PRESENTING A POSITIVE IMAGE Presenter: Angela Harris, MSHR ASHconsulting 26 January 2012

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Poll Question 1: What element of image do you think is most important? 1. Physical Appearance 2. Actions 3. Communications 4. Online persona

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IMAGE WHAT DOES IMAGE MEAN TO YOU? ASHconsulting © 2012.

IMAGE Defined 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

A physical likeness or representation of a person, animal, or thing, photographed, painted, sculptured, or otherwise made visible. An optical counterpart or appearance of an object, as is produced by reflection from a mirror, refraction by a lens, or the passage of luminous rays through a small aperture and their reception on a surface. A mental representation; idea; conception. Psychology. a mental representation of something previously perceived, in the absence of the original stimulus. Form; appearance; semblance: We are all created in God's image. Counterpart; copy: That child is the image of his mother. A symbol; emblem. The general or public perception of a company, public figure, etc., esp. as achieved by careful calculation aimed at creating widespread goodwill. ASHconsulting © 2012.

Ginger Burr – Image Consultant

“Your image is about representing the best of you.” ASHconsulting © 2012.

Who are you? Then express that in the ways you: • Use color • Speak • Walk

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University of TX Study on First Impressions • First impressions do matter when it comes to communicating personality through appearance, according to new research by psychologists • When observers saw naturally expressive behavior (such as a smiling expression or energetic stance), their judgments were accurate for nine of the 10 personality traits. • The 10 traits were extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness, likability, self-esteem, loneliness, religiosity and political orientation • http://www.utexas.edu/news/2009/11/03/impressions_perso nality/ ASHconsulting © 2012.

The findings of the study… • Whether you smile and how you stand (tense vs. relaxed, energetic vs. tired) are important cues to judge a variety of traits. Extraverts smile more, stand in energetic and less tense ways, and look healthy, neat and stylish. People who are more open to experience are less likely to have a healthy, neat appearance, but are more likely to have a distinctive style of dress. • The researchers also found males who have a neat and healthy appearance are often seen as more conscientious. ASHconsulting © 2012.

The Top Ten Attributes Employers Seek • • • • •

Communication skills Work experience Motivation/initiative Teamwork Leadership

•

Source: NACE

• • • • •

GPA/Academics Technical skills Interpersonal skills Analytical skills Ethics

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Four elements of your IMAGE… • • • •

Physical appearance Actions Communication Online persona

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Physical Appearance • • • • • • •

First impression – think SNAPSHOT! Maintain good posture Clean and polished shoes Dry cleaner & tailor Lint roller Good haircut (no wolfies!), good shave Avoid fads & trends - think CLASSIC! ASHconsulting © 2012.

Physical Appearance - continued • • • • • • •

Know your audience & the event The Girls Finger nails Perfume Limit accessories Piercings and tattoos Consider a personal shopper (often free)! ASHconsulting © 2012.

Dressing for Success Professional

Business Casual

• • • • • • • •

Khaki pants No jacket / coat necessary Skirts Sweaters Blouses Nylons Polished shoes Think: “Coordinated Separates”

• • • • • •

Dress slacks Jacket / suit coat Skirt Suits Matching portfolio/purse Think: Suit

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Insert Pictures?

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Actions • • • • • • • •

The Handshake Eye contact “Be Present” The personalized note Body language Sighing & eye rolling Confident vs Cocky Take notes ASHconsulting © 2012.

Actions - continued • • • • • • •

You never know Be punctual Miss Manners Be prepared! The SMILE factor Confident but not overconfident Attitude is everything ASHconsulting © 2012.

Still more Actions • • • • • •

Fresh breath Jokes Business Cards Gossip / politics Confidentiality Be aware of your nervous habits ASHconsulting © 2012.

Creating Credibility @ Work

• • • • •

I can do that! Meet / exceed deadlines Ask questions Use positive language Got a problem? Bring a solution! ASHconsulting © 2012.

Creating Credibility @ Work continued • • • • •

Follow through Keep personal life at home Volunteer Coworkers vs. friends Make your boss look good

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How to advance gracefully… • • • • •

Fire your inner prima donna Show a little muscle Be your own boss Grab the opportunity Admit mistakes & learn

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Dining Etiquette • • • • • • • • • •

Consider dietary restrictions Seating – guest gets best seat The napkin Excuse yourself Choose easy-to-eat foods Hold silverware properly No toothpicks or gum Turn off your cell Tip 15 – 20% Prepare “sparkling dinner conversation” ASHconsulting © 2012.

Communication • • • • • • •

Listening Marble mouth messages Say it with a smile No gum/candy Avoid slang or jargon Eye contact The “Nod & Smile” ASHconsulting © 2012.

Communication - continued • • • • • • • •

Use first name last name No speakerphone, watch background noise Words of courtesy! Watch “I”. Think “we” To be a cut above, don’t cut No profanity Grammar, punctuation, and spelling Follow-up / as-we-agreed ASHconsulting © 2012.

Online Presence • • • • • • •

Facebook, MySpace, FourSquare LinkedIn, Twitter, & Blogs Email & other communication Video conferencing Spelling, punctuation, & grammar Be politically & religiously neutral Proofread ASHconsulting © 2012.

Online Presence - continued • • • • • •

The new “first impression” What are you identifiers (email, IM, Photos, etc) Dusty filing cabinet Screen savers Create a positive buzz Google yourself

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Poll Question 2. Have you ever Googled yourself? 1. Yes! 2. Yes, but not recently. 3. No.

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Common findings… • • • • • •

Academic Missing photos IEEE Multiple people / same name LinkedIn Facebook / Twitter / MySpace ASHconsulting © 2012.

Things to ponder… • What are the assumptions are being made about you by younger or older generations? • What does your desk or nightstand say about you? • What is the one thing you are going to commit to doing tomorrow to improve your image? • Who have you met recently who presented themselves well? • Mirroring

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Poll Question 3: What element of your image do you feel you need to work on the most? 1. Physical Appearance 2. Actions 3. Communications 4. Online persona ASHconsulting © 2012.

THESE PIECES OF YOUR IMAGE MATTER! ASHconsulting © 2012.

THANK YOU!

ANGELA HARRIS, MSHR [email protected] http://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasharris @angelaharris72 ASHconsulting © 2012.

ASHconsulting Providing career exploration services for job seekers Professional speaker Ask Angela @ [email protected] ASHconsulting © 2012.

Other ASHconsulting presentations • Interviewing across the generations (review of generations and how that impacts job search/interviewing) • Confessions of an ex-corporate recruiter (a sneak peek about the life of a corporate recruiter - and how to use that knowledge to get to the top of the candidate list) • The Age of Free Agency (information about the growing trend in the US of individuals starting their own micro-businesses) • Leveraging your Strengths (based on Tom Rath's StrengthsFinder 2.0 - how to use your results in job search) • Interviewing 201 • Networking 201

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References • www.dictionary.com • National Association of Colleges and Employers: www.nace.org • Business cards, website, etc: www.vistaprint.com • Ginger Burr: http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/ • University of TX study on image: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2009/11/03/impressions _personality/ • Branch, Shelly; Callaway Sue: What would Jackie Do? • Lundin, Stephen: Fish! An incredible way to boost morale and improve results! ASHconsulting © 2012.