Advancing Your Career

By Dawn Waldrop

National Speaker, Author, Consultant

 

Are you looking to make more money?

Striving for a promotion?

Do you desire respect or recognition for your talents?

Write your career goal down on a piece of paper.

Now think about how you desire others to perceive you. Write down two words.

Everyday before you leave for work look in a full-length mirror. Ask yourself these questions, “Is how I am dressed expressing my two words and my career goal?”

“What can I do to fine tune my image?” This is your action plan.

Also, write down your concern when trying to dress for your job.

Now listen very carefully to your inner voice. You know when you look professional in your attire.You also know when you do not. When you are unsure those are the days you hesitate when you put something on. Those are the days you ask someone else, “How does this look?”

Mary is an administrator looking to move into management within her department. She desires to be perceived as professional and management material. Her concern is money because she lives on a tight budget. Currently she wears unlined linen suits. Because of the material and lack of lining her suits always look rumpled. Mary’s action plan was to purchase future suits that are lined and made with a polyester blend. Mary found her suits lasted longer saving her hundreds of dollars. She now looks polished and professional.

Final Result: Mary was amazed how much more professional she felt just by changing thematerial of the suit. Within a year Mary was offered a management position. She accepted.

Chadis a graphic designer of a company. He wants to be perceived as professional and creative. His goal is to make more money and be highly respected for the talent he brings to the company. His concern is what type of attire to wear since his position does not dictate business suits.

Chad being in a creative field was wearing polo shirts, 100% cotton pants, socks and deck shoes. Chad would wear these clothes on the weekend so they were faded and the shoes very worn. His action plan was to purchase new polo shirts, pants and shoes and only wear them to work. Because he is now keeping these clothes a separate wardrobe from his weekend clothes he looks, feels and acts more professional and he found he was even more creative.

Final Result: Chad was amazed at how he felt more professional and the confidence it gave him. People now take me more serious and respect the creative talent I have.

Robert is a District V.P. of a very large corporation. He always wants to be perceived at the highest level of professionalism and be perceived as someone whom others feel comfortable.His goal is to move into the Senior V.P. position with the company. He currently wears business suits. His challenge is wearing his business suits (because he knows it has helped him get him where he is today) yet knowing others who are very casually dressed may feel uncomfortable around him. Robert’s action plan on the days he interacts with his casual clientele was to wear a medium to dark colored shirt in place of his white shirt. He would also remove his jacket. This way he still felt highly professional and his casual clientele felt comfortable as well.

Final Result: Robert was so surprised at how this subtle change, which he felt very comfortable with, made such a powerful difference with the people he came in contact with everyday. Robert was offered a Senior V.P. position.

Self-awareness is the first step to achieving your goals. There is a definite correlation between your goal and how you present yourself professionally.Experience the power of reaching your goal!

Dawn is a “leading expert on attire in the workplace” motivating professionals

how to present their best image for success.

She is author of the book Best Impressions

How To Gain Professionalism, Promotion and Profit.
888-577-BEST www.best-impressions.com for information or book purchases.