Developing a Professional Presence

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Developing a Professional Presence

• Center for Professional Communication

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The New Professional Image
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Professional Presence

• A dynamic blend of poise, self-confidence,
  control and style
• Empowers us to be able to command respect in any
  situation
• Permits us to project confidence that others can
  quickly perceive
• Permits us to rise
  above the crowd

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The Importance of Making a Good First Impression

• First impressions are lasting ones
• First impressions are the first step in building
  a long-term relationship
• The secret to making a good
  first impression
• Social generosity
• Putting the emotional focus on
  the other
  person(s)

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The Importance of Making a Good First Impression

• The Primacy Effect
• The tendency to form impressions quickly at the
  time of initial meeting
• Later information is either ignored or
  reinterpreted based on initial framework
• First impressions represent 100 of what they
  know about you at that point

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The Importance of Makinga Good First Impression

• The First Few Seconds
• Our thinking is not always rational
• Decisions happen subconsciously in a split second
• Assumptions vs. Facts
• Initial impressions are made up of assumptions
  and facts
• The briefer the encounter, the greater the chance
  for misinformation

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Major Factors That Form Your Image
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Surface Language

• Surface Language A pattern of immediate
  impressions conveyed by appearance
• What contributes to your surface language?
• Basic principles of appearance that withstand
  time
• If you want the job, look the part
• If you want the promotion, look promotable
• If you want respect, dress as well or better than
  industry standards

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Wardrobe Engineering

• Wardrobe Engineering Describes how clothing and
  accessories can create a certain image
• Effective packaging is an individual matter based
  on a variety of factors

What factors should be considered when deciding
if an ensemble is appropriate?
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Appropriate Business Professional for Men
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Appropriate Business Professional for Women
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The Business Casual Look

• The Business Casual Look
• Movement toward greater comfort and individuality
• Wear dressier business clothing when meeting with
  customers or clients
• Wear clothing that is clean, neat and fits well

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Appropriate Business Casual for Men
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Appropriate Business Casual for Women
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Facial Expression

• After overall appearance, facial expressions are
  the most visible part of you
• Provides clues to identify the inner feelings of
  another
• Strongly influence peoples reactions to each
  other

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Entrance Carriage

• The way you enter an office or business meeting
  can influence the image you project
• Project self-confidence with
• a strong stride
• a friendly smile
• good posture
• a genuine sense of energy

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Voice Quality Speech

• Voice qualities that contribute to your image
• Tone of voice
• Rate of speech (tempo)
• Volume
• Ability to pronounce (diction)

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Your Handshake

• The message the handshake sends depends on
  several factors
• Degree of firmness
• Degree of dryness of hands
• Duration of grip
• Depth of interlock
• Eye contact during
  handshake

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Etiquette

• Dining Etiquette
• Pay attention to table manners
• Order food that is easily controlled, not messy
• Meeting Etiquette
• Start and end positively and on time
• Speak to the topic
• Summarize and recap responsibilities

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Etiquette

• Cell Phone Etiquette
• Dont use in meetings, elevators, restaurants
• Talk in a normal speaking voice
• Ask disturbing cell users to take the call in
  private
• Conversational Etiquette
• Dont be too informal, too fast
• Avoid foul language, sensitive terms, slang

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Etiquette

• Networking Etiquette
• Introduce yourself and what you do
• Avoid negative talk
• Follow up with contacts
• Send a thank you note to anyone helpful to you
• Incivility The Ultimate Career Killer
• Civility is a form of social generosity

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The Job Interview

• Communicate the image that you are someone that
  is conscientious
• Show that you care enough to make a good
  impression