SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You Credible?

SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You Credible?

When you walk into a networking event and meet people for the first time do they think you are confident, credible and successful in your field or do you spend most of your time convincing them of your capabilities. Like it or not our appearance affects how others perceive us. Recently, I attended a wedding where a guest shared a story about his chiropractor. 

The guest noticed during one of his visits with the doctor that he was dressed differently. The doctor usually wore a polo shirt with casual pants and clog like shoes but on this particular appointment the doctor was wearing a dress shirt and tie with slacks, formal shoes and his lab coat. His sport coat was hanging in his office.

Since this type of attire was out of character for the doctor the patient asked the doctor if he had an event that day or some other special occasion because he was dressed so formally. The doctor replied that he did not have an event or special occasion but that he had decided to dress this way every day. Curious, the patient inquired about the change.

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The doctor shared with the patient that he had attended a seminar where he learned that his appearance affects the way his patients perceive him. If he wants to be seen as credible and successful in his field he needed to step up his appearance. He was told if he is a doctor then he needs to look like a doctor. Whether you are a doctor, lawyer or sales executive your appearance plays an important role in your career success. Here are some tips that can help you enhance yours.

Evaluate your existing wardrobe. What do your clothes sat about you? Do they communicate confidence, credibility and success?

Evaluate what the most successful people in your industry dress like and take it up one level.

Improve the quality of the clothing you have in your closet. It is better to have fewer high quality pieces than to have a closet packed full of clothes. Your sport coat or suit needs to fit you perfectly in the shoulders, back and waist. Trousers need to be hemmed and everything needs to be pressed or steamed.

Save the clogs, Merrells, crocks, flip flops or any other casual footwear for the weekend. This type of footwear is not appropriate for business.

Avoid carrying a backpack as your business bag of choice. Backpacks are for school. They are not for the serious business professional.

Grooming is imperative. Invest in a professional hairstyle and make up lesson. Leaving the house with wet hair or hair in a ponytail with no make up says I am not serious about my career development.

 

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.