7 Ways to Master Your Professional Image

By Dr. Suzanne Minarcine
Faculty Director at American Public University

I recently interviewed by a young woman who was wearing a very pretty dress but it was so short that, when she sat, I saw much more of her than I needed to see. She spoke in a sing-song voice and almost sounded like a young child.   Her hair was a distraction, at best. I was not sure whether I should assume my coaching role or whether I should just let it go, but I never could take her seriously as a professional.

As soon as she was out the door, I quickly grabbed my notebook and began writing. As my mother always said, you have only one chance to make a good first impression and you had better grab it.   This young woman’s first impression was not good.

Here are a few tips that may help you with your professional image. Some may seem obvious, but they are all worth remembering.

1. Invest in a full-length mirror. Before you leave for work, look yourself over from head to toe to make sure that you look ready for the workplace. For women, makeup should be minimal and should be appropriate for the work setting.
2. Your clothing should fit properly and should be hemmed to an appropriate length. Clothing that is too tight or too loose is unattractive and inappropriate for the workplace. Unprofessional dress, even on casual days, can be roadblock to your career.
3. Unless you are in the fashion industry or some other creative field, avoid trendy or “loud” clothing. In a new workplace, begin conservatively. Look at the people around you, particularly the people who are in the C-suite. Remember to dress for the job you want, not the one you have.
4. When socializing with your peers, appearance and demeanor are both important. You can be trendy for after hours events yet still not be too provocative or so casual that you lose your professionalism. You can enjoy the beverage of your choice after hours, but overindulging can come back and haunt you in the workplace.
5. Stand up straight and sit up straight. We were taught this as children, but many of us spend the day slumped over a keyboard. You will look better and feel better and it is good for your spinal health.
6. Keep your cool. Back in the 1980s, there was a deodorant commercial with the tag line, “Never let them see you sweat.” While this may seem counter-intuitive to authenticity, it is not. You can be authentic and still maintain your cool. Watch your tone and remember you are better off with allies than enemies.
7. Show your sensitive side, when appropriate. There are times when you need to let your emotions show. I was an airline pilot on September 11, 2001, and the attack on the World Trade Centers was particularly hard for the aviation industry. Never did I imagine an aircraft would be used as a weapon. A few days later, as I flew into White Plains, New York, I could still see the smoke rising from the site where the Twin Towers formerly stood. It was sobering. As a professional, I remained focused on getting my aircraft safely on the ground, but once inside I went into the ladies’ room and let the tears flow. There will be times when showing your emotions is totally appropriate; it just should not be too often and it should be within an appropriate context.

[Related: 4 Life Lessons from Being a Working Professional]

Maintaining a professional image requires your attention to your physical and your emotional appearance. We all have bad days and it can be tempting to ventilate to your peers, but be thoughtful about your appearance and actions to make sure you are always portraying an appropriate professional image.

About the Author: Dr. Suzanne Minarcine is faculty director for the School of Business at American Public University. She currently teaches strategic management and entrepreneurship courses.