A Career in Image Consulting
You might have seen them while watching TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or What Not to Wear. Or you might have heard that Martha Stewart needed them to give her advice on how to look sympathetic to a jury.
We're talking about Image Consultants, and they have one of the hottest new businesses today.
Also known by such titles as wardrobe consultant, fashion stylist, or makeover consultant, image consultants are paid to show people how to create a fabulous impression. They might recommend wearing different colors or new styles, go through closets to toss out clothing that isn't working, shop for a new wardrobe, and put together incredible outfits. They might advise a change of hairstyle, makeup, or grooming.
However, image is more than physical appearance. In addition to how someone looks, we also form impressions based on how someone talks and behaves. So image consultants may also advise people on their vocal communication (voice, grammar, vocabulary, etc.), non-verbal communication (handshakes, posture, eye contact, etc.) and etiquette ? from dining to cell phones.
Most image consultants also develop a network of strategic partners they can refer clients to, such as hair stylists, makeup artists, nutritionists, dentists, personal trainers, plastic surgeons, and voice coaches.
Image consultants offer the kind of advice that can help people land a job, get a promotion, find someone to love, or just feel good about themselves.
It's no wonder they are so well rewarded, typically earning at least $50 per hour advising individuals how to present a better image. A particularly lucrative avenue is presenting training programs for corporations. Image consultants can earn thousands of dollars a day teaching seminars on dressing professionally (including dos and don'ts for casual Fridays), telephone etiquette for customer service staff, communication skills for new supervisors, and other topics.
TIP: If you are one of the rare few who think image doesn't matter, try shopping at a fine store dressed in what you would normally wear to clean your basement or move furniture. Then visit the same store looking well-groomed and wearing your best suit. Chances are the staff will treat you quite differently!
The first step to becoming an image consultant is to decide what kind of services you want to offer. You could specialize in wardrobe or fashion consulting, offer advice on communication skills and etiquette, or be a makeover consultant who gives feedback on "the whole package."
The next step is to get some experience. While there are a variety of books and training programs you can use to quickly learn the basics, nothing beats hands on experience. Offer free makeovers for friends and family members who will agree to let you take "before and after" photos. You can then put the photos in a portfolio or on a web site to help you get paying clients.
There are many types of clients who use the services of image consultants, including: women who want a new look, job-seekers, corporate executives and their spouses, beauty pageant contestants, lawyers and their clients, cancer survivors, television personalities, transgender individuals, politicians, and singles seeking a partner.
"It is a great time to get into the field," says celebrity image consultant Gloria Starr. A 20 year industry veteran who has helped shape the image of clients such as Destiny's Child, 3M, and Celebrity Cruise Lines, she shares expert advice on how to get started in the FabJob.com Guide to Becoming an Image Consultant.
"This is the busiest time in my 20-plus years. People are looking for the edge in business," says Starr. "Presenting themselves for success by dressing well and using appropriate business and dining skills opens the doors for greater recognition and success."
Is image consulting the right career for you?
- Skills that can help you succeed in this career are a strong visual sense as well as excellent communication skills. You must be able to diplomatically tell someone what they need to improve about their appearance.
- Image consulting is a service business so it doesn't require a large investment to get started.
- You can start part-time while working at another job.
- To be credible, you must have a professional image yourself.
Based on the FabJob.com Guide to Becoming an Image Consultant. The complete guide offers detailed information about how you can break into this career and get hired as an image consulting. It is available online through http://www.FabJob.com/imageconsultant.asp (NOTE TO EDITORS: This article may be edited for publication in your newsletter or on your website but must include the title of the guide and a live link.)
 Google News Updated : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:49:35 GMT US, Britain, and UN weigh options amid rising violence in ... - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor - By David Montero Against the backdrop of a string of suicide bombings in Pakistan, British, American, and United Nations officials are grappling with the idea of a negotiated settlement with the Taliban. UPDATE 1-Afghan govt denies Saudi meeting was peace talks Afghan official: no talks held with Taliban Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:09:17 GMT Fed creates commercial paper-buying facility - Reuters
Reuters - By Mark Felsenthal and Glenn Somerville WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday announced it would create a special-purpose facility, with the Treasury Department's blessing, to begin buying commercial paper in yet another emergency move ... Euro, Dollar Gain on Fed Move Fed to Purchase US Commercial Paper to Ease Crunch (Update1) Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:17:04 GMT The Ike Whitaker Saga - Washington Post
Washington Post - In case anyone missed Zach Berman's story in today's paper, Ike Whitaker appears to be done at Virginia Tech. I raise the story in this forum because Whitaker chose Virginia Tech over Maryland amid the usual fanfare that accompanies a top-level recruit ... Va. Tech WR Whitaker faces misdemeanor charges More alcohol woes for Tech wide receiver Whitaker Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:08:42 GMT Nobel Prize awarded for AIDS, cervical cancer research - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Luc Montagnier dedicated his award to AIDS sufferers and predicted results on a "therapeutic vaccine" for the pandemic within four years. 2 AIDS researchers receive Nobel Prize Three Europeans win the 2008 Nobel for medicine Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:01:27 GMT McCain aims to slow Obama momentum in debate - Reuters
Reuters - By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent NASHVILLE (Reuters) - Republican John McCain hopes to halt Democrat Barack Obama's momentum and gain new life in the White House race on Tuesday when the presidential rivals meet in their second debate. A little word makes big waves on campaign trail Tonight's debate is in McCain's favorite style Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:57:52 GMT Pentagon denies US jet forced to land in Iran - guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk - The Pentagon today denied a report that a US plane had been forced to land in Iranian territory. Iran's Fars news agency claimed that five US officials were questioned and released by the Iranian authorities after the plane they were flying in ... Iran says it forced down Western plane Iran says US plane violated Iran's airspace Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:12:58 GMT Where Angels go...heartbreak follows - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun - If you didn't stay up to watch, the Angels came back from a 2-0 deficit last night and had the go-ahead run on third base with one out in the top of the ninth, only to have the situation blow up in their faces when manager Mike Scioscia (right) called ... Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic Angels seething after being squeezed out Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:42:08 GMT Increase Online Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Do you have a tendency to think in absolutes?Is everything... Read More Before you go into the interview, it is important to... Read More Sometimes, when going on job interviews, you might end up... Read More Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America... Read More Here's a quick way to compare your own job experience... Read More 1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More Over the years, I have identified two kinds of midlife... Read More In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More Looking for a new job?I'm about to reveal one of... Read More Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More Chances are you already have many ideas about what it... Read More "Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's... Read More Why Do You Want This Job? Is it because any... Read More You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More Competency based interviews are intended to get the best from... Read More Today, it isn't that uncommon for some children and teenagers... Read More Jobs in speech writing are amongst the most difficult to... Read More Two weeks ago, I received a newsy email from a... Read More Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More Tying a tie properly may tie you to your next... Read More Hunting for a position in a new career field? Trying... Read More
Adsense
websites
Unlimit Your Life!
Salary Negotiation Secrets Revealed
The Group Interview
10 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Job Fairs
Ten Healthcare Fields That Cant Wait To Hire You
Interview Preparation Made Easy: Create An Interview Preparation List
Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?
Resume Success Factors--What Exactly Is A Resume Anyway?
During Midlife Change: Are You a Jumper or a Clinger?
Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?
A Cover Letter Tip Guaranteed To Land You More Job Interviews!
How To Write A Résumé
The Myths of Career Change
Has ADHD Put Your Career in Danger? 3 Steps to Get You Back on Track
Why Do You Want This Job?
Pre-Interview Web Research
Common Resume Myths & Misconceptions
Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume
Competency Based Interviews - 6 Steps to Success!
Children At Work: Looking at Child Labor in the Victorian Age
How To Get A Job Writing Speeches
Does Your Career Change Itch or Burn?
Cover Letters
Get Dressed and Get Hired
Resumes and First impressions
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Using Your Whine Factor
Brian's work was exceptional. Still, as his boss,... Read More
Waiting For the Official Job Offer
At the end of the third job interview, Helene was... Read More
Resumes OR CV : Get That Job
Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world... Read More
Consultants - If We Cant Laugh At Ourselves?
There are hundreds of varieties of Consultants these days. We... Read More
Job Interviews: Succeeding with Panel Interviews
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More
Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees
Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More
How To Become A Computer Consultant
Have you ever wanted to become a computer consultant, but... Read More
Change Your Career, Change Your Life!
Lots of times I see and talk to people who... Read More
When All Is Not Well With Work
When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More
You Should Interview the Interviewer, Too
I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Wait a... Read More
Handing in Your Resignation and Serving Notice
Have you made the right choice? Before deciding to resign... Read More
What is Mystery Shopping, and Can You Really Get Paid to Shop?
Mystery shoppers visit businesses "disguised as normal customers," and do... Read More
5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make
Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs... Read More
How Hedgehogs Hire
In my last column, I explored Jim Collins' "hedgehog" principle,... Read More
Job! Money! Career!
Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The... Read More
The Big Mo : Momentum and the Hiring Process
Momentum as defined by Webster's is: strength or force gained... Read More
Mastering The Lunch Interview
Interviews can be nerve-racking, brain-draining, headache-inducing experiences. These days, recruiters... Read More
3 Secrets to Landing a Home-Based Position
Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in the... Read More
Are You Busy Living or Dying?
If you are not busy living, then you must be... Read More
Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want
Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More
Workplace 911
I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More
Rev-Up Your Network!
Whether you are looking for a job, new clients or... Read More
Find A Job In A Fast Growing Field Using Labor Market Information For Your State
The question confronting most people who want to find a... Read More
Useless Resume Objectives
What's wrong with an objective on a resume? The problem... Read More
Old Hiring Foxes vs. The Hedgehogs
You are about to compete for the best people again.... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |