Enhancing Professional Personality

Clothing is not the sole thing which helps to bring out the ultimate identity. Your behaviour, attitude and the way you present yourself also count equally.

Published on New Business Age, January, 2014

Article by : Rashika Pokharel

Model: Upasana Serchand

Wardrobe: Purple, Naghpokhari, Naxal, Tel. 4429365

Model provided by: MCstudio Pvt Ltd, Lazimpat

Photographer: Rukesh Shrestha

Asst Photographer: Sandhya Shrestha

Appearing professional at workplace is something which every employee and employer wants. Few  people are born with beautiful looks whereas few others try to enhance their personality and look smart and  presentable by taking suitable measures. Office is a place where you want to create a distinct image and also get noticed by your coworkers and of course by the boss. Clothing is an important aspect of our personality that helps in highlighting our persona and outward appearance. However, clothing is not also the sole thing, which helps to bring out the ultimate identity. Your behaviour, attitude and the way you present yourself, also count equally. When it comes to interviews, presentations, important meetings, and any situation where you need to make a remarkable impression, looking professional is equally important as being professional. But looking professional means a lot more than just having a top-of-the-line briefcase, ideal shoes, the finest laptop money can purchase, and a bright smile. There are other professional requirements such as spontaneity, confidence, competence, appropriate behaviour etc., which must be fulfilled. Here are few tips for looking professional at office, which can be applicable for both males and females. 

Dress-up

Wear something that highlights your personality. Remember, highlighting personality doesn’t means that you need to be flashy or glittery and pull everybody’s attention. For males, suits and formal shirt/pants are perfect and females also can choose formal dresses like skirt, shirt, pants etc. Remember ladies, you should not wear high heels if you are uncomfortable in them. Wear something that is comfortable and have less chances of wardrobe malfunction. A single mistake can ruin your day and career. Most of the males believe that perfect appearance solely depends on a perfect dress up. Well that is not the whole picture, you need to have shiny shoes, a clean shaved look and of course well trimmed nails. Do not forget antiperspirant. These tips might sound as obvious guidelines but people can and often do overlook the obvious.

Behaviour

You are working at an office so you must look sober and sophisticated. Even if you are nervous do not let it reflect through your actions Avoid making small useless movements such as tapping your fingers, feet, shifting around in the seat, or showing such involuntary movements such as shaky hands and voices, excessive blinking during presentations or in front of boss. Always try to make eye contact with people around you. If you are going for a job interview these things play very important role. Similarly, even if you are competent enough, getting nervous may prove disadvantageous.

                                                             Time management

Remember that time is pacing, if it’s gone it will never come back. So, utilise your time carefully. Show respect to others by arriving early. This will also help you to be prepared for the job, whether it is routine job or a special event like meeting. Your punctuality is always a plus point for you at workplace. Always finish you work within the allotted timeframe and you will always come out on top. When a company pays for your time, it wants to get its money’s worth. Don’t short change it.

Advance Preparation

Preparedness is an important asset for uplifting your professional career. Always be ready with more than what you need. Advance preparation is helpful at the time of seminars, presentations etc. Come prepared with plenty of ideas or enough literature so that you do not go blank in front of the audience. Even if you go blank, try to entertain the people with your jokes in between or else raise questions so that the session can be interactive. If you’re using a laptop to run a presentation, do not depend upon your organizer for anything. Bring any possible connector you will need as well as an extra battery and your own adapter for your laptop.

Don’t be a Comic Personality

A little humour will always help you to be a star in office. Crack jokes sometimes to mingle with your colleagues or to relax yourself from the work pressure. But do not go extreme and present yourself as a jokester or a comedian. If you do so, you won’t be taken seriously. Apart from all these, there are more skills, which can boost up your professionalism, such as: always be reliable so that people can depend upon you. Be honest and stand for the truth. Always maintain certain principles and never divert from them. Work hard and be updated. Paying respect for your colleagues will also help you to gain respect in return. Be ready to support your colleagues