In this economic climate, lawyers have to bring their “A” game to every job interview. If you botch your initial encounter with a recruiter, human resources director, or general counsel, you might not get another opportunity for months, if at all. Surprisingly, the rules for succeeding in the dating world and in the job market have more in common than you might think. By reviewing some basic dating protocol, everyone from a first-year law student to the experienced general counsel or partner looking to move laterally can improve their prospects of landing their dream job.

Dating Rule #1: Look your best. In the dating world, appearance counts. Research shows that men decide within the first five minutes whether they want to date a woman again. A Harvard Business School study found that the decision not to hire happens in the first few seconds of an interview. While you don’t need plastic surgery or designer clothes to succeed, you should bring your most polished and professional self to every interview. It shows the interviewer that you take the company and the opportunity seriously. Dress appropriately for the workplace where you are interviewing, get a great haircut, trim the beard and lose the wild nail polish and hairdo. In short, pay close attention to all aspects of your grooming. When in doubt, err on the conservative side because lawyers tend to be a conventional bunch.

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