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Employers Frown on Poor Appearance, Wacky Interview Attire, and limp Handshakes BETHLEHEM, PA—Can having a lousy hand shake knock you out of the running for a job? Well, maybe, according to employers respond ing to Job Outlook 2001, an annual survey of employers' hiring intentions as they relate to new college graduates. The study is conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Employers were given a list of 10 physi • obvious tattoos (2.0) • body piercing (2.0) • unusual hairstyles (1.9) • earrings on male recruits (1.6) • beard (1.2) • mustache (1.1) (See Figure 1.) Ironically, a candidate's handshake which has no visual impact came out higher on the influence scale than more in-your-face attributes such as body piercing, obvious tat toos, and unusual hair styles? That doesn't mean new college gradu ates should feel free to sport mutton chops to j an interview; nor does it mean that an employ er will automatically nix a candidate who has an ankle embellished with a butterfly. We found that, for 28 percent of the respondents, all of the, items we listed had a strong influence on their opinion of job candi dates. At the same time, another 28 percent said nothing on the list influenced them, says Mackes. The best advice for new college grad uates: Err on the side of caution. The Job Outlook survey is an annual forecast of the hiring'intentions of employers as they relate to new college graduates. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers surveys its employer members about hiring plans and other employment-relat ed issues. For Job Outlook 2001, NACE-sur veyed 1,756 of its employer members; 482, or 27 percent, responded. Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. NACE main tains a virtual press room for the media at http://www.naceweb.org/press/. Congratulations I are in order! I We're proud to salute the gradu ating class of 2001. As you look to the future, look into the Apple Cold Croup, one of the nation's largest Applebee's franchises. In the North Carolina market, we have outstanding opportu nities for quality-driven people like you to create real success. Join our Restaurant Management Team • Intensive training • Complete benefits package • Advancement opportunities • Aggressive development plan • Supportive environment • Learning organization I Visit our booth at JobFest 2001. Fax: 704-660-7827 or email: Linda_Shoaf@nc.prestige.net Equal Opportunity Employer Neighborhood gnii & Bar cal attributes and asked to indicate to what level each would influence their opinion of a candidates suitability for employment. "A candidate's overall appearance is most likely to give a potential employer pause,'1 says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. Grooming earned a 2.6 rating on a 3-point scale (where l=no influence, 2=slight influence, and 3=strong influence). Employers also indicated • nontraditional interview attire (2.3) • handshake (2.1) • nontraditional hair color (2.0) Where is it written that a job and a life can't coexist? With Randstad, you don’t have to sacrifice your personal life for your job. We learn your skills, talents and ambitions, then represent and market you to thousands of employers to find the best job for you. Randstad offers: • Custom matching and career'development • Top opportunities at Columbia's bet companies • Excellent pay and extensive benefits Now hiring for: • Data Entry • Accounting • Telemarketing • Clerical • Supervisors • Management Trainees ^ • Executive Assistants • Customer Service Representatives ^ Find balance. Give us a call today to learn more about short-term, long-term and direct hire opportunities. EOE. 4 877.922.2468 i www.us.randstad.com A m A brighter way to a better job.