I know, it’s all about the work, not your looks. But I -– a very dark horse for various jobs throughout my career -– have my tips anyway. Read on …

Tip #1 The person who’s interviewing you is the most attractive person in the world.

This is less grotesque than it sounds. If you’re the type who’s got all sorts of running commentary going through your head (that was a stupid thing to say, why’d I say that, I wonder how much money I could ask for, when is this going to be over, I wonder how I look…), focus your attention instead on whatever you think is the most attractive feature of the person across the table and really think hard about how lovely he or she is. Somehow, whether that person can actually read minds or your general attitude toward that person becomes more relaxed or more focused -– who knows? But try it.

Tip #2 No green eyeshadow, etc.

If ever there was a moment for the natural look, both makeup and hairwise, it would be the big interview. Nothing says “grifter” like dark, sticky lip gloss and a pair of false eyelashes. Anyway.

Tip #3 If within your realm of possibility, wear something new and fabulous.

For my interview with the publisher (money guy) of ELLE, I purchased a gorgeous red silk striped jacket -– it made me think of Morocco or, more succinctly, a sophisticated Frenchwoman who’d picked up her jacket when she was in Morocco because she was so fantastically chic -– I’ve never worn it since. But I felt great in it at the time, and that’s all that counts.

The other nice thing about something new is you don’t have to iron it. When I iron something, it ends up looking far worse than when I started.

Need a break from the office grind? Check out our tips for escaping the cubicle!


Excerpted from
Free Gift With Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup
by Jean Godfrey-June. Copyright 2006 by Jean Godfrey-June. Excerpted with
permission by Harmony Books, a division of Random House of Canada. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.