10 No Cost Ways to Present Yourself at Your Best – #4 & #3

So here we are in week 4 of a 5 week series dedicated to no cost things you can do to treat yourself well and demonstrate that you value yourself.  Can you hear the drum roll as we get closer we get to #1?

I hope you get that treating yourself well doesn’t have to mean having money.  Custom suits are nice, but nothing replaces a general regard for yourself and how you allow yourself to be presented to others – especially those you are servicing or helping – which is what your job ultimately enables you to do!  When you are helping others – offer them the best you have to offer – this includes the best YOU you can offer.

Here are 2 additional tips for you.

#4.  Take on a “signature something”

You are no doubt wondering what the heck is a “signature something”?  It is something that makes you  memorable – something that definitely tells others something about you.  Maybe it is a piece of jewelry, a certain color you wear often, or a just anything that makes you MEMORABLE.  Let me give you an example.

Many years ago I was involved in a hiring process for a new HR Executive.  When you have worked in the Financial Services industry for as long as I have, one candidate seems to bleed into the next – dark suits, blue or white shirt and not much else I can remember (see my point?).  Anyway, one day a woman came in to interview and she was dressed as professionally as everyone else BUT she carried a B I G, P I N K  P U R S E (I use the capital letters to help you get a visual impact of this purse).  It was FABULOUS!  It was not a junk bag – not one stuffed with her papers, lunch and umbrella while she carried a little black purse.  It was the real deal – her actual purse and it was very fashionable.  I immediately asked her about her purse – knowing it must be her favorite color (of course it was – would you buy anything pink if you didn’t like the color?  I know no one in financial services would have shown up with it to an interview – even if they liked the color).

This purse was as unique, and cheery and bold as the candidate was.  She got the job – of course not because of the pink purse – but it helped her leave a lasting impression on everyone who interviewed her.  She was hard to forget – “the candidate with the big pink bag” as she was known before she accepted our offer of employment.

Me?  I love to wear big rings OR a big bracelet – a power piece

and

I keep my looooong blonde hair in good condition – something unexpected given my conservative industry.

What about you?  Adopt your own “signature something” .

#3.  Keep your breath fresh.

We all have bad breath from time to time – we are human right?  When my breath starts to get funky I know it is a sign that I am not drinking enough water.  I increase my water intake (which is also great for your skin) and I turn to breathe mints.  Just pop one before you talk with anyone.

Being in my line of work – how people smell has a lot to do with a decision to hire them.  Again, the interview is supposed to be you at your best – if your best you has bad breath – that can be a deal breaker.  While you are serving others most often than not, you are talking with others – offer your best breath.

Every breath (mint) counts!

Catch tip #2 & #1 next week – the juiciest stories!