Dress to Impress!

 We’ve all heard the saying, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”Is appearance really that important when it comes to being hired, getting a promotion, or working in your current position? Absolutely!! What do looks have to do with your professional capabilities? Well, nothing really.....but they certainly play a role in how you are viewed by fellow employees and employers. Looking polished and put together can be the difference between you landing your dream job and someone else snagging the position right from underneath you. 

     Firstly, let’s talk about the correlation between how you look and how you feel. We’ve all had those days when we’ve overslept, leapt out of bed, threw on whatever clothes we could find and brushed our hair with our fingers as we scrambled out the door. I don’t know about you, but when I don’t look good, I don’t feel too good either. The insecurity you feel about how you look, unfortunately can and most likely will translate into your work and work-related social interactions. When your confidence is down, it will affect your work. Period. 

     Now think about those days when you have on a well tailored, professional outfit and you’ve taken the time to look your best. Chances are, you’re feeling fabulous and you’re going to kick some serious butt in the office! When you look great, you feel great and your work will reflect that. 

     Next, let’s look at it from an employer’s standpoint. If you were to interview two prospective employees and one comes in looking neat, polished and put together and the other arrives looking sloppy and disheveled or just...”ehhh”. Which one would you choose? If your appearance is up to par, you will portray yourself as confident, organized and self-assured and your employer will be confident in your abilities to get the job done. 

     If you appear to be sloppy or unconcerned with your appearance, it will likely raise some red flags. Why should an employer find you reliable enough to do your best work when you don’t even put in the effort to look your best. 

     If you’ve already got the job and always dress nicely and professionally, you will give off the impression that you can and will exceed expectations and will be seen as a worthy contender for a higher position. However, if your appearance is slovenly, you will likely be viewed a complacent. Now, of course these assumptions may not always be correct, but unfortunately we do judge others based on appearance, whether we are aware of it or not. And, hey....If you can change the way you are valued in a professional setting by simply putting more effort into your appearance and the way you portray yourself, GET ON IT!!!!

(Ironically, I am sitting on my couch in my pajamas as I write this, but hey....It’s freezing, I’m working from home today, and honestly...it’s just one of those days. But tomorrow, I’ll be dressed my best and you can bet your boots I’ll feel my best too! )