This document provides guidance on developing a professional image through appropriate dress, makeup, perfume, hair, accessories, communications skills, etiquette, attitude, and networking. For dress, it recommends business suits, conservative colors and styles for both men and women. Makeup, perfume, and hair should be understated. Good communications, a positive attitude, and active networking are also emphasized. Maintaining a professional image builds confidence and positively impacts interactions with peers, customers, and supervisors, ultimately leading to greater success.
3. Women Men
Business suit with a solid color
under shirt or a white, button
down blouse with a black jacket
Black or grey pants, or knee
length skirt
Solid color, close-toed heels or
flats
Solid color business suit in
navy, black, or grey with a solid
under shirt
Ties should be conservative
(not too wide or narrow)
Dress shoes, preferably black
Appropriate Wardrobe
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5. Makeup
Neutral shades
Beige, browns, light pinks, earthly tones
Natural look
No fake eyelashes, blush/cover-up to
match skin tone, No thick eye makeup
Little or no lipstick
Tinted lip-gloss, nude lipstick
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6. Perfume & Cologne
Avoid any scents during an interview
Wait a few days to start wearing scents after starting
a new job
Start light with a dab behind ears
Don’t over indulge
Allergic reactions
Nauseating
Distracting
Stick to light scents
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7. Hair
Nicely pulled back
Groomed, trimmed hair
Natural hair color
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8. Accessories
Do not over accessorize
Rings, earrings, bracelets, hair accessories
If it makes noise, its not appropriate
It’s also distracting
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10. Verbal / Written Electronic
Speak correctly
Listen attentively
Perfect your writing
skills
Watch grammar and
spelling
Manage your online
image
Social sites (Facebook)
No text lingo
Professionalize your
voicemail
Communications
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11. Etiquette
Make sure to treat each person with respect
Be pleasant to everybody no matter what the situation is.
Let people know that you appreciate what they do
Doing so will boost morale and improve work quality.
Always return calls; Never be rude or impatient with
anyone on the phone.
When unable to answer, have a polite message on the
answering machine that will be returned at the earliest.
Thanking each participant after meetings is a basic
courtesy.
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12. Attitude
Stay positive
It’s the core of any good attitude.
Studies show that praising your coworkers often, setting reasonable
goals and consistently showing gratitude are all traits common in
successful business people.
Be assertive without being aggressive
Communication is key! Allow other people to describe their needs as
you’ve allowed yourself.
Try not to devalue their views; doing so will allow you to stay open to
meeting them halfway.
Taking the time to listen to your coworkers will make you a team
player.
Be compassionate when dealing with conflict
Approach the other person with an adequate amount of compassion
Keep an open mind
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13. Networking
GOAL:
Understand
their needs
before you
state yours.
Know the
right
people
Listen and
talk with
others.
Be friendly
and helpful
Don’t
dismiss
anyone as
irrelevant
Bring
business
cards to
hand out.
Follow up
on all leads
quickly
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14. Networking cont’d..
Did you know?..
79% of college graduates say networking is an
effective job search tool.
“How to Network” video
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15. Why a Professional Image Matters
Self-confidence
Peer interaction
Customers
Supervisors
Ultimate success!
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16. Self-confidence
If you feel confident in the way you are dressed, you will
feel good about presenting visually.
Helps a person maintain composure
Feeling of calmness, and displays poise
Relies on his or her own judgment despite the
discouragement or influence of others.
Some ways to become confident
Be open to new and challenging assignments.
Do not expect to control circumstances at work.
Accept that the business world is demanding and fast-paced.
Develop sense of humor, laugh at yourself and laugh with others.
Accept criticism; use it as a tool to help improve your skills.
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18. Statistics (Cont’d)
41% of employers are more likely to promote who
wear professional attire
Women who wear tastefully applied makeup earn
20-30% higher incomes
45% of employers use social media sites to screen
potential candidates
Facebook—65% LinkedIn—63% Twitter—16%
Lots more statistics CareerBuilder.com Network Statistics
Majority of employers also use WebMii to screen
candidates.
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19. Peer Interaction
Being sociable
Shows friendliness,
adaptability, politeness.
Helps develop a positive
office environment
Behavior
Greetings: use formal
titles
Handshakes: Firm
Your hygiene
Most people make
decisions about new
people within the first
thirty seconds to two
minutes.
A study done by Dr.
Albert Mehrabian at
UCLA revealed:
37% of first impressions
are based on speakers
tone and voice.
On the telephone it rises
to 80%.
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20. Customers
Your professional image when meeting with
customers varies from place to place.
Do your research, find out the dress code before traveling to a
different state or globally, and match it.
Reasons for professional image with customers
Empathy
Important Information
Perception
Employee Retention
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21. Supervisors
Demonstrate what
professional image is
required in your
organization.
Dressing the part of a
supervisor, rather than
employee.
Inspiring others, leading by
example.
Fair treatment for all.
Excellent communication.
Help establish employee’s
leadership styles.
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23. Conclusion
With research, we have determined that our
professional image consists of more than just our
“outer appearance.”
Communication, Etiquette, Attitude, Networking and
Dress are key ways in creating a professional image.
Once you have identified the image you want, your
professional life will develop.
Your professional image is
yours to define and create.
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Empathy – Put yourself in the customer’s shoes and situation. It will help diffuse and solve the problem more easily.Important Information - By maintaining professional image with customers your more likely to get opinions to improve service. Without a professional image you wouldn’t be able to get this information.Perception – With professional image it helps empowering associates to take care of their customers. By doing this it makes the customers for likely to feel comfortable with doing business with your company.Employee retention – This declines when employees are treated with respect, and they appear professional to clients. It gives them a sense of pride in their work.
