Interview beauty blunders - The real reason you're not getting that job
Your beauty regime now holds the key to securing that dream job, according to Debenhams’ Beauty Hall.
They say it takes 30 seconds for interviewers to make their minds up about a candidate, but it could be down to a set of beauty blunders many people aren’t even aware of, that makes or breaks an interview.
Chipped nails, split ends and smudged mascara top the list of cosmetic catastrophes that put interviewers off a candidate.
Untidy chipped nail polish is a complete no-no, with interviewers rating it their worst beauty blunder, and the first thing they notice as they shake hands upon arrival.
Split ends indicate laziness, while smudged mascara is the true sign of a party animal who would quite happily ditch the boardroom for the bar.
A slick of bright red lipstick, heavily pencilled brows and overpowering perfume reveal an overconfident personality. Fake tan implies the candidate loves a holiday and would swap reports for Ray-bans given half a chance.
A worrying absence of mascara hints at a potential emotional wreck who wastes no time in putting on what will inevitably be cried off within a couple of hours.
The common ‘lipstick on teeth’ scenario automatically implies carelessness, while a strong line of foundation highlights a lack of attention to detail. Far from being alluring and mysterious, a drawn on fake beauty spot makes an interviewer doubt the honesty of a candidate.
But it seems women cannot win – an immaculately made-up face tells the interviewer to watch out for their job, as this candidate means business and is probably going to be hot on their heels for the next promotion.
Debenhams Beauty Director Sara Stern says: “Clearly the application of make-up and fragrance is just as important as making sure your outfit is clean and ironed ahead of an interview. It seems a more natural-looking middle ground is the way to go for sure-fire success.”
List of beauty blunders are:
Most hated beauty blunders - What they see - What they think
24% Chipped nails - Nervous/unprepared
19% Split ends - Lazy
17% Smudged mascara - Party animal
13% Fake tan - Loves a holiday
7% Bright red lipstick - Power crazy
5% Heavily pencilled brows - Too confident/cocky
4% Overpowering perfume - Attention seeker
3% Lipstick on teeth - Careless
3% No mascara - Emotional wreck
2% Line of foundation - Lack of attention to detail
2% Drawn on beauty spot - Untruthful
1% 100% immaculate - Gunning for boss’s job
Now is the time to perfect your professional look as Debenhams Beauty Club is currently offering 1000 bonus points when you spend £50 on beauty and fragrance between 1 and 21 October 2012.