Impression management

Applied to real life

Impression management
 Behaving in ways so
that others perceive
us how we want to
be perceived
How to do it - positively
 Self descriptions (personal characteristics)
 Conformity (agree with someone for approval)
 Accounts (give excuses, justifications)
 Apologies (admit and ask forgiveness)
 Acclaiming (taking credit)
 Flattery (saying nice things make yourself likable)
 Favors (doing something nice – tit for tat?)
Does IM work?
 Study:applicants for
customer-service
position used IM
techniques
 Researchers: it was
IM techniques, not
qualifications that
impressed
interviewers.
Job Search
Can you do the job?
Will you do the job?
Will you fit in?

Measured by everything -
What you write, say, do.
Effective resumes, interviews
 Value-adding job-related qualifications,
potential
 What you did.
 How well you did it.
 The past is the best predictor of future
success
 Think: quantity, scope, difficulty, complexity,
trust, initiative, results….
QUALITY
Example
XYZ fraternity/sorority
• Fundraising chair. Responsible for all
activities related to raising funds for
philanthropic activities of the house.

• Fundraising chair. Coordinated efforts of

six member team. Planned and managed
three events which raised $7,000, a 50%
increase over previous year.
Example
 Oregon State University
BA Business with minors in Communication
and Psychology. 3.17 GPA
Earned 100% of college expenses by
working and going to school - fulltime for
three years and part time for three years.
Resume: Value-added work experience
 Target to goal
 Focus on value and results – not just job
duties. Reenergized the ( ) by…
 Quantify results: recruited 12 new members;
managed $50,000 budget.
 Focus on accomplishments: what challenges
did you overcome? How did you approach the
challenge? What was the result?
 Include honors, awards, activities
Resume
Value- added work experience
 Make it readable
 Use both paragraphs (scope of responsibility) and
bullets (accomplishments)
 Use power words
 Be honest and ethical. Be able to provide
evidence or facts to support any assertions
 Make it professional – spell check, proof,
have a friend read and review
 Omit personal data
Resume objective (optional)
 A position that offers challenge and
opportunity for advancement

 A food technologist position to apply

skills in lab testing, quality assurance
and data base management
Cover letters
 Targeted to specific company and
position
 Focus on benefits company will receive
from your
 Technical
 Conceptual – transferrable
 Self-management - people skills
 Watch out for the “I’s”
Resources
 Sweaty Palms: the Neglected Art of
Being Interviewed, H. Anthony Medley
 What Color is Your Parachute, Richard
Nelson Bolles
 Resumes???? 100’s of new books