With jobs hard to come by for many, people want to keep the one they have.
Here are 10 tips from business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter on what’s appropriate in the office and what’s not to help you convey your dedication, professionalism and good image. Pachter is also the author of numerous books, including her latest “GREET! EAT! TWEET! 52 Business Etiquette Postings To Avoid Pitfalls & Boost Your Career.”
“Many people forget that their clothing always needs to project professionalism, regardless of their company’s policies,” says Pachter.
- Wear clothes that fit. When you wear clothes that are too big, you look like a little kid who borrowed his dad’s suit.
- Watch your hemline. Skirts that are too short draw attention to your legs, not your brain. People will remember your body, not your brain.
- Wear long socks. When men wear short socks and cross their legs, they expose their skin and hairy legs, which can be distracting. Along that line, don’t wear socks that fall down.
- Cover your cleavage. Like the short skirt showing your legs, the cleavage distracts people from your true talents and knowledge. And it’s unprofessional.
- Wearing a bikini around work associates. Pool time with co-workers is not the time to let it all hang out and expose everything. Stay modestly covered up – that goes for men and women, says Pachter.
- Choose understated colors. Unless you want to be remembered as “The Guy in the Green Pants” make sure your color choices are appropriate to your office. If you are in an artsy field, it might be ok but in a more conservative atmosphere like a law office or a bank, that won’t work.
- Dress your age. Showing up with t-shirts, ties or other shirts with inappropriate or childish patterns, pictures or sayings can be a huge distraction and doesn’t convey professionalism.
- What are your shoes saying about you? When you choose shoes that are dirty, unpolished or worn out, it puts into question your attention to details. Is that what you want others to think?
- Business social events still count as business. Showing up at the company party in a low-cut or see-through dress or other revealing clothing is not appropriate. Even though it might be outside of working hours, it is still your company and you still want to give a good impression.
- Don’t neglect your grooming. Bad breath, chipped nail polish, hair that needs trimmed, dirt under your fingernails are all examples of poor grooming. This includes wearing wrinkled clothes. It shows you aren’t pay attention and again, conveys you don’t have an eye for details and the knowledge of what’s socially appropriate so just think about these kinds of things.
For a free copy of Pachter’s communication e-newsletter, “Competitive Edge,” call (856) 751-6141 or go to www.pachter.com.
