Look the Part: Dress for Success
They say that first impressions are lasting impressions. There is no doubt that how you present yourself is a representation of who you are and affects how people will see and remember you. In order to leave a good impression on others, you must carry yourself in a polite and professional manner. It is also essential that you are clean, presentable and dressed appropriately for the workplace – especially if you are working with clients or the public. Dressing for success does not necessarily mean that you must spend a lot of money on your wardrobe. It just means that you must look like you belong in your position, take your job seriously and are committed to the company. In a salon environment, dress codes vary, depending on the feel of the salon. But regardless of the particulars, it’s important to dress in a way that causes clients and coworkers to take you seriously – and, as a beauty professional, it’s important to look stylish, too.
For men, clothing can range from an oxford or polo shirt to a dressy t-shirt and sport jacket to a pair of dress pants and shirt and tie. For footwear, consider leather dress shoes and dark socks, and always avoid wearing sandals. Look around to see what other employees are wearing to get a better idea of what is commonly accepted. The key is to look neat, clean, pressed and well put together.
Sometimes it can be even more difficult for women to determine what to wear because there are so many options. Keep in mind that you can dress fun and show off your own style while still adhering to the company dress code. However, there are some general rules of thumb. First, be sure your clothes are workplace appropriate – nothing too tight, baggy or short. (If you are thinking about wearing something to work that you would normally wear out to the bar or for a girl’s night out, put it back in the closet!) What you want your co-workers and boss to notice is your intelligence, strong work ethic and commitment to the company, not a short hemline or revealing top. Shoes can be another issue for women in the workplace – especially when entering a new job. Some companies do not mind what kind of footwear you wear, as long as it looks “professional,” while others don’t allow any open-toed shoes/sandals or flip-flops. If you are ever in doubt about what to wear or what not to wear, remember that erring on the conservative side is usually the best decision – and it is never wrong to ask someone in human resources to define dress guidelines.
In addition to dressing appropriately, here are some key things to remember about maintaining your appearance in the workplace:
• Avoid strong perfume and cologne as others may be highly sensitive or even allergic to these smells.
• If you are a smoker, make sure that you do not walk into work smelling like cigarette smoke. Stand out in the open air to let the smoke dissipate and chew a piece of gum or use breath spray before returning to work (use Febreze or a similar product if the smell lingers on your clothing).
• Keep fingernails shapely and clean.
• If open-toed shoes are acceptable, regularly treat yourself to a pedicure to make sure your feet look healthy and presentable.
