Galway Independent article week four…
Name and Logo Photograph
“Tools, Methods and Self-Confidence building techniques to help you and your organisation develop and plan your career and business”
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have…
Week 4 of 12
Never under estimate the power of the right look – body language, smell, posture, grooming and clothing all come together to portray a positive image. For most people in jobs and businesses, the aim is to look professional and communicate a sense of being a person of high integrity and trustworthiness, in control and good at what they do.
Jobs, careers and businesses today demand appropriate clothing. Whether you are self-employed or work in the private or public domain, what you wear/carry promotes you and/or the organisation you work for, as an ‘expert’ or a ‘dabbler’ in your chosen field.
This may read a bit exaggerated but, there is a thing called The Psychology of Clothing, which focuses on those people in the frontline of any business (which nowadays is everybody), who must convey a very strong professional message about their organisation by the way they dress and present themselves. If we don’t look the part by the way we dress (no matter how good we are at our job), holding onto customers, finding new ones, closing deals will be more difficult!
One of our programs covers the whole area of ‘Dressing for the job you want, not the job you have…’ and aims to outline to people (women and men), not alone the importance of wearing the correct clothes and colours, but also the importance of your choice of ‘accessories’ such as;
Your choice of writing pen
Your diary
Your briefcase
The wearing of a belt
Tie length
Watch
Jewellery
Make-up’s and scents
Overcoats
Mobile telephones and more…!
The workplace is becoming so competitive now that poor image can penalise your performance, especially if you are involved in sales or the service industry.
At work consider some of the following grooming tips for women;
Avoid too much make-up, scent and jewellery
Tie long hair back or put it up
Invest in good quality suits and clothes that fit correctly
Stay with safe colours such as grey, charcoal, navy blue, black
Be conscious of the business look
And for men;
Invest in good quality suits and clothes
Avoid too much hair gel and aftershave
Avoid message-giving ties
Iron shirts with emphasis on sleeve seam
Purchase a decent overcoat
Business dressing can be more difficult for women as they have more issues to deal with and need to get the right balance between femininity and the business look. Overuse of authoritive clothes and colours could end up as being seen to be too masculine and unapproachable. Researchers have found that the scent you wear can have a strong influence and how people see you as a person and that it may even affect you winning new clients or getting promoted.
Seven tips to stylish business dressing;
Dress to suit your body and size
Dress for specific occasions
Choose shops that suit your job and career attire
Take care of your clothes when they are not being worn
Dress and purchase for a complete look
Don’t forget appropriate accessories that add to the business touch
Be aware of fashion trends
Regarding corporate dressing for employees, choose original clothing that stands out to suit the organisations image, the needs of its business and most importantly the needs of its customers.
A final thought – try doing a business deal or interview over the telephone in your pyjamas or birthday suit…and then do it wearing appropriate business attire…! Notice any difference in your performance and confidence? We rest our case…
Stay a cut above the rest…!
Ger Colleran
Next week – How to communicate and present confidently without fear…
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Job changing programs Career changing programs Career development Career planning Career enhancement programs In-placement programs Out-placement programs Business building programs
Castle-Beech House, Ashbrook, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Telephone: 091 794 716 Mobile 087 622 6232 Facsimile: 091 788 924 E-mail: [email protected]
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Talent Fusion
Ger Colleran
4th February 2004
GALWAY LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION INTER COUNTY MANAGEMENT APPLICATION
INNOVATION VOUCHERS INITIATIVE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF IRELAND GALWAY DIRECTORY
PROJECT WORKER (FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE) GALWAY FORÓIGE THE NATIONAL
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