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‘SMOKERS NEED NOT APPLY!’

This is not a sign you will actually see but if you are a smoker, there is a reality you should understand as you move forward with your first job search and interviews. Most people today do not smoke and most non-smokers are turned-off by being around smokers. Employers look for employees who will do a good job but you cannot do a good job if you don’t show up.

The reality about smokers is they take more sick days off than non-smokers and take time out for (smoke) breaks more often than non-smokers.

When you show up for an interview, if you are a smoker, the interviewer will be able to tell. How? Because you will ‘smell’ of smoke. Sorry but you will.

When employers have choices…who do you think they will hire? A smoker or a non-smoker? You know the answer.

Next Read: Arriving late. The biggest interview sin. »

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.