Many think that appearances don’t matter. That would be a grave mistake. They do. People tend to always be in casuals, for a variety of reasons, not too much time is required to wear them, not too much though goes into the finesse of wearing them, they are usually loose fitting and comfortable. However, what happens is that they carry this habit into the boardroom, or to their interviews and on to their professional fields and this spells disaster for them.
Keep in mind, that you should be appropriately dressed for the occasion. So, whether you're going to the bank for a loan or to the local auto shop for an oil change, you should look the part. While it's nice to think your exterior façade doesn't matter, it usually does.
Suppose you are going to get your car serviced, naturally you won’t be wearing a double breasted suit, with a matching shirt and tie. No, you wear jeans, boots and a cap. If you wear a suit, the mechanic will think that you are the executive type of person, who know nothing about cars, and will not only bill you higher but also not take you very seriously.
Similarly, if you are going to the bank to negotiate a loan and if you wear the clothes that you should be wearing at the mechanic’s garage, than the bank manager, will make assumptions about you, based upon your appearance and assume that your demeanour and appearance does not look like you could return the money you want to borrow. So it’s goodbye loan.
Your Clothes Tell You Who Are
The importance of looking the part, hit home, during a convention, were America’s leading sales experts were present. The audience was composed of sales trainers and sales consultants. These are people whose job entails talking to others and convincing them of how to make more sales, develop relationships with customers and present an overall professional image to customers.
Although all those present there were there for the same purpose, to understand the nuances of their jobs better, yet there was a striking difference. Half of the people in the convention hall were dressed professionally and tastefully. They were neat, well-groomed and looking the part.
The other half unfortunately had not paid the same attention to their attire. They were wearing sweatshirts, others were wearing pants, that hardly fitted their obese bodies and not at all looking like they wanted to be in a profession, whose job was to convince people to their way of thinking – they were not looking the part.
Given the choice which of the two groups would I prefer to put in front of my clients, if I was the employer. Naturally, it would have to be the first group. The second, group, even if they had the requisite skills and competence, would be out of contention, simply because they failed to look the part.
People would question their credibility and trustworthiness and all because their appearance was contradictory and not in agreement with their message of professionalism and accomplishment.
The adage "Don't trust a skinny chef" or by extension, “don’t put your faith in an obese fitness instructor,” is apt. Appearance do matter. If you have created a meager or a poor first impression, whatever you do later will not be able to wipe the ignominy of the first. Remember, your chances of receiving better service and get what you want, will be much better, if you are you are dressed and speak appropriately for your surroundings.
