Tweet

Is Your Image Networking for You

Written by: Catherine Bell

Article Overview: Are you aware that it takes less than ten seconds to make a first impression? In a networking situation, during these few seconds, the person you are meeting for the first time forms an opinion as to your economic status, educational background, credibility, and confidence.

Is Your Image Networking for You

Are you aware that it takes less than ten seconds to make a first impression? In a networking situation, during these few seconds, the person you are meeting for the first time forms an opinion as to your economic status, educational background, credibility, and confidence.

In today’s competitive marketplace, if you are well groomed and appropriately clothed, and if you display the right attitude, social skills, and personality, you stand a good chance of making a positive first impression. To be a master at networking, you need to ensure that the messages that you send to others are congruent with your professionalism, the reputation of your company, and your chosen image. All of these elements have to be present during the first ten-second encounter with the individuals that you meet.

Your image does play a huge role in networking. The way you use your image determines how those who will influence your level of success receive you. Dynamic networking is a process that begins when you come face-to-face with another person. If you make a positive first impression, the encounter continues and a relationship based upon trust has the potential to unfold. The more attention you pay to your image, the less you will need to convince people that you can be trusted. Once they are comfortable with your business ethics and abilities, they will be ready to recommend you to others.

Wardrobe Strategies

Your wardrobe and appearance should be part of your strategic networking plan. It is important to be familiar with contemporary trends in clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and eyeglasses. If your appearance or attitudes reflect another era, others will question your awareness of current affairs. Update these image factors regularly, but never be a slave to fashion or blindly adopt a style that goes beyond your comfort zone. If you are not comfortable with your appearance, you will not be sincere and self-confident.

With today’s general tendency to dress more casually, strike a balance between the rigid ‘dress for success’ regimentation of the eighties and the ultra-casual clothing that is best regulated to weekends at home. Learn to dress down without bottoming out. In businesses where a navy or dark suit is still essential, replacing the white shirt or blouse with one in an interesting color will make you seem more approachable, yet still professional. In a more casual work environment, a sports jacket or blazer will keep you in the business casual zone. Subtly patterned jackets worn with colored shirts, dress pants, and ties are miles ahead of polo shirts and jeans. Keep a blazer handy to throw over more casual clothing if you suddenly meet an important client on dress-down Friday. As the thermometer rises and polo shirts become an option, team them with dress slacks and dress shoes instead of khakis and docksiders.

Dressing Down by Degrees

The number of pieces of clothing worn at one time, the colur combinations, the pattern and texture of the fabrics, and the style of the garments are variables that affect the perceived formality of your clothing.

The greater the number of pieces of clothing one wears at one time, the higher the degree of formality. A three-piece suit is the most formal; pants and a T-shirt are at the most casual end of the scale.

Dark colors project an image of power and authority, especially when worn with high-contrast garments. Similarly, switching from dark colors to mid-tones, such as mid-gray or taupe, makes you appear more approachable. Combining a jacket of one color with pants or a skirt of another color will always be less formal than a matched suit.

More formal garments are usually made from fabrics that are smoother and plainer. Knitted fabrics are less formal than woven fabrics. Worsted wools and silks are considered better quality and therefore more formal than most cotton, linens, and synthetic blends.

A tailored, collared shirt is more formal than a collarless shirt, blouse, or T-shirt. A fully tailored garment will carry more influence than a softly constructed version. Women should take note that wearing a dress will have less impact than a suit, unless the dress is a structured coatdress, or the dress is worn with a jacket. Dressy or formal garments are not appropriate for business, just as a business suit is out of place at an informal social gathering.

Image Indicators

Once you have determined the nature of the networking event and have strategically chosen your wardrobe pieces, you must also consider the finishing touches that will influence the quality of your appearance. The garments must suit your physique and fit impeccably, especially in the collar and shoulder area of a jacket. They should be clean and in good repair.

Your shoes will give clues to others about your attention to detail and your economic situation. Shoes that are unpolished or have worn heels should be avoided. Remember to polish the back of your heels. This detail is the last thing that is seen when you leave.

Strive to buy quality accessories. A leather briefcase, portfolio, purse, or billfold will look better and last longer than vinyl. A worn belt will detract from a new suit or pair of slacks. A good quality pen is very important if you will be writing in view of business associates. A broken umbrella never makes a good impression.

Making Your Entrance

You’ve arrived at your destination and are about to begin networking. You pause at the door to straighten your clothing. The garments you’re wearing have been chosen with great care to create a professional image. Using the reflection in the window, you discreetly check your hair and take one last look at your shoes. You have prepared what you will say and are ready to enter.

The speed and confidence of your gait should display awareness and self-control. When you enter a room, do not stand meekly inside the door. Walk with deliberation a few steps into the room and stand equally balanced on both feet while you examine the people around you. Approach either a person standing on his/her own or a group of more than two. Smile and introduce yourself. Offer your hand in greeting; shake the hands of the other persons present firmly two or three times, and release.

The Look of Success

People like to associate with those who appear successful. However, image is more than a mere polishing of the exterior. It starts with analyzing your appearance and behavior to avoid unfair visual judgments when others meet you for the first time, or interact with you in social or business contexts. It also involves specific strategies that, once learned and applied, will serve you well both socially and professionally. You want the opportunity to exhibit the positive qualities you possess and to develop good business relationships. Make sure your image is working for you.

Related Articles
  The Three Things A Job Seeker Must Know to Use Social Networking as a Job Search Tool
  Another Technique Catalyst
  Image Versus Identity
  3 Recent Trends in Social Networking
  How to Optimize Google Images And Increase Your Website Traffic

Article Tags:



Related Forum Posts
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - [quote="burnsrunner":1zobscwk]I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?[/quote:1zobscwk] I am on Twitter and Linkedin, have not joined Facebook yet as my time is fairly limited and one needs a lot of time to devote to all these various networking platforms. Unless you do this full time (the networking I mean). MichelleJ
OT: A pocket coinholder - Many years ago, I picked up a pocket coinholder. Coin carrier - I'm not sure of the correct term. I think I may have gotten it through Sharper Image, but actually I'm not sure where I got it. But I loved it. It was a small black plastic square, with four spring-loaded columns so you could stack a certan number of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies in each column. It either broke or I lost it, and I've been searching for something similar ever since, but have been unable to find it. Anyone know what I'm talking about, and where I could get one? If not...someone do some reverse engineering and build one - properly marketed I'm sure it could take off!
Trump Institute - Toronto - I agree, the Networking available at these courses and the people I can connect them with is what I love to do. Also, this one event is a stone's throw away from my place - I can't resist. Oh! I also get to walk away with some new reading material.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Making the Most of Your Trade Show Experience

How Promotional Caps became a Fashion Trend

How do I finance a franchise?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.