credentials to back up the visual you’re presenting to the world to achieve long-term success. But it’s those intangibles that will get the other person to take notice and listen to what you have to say.