While it may not seem fair or accurate, people make judgments based on your appearance. If you are honest with yourself, you will probably admit that you judge people by their appearance, too. In general, people tend to assume seven things based on appearance alone.
These things are:
- Income
- Educational Level
- Social Position
- Sophistication
- Success
- Moral Character
- And trustworthiness
People form impressions about you very quickly. Your attention to what you wear will be saying something about you before you have even opened your mouth to say hello.
Keep these things in mind.
Be an ambassador. If you wear a company uniform, remember that you represent your company, even when you are away from work. Working for certain companies leads to expectations of a certain level of behavior. If you think that you’re not going to meet that expectation and represent your company professionally, don’t wear anything with your company logo outside of work.
Look after your things. Invest the time and energy to take care of your clothing. Get rid of the rumpled, amateur look, and learn to iron. Make your image one that is professional and crisp. Demonstrate the respect you have for yourself. Make sure that your trousers or skirts are properly hemmed; find a tailor if you need to. If buttons go missing, replace them. Launder your clothes according to the instructions on the label.
Footwear requires attention. Make certain that your shoes are clean and in good condition. Shoes for the gym or for weekend outings are not appropriate for work, even on casual days. Get a polishing kit and learn how to use it so that you can keep your footwear looking new. Your credibility suffers when you wear a nice outfit paired with poor shoes.
Keep your glasses clean. You might be used to looking through a pair of smudged or dirty glasses, but customers, colleagues, and managers wouldn’t do that. Keep a microfiber cloth nearby to keep your glasses clean.
Leave your wardrobe for your social activities at home. Professionalism comes first in the workplace and maintaining a professional atmosphere is in everyone’s best interest. While you may think you look good in club wear, evening wear, or work-out clothes, none of these is appropriate office attire. It can also be distracting to the rest of the office and can contribute to a poor professional impression rather than an appropriate one.
Keep your breath fresh. Few things are as repellent as bad breath when you’re greeting someone. Make certain that you brush and floss frequently. Get regular dental check-ups to avoid bad breath. Also, if you are a coffee drinker or you eat spicy foods, keep something nearby to freshen up. Chewing gum is unprofessional in any business setting.
