Improve Your Personal Brand With a Makeover

  • 1 min read

I will be in Last Vegas until Wednesday, so here is another guest post for you. This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of how to become a nurse. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.

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Personal branding is all about a perceived image, so the best way to boost your appeal is by changing your physical appearance (note: don’t change who you are) . No, this doesn’t require a visit to the plastic surgeon. In fact, there are some very simple ways to physically present yourself as a successful business professional. A little work in the following areas can go a long way in helping your personal brand.

  • Clothes – Clothes really do make the man… and woman, for that matter. I can’t tell you how many upscale offices I have entered recently that are filled with inappropriately dressed employees. (Too casual, too sexy, too wild, etc.) Are bankers and lawyers the only people who pay attention to their attire these days? You would be surprised at how differently people would treat you if you took a sophisticated approach to your business clothes. A sharp business suit can work for anyone.
  • Grooming – Why opt for a new wardrobe if you aren’t going to finish off the look with some proper grooming? While your personal brand may be that of an edgy designer, for example, you still need to put some effort into your overall style. The right hair is essential for both men and women when completing the look. Also, one of the first things people notice about you is your smile, which can be vastly improved with some teeth whitener. And finally, women should wear appropriate make-up for the image they are trying to convey.
  • Posture and Walk – Your mother was right, you know. You shouldn’t slouch. Not only is this bad for your back, it makes you appear heavier and less confident than a person who walks with their shoulders back and their chin in the air. You should practice walking with more confidence and always sit up straight. Body language is important in the workplace and you would be surprised at how differently you will both feel and appear when you change your posture and walk.
  • Overall Physical Health – People come in all shapes and sizes and, in a perfect world, everyone would accept that fact and not judge people based on their weight. However, it can definitely improve your personal brand if you get into shape. No, you shouldn’t be obsessed with having the perfect figure. However, the proper diet and regular exercise benefits you in so many ways. Not only will it help you manage stress, people will see you in a different light and you will feel better about yourself. All of these factors contribute to a successful personal brand.

All of our lives, we are told not to judge a book by its cover. However, people do it in the business world all the time. As you know, our personal brand is affected by everything we do and say. From the people we associate with to the foods we eat, it all contributes to an overall image. By undergoing a makeover, you will both increase your self-confidence and alter the way people perceive you in the workplace. These changes can undoubtedly help you to achieve success with an improved personal brand.

Picture of Dan Schawbel

Dan Schawbel

Dan Schawbel is the Managing Partner of Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm. He is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success (St. Martin’s Press) and the #1 international bestselling book, Me 2.0: 4 Steps to Building Your Future (Kaplan Publishing), which combined have been translated into 15 languages.

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