In the world of business, appearances matter. Your business isn’t the only entity that should be concerned with its presentation from day to day. It’s also essential to know that the way in which you conduct yourself during office life, or in networking, or in negotiating deals will all have an effect on the end result.
Luckily, it only takes a little tailoring to ensure that you stay on top of your image. Remember, in the professional world, you need to show the best of yourself. Many people consider their jobs to be a simple method of paying the bills, not something to excel at. However, with the small assertions described in this article, you may not only begin to impress others, but yourself based on the content of your new habitual efforts.
To get into specifics:
Dress
What you wear matters. It is an extension of your personality. You needn’t be ‘the guy who wears bow ties’ to be known for dressing well. It’s important to consider how your working attire speaks of you. Is it easy to iron and is it routinely cleaned? Does it fit you? Are you matching colors?
How long has it been since you purchased custom mens dress shirts, or tailored your blazer? Smart casual jobs lend you more flexibility, as in these environments you can truly dress to impress without spending a fortune. Wearing smart shirts, comfortable fitting jeans or chinos, and sometimes wearing casual suit attire can help you seem well put together. Consider your accessories.
Might you wear an incredibly subtle scent that helps people feel comfortable with your smell, and perhaps enjoy conversing with you that little extra because of it? What does your watch say about you? Is it professional, or overtly flashy? All of the decisions you make contributes. For a more in-depth guide into great working dress sense, check here.
Speech
How well do you converse with others in the office? Are your discussions practical, clear and concise, respecting the other party? Do you remember the names of those in the office? Do you bring a slight sense of humor to your discussions? You needn’t become the most charming person in the world, but learning the basics fundamentals of engaging with someone can help you to no end.
Another great benefit of learning to make use of brevity in speech? You open yourself up to listening more, especially to the content of the conversation coming back to you. This helps you stay on topic, to build on the conversation, and to try and connect from an emotional level.
However, the temptation to give a tailored version of yourself to those you come into contact with, especially at work, must be avoided. Stay honest and forthright in your real professional opinions, give credit where credit is due, and members of the office will come to depend on your real thoughts, as this is often in short supply.
Using these two simple tips, presenting yourself more appropriately in a professional setting is sure to be well achieved.
