First, I don't like having a tie around my neck all of the time either and enjoy dressing down just as much as the next person. But, if you are looking to outdistance the competition and put yourself in a position to win...
[fa icon="thumbs-o-up"] Career Coaching 101--ALWAYS BE MINDFUL OF DRESSING FOR SUCCESS!
Many years ago, I made a decision that I would rather explain being over-dressed than counted out for being under-dressed. This decision came on the heels of a situation where my boss and I went to negotiate a matter with a client. Neither of us had ever met the client or been to their office, but were told by our operations staff that the client was always dressed casually in jeans. Now, we didn't wear jeans, but we did go business casual, in dress pants and shirt. When we walked into the office, all of the people we were meeting with were dressed in suit and tie. They had won the negotiation before it even started. I've never made that mistake again!
Did You Know?
[fa icon="check"] Upon meeting you, people form 11 impressions (clean, attractive, credible, knowledgeable, responsive, friendly, helpful, professional, empathetic, courteous, confident and professional) about you in 7 seconds and decide if they like you and will do business with you.
[fa icon="check"] Your appearance is 55% of your message and you never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression.
[fa icon="check"] Becoming too casual with your customers (or job for that matter) makes you vulnerable to the competition.
So what to do? Well, for starters, as Brian Tracy says, "Dress like a person with a future!" Then:
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Take an honest inventory...have you become too casual or complacent?
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Take a look around...how are the folks who you aspire to be like dressing?
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Develop a personal dress code...how will you dress to achieve the success you desire?
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Invest in your future with an overhaul of your wardrobe![fa icon="book"] Here's a guide for women . (Did you know 51% of women in senior leadership positions wear black?)[fa icon="book"] And a guide for men . (Did you know 41% of men in senior leadership positions wear navy?)
On your way to success, there are enough hurdles and challenges...don't let your dress be one of them!
