By Rohan A.H. Noronha (Ex-XLRI), CEO & Co-Founder, Job CARR
During one of our pre-placement training drives in a Tier-1 MBA institute, I met Rohit—a smart, self-assured young man with a strong academic background and a sharp mind for analytics. Yet, something wasn’t adding up. Despite solid credentials, Rohit wasn’t making it past the first round of interviews.
I observed his presence—ill-fitted shirt, unshaven face, worn-out bag, and a visible discomfort when asked to participate in grooming or corporate dressing sessions. Over a one-on-one, Rohit confessed, “Sir, I want to be hired for what I know, not how I look. Dressing up feels fake—it’s just not me.”
This is a mindset I’ve seen far too often among young Indian men. There’s a misplaced notion that grooming is superficial, or worse, that caring about appearance somehow makes you less of a man.
Here’s the reality: in the corporate world, presence precedes performance. Your clothes, your grooming, your handshake—they all introduce you before you even speak. And it’s not about expensive brands or vanity. It’s about sending a clear message—you’re serious, prepared, and respectful of the space you’re stepping into.
We worked with Rohit on just the basics—clean grooming, structured dressing, posture, and presence. At his next interview, the panel saw a young professional, not just a student. He landed the job.
Post-placement, Rohit messaged me: “Sir, changing how I look didn’t change who I am. It reminded me of who I’m becoming.”
As men, we must redefine confidence—not as resistance to change, but the willingness to grow. Image makeovers aren’t about being someone else. They’re about evolving into the version of yourself the world is ready to take seriously.
At Job CARR, we don’t just train you to crack interviews—we prepare you to own the room. And sometimes, that starts with a haircut and a handshake.
