2. Professionalism Dress and Act the Part

3. How long does it take for someone to form an opinion of you? Six Seconds! Six Seconds!

4. What are you saying before you speak? Eye contact Eye contact Facial expressions Facial expressions Posture Posture Handshake Handshake Clothing Clothing

5. Eye Contact Maintaining eye contact with a person or an audience says you have confidence! Maintaining eye contact with a person or an audience says you have confidence! It says you are someone who can be trusted! It says you are someone who can be trusted!

6. Facial Expressions A smile says you are friendly and approachable. A smile says you are friendly and approachable. Raised eyebrows say that you are interested in others. Raised eyebrows say that you are interested in others.

7. The Handshake Grasp the other persons hand firmly, shake several times and release. This says you are self-assured and enthusiastic. Grasp the other persons hand firmly, shake several times and release. This says you are self-assured and enthusiastic.

8. Posture Stand up straight but not rigid. It says you are receptive to others. Your hands should be at your sides and may be used to emphasize a point. Stand up straight but not rigid. It says you are receptive to others. Your hands should be at your sides and may be used to emphasize a point. When seated, sit up straight and lean slightly forward. It says you are interested. Your hands should be folded on your lap. Your feet should be flat on the floor or crossed at the ankle. When seated, sit up straight and lean slightly forward. It says you are interested. Your hands should be folded on your lap. Your feet should be flat on the floor or crossed at the ankle.

9. Clothing The appropriate clothing says that you are a leader with winning potential. The appropriate clothing says that you are a leader with winning potential.

10. Clothing How should personnel in the following professions be dressed? How should personnel in the following professions be dressed?

11. Banking

12. Teaching

13. Do you form an opinion about people based on their attire? YES!CareerIncomeStatusPrestigeIntelligence

14. Remember... Your image and that of Virginia DECA are inseparable!

15. Create a professional image with the clothing you wear

16. Hair Dos Don'ts Dos Don'ts Clean Dirty Clean Dirty StyledMessy StyledMessy CombedBig CombedBig

17. Makeup DosDonts DosDonts NaturalBright NaturalBright ConservativeExcessive ConservativeExcessive

18. Teeth/Mouth Brush and gargle Brush and gargle Carry small mints Carry small mints Do not chew gum Do not chew gum

19. Jewelry Small and conservative Small and conservative No more than 2 earrings No more than 2 earrings Remove facial piercing Remove facial piercing

20. Nails Short and clean for males and females. Short and clean for males and females. Females should chose pale shades of polish. Females should chose pale shades of polish.

21. Blouse/Shirt FemalesYour blouse should be buttoned to your collar bone and tucked in. A shell may also be appropriate. The blouse should have sleeves. FemalesYour blouse should be buttoned to your collar bone and tucked in. A shell may also be appropriate. The blouse should have sleeves. MalesYour shirt should have a collar and be tucked in. A tie is a must. MalesYour shirt should have a collar and be tucked in. A tie is a must. A blouse or a shirt should be clean and ironed. A blouse or a shirt should be clean and ironed.

22. Pants Pants should fit at the natural waistline. Pants should fit at the natural waistline. Belts should match your shoes. Belts should match your shoes.

23. Skirts/Dresses Skirts and dresses should fit well. They should not be too tight! Skirts and dresses should fit well. They should not be too tight! The length should be no shorter than two inches above the knee. The length should be no shorter than two inches above the knee.

24. Hose/Socks Dress socks should always be worn with pants. Dress socks should always be worn with pants. Hose should be worn with dresses or skirts. Hose should be worn with dresses or skirts.

25. Shoes FemalesYour shoes should be a comfortable, closed toe pump. FemalesYour shoes should be a comfortable, closed toe pump. MalesYour shoes should be a polished dress shoe. MalesYour shoes should be a polished dress shoe.

26. Perfume/Cologne Be conservative! Be conservative!

27. Tattoos Cover them up! Cover them up!

28. Purse/Briefcase Females should carry one or the other. Females should carry one or the other. Purses or briefcases should be neat, clean and polished. Purses or briefcases should be neat, clean and polished. No backpacks! No backpacks!

29. The DECA Blazer What goes with it? What goes with it? Khaki or gray pants Khaki or gray pants Khaki, gray or red skirts Khaki, gray or red skirts White shirts or blouses White shirts or blouses Red blouses Red blouses Red ties Red ties Navy blue or black shoes Navy blue or black shoes

30. Conference Attire Official Dress Code Official Dress Code Competition Competition Workshops Workshops Common Areas Common Areas Halls, Rooms, Free Time Halls, Rooms, Free Time

31. Summary You communicate without speaking a word. You communicate without speaking a word. Your image is important! Your image is important! Your attire should be professional anytime you represent Virginia DECA. Your attire should be professional anytime you represent Virginia DECA. You are Virginia DECA in the minds of the members! You are Virginia DECA in the minds of the members!