Here’s my personal branding motto: Don’t let your virtual-world persona write a check that your real-world self can’t cash!
So welcome to Part II of my personal branding blog. In Part I, we examined the history of personal branding, and we talked about the importance of having a well-managed net presence. Next, we’re going to talk about your in-person presence, and the critical role it plays in your ultimate, full-fledged personal brand.
To create a well developed, first rate, on-line persona, only to disregard your in-person presence would quite literally be like creating a marketing campaign for a product that doesn’t exist. So if you’re planning on ever making a personal appearance (think job interview, 20-year class reunion, or internet date!), you’ve got to make sure you live up to your on-line “advertisements.” Essentially, you want to make sure that when people meet you in person after having scoped you out on your LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter pages, your actual, in-the-flesh self meets – and preferably exceeds – what they were anticipating. It’s basically a real-life application of the “under promise and over deliver” axiom.
Let’s break your “you-ness” into three logical, easy-to-focus-on components: how you look, how you sound, and how you act. Basically, if you put these three components together—you get you! They’re how you come across to others, and how you make your thoughts, ideas, dreams, and goals known. They’re what we, your friends, colleagues, and family members, see and hear when we interact with you—and they’re certainly worthy of your time and attention, if you intend to be the best you can be, both personally and professionally.
So in Parts II and III of this series, I’m going to share some pointers for upping your in-person game when you arrive fresh from cyberspace, ready to dazzle your earthly greeters. Today, we’ll examine how you look, and in Part III, we’ll cover how you sound and how you act. Let’s get started.
How You Look: Your Physical Appearance
Yes, it’s just like in Hollywood—whether you’re playing a wall street executive or a cattle rustler, you need to look the part to be believable. So if you want to be taken seriously in the professional world (no matter what your profession happens to be), then you’ll want to pay careful attention to how you look.
You may want to think that appearance doesn’t matter that much. After all, surface beauty is not what matters—it’s what’s inside that counts, right? Don’t fool yourself. It may seem shallow, but your appearance says a lot. It shows your professionalism, your attention to detail, and how serious you are about your career. It suggests your level of experience. It’s even a sign of your good (or not-so-good) judgment.
And I’m not just talking about the shoes you wear, although yes, shoes are important. A lot more goes into “looking the part” if you hope to get somewhere in your career:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE: http://www.naceweb.org/), 73% of hiring managers surveyed said a prospective employee’s grooming habits had a strong influence on their opinion of the job candidate, with interview attire having the second strongest influence (49%).
Wow! Grooming habits actually won out over clothing in this study, so let’s take a moment and talk about grooming. And here’s where we’re going to call upon the staff at Harry’s in NYC (https://www.harrys.com/en/us), the go-to pros of the professional appearance world, to weigh in on contemporary grooming practices. This is what they shared with me:
The key to success is choosing a personal look that is consistent and easy to maintain.
For men:
- No matter your facial hair preference, it should always appear to be intentional. Whether you’re dedicated to the clean-shaven look or rocking a five o’clock shadow, your face needs to be maintained and well groomed.
- Make sure your eyebrows are neat, and your nose and ear hairs are trimmed. No detail is too small, and your peers will notice your attention to the smallest things.
- Can’t make it to the barber on a regular schedule? Stock up on the appropriate shaving and grooming products at home, to ensure your look is always polished.
For women:
- The state of your nails can speak volumes. The right kind of manicure is important, but don’t feel pressured to keep them painted everyday. If you can’t keep the polish fresh then don’t bother. Short, clean nails, and well-groomed cuticles are the way to go.
- Your makeup should never be a distraction. Pick a style that complements your natural features and enhances your overall look. The natural route is often an easy way to blend your makeup and your clothing choices together.
- Choose a hairstyle that is easy to maintain. Your hair is often one of your most distinguished features. A style that doesn’t require consistent upkeep and is easily managed will allow you to hold the same look with minimal effort.
Of course, clothing also counts, and depending on the job, the unwritten dress code rules of an organization will vary. If you’re currently working for a major accounting firm, you’ll dress a lot differently than if you’re working for the hippest hair salon in SoHo—and that’s exactly why I can’t give you a lot of specifics on attire. But in general, dress carefully, professionally, and tactfully. How hard can it be? You’d be surprised. If you could only hear what I hear from the companies I consult with. Sweats, flip-flops, exposed midriffs, ripped clothing (and it still counts as “ripped,” even if it’s deliberately torn by the manufacturer), no socks, dirty fingernails. Trust me, these looks are not going to win points, no matter where you work.
So what should you wear? Start by shopping for what you can afford, what fits, what makes you feel attractive and confident, and what truly matches your vision of your perfect, professional self.
And I actually do have one specific suggestion. For women, I do believe that having a good, dependable blazer is crucial, no matter what line of work you’re in. I actually have several. When I’m standing in front of an audience, I love the look of the newest, longer blazers. But when I have to be seated for an extended amount of time, the short ones are the only way to go—otherwise, the long ones look bunched up and wrinkly at the waist. And blazers look great with pencil skirts, trousers, and even jeans. Talk about a fabulous tie-in piece.
A decent sport coat will do the same thing for men that a blazer will for women. You can wear your sport coat over slacks or jeans, and you can dress it up with a white shirt and a tie (Hey—you might need one someday), or go for a more casual look with a solid pastel shirt and no tie, or do the totally laid back thing with a more brightly colored or patterned shirt. I always suggest that both women and men keep an “emergency” blazer or sport coat in a closet at work, or in the trunk of your car (but don’t let it get wrinkled)—just in case you suddenly need to look killer-fab at a moment’s notice.
Overall, the best approach is to be well groomed, clean, and neat—and then tailor your “personal look” to fit your personality, your line of work, your budget, and your comfort level. And the final, final word when it comes to your personal image: be yourself! But be the very best version of yourself you can possibly be.
I’ll see you in two weeks, on June 13th, for Part III of this series. I hope you’re enjoying this in-depth exploration of your personal brand—because really, what could be more fascinating than the subject of you?
Don’t forget to contact me with your thoughts, questions, and topic suggestions at denisemdudley.com!