DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE Center for Professional Communication

The New Professional Image

Professional Presence  A dynamic blend of poise, self-confidence, control and style  Empowers us to be able to command respect in any situation  Permits us to project confidence that others can quickly perceive  Permits us to rise above the crowd

The Importance of Making a Good First Impression  First impressions are lasting ones  First impressions are the first step in building a long- term relationship  The secret to making a good first impression:  Social generosity  Putting the emotional focus on the other person(s)

The Importance of Making a Good First Impression  The Primacy Effect  The tendency to form impressions quickly at the time of initial meeting  Later information is either ignored or reinterpreted based on initial framework  First impressions represent 100% of what they know about you at that point

The Importance of Making a Good First Impression  The First Few Seconds  Our thinking is not always rational  Decisions happen subconsciously in a split second  Assumptions vs. Facts  Initial impressions are made up of assumptions and facts  The briefer the encounter, the greater the chance for misinformation

Major Factors That Form Your Image

Surface Language  Surface Language: A pattern of immediate impressions conveyed by appearance  What contributes to your surface language?  Basic principles of appearance that withstand time:  If you want the job, look the part  If you want the promotion, look promotable  If you want respect, dress as well or better than industry standards

Wardrobe Engineering  Wardrobe Engineering: Describes how clothing and accessories can create a certain image  Effective packaging is an individual matter based on a variety of factors What factors should be considered when deciding if an ensemble is appropriate?

Appropriate Business Professional for Men

Appropriate Business Professional for Women

The Business Casual Look  The Business Casual Look  Movement toward greater comfort and individuality  Wear dressier business clothing when meeting with customers or clients  Wear clothing that is clean, neat and fits well

Appropriate Business Casual for Men

Appropriate Business Casual for Women

Facial Expression  After overall appearance, facial expressions are the most visible part of you  Provides clues to identify the inner feelings of another  Strongly influence people’s reactions to each other

Entrance & Carriage  The way you enter an office or business meeting can influence the image you project  Project self-confidence with:  a strong stride  a friendly smile  good posture  a genuine sense of energy

Voice Quality & Speech  Voice qualities that contribute to your image:  Tone of voice  Rate of speech (tempo)  Volume  Ability to pronounce (diction)

Your Handshake  The message the handshake sends depends on several factors:  Degree of firmness  Degree of dryness of hands  Duration of grip  Depth of interlock  Eye contact during handshake

Etiquette  Dining Etiquette  Pay attention to table manners  Order food that is easily controlled, not messy  Meeting Etiquette  Start and end positively and on time  Speak to the topic  Summarize and recap responsibilities

Etiquette  Cell Phone Etiquette  Don’t use in meetings, elevators, restaurants  Talk in a normal speaking voice  Ask disturbing cell users to take the call in private  Conversational Etiquette  Don’t be too informal, too fast  Avoid foul language, sensitive terms, slang

Etiquette  Networking Etiquette  Introduce yourself and what you do  Avoid negative talk  Follow up with contacts  Send a thank you note to anyone helpful to you  Incivility: The Ultimate Career Killer  Civility is a form of social generosity

The Job Interview  Communicate the image that you are someone that is conscientious  Show that you care enough to make a good impression