When we start a new job, we’re often keen to look our best. We make an effort with our appearance because we want to make a great first impression.
Most of us carry this on for a while but over time our standards can slip. While this isn’t always a bad thing, something as simple as not looking as professional as you could, can hold you back when it comes to gaining promotions, building relationships with clients, or even feeling confident in the workplace. Fortunately, looking more professional doesn’t need to be difficult. Here’s a look at some of the easiest ways to do it.
Take Care of Your Clothes
Old, poorly looked after clothing with dirty marks, stains, tears, and other damage will never look professional. Take care of your clothes by washing to garment instructions, hanging them to dry, and making any repairs as soon as possible. Caring for your clothes helps you to look more professional, but it can also save you money and is better for the environment.
Polish Your Shoes
Polishing your shoes with Saphir polish can be a great way to look cleaner, and smarter, and give the impression that you are someone who takes care of yourself and is proud of how they look. People might not notice dull shoes, but they’ll always notice polished, well-cared-for ones.
Wear the Right Fit
Even very expensive, incredibly smart suits won’t look professional if they don’t fit well. Clothes that fit well, and suit your body type, will always look better, even if they are cheaper options.
Get Back to Basics
Sometimes it’s the details that help us to look smart and professional and make a great first impression, but it’s also the details that start to get left behind when we fall into bad habits.
Things like practicing good hygiene, keeping your hair and nails neat, and caring for your skin, can help you to look polished.
Improve Your Posture
How you stand also has an impact on how professional you look. People with good posture are typically more trustworthy, more approachable, better leaders, and more confident people. Or at least, they appear to be, which is almost as good.
If you find yourself slouching, exercises like swimming, jogging, and yoga can improve core strength and aid posture. Another great way to improve your posture is to check it andcorrect your sitting or standing position regularly throughout the day.
Tone Down Accessories
Accessories are a great way to add some personality to smart outfits. But you can go too far. Any accessories that you wear,or carry should be subtle, and should never overwhelm your outfit.
Maintain Eye Contact and Smile
Eye contact and a friendly smile go hand in hand with a strong posture, and an assertive handshake to give the appearance of a confident, professional person that’s great to be around.
Looking more professional is about more than what you wear. Taking care of your clothes, practicing excellent personal hygiene, standing tall, smiling, and maintaining eye contact can also help you to make the right impression.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
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