Does your
success depend on appearance?
)
Oscar Wilde, the English aphorist once
said: “It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances” and
Shakespeare warned in Hamlet that “apparel often proclaims the man.” True then,
true now. Wardrobe and grooming play key roles in how we are perceived in
business. Knowing proper business etiquette includes appropriate dress.
How you dress and accessorize speaks volumes about you. Don't kid yourself -
people still judge you by your clothes! It is part of that critical first
impression.
First impressions, often based on appearances alone, can indicate to a
potential employer one's sense of ambition, self-esteem and taste. Whether one
is seeking a job, looking for a promotion or trying to make a sale to a
competitor, an unbeatable professional polish is called for.
There are quite a few rules for dress in the business world. However, there are
two important ones that seem to stand out. First, dress according to your
corporate culture.
To ascertain what your corporate culture dictates, clarify it with the Human
Resources Office at the time you are offered a position.
If you are provided with an employee handbook, see what it says about dress
code. You could also check it out with your supervisor immediately you start a
new job.
Generally speaking, how you dress at work depends largely upon your industry,
the amount of client contact you have and the overall culture of your company.
The second rule is, if your company does not cover dress in its employee
handbook or does not have a specific concern about it, dress like the people
you are doing business with.
Look around the other people in your office. Here is a tip if you want to get
ahead: dress like the people one level higher than your position. If you are a
salesman, dress like your sales supervisor.
If you are a middle manager and are ambitious, dress like you are upper
management! Adapt your appearance not only to the day-to-day flow of life at
the office but to the expectations of those with whom you do business.
The differences between casual, business casual and formal business attire
“casual” attire generally refers to clothing worn when relaxing on your
week-end or holidays.
It could include blue jeans, inappropriate shorts, slippers, sweat suits,
T-shirts with slogans among others. Unless you are at a company picnic, this
type of attire is a definite ‘no’ at the office. “Business Casual” on the other
hand, are clothes that convey a professional yet relaxed image.
For ladies, a crisp cotton or handloom saree teemed with elegant slippers,
smart skirt and blouse, dress or pants suit and low-heeled dress shoes will be
very appropriate, while for men, dress slacks and shirts with a collar, will
come under this category.
“Formal Business” attire is appropriate when meeting with customers or clients
or if you work in Banking, Finance, Law, Medical, that dictate formal business
dress.
For men it should be the traditional business suit. The fabric surface should
be matte, not shiny or iridescent. Make sure it has been well ironed without
tell-tale wrinkles. Dark colours have always been associated with authority,
but light shades of brown and gray are also suitable.
For “Formal Business” avoid other colours. A tie has and always will be
considered a very important accessory. It is a tradition supposedly inherited
from the court of Louis XIV and it is still in evidence.
One could be safe and conservative in the choice of a tie or select one that
expresses your individuality.
Ladies should go for the situational dress and let the dress be determined by
her profession. Whether you opt for a saree, a dress or a pants suit, keep it
conservative. Ladies have a lot more choices, but always remember to allow your
clothes to speak without shouting -the hallmark of the well-dressed.
As a professional you will be dealing with people from outside, so your clothes
reflect on your company. No matter what the dress at the office, be prepared to
look your best. Keep the clothes neat and clean, the same goes for footwear.
Avoid clothes that are too revealing, they are unsuitable in any workplace.
Whether intentional or not, low-cut blouses and see-through fabrics send a
sexual message.
The smart business dresser knows that the key is to look authoritative, highly
competent, and as if she knows what she is doing and can be relied on to do it.
Also, dress for the time of day.
Arriving at work in clothes more suitable for evening is a bad idea. Add
accessories that will individualize your look without taking it outside of your
workplace norm. Jewellery when used should accent, not take centre stage, so
avoid dangle, jangle, sparkle or gaudy.
Give attention to grooming, particularly to your hair and nails.
Go easy on the perfume, stick with toilet waters that refresh the skin after a
shower. Make-up needs to be soft and toned down.
In general, whether it is a man or a woman, the following pointers could be
useful to those who want to look their best and present a polished professional
image in the office, to their clients or to their customers:
Take time to shop for your businessn
wardrobe. This way you can get the most for your money. You can look like a
million on a shoe-string budget if you take some trouble over your shopping.
If you have to wonder or ask someone
else if an outfit is acceptable or appropriate to the office, it probably
isn't. You have picked on something that your sub-conscious is telling you is
not right
Err onn the side of conservative and you will
rarely go wrong.
Understatementn is
the hallmark of the well-dressed. Generally, after a business meeting, your
associates should not be able to remember what you were wearing. They should
remember that you were well-dressed.
Keep in mind that you are a reflection
of your company, always look your best when meeting clients or customers.
Colours that are too loud, trendy
clothing, wrinkled outfits send a message that you either don't care about
proper business dress or you don't know what proper business attire is.
Either way, you lose credibility.
Pay attention also to your hygiene and
grooming, it form part of your business
wardrobe too!
(Courtesy - Therese Gunawardena, The Daily Mirror, Colombo
)
Make Everyday Count
(got this article from a close friend, courtesy of Abdullah, AMWAY Reseller)
Recent Comments