Impressions Don’t Stop After the First One
by Laurie Wilhelm
I see a lot of tips offered to job seekers about what they should wear for their interviews to make a good first impression. I’m often surprised at how obvious the points on these lists are:
- clean clothes and hair
- cleaned and trimmed fingernails
- brushed teeth and fresh breath
- clothing appropriate to the company’s environment
- little or no cologne or perfume
- appropriate jewellery and make up
- no gum chewing or hard candy in your mouth
- no body odour
How is this list any different after they’ve landed the job? Does it mean that once hired we can relax and come to work smelly, with bad breath and dirty fingernails? Shouldn’t these tips be the norm and not the interview exception? If someone actually needs a list like this, it should be made clear that it doesn’t end after the interview.
We’re often taught the importance of making a good first impression, but what about making a good, ongoing impression? What about the impressions we make day after day after we’re hired? It seems that for some, once we’re with our employer for a while that it’s easy to get comfortable and to “let ourselves go.” It’s as if over time, we forget how important the way we dress is and the influence our manner of dress has on others every day.
Consider too that even though you’ve been at your company for a while, all new employees will see you for the first time and whatever you’re wearing and how you’re presenting yourself will be their first impression of you. So if you think you’re first impression days are over once you’re hired, think again. They’re not.
Whether we like it or not, how we dress contributes to the impression our colleagues have of us. Just by how we dress impacts the level of confidence we will instil in others, how they will speak to and interact with us, and sometimes, how seriously they’ll take us.
It’s not that any of us has to be a fashion icon at work, but knowing what impression we want to make and realizing that our image (or brand) is in our control, we’re better able to lead others to the impression we want them to have. We’ll be better perceived, recognized and considered. And, even though I don’t want to admit it, the truth is that we may even advance in our careers more quickly when we create a good, ongoing impression.
Before I go any further, let’s be clear that if we’re actually not good at our job then no matter how well or appropriately we dress will save us from poor performance reviews, demotions, or dismissals. Eventually, others will see through our dress facade. However, if we’re good at our job then dressing the part strengthens our impact and impression on others.
Sure, there are many people who are extremely good at what they do and the way they dress is atrocious. But they’re the exception, not the rule. Pretty much everyone makes assumptions about who someone else is just by how they’re dressed. Fair? No. True? Yes.
Why should we allow our dress to distract from our abilities? Why make other people have to work to see through how we present ourselves in order to see how talented we are? Give them a short cut and direct them to the impression you want to make.
Maybe it’s just getting your hair restyled, ironing your shirt, and polishing your shoes. Or it could be wearing clothes that are fitted properly and aren’t sloppy and pyjama-like or tight and revealing. Maybe you have to remove yourself from your favourite ’90s wear and purchase a few new pieces that belong to this century.
For much of the time, you’re largely in charge of the impression you make – the first or the umpteenth. Take control and guide others to the impression you want them to have by how you dress. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and try to objectively see what others see. Better yet, take a few pictures of yourself, cut out someone else’s face (without their hair, just the face) and stick theirs on top of yours. Ask yourself what impression that person makes on you. Take that picture and ask your family and friends what they think. Do your best to understand what kind of impression you’re making on others. If it’s good – great. If it’s not what you want, change it.
First impressions are important but so are ongoing impressions. Reinforce the impression you want to make by dressing in a way the communicates it. While your manner of dress won’t do your work for you, let it speak silently for you and strengthen your good impression.
