After being an interviewer for ten years, I finally realized that what determines the first impression is not the resume, but a shirt without wrinkles.
If you ask me, what was the most unexpected gain from recruitment over the past ten years?
I wouldn't say "talent assessment model" or "behavioral interview method".
I would say:
A shirt that has been ironed with steam.
It sounds a bit outrageous, doesn't it?
I felt the same way before.
Until one day, I myself became that "person who looked very disheveled".
That unforgettable morning for me to this day
It happened on a typical Tuesday.
Not the kind of extraordinary day seen in movies, but an ordinary day that couldn't be more ordinary.
I have four interviews.
Two internal meetings.
And there was a sudden decision by a board member to "drop by to have a look at the candidates" as well.
Perfect.
I took out the shirt from the hotel closet.
Opened it.
-- All are folds.
Not the kind of small wrinkles.
It's the kind that, as soon as you see it, you immediately know:
"This piece of clothing was just pulled out of the suitcase."
I'm looking for an iron.
I've found it.
But the problem is:
It is either not hot,
or as hot as a volcano.
That morning, as I was struggling with it, I silently vowed to myself:
If I can survive and walk out of this room, I will definitely handle my clothes in a different way.
This is the reason why I later began to seriously study the iron steamers.
It's not because I suddenly became more refined.
Rather, it's because I don't want to experience that feeling of wanting to quit my job at 7:30 in the morning anymore.
After being an interviewer for a long time, you will come to realize a reality: People can judge you based on very small details.
Many people think that an interview is a one-way process.
The company examines the candidate.
Actually, it's not at all like that.
The candidate is also looking at you.
And they are looking very carefully.
They will pay attention to:
- Are you on time?
- Are you well-prepared?
- Do you seem like a reliable person?
And the fact that something "seems reliable" is often manifested as -
Has your clothing been treated seriously?
I'm not a fashion expert.
I don't even care much about brands.
But there is one thing that I care about very much:
Neat.
Why did I end up using the iron steamer almost every day later on?
It's not because I suddenly fell in love with housework.
Rather, it solves three very practical problems.
First: Time
The most valuable resource in the morning is not coffee.
It's time.
The problem with traditional irons is not that the effect is poor.
Rather, it is that the process is too lengthy.
You should:
- Find the ironing board
- Plug in
- Waiting
- Temperature control
- With great care and caution
And the steam method is more like:
Open → Wait for several seconds → Process → Go out
This is not a technological upgrade.
This is an upgrade in the efficiency of life.
Second: Sense of security
If you have ever ruined a nice piece of clothing, you surely understand this feeling.
I once ironed a shiny mark on the cuff of a woolen suit.
That mark could not be removed no matter how hard I washed it.
Just like the awkward memories of adolescence.
It will always exist.
Since then, I have developed some kind of psychological fear towards high-temperature equipment.
And the logic of steam is completely different.
It's not a pressure relief tool.
It's a relaxation fabric.
It sounds very gentle.
And it is indeed gentler when used.
Third: Predictability
The thing that I hate the most is:
The equipment works well today, but gets angry tomorrow.
Especially when in a hurry.
A stable tool will help you remain calm.
This may sound insignificant, but the impact is huge.
Only after the business trip did I truly understand the value of the portable iron steamers.
If you often travel, you must know a rule:
Luggage box = Wrinkle maker
No matter how you fold the clothes.
No matter how you arrange them.
As soon as the plane touched down,
the clothes seemed to have experienced an earthquake.
Previously, I relied on the hotel's facilities.
Later I realized that this was a form of gambling.
Some hotels are very good.
Some hotels -
I suspect that that iron was left over from 1998.
So now, I will bring a small steam device of my own.
The space it occupies is roughly the same as that of a pair of sports shoes.
But the sense of security it provides is much greater than that of a pair of sports shoes.
When choosing tools, I am actually very picky (perhaps it's a professional trait)
The recruiters have a bad habit:
We like to evaluate everything.
Including electrical appliances.
I have tried approximately six or seven different types of steam equipment.
The ones that remained usually met several criteria.
The startup speed must be fast.
If I need to wait for more than two minutes.
I would start using my phone.
Then I would be late.
This is human nature.
The weight must be reasonable.
If a device is too heavy, you won't take it with you when going out.
This is physics.
The feel must be simple.
I don't want to study buttons.
I have been studying the candidates every day.
Don't make the cleaning process troublesome
If something is difficult to maintain, sooner or later you will give it up.
Just like a treadmill.
(You know what I'm saying)
Regarding Nesugar: I first heard this name during a very ordinary office chat.
It is not an advertisement.
It is not a promotion.
It's just casual chatting among colleagues.
At that time, we were discussing:
"Is there any kind of steam equipment that is truly suitable for business trips?"
One of my colleagues said:
Recently, I've been using a device called Nesugar, which is quite lightweight.
I remember this name.
Later, I checked it myself and found that this brand places great emphasis on lightweight and portability in its design.
This point is actually very crucial.
Because most people are not unwilling to organize their clothes.
Rather, they find the process too troublesome.
A well-designed tool will make this matter happen naturally.
Just like putting the trash can where it's conveniently accessible.
You would prefer to use it.
My actual daily routine is something like this
There are no tricks.
There are no secrets.
It was just an ordinary morning for an office worker.
Step 1
I hung up the shirt.
Not placed on the bed.
Not laid on the table.
Hang it up.
Step 2
Add water and turn on the equipment
It's usually ready in less than a minute.
During this period of time, I will brush my teeth.
Step 3
Start moving from the shoulders downwards.
Slow down.
Don't worry.
Step 4
Gently smooth out the fabric with your hands
Just like smoothing out a piece of paper.
Step 5
Turn off the machine and drain the water.
This step is often overlooked by many people.
But it really can extend the lifespan of the equipment.
As an interviewer, I have witnessed too many cases where someone was otherwise excellent but failed due to poor attention to details.
Once, I interviewed a very talented engineer.
The resume is very strong.
The project experience is also very solid.
The communication skills are good.
But his shirt was clearly put on directly from the bag without being unfolded first.
I won't judge a person based on this.
Absolutely not.
But I will subconsciously feel:
He was a little rushed today.
In highly competitive positions,
this feeling can sometimes affect one's judgment.
This is very realistic.
It's also very considerate.
I would like to offer a very straightforward piece of advice to job seekers.
Not about interview skills.
Not about salary negotiations.
Rather, it is a very basic thing.
Make sure your clothes are tidy.
No need for expensiveness.
No need for fashion.
Just need:
- Clean
- Fit
- No obvious wrinkles
That's enough.
Really.
An unexpected discovery of mine: Neatness can affect one's mood.
This is not a piece of comforting nonsense.
This is my daily real experience.
When I was getting ready in the morning:
I am calmer
I am more focused
I am more patient
And when I was in a state of chaos from the very beginning:
I will become more irritable
More likely to forget things
More prone to being late
The clothes themselves do not have magic.
But a smooth process will change your state.
Who is the most suitable person to use an iron steamer? These are the types of people I have observed.
If you fall into one of these categories, it might be able to help you.
People who frequently attend interviews or meet clients
For example:
Recruitment Manager
Sales
Consultant
Lawyer
You represent not just yourself.
People who frequently travel on business
Airport
Hotel
Meeting
When you add up these three things,
it basically amounts to:
Fold
People living in small spaces
If you live in:
Apartment
Studio
Dormitory
You may not have a place to put the ironing board.
People who dislike dealing with troubles
To be honest, this is the largest category of people.
Including me.
Finally, a very straightforward conclusion
An ironing machine is not a necessity for daily life.
Just like a dishwasher.
Just like wireless headphones.
Just like an automatic coffee machine.
You can do without it.
But once you get used to it, you won't really want to go back.
If you ask me, what is the most practical piece of advice from my ten years of interview experience?
I won't say "Get ready with the answer".
I would say:
Handle the details properly.
Because in many cases,
what truly determines the first impression is not what you said,
Rather, it's whether you seem to be ready or not.
