For those with a solid career path, moving up is usually a pretty standard part of that path. There’s a lot that goes into how successful you are at moving along your chosen path, but few things will have as much instantaneous impact as the first impression you make. First impressions are critical, so it’s important to take into account how you choose to present yourself in professional settings.
Attire
How you dress can say a lot about you as a professional. One of the most important factors to consider is what constitutes business dress for your profession. If suits are appropriate for your profession, a properly fitted suit is a fantastic option for men. Similarly, a nice blouse, blazer, and pencil skirt or slacks can make a good professional outfit for women. A nice, clean pair of dress shoes is a great way to finish off professional attire. Choose the colors of your clothing carefully. Darker colors and neutrals tend to give off a more professional air than bolder, brighter hues. Men, make sure you wear dark socks. Seeing a pair of white socks peeking out from between dark pants and shoes messes with your look.
Your Smile
When people look at your face, your smile is likely to be one of the first things that get noticed, so take some time to make sure you’re happy with it. Start things off with good oral hygiene. This will help keep your teeth in good condition, reduce staining, and keep your breath fresh. There are different types of cosmetic dentistry that you can look into if your smile could benefit from a little extra attention. Your lips frame your smile, so take care of them as well. Moisturize them so they aren’t chapped. For any ladies who are concerned about stains or teeth that are more yellow than they would like, consider using blue-based red lip colors as opposed to more orangey ones. The contrast will help your teeth appear whiter.
Smelling Pleasant
How you smell is also important. You are likely to be working in fairly close proximity to others when in professional settings, so take care to smell pleasant. Good personal hygiene can go a long way towards eliminating unpleasant body odors. Wearing deodorant should help you keep your sweat and body odor under control throughout the day. If you choose to wear a perfume or cologne, take care with how you apply it. You don’t want it to be so strong that it’s overpowering to those who are close by.
Appearance may not quite be everything, but how you present yourself in professional settings can make a huge difference in the first impression you make. How you dress, your smile and even the way you smell can impact the way people perceive you. As you strive to move up in your career, keep in mind how you choose to present yourself to make sure you put your best foot forward every time.
Read this next: How to Get 100% From Your Team