How You Present Yourself Matters

How You Present Yourself Matters

The pandemic has changed our lives in more than one way. The importance of presenting oneself very well and according to the situation has been talked about many a time. How you present yourself makes an impact on how others perceive you. The attire, accessories, and how the individual carries themselves play a crucial role in career development. There may be opposing views that appearance does not matter and only talent is counted but, in any situation, physical appearance[SP1]?, body language and personality subconsciously influence people.

?Why presentation matters more than ever now

Presenting yourself matters as how you come across to others is primarily gauged by your appearance. In any industry, clothing and dressing styles matter as much as the image you project about yourself. When someone takes care of their appearance, it shows that they care about presenting the best version of themselves and will put their best foot forward in whatever they do. Dressing well daily helps you stand out and create an impact on your credibility. A tasteful sense of style helps in earning respect and improves the chances of getting promoted. In fact, being well-dress adds to one’s own self-confidence. When we feel good on the outside, we’re more likely to feel better about ourselves on the inside.

To present oneself effectively, one has to be more reflective. They have to decide and start working on how they want to present themselves. Here are a few ways to be more presentable at work:

i) Be well dressed: Dressing according to the situation is the key. Ditching casuals and dressing in formal attire in a professional setting is a sure way to earn some silent recommendations from superiors. Managers, colleagues, and everyone with whom interaction happens regularly will form an impression with one’s dressing.

Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the person. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” It is not just about what you wear and is more about creating your personal brand.

ii) Be well groomed: Basic hygiene is the basis of being well groomed and applies to both men and women. Self-grooming boosts confidence. Women need to pay attention to their makeup, accessories, and nails as much as men who should always have well-kept hair, pressed collared shirts, and wear fragrance.

iii) Firm handshake: A handshake reveals a lot about an individual. Handshakes are part of the work culture and show the underlying confidence of an individual. How an individual shakes hands is a direct indication of their attitude, skills, and negotiating techniques. A handshake that is not firm portrays the individual as aloof or timid whereas a vice-gripping handshake shows the aggressiveness of the individual.

iv) Demeanour: Demeanour is your outward behaviour and includes posture, the way you talk, and facial expressions. Apart from style, it also unveils an individual’s emotional state. Proper care should be given when interacting with people as it is easy for others to pick up the non-verbal cues even when an individual is cautious while talking to them. Personal development is important to be more confident from within.

v) Self-promotion: The act of self-promotion cannot be avoided and it involves trying to present yourself as skilled and capable. It can be done through any medium like social media, blogs, speeches, or personal interactions. It is in fact a purposeful attempt to portray oneself as competent.

The way you present yourself is not just about your appearance

In addition to one’s appearance, body language, and how an individual interacts with others, all count as presentation.

Assertiveness is a quality that boosts one’s personality. Self-promotion along with an assertive attitude influences the image that an individual creates in others. Assertiveness originates from having a healthy sense of self. The higher one’s self-esteem, the more confident and assertive the individual is. Hence it is important to start working on the fundamental aspects. Personal development is an ongoing journey and one needs to constantly work on it. Personal changes bring about personality changes and that changes the way you interact with others. This forms the foundation of being presentable in the first place. Changes with regard to style and appearance need to be clubbed with a healthy and sharp attitude.