Jobs Articles
Email
Print
What does your appearance say about you?
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: February 3, 2008
No matter how you earn a living, your appearance is critical. Among the first things people notice about you is your dress and grooming. They're important not only when you start a job, but every day after that — and for your entire career as well.
Don't mistakenly think that seniority allows you to slack off when it comes to your appearance. Whether you've been with your company five months or five years, your attire is one of the subtle factors that determine how far you'll go in your organization. So, think carefully about your physical appearance — even on casual Fridays.
The rule of thumb is that your appearance is particularly important in all jobs where there is direct contact with the public. A company's frontline people — top executives, sales and marketing professionals and customer-service representatives — are its spokespeople.
You're being watched and observed
It sounds ominous — like something out of George Orwell's timeless classic "1984" — but you are being randomly observed at work. It's because your appearance has an impact on others — managers, co-workers and customers. Even the car you drive and how well you maintain it says something about you.
Don't mistakenly think that good work alone will earn you a promotion. It's the total package that gets you bigger and better jobs. That consists of the quality of your work, overall performance and physical appearance.
To prove that people respond to physical appearances, John T. Molloy, author of "Dress for Success," conducted a simple experiment. While he was writing his book, he panhandled money at New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal and Grand Central Station. During rush hour, he stopped people and said that he was embarrassed but he had lost his wallet and needed 75 cents to go home. He did it for two hours. During the first hour, he wore a suit but no tie. For the second hour, he wore a tie as well. In the first hour, he made $7.23. However, the second hour yielded $26, almost four times as much as he pocketed in the first hour.
Molloy's conclusion: The public perceives the tie as a symbol of respectability and responsibility.
Dress for inclusion
You can't go wrong if you follow this standard advice: Dress for inclusion. That means look at what the people ahead of you on the organizational ladder are wearing and make them your models. Avoid getting caught up in passing fads and trends, and follow this proven tenet of dress.
Most important: Respect the dress codes of your industry or company. They change little from decade to decade. Financial-services organizations (banks, brokerages and insurance firms) tend to be conservative. Conservative dark suits and ties always are in style. This not only is because senior management insists upon it, but because customers subconsciously expect it. The clean-cut, conservative look is taken as a sign of professionalism and stability.
Caution: Avoid clothes or styles that make you stand out. In most businesses, it's best to avoid extremes.
The safe color choice for men in the United States is a gray or blue suit, with lighter shades in warm weather, and darker ones in cool weather. Muted pinstripes always are in style. Brown suits generally are regarded as less authoritative than blue or gray ones. Shirt, tie and socks always should work together. Contrasting colors should be avoided. And your shoes always should be shined and in good repair.
Women have more leeway
Women have greater latitude for individuality in fashions, but the above color rules still apply. Seductive or coquettish outfits may draw admiring stares, but they won't enhance your reputation as a businesswoman.
Solid colors in women's clothing convey a message of seriousness and character, while plaids and prints tend to make a whimsical impression. In an office, women on the way up are more likely to wear suits, dresses and skirts with blazers.
Email
Print
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
