Dear Sue: I am a full-time student and work at a job without any major responsibilities. I want to know if you have any suggestions that will help me look as though I want to move up in life.
Some people say I should dress more like the people who hold the positions I want to have -- and I do. As a matter of fact, I have a closet full of scarves, pants, and lovely pantsuits, but this only makes me feel like a beauty queen.
I am at the point where I feel confident on the outside, but it's only an artificial wall that's blocking the real mess that's on the inside. What can I do?
- Confused
Sue Says: "Looking" professional is an important factor in the way you are perceived by others and will also affect the way you feel about yourself. But the idea of dressing well and looking good is not to put on a facade or feel like a phony.
In my book, "How to Gain the Professional Edge," I talk about the four simple rules that guarantee business success:
Look the part: To be successful, you have to project an image with which your clients, your employer and your colleagues are comfortable. Don't think you're giving up your individuality or compromising who you really are. Think of it as a tool to help you achieve your objectives.
Act the part: Knowing how to make others feel comfortable, and feeling comfortable about yourself in the process can make all the difference between being successful and unsuccessful. Etiquette is an art worth masterin...
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