Preview

Professional Apperance

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3073 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Professional Apperance
Components of Professional Appearance
July 23, 2012

Abstract
Business dress, personal grooming, body language, and attitude are components of a person’s professional appearance. These things can serve as forms of nonverbal communication and send messages to others about an individual. Before a person ever speaks a word, typically others around them can make judgments and form opinions based on the subtle messages provided by that person’s appearance. These components largely influence how well an individual is received and how well their message in heard. They can also affect ongoing things like job performance and financial compensation. I researched how these components of professional appearance can affect an individual in the business environment. In this paper, I provided examples of some factors that are considered in a person’s professional appearance in detail. Also, I provided some general guidelines to follow to present a proper professional appearance. Finally, I outlined some examples of how these things can serve to help or harm an individual in the workplace.
Keywords: nonverbal communication, business attire, hygiene, body language, attitude.

Components of Professional Appearance “First impressions are often lasting impressions; research shows that 55 percent of this first impression is based on appearance” (Chaney & Martin, 2007). Opinions can be formed before any verbal communication is ever made. Considering this, professional appearance is an important factor in how a person is perceived and how well they are received in the business world. It can also impact how well an individual performs and how long they are able to maintain a presence in that environment. Professional appearance includes a person’s business dress, personal grooming, body language, and attitude.
How does professional appearance affect you in the business world? Consider the following situation. You have two candidates for a sales



References: Bowden, M. (2010). Winning body language, control the conversation, command attention, and convey the right message without saying a word. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies. Bowman, J. (2007). Don’t take the last donut: New rules of business etiquette. Franklin Lakes, N.J: Career Press. Casperson, D. M. (1999). Power etiquette: What you don 't know can kill your career. New York, NY: AMACOM. Chaney, L. H., & Martin, J. S. (2007). The essential guide to business etiquette. CT: Praeger Publishers. Croucher, J. S. (2010). Body language in business. European journal of management, 10(3), 193. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE|A26 0256401&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Fager, J. (Executive Producer). (2012, July 15). 60 minutes [Television broadcast]. New York: Columbia Broadcasting Service. Grooming. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from http:// http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/grooming?show=0&t=1342722356 Langford, B. Y. (2005). The unspoken rules for business success. Saranac Lake: AMACOM Books. Retrieved from http://http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/ docDetail.action?docID=10120197 Pigford, L. (2001). The successful interview & beyond. Albany, NY: Delmar. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Company X has established an office dress code which must portray professionalism and ensure proper representation of the Judiciary Branch and Pinal County. The general public frequently forms its initial impression of professional credibility solely on employee appearance. The appropriateness of attire as seen by the general public has a bearing on how other agencies and departments view employee…

    • 657 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Satrapa, A., Melhado, M. B., Coelho, M. M. C., Otta, E., Taubemblatt, R., & Siqueira, W. D. F. (1992). Influence of style of dress on formation of first impressions. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 74, 159-162.…

    • 1693 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Importance of Ppe

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages

    It is also important to present yourself professionally at all times, the way you look will be seen as a measure of your competence by those who use the services and by your colleagues.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ethics Class Case Study

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Halbert, T., & Ingulli, E. (2012). Law & ethics in the business environment. (7 ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Western.…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Physical appearance conveys much about a candidate’s personality and professionalism, so you should dress in a manner that makes a good first impression in an interview. A good guideline is to dress conservatively. Men, for instance, should avoid casual clothes such as khakis and polo shirts. Instead—even if for what seems to be a company with a casual work…

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At first, it may seem shallow to care a whole lot about one’s appearance, but according to Daniel Akst’s essay “What Meets the Eye”, we learn that in many ways, appearances actually serve as a source of inequality. In his expository piece, Akst probes into the importance of appearances in our society today; he explores the role that beauty plays in everyday life and and how it influences society. Akst makes numerous interesting discoveries on the role of appearances in society, but several of his arguments don’t seem to be well-argued.…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    NOT: If you look and sound professional while working, you are more likely to be taken seriously and promoted.…

    • 6000 Words
    • 24 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Xcom 100

    • 1430 Words
    • 6 Pages

    It is also important for a candidate to remain professional in appearance, actions, and speech. A candidate may discover that a company workforce may function in a casual environment, but proper etiquette…

    • 1430 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Appearance, Accountability and Reliability are three characteristics that are essential to developing my professional image as a Human Service professional. I have a strong belief in having a neat appearance that shows great professionalism in your work environment. It also won’t be any problems staying in compliance with the dress code enforced. Accountability shows that you are dedicated to your profession and that you show great concern by being to work on time. Being reliable and doing the right thing is also an important factor to gain trust in your co-workers and people of higher positions in the company. These three characteristics will be very important to maintain a positive career as a Human Service professional. If any of these…

    • 250 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Professional

    • 1244 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A growing number of for-profit career schools offer certificate programs and associate degrees in medical coding. An investigation by the Government Accountability Office found that some of these programs engage in fraudulent and deceptive educational practices while charging very high tuition. To avoid educational scams, consult the list of approved certificate programs on…

    • 1244 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Schedule

    • 936 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Personal appearance can be a decisive item in any job interview. The image that a person gives in the moment of the meeting is of vital importance. For any interview people should be dressed appropriate and respectful, because most people use more the sense of sight than the ear. In “The Temp” Karen the principal character was the beautiful Asian woman with a perfect sophistication. At the moment when she came to the office her first impression was excellent for mates who went to work with her. They admire the temp from the moment they saw her. Even in the moment when Karen said the first words, they thought that she was a wonderful woman. “She talked and French-inhaled simultaneously and it made her look smart” (Kahaney 293). Also, when Karen smoked she was envied.…

    • 936 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Dress and Appearance :A person’s dress and appearance are matters of personal choice and selfexpression. However it is necessary and wise for staff to consider the manner of dress and appearance appropriate to their professional role, as opposed to that which may be adopted in their personal life. Dress and Appearance A person’s dress and appearance are matters of personal choice and selfexpression. However it is necessary and wise for staff to consider the manner of dress and appearance appropriate to their professional role, as opposed to that which may be adopted in their personal life.…

    • 1318 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Some things to come up with that people overlook when it comes office etiquette. The first impression is probably the most important, because you are the ambassador of your office. You always should act professionally and honestly, wearing appropriate office attire, and being neat, clean and as conservative as the office requires.…

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Power Of Authority Essay

    • 726 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This is becoming a problem in our society where people think that being informal and unprofessional will get you far. When in reality, you will only make it so far and then you need to act and look professional. People will give you more respect and listen to you just by dressing and acting more professional. It gives you a sense of knowledge and authority just to your look and people respect that. For an example, if you are the manager of a bank and you show up to work wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Do you think the other employees under you will think highly of you? Or give you the authority you deserve? Probably not. This goes for just about every higher job position and for as little as dressing up nice, it’s a easy start to being more…

    • 726 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Appearance is very important. Your clothes should be suitable for the situation. For example, if you wear casual clothes in a meeting with your partners, they will think that you are not serious about working with them, or you don’t respect them. Besides, clothes can demonstrate your characteristic. People often like the one with neat clothes than a sloven one.…

    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays