Dress for Success Research Paper
Dress For Success Research Paper
September 19, 2015
Business 279
Written By:
Stephanie Watts
The way you look plays a significant role in your success. In today's workplace, where casual wear is becoming increasingly accepted, it can be difficult to understand the rules of appearance. The goal to proper appearance is to increase your confidence and to help you present yourself.
There are a few tips for encompassing a good appearance in an interview or the workplace. You need to understand what’s appropriate in the industry of work you’re moving toward. Don’t wear strong perfume. Don’t over accessorize, your accessories are meant to complement your outfit, not overpower it. Wear rich colors to portray your authority. Darker colors usually convey a stronger impression than lighter ones. Facial hair needs to be kept trim and tidy to maintain a professional look. And also avoid overly flashy clothes. Clothes that are too flashy can be distracting. Overall, your clothing and accessories should draw little attention. Also proper grooming of yourself is a key factor in making a good first impression. Without proper grooming and care of both the body and the clothing, even a suit looks bad. Regardless of the type of dress, clothing should look neat, clean and free of wrinkles. It is imperative when seeking employment that you may need to alter your appearance to match the values of the company where you are seeking employment.
There are also statistics on how a person evaluates you. 55% body language and appearance, 38% verbal tone, 7% verbal content. Your audience can form its first impression of you before you speak a single word. It follows that how you look helps determine your credibility. You don't want your listeners to be distracted by your clothing, hairstyle, accessories, or any other aspect of your personal appearance. One study says that Americans have the opportunity to see their own reflection (in mirrors, windows, elevator doors, etc.) up to fifty-five times every day. That means fifty-five opportunities to feel good about yourself, indifferent, or even negative about your physical appearance. (The New Professional Image, Susan Bixler, Adams Media). A key rule is to never dress less formally than your audience. Get to know the styles, cuts, and colors which flatter your height, weight, and body type.