This book has valuable advice on personal style, body language, etiquette essentials, and more. Its aim is to help people avoid things that many people mess up during the interview process.

People entering the job market for the first time should be directed towards this book.

Lizandra Vega is a professional recruiter who has worked for several years placing candidates in the New York area and she has identified the appearance and deportment qualities of candidates that can either betray their chances or secure their employment. Her book is for candidates who are trying to transition from one role, possibly student, to a new role, as an accountant, engineer, corporate trainer, computer programmer, etc., and how to make the external transformation.

The Image of Success is divided into three parts: appearance, behavior and communication. Appearance is the makeover class for readers who need to transform their physical appearance from student to professional. The appearance section provides a stylist’s eye to the candidate’s appearance at an interview and explains what is appropriate to wear by industry. In the behavior section, Vega describes how to act and behave at the interview or while sharing a meal with interviewers. Finally, Vega describes how to communicate, by voice and in writing, while looking for work.

Some readers may be upset by the apparent superficiality of the topic of style and appearance, but if a reader has been rejected for lack of “fit”, it could be because they did not present the image that the employer is attempting to project. For readers who may not be familiar with North American business culture, Vega is especially good at decoding the cues of clothing and appearance, as well as describing how to survive a dinner meeting with politely and with grace.

Surviving tricky social situations is an obstacle that all professionals must overcome, and The Image of Success describes the techniques to survive these situations and the rationale for the rules in a relaxed and conversational tone. This book will be a godsend for people who feel clueless about dress codes, while appealing to the stylish who may need to refine their etiquette and communication skills, without talking down to either audience about the importance of appearance and protocol. ( )