When Presentation Counts: Grooming, Dressing and Body Language

Gr 9 Up—You only get one chance to make a first impression. This lively program reviews the importance of maintaining clean hands, teeth, hair, and skin and has helpful hygiene tips given in a nonjudgmental and mature style. A makeup artist demonstrates how to cover up tattoos where they may not be suitable and a dental hygienist talks about brushing your tongue to eliminate bad breath, a sure turn off in a job interview. Simple hairstyling and makeup tips are demonstrated. Several points are made in clear, concise fashion that students will remember, such as "casual shouldn't mean sloppy" and you should look "clean, coordinated, professional, and wrinkle free." The film is up to date and includes examples relevant to today's teens, such as piercing, tattoos, and distractions such as cell phones. Although taking a shower and brushing your teeth may seem obvious, it can't hurt to show this film to remind students about the importance of proper hygiene. In a very tight job market, any pointers to help improve someone's chances for getting the position they want should not be overlooked. The two-page teaching guide includes vocabulary and helpful role-play exercises.—Ellen Frank, Jamaica High School, Queens, NY