Aug 24, 20151 min

Appearances DO Say A Lot

In business, the opinions of others matter. Business etiquette experts suggest you consider the following:

• Do my clothes conform to the company policy or do they push the limits? Too short, tight, low-cut or too loud?
 

 
• Are my clothes in good repair? Free of stains, odors, rips?
 

 
• Do I dress appropriately for the situation? Is the meeting at Starbucks or a private equity firm?
 

 
• Am I prepared for an emergency? Keep an extra outfit in the office, just in case.

Body language is an important part of overall appearance:

• Eye contact– do you look people in the eye. Focus on the area between the eyebrows rather than a stare down.
 
• Posture- Standing or sitting in an erect manner, conveys a confident image…no slouching
 
• Gestures– Lean slightly forward to demonstrate engagement and receptivity
 
• Nervous habits– foot tapping, fidgeting or other unnecessary movements give off a sense of uncertainty.
 

Advance preparation can make all the difference and you never know who you will be meeting in the course of your day.

©2015 Maureen Weisner

#officeemergency #officeattire #businessetiquette #wardrobe #bodylanguage #preparation

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