Is your appearance saying the right things about you?

Welcome to week II of making a great first impression. Today we are going to talk about presenting yourself in an appropriate/ professional manner.

When meeting someone for the first time, your physical appearance is the first frame of reference they have to go on. Your physical appearance matters. There is no need to look like a model. The key to making a good impression is to present yourself in an polished professional fashion.

Before meeting someone, determine what is the appropriate dress for the meeting. Does your meeting require a suit or casual attire? A general rule of thumb, is to be over dressed rather than under dressed. Studies have shown that certain clothes lend an air of confidence and authority to the person wearing them. Consider the fallowing suggestions:

• Invest in a few quality pieces, such as a tailored suit.
• Use sophisticated colors as the "base" of your outfit ie. navy, dark gray, black, taupe, etc. Use brighter colors as accents by wearing them in a tie print, shirt stripe, purse or jewelry.
• Wear small, sophisticated prints and tweeds avoid large shapes and designs.
• Carry a leather briefcase or handbag, in a dark neutral color.

For men:

1. Your go to outfit should always be a clean shirt, pants & tie
2. well groomed hair, pay special attention in keeping your neckline well groomed.
3. no piercings or tattoos showing
4. clean shoes
5. clean nails

For women:

• Always add finishing touches to your outfit -- a belt, a small pair of earrings, a necklace, this is the key to going from dressed to polished!
• Wear a short heel, this will improve your posture making you look more confident.
• Pay special attention to your nails, at the very least they should always be filed and buffed.....never allow yourself to be caught with an overly chipped and worn manicure!
• Choose a hairstyle that is low maintenance and works with the texture of your own hair, to ensure your hair is groomed daily.
• Learn how to create a chic and polished pony tail or bun for those hectic days when time is short.
• Wear natural make up, choose to accentuate one feature. For example, play up your eyes and wear a natural shade of lipstick, or wear a bolder lipstick but keep your eyes natural. The key is to avoid the dreaded "overdone" look.
• As a rule of thumb, never leave the house with out lipstick and a pair of earrings. You never know who you will run into, and what opportunities may await you, be prepared to always make a great impression!

Appropriate dress and grooming will help make a good first impression and help you feel "the part," so you feel calm, confident and ready for success!