Are You Projecting a Professional Image

By Mercedes Alfaro
President and Founder
First Impression Management, Inc.

First impressions can be effective or disastrous, but they are usually lasting - even when we know that we are experiencing them!   When we meet others, our general objective is to establish confidence, trust and rapport.  This is not always easy.  Companies spend millions of dollars each year packaging their products – and so should you with your corporate image! The packaging must say something special about you. You may be the best in your field but if you don't package yourself effectively, you are limiting your success.

Your company's reputation is only as strong as your customer's perception of the last person with whom they worked.  Answer the following questions to examining your level of impression management competency:

• Are you noticed when you walk into a room?
• How is your entrance?    
• When greeting someone, do you offer your hand immediately, regardless of the person’s gender?
• Are you comfortable with your handshake?
• Do you make eye contact and smile when you greet people in meetings and throughout conversation?
• Do you have any distracting gestures that get in the way of people fully connecting with you?
• Are you aware of how you show you are nervous when you are under stress?
• Are you conscious of the nonverbal messages you are sending? 
• Do you know what nonverbal messages are?
• Are people always confused with the visual message you are sending?

In business, many professionals are not aware of how they are communicating with their visual presence.  It’s been proven by research, that 55% of your first impression is visual.  Visual consists of the clothes your wear, hopefully they cover 98% of your body, and the nonverbal message you send with your body language. 

For example, if you are attending a meeting and you walk into the room with your eyes cast down, shoulders slumped and not connecting with anyone you are sending a clear and loud message.  You lack confidence!  You feel awkward!   If you lack confidence why should any one else have confidence in you.  Not making good eye contact sends the wrong message.  In addition, to send the message that you are confident and approachable, keep a smile on your face and keep your body language open.  Take charge of the unconscious nonverbal messages you are projecting and use it to your own benefit to project confidence and competence in any situation.

Unfortunately, we never see ourselves as others see us. If you are not getting the results you want in your career and you are willing to accept comments and make changes in your behavior and appearance, ask for feedback from others so you can better understand what is holding you back.  You may want to ask your friends for feedback – but be careful not to select friends that are clueless themselves and show a visual presence of none awareness.     

Here are three tips to help you unlock the secrets to promoting a professional presence:

Tips 1: Dress appropriately, wear only clothes that fit you well (this includes your body type) and are appropriate for each business occasion you attend.  Understand the difference between traditional business attire and the different levels of business casual.  Wear clothes that say you are there for business and should be taken seriously.  Here is my definition of what is not business casual: If you wear it to the beach, on a hot date, or to the park – it’s not appropriate for business. With that in mind, keep mini skirts, jeans (of any kind), low-cut tops, clothes that are too tight or are not age appropriate, sandals, flip-flops (even the ones with Rhine stones) and sneakers for your weekend or at-home wardrobe only.

Tip 2: Women - wear appropriate makeup. Inappropriate makeup includes wearing too much or not wearing any at all.  Women should wear mascara, lipstick or lip gloss, and blush to portray a “pulled together” image.  Remember, your face is the first thing everyone sees, so put your best face forward. 

Tip 3: Men - watch your grooming.  Clothing and grooming choices send messages about your personality and mind-set and offer other clues about you as well.  Appearing slovenly with your clothes will make others question if you are the same way with your work. (Slovenly includes wearing clothes that are not clean and pressed.)  Also, keep in mind that it is not always the clothing items themselves that give a positive or negative impression as much as how you wear them.

To win the game you have to learn how to play by the rules. Keep finding ways to help you put your best foot forward - everyday.

Read our other articles