Job seekers should dress for success.

What is the product? You are. What is the packaging? The appearance you project as you walk into a room and meet someone for the first time. Of the first impression one person makes on another, 55-80% is visual, according to Josette Veltri, director of CMB/Professional Presence, an Albertson, N.Y., image consulting firm. Therefore, when job hunting, an individual gets only one chance to make that first impression. The aim is to accomplish this the best way possible. The following are her guidelines for female job seekers:

* Your dress should be influenced by the position for which you are applying. If you are seeking a management position, look like a manager. A well-tailored suit in a neutral color, such as navy or charcoal, is a good choice. Your intent is to present yourself as a serious-minded business person, and your costume should reflect that mindset. Simple accessories always are a wise choice and your best investment. If you are seeking employment for a fashion magazine, however, demonstrate your creativity in clothing and accessory combinations. Be stylish, but not extreme. You never want a prospective employer to remember your clothes or accessories and forget your name.

* Eyewear is an accessory and an important part of one's image. Choose glasses that flatter your face shape and coloring. They should not be dated or too trendy, but stylish and an enhancement to your appearance.

* If applying for a position in the education...