Your image is important - because people believe what they see, because busy people rely on first impressions and because your personal style will influence anybody who may make decisions about your career development.

Making an impression

Research shows that within 90 seconds of meeting someone, we form an opinion about him or her mainly based on appearance. The brain reacts instinctively on an emotional level before it can begin to analyse any information. If the subject's appearance seems to contradict what he or she is saying, we cannot believe the spoken message, because the visual message is much stronger. (Of course, this can lead to error, as judgements are based on information collected in such a short time.) It can be very difficult to correct a poor first impression, so it is vital to manage every moment of a first meeting well, particularly if your subsequent career depends on it. There may not be a second chance.

Social psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that 55% of a first impression is based on appearance (dress, grooming, body language, etc.), 38% on the way we sound (the tone and pitch of our voice, accent, etc.) and just 7% on what we have to say. In order to present a positive, professional image, it is important to be well-dressed. Clothes that complement you physically Your clothes should complement your colouring, body line and personality. They should look as if they belong on you.

Colour - The colours you wear must balance and harmonise with your personal colouring. Look for balance in the depth of a colour, its clarity and undertone. A personal colour consultation is helpful in determining the colour direction which will suit you most.

Body Line - Your face and body shape depend on your bone structure, and the way your flesh is distributed upon that bone structure. Everyone has a different body shape. Some people are more angular and others are more contoured. The shape and proportions of your shoulders, chest, rib cage and waist in relation to each other, project either a straighter, more angled body line, or a more contoured line. Your face, too, projects either a more angled, or a more curved silhouette.

Selecting your Business Wardrobe

When choosing clothes that will complement your body physically, you should consider:

Colour - When you are choosing colours to harmonise with your own colouring, consider how deep, light, bright, muted, warm or cool that colour is. Think about the image you wish to convey in the kind of situation where the garment will be worn, and how appropriate that shade of colour may be in a business environment.

Shape - Choose clothes which have an angular, straight silhouette or a more contoured silhouette, depending on your body line.

Fabric - In order to create clothing lines which will complement your physical characteristics, select crisp, smooth fabrics for the straight body or softer, more textured material for the contoured body.

Patterns - Clear, defined geometric patterns look good with straighter body lines. Blended lines and softer patterns (such as paisleys) suit contoured silhouettes.

Fit - A good fit makes the difference between an expensive, tailored look or an inexpensive, inappropriate presentation.

Using Colour for Impact

The sensitive use of colour is a powerful business tool. You will project credibility, and look more healthy and attractive, if you choose the colours you wear in business with care. Traditions established in the workplace mean that some colours now have connotations of authority and formality, and others are associated with a more creative and informal environment.

Colours for Work-wear

• Wear a suit in your darkest neutral with a high contrast shirt for your most authoritative look.
• A suit in your medium neutral with a toning or low contrast shirt looks friendly and approachable.

• In work environments where trousers are acceptable for women, a neutral trouser suit with a low contrast shirt can look smart. However, as trousers project a more informal image, wearing a shirt in high contrast ends by looking "mannish" rather than authoritative.
• A neutral skirt or dress with a brighter jacket is acceptable in most situations.
  
  (An entire skirt suit or trouser suit in a bright colour is not seen as businesslike.)

Limit your use of bright colours to perhaps one accent: a jacket, shirt or scarf. Too many bright notes look bitty and unpolished.

Do your research! Before attending a job interview find out if there is a company dress-code and, if possible, go to the premises and take a look at what people are wearing. You might watch them coming out at the end of the day. Are they dressed conservatively, in dark suits? Or is there a less formal look with brighter colours? For your interview dress in a smart and immaculate version of the kind of clothing that seems to reflect the company's image. If in doubt, always err on the conservative side. Good luck!