7 Tips On Perfecting Your Presence In A Corporate Environment
In today’s society, people are expected to dress for the occasion.
This is true in every setting- from a job interview to a wedding. With such high expectations placed on appearances, employees must know how best suit their work environment.
While there may not be one “right” way of dressing, there are some guidelines that can help you perfect your presence at work.
Dress to Impress
While you don’t necessarily have to wear a suit every day, there are certain occasions where it is expected. Be aware of your body language and avoid any gestures that may come across as negative. For example, avoid hunching over or crossing your arms in front of you; these actions communicate disapproval. Instead, use open gestures- think of significant hand movements! Also, lean forward slightly when engaged in conversation with others; this will help show interest and engagement. Make Eye Contact (with the right people). Eye contact can make or break an interaction for many individuals. While making eye contact during conversations with others is often considered polite, be careful not to stare at someone who doesn’t want direct eye contact with you.
Match the Culture
When dressing for work, it is essential to be aware of the culture within your workplace. For example, if you are part of a creative team that wears casual clothing and works with clients who come into the office every day, it’s best not to wear tennis shoes and shorts when there are potential client meetings. Keep in mind what your role is at the organization as well- do you have more freedom or less? If you don’t usually dress formally for assignments, this might not mean anything different during tax season! Keep It Clean (and Tidy) Just because everyone knows how messy you can get working doesn’t mean they’ll love seeing stains all over your clothes. When arriving home from work, try changing your work clothes into something more comfortable. If you can’t do this, at least hang your workwear up, so it doesn’t go back with the same wrinkles as when you left in the morning!
Grooming Matters
It’s not just about what you wear to work, but how you groom yourself as well! Make sure your hair is styled neatly and out of your face. Trim or shave facial hair so that it is neat. If you have piercings make sure they are clean and free of any dried blood or crustiness (eww). Keep in mind the appropriateness of makeup for different workplaces- a dark red lip may be perfect for an evening event but might not be suitable for a meeting with clients first thing in the morning. While it can be helpful to emulate other people’s styles when dressing for work, don’t lose sight of who you are! You want to feel comfortable in your clothes to perform your best. Having a few go-to outfits that make you feel powerful and capable will be much better than feeling like you have to wear something every day or else!
Be Appropriate
When it comes to wearing something for work, you want to feel comfortable but powerful. This means that while your clothing should be stylish, appropriate, and well-fitting (see our blog post on how women can find the perfect fit), it should never be tight or revealing. So, for example, while leggings are famous right now, there may come a time when you have an important meeting with clients where this would not be considered acceptable attire! The same goes for low-cut tops or dresses; if you’re feeling confident, then go ahead and wear them by all means; just make sure that everyone feels equally as confident in what they are wearing too!
Maintain Good Hygiene
It’s not just about what you wear, but also how you feel when wearing it. This means that your clothes need to be clean and free of any stains or odors. Ensure the clothing is washed regularly so that they don’t start to smell after a single time in the washer! If there are visible sweat marks between the shoulder blades, then this might not be appropriate for work either; try using some baby powder or antiperspirant before heading into work on hot days if possible. It’s also imperative to maintain healthy hair, so looking at those guides on the best men’s hair routine for every hair type might be beneficial. Finally, while perfumes can make us feel more confident at times, think twice about spritzing too much since others may find it difficult to focus around solid scents!
Mind Your Accessories
While it is essential to consider what you wear for work, don’t forget about accessories! A purse or briefcase can be a great way to change your outfit while adding another layer of professionalism. Be sure that whatever type of bag you choose isn’t too large; otherwise, it may start dragging down on the shoulder and cause discomfort throughout the day. Try finding something with an adjustable strap so that you can keep up appearances without feeling exhausted by mid-day! When choosing jewelry, try wearing one statement piece such as a lovely bracelet instead of several at once (unless you’re going out for drinks after work). It’s also best not to wear anything with religious symbols, making some coworkers uncomfortable around certain people in the office.
Keep it Professional
You want to show up for work looking ready and eager, but remember that you’re not here to make social connections. This means avoiding any conversation about family drama or your recent trip home. While it may be difficult sometimes, try to refrain from talking too much about yourself since people might start viewing you as self-serving or narcissistic! Workplace friendships are lovely if they happen organically over time, so don’t worry if everyone doesn’t get along right off the bat; do what you can to remain professional throughout the day!
Following these seven tips should help you feel more confident in your corporate environment. While it may take some time to get used to following all of the guidelines, eventually, it will become second nature, and you’ll be able to focus on your work rather than what you’re wearing!
