First Impressions Do Matter
by Joyce Neave

You never know who you are going to meet. Think of yourself as a walking billboard. The way you present yourself is how people connect to you. Do your clothes fit you well? Are they clean and pressed? Studies show that people have confidence in individuals who take pride in the way they dress. This does not mean that you have to break the bank to look good. It means that your clothes are the right size and tailored to fit your body. It means you're dressed appropriately for the situation. For example, it means that you wear closed toe shoes to a job fair, and save the flip flops for the beach.

Businesses want to hire people who will represent their company well. Ask yourself," Do I reflect their brand?" What you wear to work shows how you feel about the company. Do you show up fresh and ready to do your job? Do your clothes convey that you are part of the team? Everyone wants to express themselves and be heard. In a business setting, this is achieved by your ideas not your clothing. Companies have reputations. Intelligent, well-mannered, well dressed employee make the company look good. Save your creative dressing for the weekend.

Dressing well and appropriately tells the world that you are a good decision maker; that you have good judgment. This will not only build people's confidence in you at the work place but in every setting. Most importantly, you will feel good about yourself.

Tips on presenting yourself well

• When shopping for your work attire, it's best to simplify. Basic suiting in solid colors should be made well and tailored to fit your body.
• Take care of your clothing by dry cleaning your suits. In between trips to the cleaners, try steaming your suits with an electric steamer. You can purchase a free standing or hand held steamer. This will take out the wrinkles and keep your clothing smelling fresh.
• Shirts/tops should be free of tears, snags, stains and should always smell fresh. Cologne will not take away body odor or food smells and definitely not the smell of smoke. It will only smell worse.
• Practice good personal hygiene. Bathe regularly, use deodorant, brush your teeth and visit your dentist for regular cleanings.
• Be well groomed. Nails should be trimmed and clean. If you wear polish, chipped polish should be repainted or removed. Hair should be groomed and clean when you arrive at work.
• Shoes should always be clean polished and heels and soles should be repaired when needed.
• Keep jewelry to a minimum and avoid jewelry that jingles.
• If you're working in a more conservative setting, tattoos and piercings should be covered in the work place until you're more familiar with the culture of the company and get a better handle on what's acceptable.

This is a topic that is worth revisiting often. Why? Because it can change your life. Though that sounds dramatic, it's actually true. First impressions DO matter. Following these tips will get you in the door. Once you're in, your hard work and best efforts will speak for themselves. 

Joyce Neave
Owner/Stylist
JoyceNeave.com 

If you have any questions feel free to contact me, [email protected]

Joyce Neave is an authority on fashion and style. As founder, Joyce has been empowering clients for over twenty years. As the owner of That Mom Inc., and now JOYCE NEAVE style group, her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Washington Times, Washingtonian Magazine, and Bethesda Magazine among others. Joyce has been featured on WUSA9 News highlighting her wardrobe consulting practice and providing viewers with valuable insights. Learn more about the services provided by JOYCE NEAVE style group at: http://www.joyceneave.com/

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