When You Don’t Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

Is it possible to be yourself and yet be well groomed at work? Yes, it’s possible, and useful – in making a great first impression!

Most of us cringe at the thought of being judged or hired on the basis of how we look as opposed to our skills and abilities. But there is a whole lot of difference between ‘looks’ and ‘grooming’. While the former holds no value in determining whether you are a potential candidate for a job, the latter is something that everyone needs to focus on.

Your college might have been a place to show your flair for fashion, but your workplace is for you to show a stylish, elegant, well-groomed and presentable side of you!

The reality is, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. As Princeton University psychologists Alex Tudorov and Janine Willis found in a 2014 study:

• People took less than a fraction of a second to make judgments about a person, just by seeing their photo
• Even when given more time, these judgments did not fundamentally alter

How much is too much?

• Keep your hairstyles simple and neatly styled. You don’t want to spend half your time adjusting your hair when you would rather be focusing on your work
• If you want to color your hair go ahead but make sure it is in sync with your workplace. You don’t want to go all red or blue if your workplace is conservative.
• Given that many of us face tough commutes and dry or rough hair as a result, pampering yourself at a salon can help keep your hair in good shape – besides giving you some much needed me-time!
• Use makeup sparingly. It’s fine to enhance your natural features but you don’t want to look like you are walking into a wedding
• Avoid bright lipsticks and dramatic eye makeup on a daily basis. However, you could be more experimental and make a statement at office parties!

Care for the hands and feet

• Keep your nails neatly trimmed, filed and clean at all times. Poor hygiene reflects badly on you
• Growing your fingernails long is okay, but not to a length that is distracting
• No jarring nail polishes, stick to neutral shades
• Since many of us in India wear open toed sandals or slippers, especially with Indian outfits, a regular pedicure helps to keep the feet looking well cared for.

Watch the dental hygiene!

• Do not chew gum at your workplace
• Use mint and breath spray if you have a habit of smoking or even after meals with strong odors. Don’t be that person colleagues watch out for!

Power dressing. Really?

Dressing for success is really a thing. This is something that absolutely depends on what your occupation is, the location and weather of your work place and your preferences.

If you are in a conservative managerial position, clothing in neutral colours or conservative styles might be appropriate. Whereas if you are working in a creative field like advertising or a fashion magazine, there wouldn’t be much of a protocol to follow.

Some basic aspects like making sure your clothes are ironed out and neat are a must!

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 Other tips

• Always keep in mind your company work culture and dress up/present yourself accordingly
• If it’s a new workplace, don’t feel shy about asking someone regarding the appropriate attire, facial jewelry, tattoos and other grooming protocol

Every day we fight through rush hour traffic to get to work in time, deal with unreliable public transport, and put our bodies through drastic changes in temperature – the contrast between the humid, hot and polluted outdoors and the bone chilling AC in offices.

Our bodies go through a lot of stress on a day-to-day basis and its important to consider these factors with respect to grooming. Your appearance should give you confidence and empower you. By following a regular grooming routine based on your environment, you will be one step closer to presenting the best version of yourself.

This post is supported by Jean-Claude Biguine Salon and Spa. ‘Beauty is always present. It just needs to be enhanced.’ – Jean-Claude Biguine

 Jean-Claude Biguine Salon and Spa first brought style to the streets of Paris in 1982, with its salon at Avenue Mozart. Since then, their presence has spread across 318 rues across 17 countries.

Bringing international expertise to India, Jean-Claude Biguine Salon and Spa, India showcases très superior hairstyles and techniques, off the global fashionscape. Backed by a strong hairstyling legacy, they offer head to toe beauty and grooming services, coupled with expert global products, all under one roof.

Along with a fine precision for cut, colour and style, they also offer patrons the ultimate indulgence consisting of rejuvenating spa facials, massages and skin-care therapies with 100% organic spa products – classy, conventional, contemporary and consistent service par excellence.

For our readers in Bangalore, you can call the below numbers to book your appointment:

Lavelle Road – 080 4151 4000 | Whitefield – 080 6726 6666 | Indira Nagar- 080 2520 2520 | Koramangala- 080 2570 2222

Cover image via Shutterstock

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