JOBTALKSJOBTALKS

Projecting a Professional Image

Indiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D

Projecting a Projecting a ProfessionalProfessionalImageImageIndiana UniversityIndiana UniversityKelley School of BusinessKelley School of BusinessC. Randall Powell, Ph.D.C. Randall Powell, Ph.D.

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE?IMAGE?

The image you project in the world of work Consists of:

Personal Appearance Clothing Grooming Manners Etiquette Personal behavior Communication effectiveness

PROFESSIONALPROFESSIONALIMAGEIMAGE

Judgments are made about people based on the professional image

they display as a result of appearance and behavior.

This occurs before the individual’s level of competence or performance

is determined.

IMPORTANCE OFIMPORTANCE OFPROJECTING A PROJECTING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE ……………PROFESSIONAL IMAGE ……………

AFFECTS: Self-confidence Interaction with peers Customers Supervisors Ultimate success in your career

mobility

PROFESSIONAL IMAGEPROFESSIONAL IMAGE

Viewed by two major perspectives:

Appearance

Personal Behavior

PERSONAL PERSONAL APPEARANCEAPPEARANCE

You want to develop your ability to dress

appropriately and present yourself in an

attractive manner

PERSONAL BEHAVIORPERSONAL BEHAVIOR

You want to develop your communication skills and your

effectiveness in the use of proper manners and etiquette

Recognize the importance of appropriate personal behavior

ATTRIBUTES OF A ATTRIBUTES OF A PROFESSIONAL IMAGEPROFESSIONAL IMAGEFour main attributes:

Appropriate professional appearance

Use of correct manners and etiquette

Appropriate personal behaviorEffective communications

APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCEAPPEARANCE

Consists of professional dress and grooming (based on several factors)

Can enhance your authority, promote respect, aid in promotion, promote your advancement opportunities

Involves selecting appropriate clothing (based on several factors)

MANNERS AND ETIQUETTEMANNERS AND ETIQUETTE

Making introductions and appropriate greetings

Being able to initiate and maintain conversations

Respecting and valuing the differences of others

Being able to express appreciation

MANNERS AND ETIQUETTEMANNERS AND ETIQUETTE(continued)(continued)

Knowing appropriate dining rules and protocol

Extending courteous behavior to others

Knowing how to behave in difficult situations

PERSONAL BEHAVIORPERSONAL BEHAVIOR

Respecting the organization and its rules

Being a loyal employee Conducting yourself and

business in an ethical manner Assuming responsibility Valuing diversity

NON-VERBALNON-VERBALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS

PostureFacial gesturesNeatnessListeningPersonal behaviorPUNCTUALITY

VERBAL AND WRITTENVERBAL AND WRITTENCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS

Speaking correctly Writing appropriate

communications Expressing written appreciation LISTENING EFFECTIVELY Communication verbally in

difficult situations

“The way you look may not make up for poor performance, but it could give you a competitive edge during your interview and in your future career”.

THE WAY YOU ARE THE WAY YOU ARE PERCEIVED CAN……..PERCEIVED CAN…….. Selection for participation on projects Inclusion in social settings with

customers and clients Selection for presentations Promotions to positions of greater

responsibility Performance rating Overall competitiveness!!!!!

REMEMBER!!!!REMEMBER!!!!

Your professional image not only affects how others react and interact with you, but also affects

YOUR self-confidence and performance

REMEMBER!!!!REMEMBER!!!!

Throughout the course of a day’s work you will be

observed and evaluated in an informal manner. These observations contribute to

the overall perception people have about you.

MENMENBUSINESS WEARBUSINESS WEAR

MEN’S MEN’S BUSINESS CASUALBUSINESS CASUAL

MEN’SMEN’SCASUALCASUAL

WOMENWOMENBUSINESS WEARBUSINESS WEAR

WOMEN’SWOMEN’SBUSINESS CASUALBUSINESS CASUAL

Women’s CasualWomen’s Casual

If you would like to If you would like to learn more, learn more, Career Career Planning StrategiesPlanning Strategies textbook will supply textbook will supply additional information additional information on this topic.on this topic.