Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Tuesday, so this post is on personal impact.

Your attire is an important part of making a positive personal impact.  It can be a great help or hindrance to your career and life success.  Here’s a real life and recent example.  In November, I was contacted by someone who was interested in engaging my coaching services.  When I asked why he chose me as one of the people he wanted to interview, he answered “first of all, you were wearing a tie in your picture on the web.  You looked professional.” 

The rules on attire used to be simple.  Both men and women wore business suits.  Today, things are a little more complicated.  Many companies – even those in big cities – have adopted business casual as their dress code.  Sounds good, but “business casual” means different things at different companies.  At small start ups, jeans and T shirts are acceptable business casual wear.  At other companies, business casual means a blazer, open collared dress shirt and dress slacks or skirt.

My common sense advice on this subject: dress one level above acceptable clothing in your company.

For example:

• If jeans are acceptable, wear pressed khakis.
• If khakis are acceptable, wear dress slacks or a skirt.
• If T shirts are acceptable, wear golf shirts.
• If golf shirts are acceptable, wear pressed dress shirts or blouses.
• If open collared dress shirts are acceptable, wear a tie occasionally.
• If a light jacket or leather jacket is acceptable, wear a blazer.
• If a blazer is acceptable, wear a suit.
• If sneakers or sandals are acceptable, wear polished loafers.
• If loafers are acceptable, wear polished dress shoes.

You get the idea.  People who look a little better than those around them get noticed – in a positive way.  It’s not difficult.  Look around, see what people typically wear.  Then, build a wardrobe that is one step above how most people look.  If you do, you’ll make a positive personal impact.  And, positive personal impact in an important part of becoming a career and life star.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.