Professional look key for interview success ■ Dressing up, being well-groomed and having a positive attitude are vital to a successful interview. Editor’s note: Because ofa produc tion error, this story did not run in its entirety Oct. 8 in the Career Guide. By Derek Ldppincoit Staffwriter When it comes to interviewing for a job, the same rales apply anywhere you go. No jeans. No tennis shoes. No 5 o’clock shadow. Clip your fingernails. Wipe the crust out of your eyes. Overall, do anything to yourself that would bring across a better first impres sion. Christine Cox, ladies department manager and agenda consultant of Stein Mart, 200 N. 66th St., said that a good first impression is the most important part of interviewing for a job. “Most interviewers make up their minds in the first 10 seconds whether you’re a viable candidate or not,” Cox said. “First impressions are by far the most important.” Kevin Wibbels, supervisor of sec ondary education for Lincoln Public Schools, agreed. “When I interview someone, I’ve always believed that this is probably the best I’ll ever see them look,” Wibbels said. “If they don’t look very impressive during the interview, I have to wonder how they will look on the job.” Cox said there is one golden rule to dressing for interviews. “You should always dress one level above the job’s dress code,” Cox said. “You can’t really look too professional.” Aside from clothing, grooming is also important. Cox said she discour ages anything contradicting the tradi tional styles. “You should be well-groomed and more on the traditional side,” Cox said. “You want the employer to notice you and not your hair or your makeup.” Wibbels said long hair is OK as long as it is groomed and maintained. “Extremes can attract attention,” Wibbels said. “But I’ve seen some women with really short hair that look very professional, and I’ve seen some men with long hair in a ponytail that look very professional.” Aside from dressing up and groom ing, perhaps another step to take when preparing for an interview is taking out any body piercings and covering up any tattoos. Although both are becoming more common, employers may not recognize them as being professional, Wibbels said. “Depending on the situation, most piercings you can take out,” he said. “And when people dress up in business attire, in most cases tattoos are no longer ' visible.” / Ambree Tucker recently completed an interview with Stein Mart and was hired as department manager of gifts. She said having professional clothes and a clean appearance aren’t the only things to pay attention to when inter viewing for a job. “Look cheerful,” Tucker said. W 1 ■ ■ I I ■ * ■ I NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED ■ Most brands are available. mmh& N St 476-9466 " SERVICE ■ I ■ ■ I ■ I Coupon expires ■ Dec. 15,1999 ■ Mon-FriTto 6 I Sat 8-4 ■ *raman ■■■■■ nal.l tiiTiUI IllllClllal I Dbpoal Fee IncL i ■ mm ■ M □ Allied Insurance r of Nationwide Insurance Allied Insurance, a Member of Nationwide Insurance, is seeking college graduates interested in beginning their career in the insurance industry. No prior insurance experience is required. Allied offers a full range of training and education activities, including one of the best initial training programs in the industry; our Basic Career School. We’re a company that believes in rewarding the outstanding efforts of our employees. In addition to a competitive salary and exceptional growth potential, we offer an extensive and flexible benefits package. Come visit our booth at the Career Fair on October 12th. We look forward to meeting you! Allied Insurance*700 N. Cotner* Lincoln, NE 68505 An equal opportunity employer ...committed to a diverse wraMa ce I l| Have you spent more time planning your vacation than your Retirement? —Peter Lynch Do you know if your retirement plan is on track? Your Fidelity Investments* representative will be available by appointment to discuss any questions you may have related to your University of Nebraska Retirement Plan. Tuesday and Wednesday, October 19 & 20,1999 Call Today: 1-800-642-7131 to schedule your one-on-one consultation Fidelity* is committed to helping you achieve your retirement goals. We look forward to meeting with you. FMmtiiy 0 Investments ■* 5i 87657 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109 Fair offers students career opportunities From staff reports The University of Nebraska Lincoln Career Services Center is holding its annual Careei Connections career fair today. More than 150 companies and 75 graduate programs will be represent ed at the fair, which will start at 9:3C a.m. and end at 3 p.m. It will be held in the Bob Devaney M : Sports Center. Students and alumni can attend to circulate their resumes, pick up busi ness cards and talk to employers face to face. Participating companies and graduate programs will be giving away prizes, as well. The fair is sponsored by the College Placement Association of Nebraska and UNL’s Office of Graduate Studies. Falwell to gays: Give up homosexuality SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Gay activists hissed, booed and screamed Monday as the Rev. Jerry Falwell lec tured via satellite to a group of gays and lesbians about giving up homo sexuality. One member of ACT UP San Francisco threw a blueberry pie at a member of the group that organized Falwell’s speech from Lynchburg, Va., to about 60 people in a building in Golden Gate Park. Christian bigots out of our city, cried Josh Trenter, who was hauled away by police after allegedly tossing the pie. He ancf another member of his gay rights group were cited for battery and released. “God loves you and so do I,” Falwell told the audience. “Just as people can come out of the closet, so can people choose to come out against a sinful lifestyle.” Michael Johnston, the pie’s intended target, said he walked away from relationships with men after testing positive for HIV in 1986. “If we really believe what we say we believe, it would be hateful not to reach out and share the Christian gospel with these people.” Johnston said.