Monday
Apr022007
Do you dress to impress?
We’ve all heard the premise that first impressions count, and that people really do make up their minds within the first few seconds (let alone minutes) of meeting you. But how true is it? Well, unfortunately, people do make assumptions about others based on what they see and observe.
Be honest, we’ve all done it, haven’t we? The question is - How accurate were your observations?
If I were honest I would have to say that sometimes I was spot on, and other times I was completely and hopelessly off the mark, but the fact that we can and do, make assumptions based on nothing more than a few spoken words, gestures and the physical appearance of another person is part and parcel of what makes us human. It may not be logical, but we can and do make assumptions on little more than how you carry yourself, your mannerisms, what you wear, and your attention to detail.
Why is this knowledge important?
Well imagine going to an important business meeting, visiting clients or trying to get a new position. Can you imagine walking into the offices wearing your sports gear (well you've been to the gym and you thought you would save yourself another journey); or the clothes look like they've never seen an iron - what kind of impression do you think you would make?
So before you head off to that next meeting consider:
1. Dress appropriately for the organisation that you are visiting. Even if you are only planning on dropping off your CV, make sure you dress the part. It may not be necessary to wear a business suit, but smart is essential. Jeans and t-shirts should be avoided at all costs. After all you never know who you are going to meet. It might be the receptionist’s day off and your future boss may be filling in.
2. If you are going to an interview, avoid “loud” ties and hip and trendy fashions, if in doubt, err on the side of conservative, at least until you know the culture of the organisation. If you base your business wardrobe on what you have seen on the day of the interview, remember that in some organisations (especially in Australia) Friday is “casual” day.
3. Make sure your shoes are shined and polished. It is true that your shoes say a lot about you. So don’t neglect this part of your professional image.
4. Always have clean hands, if you are prone to damp, sweaty palms, make a point of arriving at the interview a few minutes before hand and ask where the bathroom is. That way you can wash your hands before you go in.
5. Don’t forget to brush your teeth before you leave home. If you chew gum (to disguise the onion you ate for lunch), make sure you dispose of it before going into the building. Similarly, try not to smoke before going for an interview as smoke clings to hair and clothing fibres.
6. If you wear makeup, please make sure your mascara hasn’t run, you don’t have lipstick on your teeth, and your nail polish isn’t chipped.
7. One for the men – do not wear white sports socks. Match the colour of your socks to the colour of your shoes and/or business suit.
8. Always shower before dressing (sorry this one was for the "hard of washing") – body odour is a definite no-no. Do not assume that your perfume or aftershave will mask the fact that you didn’t give yourself enough time to get ready, or that you had been to the gym before going to the clients offices.
9. Always be polite, you never know who you are going to meet, remember the receptionist may not be the receptionist, so don't sit and fume about being kept waiting, read the literature on the company that's available to you (try and avoid the tabloid mags); and finally
10. Smile. You may be feeling a little nervous, but a smile and a firm handshake can really make the difference.
Whilst we are on the subject of dressing to impress, remember that it can be insulting to a new organisation, or an existing organisation for that matter, the person you are meeting and your co-workers to show a lack of concern for your appearance. Being wrinkled, unshaven, smelly or unkempt communicates (intentionally or not) that you don’t care enough about the situation, the people or the company to present yourself respectably. If you are in any doubt about yourself and your appearance, go into the bathroom, or anywhere where you have a good sized mirror and ask yourself – would you enjoy meeting this person?
(MMW1)
Be honest, we’ve all done it, haven’t we? The question is - How accurate were your observations?
If I were honest I would have to say that sometimes I was spot on, and other times I was completely and hopelessly off the mark, but the fact that we can and do, make assumptions based on nothing more than a few spoken words, gestures and the physical appearance of another person is part and parcel of what makes us human. It may not be logical, but we can and do make assumptions on little more than how you carry yourself, your mannerisms, what you wear, and your attention to detail.
Why is this knowledge important?
Well imagine going to an important business meeting, visiting clients or trying to get a new position. Can you imagine walking into the offices wearing your sports gear (well you've been to the gym and you thought you would save yourself another journey); or the clothes look like they've never seen an iron - what kind of impression do you think you would make?
So before you head off to that next meeting consider:
1. Dress appropriately for the organisation that you are visiting. Even if you are only planning on dropping off your CV, make sure you dress the part. It may not be necessary to wear a business suit, but smart is essential. Jeans and t-shirts should be avoided at all costs. After all you never know who you are going to meet. It might be the receptionist’s day off and your future boss may be filling in.
2. If you are going to an interview, avoid “loud” ties and hip and trendy fashions, if in doubt, err on the side of conservative, at least until you know the culture of the organisation. If you base your business wardrobe on what you have seen on the day of the interview, remember that in some organisations (especially in Australia) Friday is “casual” day.
3. Make sure your shoes are shined and polished. It is true that your shoes say a lot about you. So don’t neglect this part of your professional image.
4. Always have clean hands, if you are prone to damp, sweaty palms, make a point of arriving at the interview a few minutes before hand and ask where the bathroom is. That way you can wash your hands before you go in.
5. Don’t forget to brush your teeth before you leave home. If you chew gum (to disguise the onion you ate for lunch), make sure you dispose of it before going into the building. Similarly, try not to smoke before going for an interview as smoke clings to hair and clothing fibres.
6. If you wear makeup, please make sure your mascara hasn’t run, you don’t have lipstick on your teeth, and your nail polish isn’t chipped.
7. One for the men – do not wear white sports socks. Match the colour of your socks to the colour of your shoes and/or business suit.
8. Always shower before dressing (sorry this one was for the "hard of washing") – body odour is a definite no-no. Do not assume that your perfume or aftershave will mask the fact that you didn’t give yourself enough time to get ready, or that you had been to the gym before going to the clients offices.
9. Always be polite, you never know who you are going to meet, remember the receptionist may not be the receptionist, so don't sit and fume about being kept waiting, read the literature on the company that's available to you (try and avoid the tabloid mags); and finally
10. Smile. You may be feeling a little nervous, but a smile and a firm handshake can really make the difference.
Whilst we are on the subject of dressing to impress, remember that it can be insulting to a new organisation, or an existing organisation for that matter, the person you are meeting and your co-workers to show a lack of concern for your appearance. Being wrinkled, unshaven, smelly or unkempt communicates (intentionally or not) that you don’t care enough about the situation, the people or the company to present yourself respectably. If you are in any doubt about yourself and your appearance, go into the bathroom, or anywhere where you have a good sized mirror and ask yourself – would you enjoy meeting this person?
(MMW1)
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April 2, 2007 at 16:28
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