Presenting a Professional Image

[Cookies Galore]

Oct 7, 2014 17:24:48 GMT -5 @dayjawho said:

Oct 7, 2014 13:39:55 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

I got a plain old black Dell laptop bag with my work laptop. I have my eye something with a little more personality. And cats all over it. I might not be the expert of professional image.

You might want to Google Laurel Burch, if you aren't already familiar with the line. Lots and lots of cats! 

Yeah... no.

[raeoflyte]

Oct 7, 2014 19:08:39 GMT -5 milee said:

wxyz is spot on. Especially with the Nordstrom suggestion - go to Nordstrom and get a consultant in the men's department to help you with a few basics.   IMHO Neiman is more expensive and the sales staff can be too snooty to help. Nordstrom is primo service at prices that are reasonable for the quality.

Not to hijack completely--but how does this work? Do I just go in and hope that I find a consultant instead of the typical cashiers/sales people?  I desperately need a wardrobe makeover but I don't have a load of money to drop at one time so it would be a piece at a time and I feel bad taking up someone's time for the small commission earnings they would get from me.  Do I call ahead or try for a slow sales night?  

[swamp]

Oct 8, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Oct 7, 2014 19:08:39 GMT -5 milee said:

wxyz is spot on. Especially with the Nordstrom suggestion - go to Nordstrom and get a consultant in the men's department to help you with a few basics.   IMHO Neiman is more expensive and the sales staff can be too snooty to help. Nordstrom is primo service at prices that are reasonable for the quality.

Not to hijack completely--but how does this work? Do I just go in and hope that I find a consultant instead of the typical cashiers/sales people?  I desperately need a wardrobe makeover but I don't have a load of money to drop at one time so it would be a piece at a time and I feel bad taking up someone's time for the small commission earnings they would get from me.  Do I call ahead or try for a slow sales night?  

I believe Macy's offers the same service.

[muttleynfelix]

Looking at Nordstrom's website, they have a link that says want a personal stylist and it says it is free.  (I didn't click and I don't have one near me. So I have no idea how it works).

[HoneyBBQ]

Oct 8, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Oct 7, 2014 19:08:39 GMT -5 milee said:

wxyz is spot on. Especially with the Nordstrom suggestion - go to Nordstrom and get a consultant in the men's department to help you with a few basics.   IMHO Neiman is more expensive and the sales staff can be too snooty to help. Nordstrom is primo service at prices that are reasonable for the quality.

Not to hijack completely--but how does this work? Do I just go in and hope that I find a consultant instead of the typical cashiers/sales people?  I desperately need a wardrobe makeover but I don't have a load of money to drop at one time so it would be a piece at a time and I feel bad taking up someone's time for the small commission earnings they would get from me.  Do I call ahead or try for a slow sales night?  

Yes, call ahead. They'll set you up with an appointment. I did this for bra fitting after I weaned DD. It was great!

(and yes, it's free-- they do 'hope' you'll buy something since they earn commission but I've never been "pressured" I bought 3 bras when I did mine).

[Phoenix84]

Yeah, it's a catch 22.

I do want to make a good first impression, but don't want to go hog wild on clothing only to find out it really is a jeans oriented workplace. You just don't know.

But I think I can put together a "good enough" business casual outfit for my first few days at least.

I'll be sure to look up a Nordstroms should business casual be what I go with. What about the Men's warehouse, or are they focused mostly on suits?

[Ryan]

Oct 7, 2014 19:08:39 GMT -5 milee said:

wxyz is spot on. Especially with the Nordstrom suggestion - go to Nordstrom and get a consultant in the men's department to help you with a few basics.   IMHO Neiman is more expensive and the sales staff can be too snooty to help. Nordstrom is primo service at prices that are reasonable for the quality.

Man you guys are easy marks.  I think most people refer to them as "salespeople".

[milee]

Oct 8, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Oct 7, 2014 19:08:39 GMT -5 milee said:

wxyz is spot on. Especially with the Nordstrom suggestion - go to Nordstrom and get a consultant in the men's department to help you with a few basics.   IMHO Neiman is more expensive and the sales staff can be too snooty to help. Nordstrom is primo service at prices that are reasonable for the quality.

Not to hijack completely--but how does this work? Do I just go in and hope that I find a consultant instead of the typical cashiers/sales people?  I desperately need a wardrobe makeover but I don't have a load of money to drop at one time so it would be a piece at a time and I feel bad taking up someone's time for the small commission earnings they would get from me.  Do I call ahead or try for a slow sales night?  

Nordstrom service is legendary and even their regular salespeople would be a good help in whatever you need. You can definitely call ahead to schedule an appointment - don't worry that your purchases will be modest, that's fine with them - or can just go look around and start talking with any salesperson whose look you like and seems helpful. Some examples of great service we've received at Nordstrom's:

I had traveled one year to Portland for business and browsed at Nordstrom's. Found a jacket I loved but didn't buy it.  Returned home to Phoenix where we didn't have any Nordstrom's and kicked myself for not buying that jacket. Next year was in Portland for a friend's wedding and while I was passing through Nordstrom's a salesperson asked if she could help me. I joked with her that if she could somehow find one of those fabulous jackets (described it) from last year, I'd buy one. She remembered the jacket, told me she thought it was seasonal and they wouldn't get it again, but took down my name and info just in case.  BTW, I was just wearing simple clothing and didn't buy anything during that trip so it wasn't like I appeared to be a wealthy, regular shopper and she knew I didn't even live in that city. I had forgotten all about it, but six weeks later a beautifully wrapped box arrived on my doorstep. In it was one of those jackets I loved and a handwritten note from the salesperson, "I believe this was the jacket you were looking for. If you'd like to keep it, please call me at XXX-XXXX to make payment or I'll gladly arrange to have it picked up at your convenience."

DH bought a suit from one of the salespeople in the men's department who must have kept good notes about DH's size, coloring and preferences from that one meeting. For years after that, the salesman would call DH about 1-2 times a year when he had a shirt or pants that DH would look good in and was on sale.  He was spot on in his recommendations and they were all well-priced items.

BTW, in case you're thinking any of this is because we dropped huge money there, it wasn't. That jacket I love (and still have) was $300, which wasn't cheap 10 years ago but wasn't a fortune either. I think DH's suit was $600 and most of the other items the salesman would call him for were under $100. Fabulous service and nice clothes. Well worth it.

[Lizard Queen]

Oct 7, 2014 14:56:11 GMT -5 @tbird said:

I'm really not sure how much of this fashion advice is the "real deal" or just particular people's preferences - which may or may not be generalized to everybody.

I hardly think phoenix is going into the fashion hub here. I'm ok with a blue shirt and black pants. I don't think he's talking navy blue here - but a royal blue type blue shirt that I think is fine for guy to wear to work. I can't be bothered to notice if male coworkers sleeves are short or long. Being comfortable and not getting overheated and sweaty is more professional.

Stop playing barbie with him. he isn't a doll to dress up like you 'prefer' or wish you SO would dress. You're freaking him out thinking this is important in the workplace and as long as he has on dress pants and a shirt that is ironed and stain and odor free - it is NOT going to impact his professional image.

DH has a favorite royal blue shirt that he wears with black pants.  The shade doesn't look good with tan.  I've had him try all kinds of different pants with that shirt, and only the black ones looked good.  I suppose if he were to find just the right shade of tan or grey, then it might work, but DH is red/green colorblind, so that is asking a lot.

[tskeeter]

Oct 7, 2014 9:14:32 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

My new job is fast approaching, and I wanted to see if any of you had advice on presenting a professional image at work, or knew of resources I look into reading about.

Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but I think this is an area where I've come a long way in the past few years, but I still think there is still room for improvement.

When I say "professional image" I mean being perceived as competent and professional by cliants, collegues, and management. Throughout my career, I'm convinced it's not only what you know, but how you present yourself that determines your success. After all, I'm supposed to be a regulatory authority, an expert, and I need to present myself as such. It doesn't matter if I know the answers, if I can't present myself well, no one will believe me.

So do you guys have any advice on how to present yourself at work in a professional manner?  It should be worth noting that (as I understand it) I'll be assuming a inspector type role in my new position. So I'd be particularly interested in hearing from people who have served in an inspector type role before (i.e. traveled to a location of your company to do a formal inspection of some kind.)

I think the "Dress for Success" books by John T Malloy are worth reading.  They are old (late 70's), but the concepts always apply.  And Malloy helps you understand how to read the cues that tell you what is appropriate.

As a regulatory expert, in general I'd dress the way that the managers in the organizations that I will be working with dress.  Dress like the boss of the person who is your direct contact.  The mangerial dress will communicate authority and compentence before you even open your mouth.

You might also consider whether there is a certain type of dress that conveys your role and level of authority.  For example, in a medical building, you assume that the person in the lab coat is a Doctor or person of authority, not the janitor.  While the person in animal print scrubs is a nurse or aid.  I know that these days, many Doctors, especially surgeons or those in ememgency services, wear scrubs.  So, the lab coat cue doesn't hold as true as it once did.  Another example would be the architect or engineer on a construction site.  They'll be wearing khaki slacks and a polo shirt, or a pair of clean, pressed, nearly new jeans; not stained, torn jeans and a faded t-shirt.

If you want to present an air of authority, dress like the person who has authority.     

[tskeeter]

Oct 7, 2014 10:24:19 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Oct 7, 2014 9:46:23 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Usually a radiation safety inspection involves inspecting the records, facilities, and equipment.

I will travel to locations around the world to do this.

Most the inspectors I see wear khakis and a button down. Possibly a suit coat.  I think a tie might be overkill. Nice comfortable shoes and appropriate socks.

Most inspectors have clipboards and paperwork with them, so you'll probably want a nice briefcase if you don't have one already. I'd do something that has a shoulder strap and is durable since you'll be traveling a lot. Possibly from Fossil or Kenneth Cole.

And as stated before, know your stuff, but also be willing to learn something. I've had inspectors tell me I'm calibrating something incorrectly because I do it differently from the last place they were. No, I'm not, lol. 


I could go on and on... but maybe you want to pm me since I know a bit more about the field than the casual YMer. 

If I had to fill out inspection forms or take notes, I'd carry a burgundy or rich brown leather folio and a good pen (when I was auditing, I used a gold Cross pen).  A beat up note pad, clip board, and Bic stick pen don't convey competence and authority.  They say technician and clipboard commando. 

[Lizard Queen]

Oct 8, 2014 13:17:24 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Oct 7, 2014 10:24:19 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Most the inspectors I see wear khakis and a button down. Possibly a suit coat.  I think a tie might be overkill. Nice comfortable shoes and appropriate socks.

Most inspectors have clipboards and paperwork with them, so you'll probably want a nice briefcase if you don't have one already. I'd do something that has a shoulder strap and is durable since you'll be traveling a lot. Possibly from Fossil or Kenneth Cole.

And as stated before, know your stuff, but also be willing to learn something. I've had inspectors tell me I'm calibrating something incorrectly because I do it differently from the last place they were. No, I'm not, lol. 


I could go on and on... but maybe you want to pm me since I know a bit more about the field than the casual YMer. 

If I had to fill out inspection forms or take notes, I'd carry a burgundy or rich brown leather folio and a good pen (when I was auditing, I used a gold Cross pen).  A beat up note pad, clip board, and Bic stick pen don't convey competence and authority.  They say technician and clipboard commando. 

Can't you use an iPad for that? Seems more 21st century...

[Deleted]

Two more thoughts since you'll be working with military.

1. See how prevalent the use of Sir/Ma'am is in addressing people. For military it's pretty much automatic. If the civilians use it, you should, too. If it spills over into your personal life, that's good. People used to being addressed as "Dude" or "Hey, you" will find it refreshing.

2. There may be a culture of physical fitness among the military employees. If the vast majority of them still look like "lean, mean fighting machines" and you can keep yourself trim and fit, they'll see that as a value you share with them. No need to go to extremes to look like Arnold- just lean and energetic will do.

[tskeeter]

Oct 7, 2014 18:53:16 GMT -5 @wxyz said:

Appearance is critical to first impressions of competence.  The military officers you will be around will dress very meticulously.

Over the years I found that even with Business Casual, quality is very important.  I would go to Nordstroms or Neiman or some other semi-high-end men's department.  Get a sales person that has been there for a good time (at least 10 years) and will be there in the future.  (as a career, he will have many lifetime customers) Use them as a dressing consultant.

Quality clothing and shoes will cost more but will last for years and years.  Go with classic and timeless styles.  Mix and match to save money on outfits.  I used to always have at least two CLASSIC and EXPENSIVE sports coats to upgrade to Dressy Casual when needed, especially without a tie, even with jeans.  Add to your wardrobe as you can afford to do so.

A really good tie, or pair of shoes, or belt can really upgrade image and again quality and classic items will last for at least 10 years if you take care of them.

It is better to overdress at first than underdress.  If my superiors were going to all be military officers I would dress to satisfy them which I think would be on the neat and dressy side of Business Casual.

But, what the hell..........you will have to see what the culture of your new situation is.

P.S.  Bonny is right about the dancing.

If I was going to be working with lots of military officers, I'd dress the same, but different.  Something that looks a bit like a uniform, but isn't commonly considered a uniform (but it might be your "work uniform").  Decent, well polished shoes, well creased slacks in a color close to the color of the officer's uniforms, a dress shirt, not a polo.  If the officers wear short sleeved uniforms in the summer, I'd think short sleeves would be OK once in a while.  If the officers wear a t-shirt that is visible at the neck of their uniform, I'd go with something similar.  For a belt, I'd go with leather, not web, but look for a buckle that is about the same shape and size as the buckle on what the officers are wearing.  You want to look like one of the gang, but one rank up the chain of command. 

[tskeeter]

Oct 8, 2014 13:21:21 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Oct 8, 2014 13:17:24 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

If I had to fill out inspection forms or take notes, I'd carry a burgundy or rich brown leather folio and a good pen (when I was auditing, I used a gold Cross pen).  A beat up note pad, clip board, and Bic stick pen don't convey competence and authority.  They say technician and clipboard commando. 

Can't you use an iPad for that? Seems more 21st century...

OK, I'd carry an iPad in an elegant leather case.