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Patsy Cisneros, AICI CIP, is a partner at Corporate Icon (www.corporateicon.com)- the image development company® and co-author of "The Professional Image Toolkit- How to Look like You Mean Business." Corporate Icon creates branding for individuals and groups to project the quality of their knowledge, skills and products by the way people look, speak and behave. She can be reached by email at patsy@corporateicon.com.

Interviewing these days is like dating again...many years after being "off the market." Things have changed. And the part that is not so much fun is knowing that there is more of your gender than there is of “theirs” so THEY are getting mighty picky and can afford to be.

Hey! We know you really are a good catch, so here are some things to do to ensure you attract a match.

Look Available and Interested (in Businesss)

Do groom and dress in a way that projects the quality of who you are and the quality of who you want to attract. You want to attract a match for your experience and deserved title and income level, so look the part at networking events, meet-ups over lunch and coffee, and at interviews with an Executive Appearance.

Specifically, we recommend that men and women wear a jacket. Men can wear their best quality sports jacket or traditional suit, and you decide which level of formality (with or without a tie) based on the culture of the industry. The top-tier woman may either wear a coordinating jacket, blouse/shell/sweater and skirt or slacks (a non-suit for business casual cultures) or a high quality women’s suit (for conservative cultures).

Invest in your Interview Attire in advance by selecting three different quality outfits that will take you through the typical first three meetings in the selection process. Have them fitted to your body now (not after the last 10 lbs you will lose by then).

Accessorize now: which shirts, ties, shoes/belt; which blouses, jewelry, purses/shoes? Keep your grooming fresh at all times - don’t wait for the call and realize that you don’t have time to get to the hair stylist or have your hands manicured. You are networking all the time, so look consistently good for every chance meeting! Your appearance should equal, and is as important as your CV (and your description on eHarmony) — No match? No second date.

When someone is interested in the person across the table, we know they indicate their interest with facial expression, body language and tone of voice. We also know that it doesn’t work when dates dourly talk about how they just aren’t having any luck dating and they’re tired of seeing that “all the good ones are taken.” This is not much different than what the recruiters tell me they are hearing from interviewing candidates about the current job market. Hmmm?!

What conversation strategy and what “face” will you have on when you get the “interview date?” (Have you looked in the mirror to see what your serious facial expression looks like? I’m not suggesting you falsely smile...just look in the mirror and practice bringing up that downturned mouth to have a “considerate” expression.)

If you’ve seen someone who has recently started dating again, you will notice this is not when they let themselves go (“What you see IS what you get!")..they are looking good, working out and working the room. They are ready to find – not just anyone - but the right fit for them. Yes, this IS the time to be at your best to attract the best.