Career
Making a Good First Impression Takes a Lot More Than Nice Clothesby Kathleen Gaibler
Imagine sitting across the table with the top management of a large company. It is critical that you win their support in order to land this account. You spent hours preparing your proposal, but neglected to think about the visual image you project.
Your appearance and mannerisms are much too informal and your body language indicates you feel uncomfortable and insecure. Instead of focusing on your presentation, your thoughts are elsewhere. You suspect they have formed an unspoken opinion of you, which will remain unchanged and affect their recommendation. After all, when was the last time you revised your opinion after getting a bad first impression?
We've all experienced times similar to this. Many business transactions are won or lost in the crucial first three minutes. Your visual presence says a lot about you. When someone meets you, they form an impression instantly, within the first 30 seconds. People react to these impressions instinctively and make judgments and assessments based on what they see. Their perception of you determines the type of service they feel they will receive and is a direct reflection on your company.
How we feel about ourselves is reflected in our body. Clothes alone won't create an image. In communication, your body language can either work for or against you. Without saying a word, your body conveys a lot. Your posture, eyes, gestures, tone of voice and the space around you convey a distinct message. If your words conflict with these body messages, your nonverbal communication will be perceived as true. The words you choose are important, but the way you deliver them can make the difference.
So why don't people project themselves professionally? Certainly this is not done on purpose. John T. Malloy's bestseller "Dress for Success" increased awareness, but focused on dress alone and didn't allow for personal style. Today's executive realizes the importance of a head-to-toe professional image that combines style with comfort and appropriateness.
Clothing also affects the way others respond to us. What is appropriate can differ greatly from one part of the country to another and from one industry to another. Being sensitive to the situation and varying your wardrobe can increase your impact.
What message do you project? By presenting a positive visual image, you can influence the outcome of business transactions. You might not always get that account you've worked for, but you will have an edge over the competition if you practice these guidelines. Most importantly, you will communicate a confidence that gives you an "unspoken credibility."
Action Points
Be sensitive to the nonverbal messages you are receiving. If the other person has folded arms, a skeptical facial expression, a rigid body and little eye contact that means you need to stop talking. Start asking questions and listen to the answers.
One of the big changes affecting etiquette is women in the workplace. When a man and woman approach a closed door, whoever reaches it first or has a free hand opens the door.
The image you project should be a statement of who you are. Selecting classic traditional suit colors and styles allows your personality to come out when you're choosing a shirt and tie or blouse and accessories.
If you work for a large corporation, pay attention to the way the successful executives dress. Dress for the position you hope to achieve rather than your present one. Your image will improve as your importance within the company increases
-----------------
Kathleen Gaibler, President of The Gaibler Company, Inc., has assisted businesses with organizational development, mission/vision/values clarification, team facilitation and problem solving, job competency analysis and improved employee effectiveness. For
Customer Servces