Presenting Yourself to Others By Brenda Williams At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

How you carry yourself is extremely important- especially when it comes to business. When you sit down for an interview or even when you meet someone for the first time, there is a ton of information about you that is absorbed by the other parties involved. From what you are wearing to quirky mannerisms that you never knew you had, down to how you smell- all of this is taken into account.

The most noticeable thing that others can observe about you is how you are dressed as well as how you smell. It should go without saying that prior to meeting anyone for the first time, you should make sure that you take a shower. The common mistake that people make, however (especially men) is that will hose themselves down in cologne. This is a mistake. Not only is too much of one thing overwhelming but you also don't know what your interview situation is going to be like. Will you be interviewing outside or in a tiny office with no windows? You need to also be mindful of the fact that other people may have allergies and might not appreciate the cologne or perfume bath that you just took. The same thing also applies for creams and lotions. If you need to, try to purchase creams that don't have as strong of a smell. Additionally, one other thing that has accumulated much less tolerance is cigarette smoke. If you are a smoker, the last thing your interviewer, boss or other prospective co-workers want to smell is a human ashtray. If you can help it, avoid smoking while at work or just prior to going to work. There may also be some neutralizing sprays on the market to help eliminate unwanted odors.

“Dress to impress” is more than a mere saying; it's the truth. You only have one shot to make a good, lasting first impression on others. This is why it is often suggested that you choose appropriate clothing for a first meeting. Unless your prospective employer indicates otherwise, you should always plan on wearing something business casual. For men, business casual can mean slacks and a shirt with a collar while for the ladies it can simply mean a nice dress top with a pair of dress slacks.

The next thing employers look at is your body language. Make sure that you make plenty of eye contact with the person you are speaking to. However, you don't want to hold eye contact too long because then it'll feel as if you're staring at the person. Keeping eye contact too short, on the other hand, may indicate that your shifty, nervous or have something to hide (I.e. lying). When you greet the other person, make sure you give a good, strong handshake and say your name clearly. No one likes a limp wristed handshake because it may indicate timidity or lack of self confidence. If your interview is taking place while seated, make sure that you sit up straight but not so much so that it looks uncomfortable. It is important not to slouch because this may indicate that you don't care or don't respect your interviewer. Lastly, make sure you do your research about the company or person you are interviewing with prior to the meeting. Reference the company and/or ask questions about the company during the interview to show your employer that you are a person who takes the initiative.

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