Projecting a professional image

1. Projecting a professional image Undergraduate Career Services Office

2. Agenda What is a professional image? Creating your professional image Personal appearance Personal behavior Manners and etiquette Communication effectiveness

3. What is a professional image? �The set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of your competence and character as judged by your key constituents (i.e., clients, superiors, subordinates, colleagues).� (Roberts, AMR, 2008) �If you aren't managing your own professional image, others are.� Laura Morgan Roberts

4. Creating your professional image Desired professional image � �What do I want my key constituents to say about me when I�m when I�m not in the room?� Undesired professional image � �What am I concerned that my key constituents might say about me when I�m not in the room?� What steps can you take to ensure that you are projecting the professional image you want?

5. Components of a professional image The image you project in the world of work Consists of: Personal Appearance Clothing Grooming Personal behavior Manners & Etiquette Communication effectiveness

6. Remember � 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.

7. An impactful first impression Think of someone who made a great first impression on you� What did they do�what did they say�how did they look�what was it that make that made that great first impression on you� Ask students to write down the name of this person�make notes on what they did�what they said�how they looked, etc�.then ask three or four of them to share�Ask students to write down the name of this person�make notes on what they did�what they said�how they looked, etc�.then ask three or four of them to share�

8. Making your first impression Being aware of yourself and your surroundings, and having a GOOD professional image is key� �because you NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression!!!! Review Slide�and drive home the last point!!! Review Slide�and drive home the last point!!!

9. Projecting a professional image matters Affects: Self-confidence Interaction with peers Customers Supervisors Ultimate success in your career mobility

10. Attributes of a professional image Four main attributes: Appropriate professional appearance Use of correct manners and etiquette Appropriate personal behavior Effective communications

11. Appropriate professional appearance Consists of professional dress and grooming Can enhance your authority, promote respect, aid in promotion, promote your advancement opportunities Involves selecting appropriate clothing Let�s see some examples�

12. Men�sBusiness Professional

13. Men�s Business Causal

14. Women�sBusiness Professional

15. Women�sBusiness Casual

16. Professional personal behavior Respecting the organization and its rules Being a loyal employee Conducting yourself and business in an ethical manner Assuming responsibility Valuing diversity

17. Manners and etiquette Making introductions and appropriate greetings Being able to initiate and maintain conversations Respecting and valuing the differences of others Knowing appropriate dining rules and protocol Extending courteous behavior to others Knowing how to behave in difficult situations Definition of manners(Websters): a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurrence, etc. Definition of etiquette(Websters): conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.Definition of manners(Websters): a way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action, occurrence, etc. Definition of etiquette(Websters): conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.

18. It All Starts with Introductions!!! Let�s start by introducing ourselves� Don�t forget the �Rule of 12� Confident body posture Good Eye Contact Firm Handshake �Thank You� in first twelve words you use.

19. Introductions of others� �Here's the basic formula: The biggest star gets top billing -- he or she is presented to the other people. It looks like this: You're introducing a younger person to an older one. You speak first to the older person. Let's say you are meeting with a client, and your boss comes into the room. Introduce the client to your boss first. But if you�re meeting with a peer and the boss walks into the room�who gets introduced first?? The idea is that the guest takes precedence over ''family.'' Always speak first to the person you are deferring to by virtue of rank or age. � Leadership School, iVillage Go through slide with them�Go through slide with them�

20. Exercise Form groups of three � find two people you do not know. Introduce yourself to each other using �Confident Body Posture�, �Good Eye Contact�, and a �Firm Handshake�. Find out the person�s birthday. The person with the earliest birthday in the year is the client, the person next on the birthday calendar is your boss. Make the introduction. The �boss� gives feedback on your introduction. Move clockwise and establish new roles until everyone has made an introduction and received feedback. At end of exercise see if there are one or two groups that would volunteer to show their stuff�At end of exercise see if there are one or two groups that would volunteer to show their stuff�

21. Non-verbal Communication Posture Facial gestures Neatness Listening Personal behavior PUNCTUALITY

22. Verbal and written communications Speaking correctly Writing appropriate communications Expressing written appreciation Listening effectively Communication verbally in difficult situations