Hints and Tips

 

At Speak First, we’re all about helping people to make the right personal impact. So we invited image coach Sue Donnelly to give you some essential tips on making a great first impression with your appearance...

No second chance to make a first impression
It might not be fair, but it’s certainly true, that there are no second chances in this fiercely competitive world to make a great first impression. For many, the knowledge they can do the job well is enough to guarantee success in their own minds but the truth is, unless you are a genius – in which case there is no need to read on – the way you look is often the decider when it comes to securing a new job, getting the sale, negotiating a contract and rising up the corporate ladder.

Statistics differ but the assumptions we make about others happen within a few seconds of meeting. There is no factual reasoning behind our perception, but the impression made can be strong enough to take at least 20 further interactions for it to change in the perceiver’s mind. In today’s fast paced world, a negative first impression is something you can really do without.

Make sure your clothes say the right things about you
Clothing covers about 90% of our body. We can do very little about our genetics, though a woman has the advantage of cosmetics to help her, but it makes sense to take control of how we choose to adorn ourselves. Putting thought behind what you wear is not style over substance but the creation of a visual shorthand, enabling you to tell the world about who you are and what you stand for. The recession has made an impact already, with John Lewis and other retailers reporting incredible increases in the sale of ties as men do not want to be outdone by their counterparts.

Be authentic
Taking care of the outer appearance alone is not a guarantee of success. A shiny Bentley gives a first impression of a sleek, luxurious, high performance vehicle. Look under the hood and find a rusty, old engine and its performance cannot possibly live up to the standard expected. So the inner and outer messages must be both congruent and consistent. This is what builds reputation and, of course, this can be good or bad. We all have an image, whether we try or whether we don’t. Success is about creating the right one, one which is totally authentic. None of us want to be a clone.

What are your brand values?

To begin the process, you need to be clear about the message you are trying to communicate. Start by analysing how you would like others to perceive you. Make a list of all the words you think describe you well then highlight the 5 or 6 that are most important to you. If unsure, check them out for authenticity by asking trusted colleagues, friends or family whether you are currently expressing these traits in your everyday life. These words will become your brand values and will need to be reflected in everything you do from now on.

Which rules mustn't you break?
Secondly, you need to be able to project your personal brand values by choosing carefully what you wear and how you wear it. Generally speaking, your clothing needs to fit the standards laid down by the organisation in which you work and/or the one in which your clients work. The more traditional the industry, the more care you will need to take. There are many ‘rules’ governing men’s clothing. Get it wrong, and you’ll definitely be remembered – but not for the right reasons. The ‘no brown in town’ rule for instance is still prevalent in the City. Make sure you adopt the ‘never, always, sometime’ rule when buttoning your jacket (from the bottom), your tie is the correct length and the knot suits your collar. Ladies need to be aware of baring their arms, showing toe cleavage and wearing too short a hemline in these very traditional institutions. So do your homework first. What are your audience’s expectations? What is the industry type and what rules does it employ regarding business attire? Make sure you dress appropriately for the occasion so you ‘fit in’. Like attracts like, so if you can adapt to their style, you are more likely to be accepted.

Friendly or authoritative?
Thirdly, contemplate the situation and what is required from you. Sometimes there is a need to feel powerful and authoritative. Other times a friendlier approach is more apt. Colour, used as a psychological tool, can be of great benefit if used wisely. The higher the contrast in your clothing (black or navy suit, white or ice blue shirt), the more powerful you will appear. Blending colours gives a more approachable image (grey suit with pastel blue or pink shirt). Introducing a pattern, such as a striped shirt or a paisley tie, can also lessen the strength of the impact. Generally speaking, two patterns worn together is adequate. Three can appear eccentric, while none at all can be perceived as boring and dull. Choosing a softer fabric for a shirt or blouse lessens the authority of a suit. A red tie is the choice of many politicians when something of importance is being said. Red reflects the haemoglobin in the lips, so the viewer not only listens to what is being said but is also drawn to the mouth, watching the message given from the lips. Ladies can emulate this by using a pink or reddish lipstick or gloss. Navy is the colour we associate with responsibility. Like its namesake, the Royal Navy, it defends us from unwanted threats and we feel safe in its presence. Grey is thought to be neutral, as of course it is, being a mix of black and white. Orange, yellow and lime can be perceived as too frivolous for the workplace though splashes in a tie, a scarf or jewellery can give an air of fun. Brown is considered trustworthy, though there are rules concerning where you can and cannot wear it for business.

Image breakers

Lastly, the image breakers. Grooming, or lack of it, is a real turn off. Bad breath, broken, dirty or chipped nails, unwashed hair, scuffed shoes and so on will undo any other work you’ve put into your personal brand immediately. Don’t stint on your accessories. Expensive accessories will make a cheap suit look more professional but the other way around rarely works.

Be mindful of any irritating habits you may have. Often we are not aware of them but others are. Three months after an initial meeting, someone you met for the first time will remember you for your habit but is unlikely to remember your name or what you said, so forego the jangling bracelets or earrings, tie back your hair, stop tapping your fingers or your toes and if you’re not sure, ask your colleagues and they will tell you exactly what you are doing wrong.

Putting it all together
Your posture is also critical. Imagine a triangle with the apex above your head and its base just below your shoulders. This is your Influencing Triangle. It is the energy force and houses your smile, your collar and tie – if you’re male- and your eyes, the windows of your soul. Slouching enforces the energy radiating from the triangle to slump to the ground, so any positive impact you might have had on your audience is now lost.   

Your clothing should feel like a natural extension of you. Your attire should fit, flatter, be functional and fortify. This means you can give 100% effort to the job in hand without worrying how you look. You’ve done the hard work beforehand.

 

Sue Donnelly, MFIC, AICI CIP is the current President of The Federation of Image Consultants and a qualified Image Coach on both sides of the Atlantic. She has a wide experience of working with people, as a corporate facilitator, an image trainer and a personal coach. She has been featured in many national magazines and newspapers and is the author of 4 books. As a qualified life coach and workshop facilitator, Sue has the skills and the passion to help men and women present themselves in an authentic and positive way.