Posts Tagged ‘corporate image consulting’

(Video) The Ugly Truth About Beauty in the Workplace

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Forget everything you’ve heard about beauty being only skin deep. Two recent Newsweek polls reveal that beauty may be pocket and career deep as well. Both surveys suggest dressing to impress today simply isn’t enough. Many managers evaluate the physical attractiveness of job candidates too.

The surveys reveal the following 8 ugly truths about beauty in the workplace:

1.  Looks Matter at Work

Fifty-seven percent of the managers polled feel an unattractive (but qualified) applicant will experience more difficulty getting hired.  Sixty-eight percent believe that once hired, looks continue to affect how managers evaluate an employee’s job performance.

2.  Aesthetics Trump Education

When asked to rate nine character attributes, looks rated third below experience and confidence, but above where a candidate went to school and a sense of humor. With that said, it’s probably a good ideal to leave for last, or not include at all, that line in your Facebook bio about having a great sense of humor.

3.  Resume Surgery or Cosmetic Surgery?

Fifty-nine percent of hiring managers recommend investing as much time and money doctoring your looks as you do doctoring your resume.

4.  Caution Women – Being too Hot can Leave you Cold

Don’t believe that? Ask Debrahlee Lorenzana, the Queens woman who filed suit last month against Citibank, alleging the corporation fired her because she was “too hot.” Regardless of the veracity of the allegations, many professional women know all too well the importance of mastering the ability of looking attractive without being attracting. Sixty-one percent of the hiring managers Newsweek surveyed – 60 percent of whom were men – responded they feel it is beneficial for a woman to display her figure at work.  Meanwhile, 47 percent of those same managers said they feel some women are at a disadvantage for being too attractive in the office. A winning case of “Damn if you do; damn if you don’t.”

5.  Fat or Skinny, We Hate Hiring Fat People

Sure 75 percent of the American population is overweight – according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – but that doesn’t stop us from discriminating against overweight people at work and in life. Newsweek reports “[2/3] of business managers said they believe some managers would hesitate before hiring a qualified job candidate who was significantly overweight”.

6.  We Don’t Like Old People Either

Eighty-four percent of managers believe some bosses avoid hiring a qualified job applicant who looked much older than his or her cohorts.

7.  In Certain Situations, ‘Lookism’ is OK

Sixty-four percent of hiring managers said they believe when a job calls for an employee to be the “face” of a company, hiring people based on looks is acceptable. But there was an inconsistency here. 60 percent of those same respondents said they would favor a law making it illegal to discriminate in hiring based on looks. When researched further, 46 percent of the public said they would favor a law making hiring discrimination based on appearance illegal.

8.  Don’t Say FML Yet – Confidence is Imperative, Too!

You will recall that both confidence and experience ranked first and second on the list of the most important employee attributes. That said, lots of opportunities exists for the regular folks.

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Posted in Color / Colour Analysis, Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

Video – Being an Image Consultant – What Message Should My Website Photos Reflect?

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers (click image for larger view)

I received this question over the weekend and wanted to share it, particularly with those working in the image consulting industry.  In short, the question asked, “Are crossed-arms outdated or relevant today?” Here’s the complete question and my answer.  Let’s dialogue readers.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

“Hi Indigo:

Are crossed-arms outdated or relevant today?  I posted a picture on Facebook for you to critique and a friend from home and another Facebbok “patron” got into a fight!  Anyway it was intended for you, to see, so now I am going to attach here – of course my arms are crossed. The bottom line is I was saying the Image Consultant needs a consultant!!!! Now that I have lost weight and have to buy spring clothes now is the perfect time to make some changes. The primary picture is the purple, recently I have been using the white picture. If you have any suggestions to move towards a more contemporary slightly edgy look let  me know. My typical look is classic, classy, very corporate….HELPPPPPPP” – Debbie

Deb w/ arms crossed outdated or relevant today?

Dear Deb:

To answer your question, it depends.

We saw lots of crossed-arms on image consulting sites in prior years and still see that pose today, but I’m noticing a paradigm shift with the fresh new talent entering the industry.  Sue Donnelly, while not new to the scene, interjects youthfulness and energy throughout her site.  That said, my opinion is that the pose works for corporate consultants, but I see it as paradoxical for one-on-one experts.  Here’s why.

In the corporate arena, particularly among male and female CEOs and upper management figures, the arms-crossed image purposely denotes power, and resonates “I’m in control and I’m running this.”  While that message works in corporate America and for corporate image consultants looking to attract corporate clients, it doesn’t convey well for personal image consultants.  As a personal image consultant, one doesn’t want the client to feel threatened, uncomfortable or worse, forced to adhere to the dogmatic sartorial views of the consultant.

Personal image consulting is, well, personal.  Consultations often times take place in the underwear-clad client’s bedroom, with the consultant rummaging through her closet.*  Moreover, getting a makeover can be pretty traumatic and always should be handled as a process and not an event. For these reasons, the client must feel comfortable and trust that you’re partnering with them to elevate their current style.

One comment I get quite often from new clients is that my website picture helped to eliminate the initial anxiety associated with calling a consultant.  According to many of them, I look approachable, modern and fun. My style is a lot more relaxed than yours, but that isn’t to say that you can’t inject a bit of capriciousness into your classic look. You want to appear adaptable and, more importantly, modern. That said, continue to wear your classic suits, but soften the lines with more curves in the lapel and less stiffened fabrics. Consider selecting silk or satin underpinnings and pliable blouses.  Finally, light-colored suits are fine, but avoid white or off white.  Just as you don’t want to come off as stodgy or overly aggressive, you also don’t want to appear too puritanical.

Ms. Rodgers still looking in control but approachable. (click image for larger view)

Classic St. John Suit with rounded collar. (click image for larger view)

Check out this video featuring Essence Magazine, Beauty Editor, Tia Williams.  Ms. Williams looks fresh, modern and professional.

* When working with a male client, I generally travel with an assistant and always have the client change in a different room.

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Posted in Corporate, Personal | 1 Comment »

Holiday Office Party Do’s and Dont’s

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

The_Office_Party

The_Office_Party

‘Tis the season for the annual holiday office party. According to Michigan-based Image Consulting Firm, P2Styles, play your cards right and you could end up closer to gaining that office with a view. Make a wrong move, and you could be facing career suicide. Here are nine basic survival tips to keep your career heading north.

  1. Appearing is Mandatory. Don’t even think about NOT going to the office party.Skipping out on the annual party displays disrespect for your company, your supervisors and your colleagues. Unless you have a justifiable conflict, showing up is mandatory. More importantly, remaining at the event for at least an hour eliminates the risk of giving the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.
  2. Dress appropriately for the occasion. While dressing appropriately is critical at every rung on the professional ladder, it’s most important for midlevel professionals who have a shot at the coveted corner office. For women, the rule of thumb “more skin, less power”, still applies. Refrain from wearing ultra-tight fitting dresses, décolletage revealing necklines, micro-mini skirts or super snug pants. Men should avoid unbuttoning more than two buttons on their shirts and wearing overly fitted shirts or sweaters that show off their muscles.
  3. Leave first dates for another occasion. Assuming dates are welcomed, bring someone who you know from previous experiences will present well with co-workers and superiors. The office party is not the time to learn that your date is fixated on leather and lace or possess over-indulgent drinking habits.
  4. Conduct yourself professionally. What you say and do will resonate in the minds of your colleagues and managers. Inappropriate behavior can cause your career to be shorter than everyone else’s memory. In all of your interactions, be positive and conduct yourself with charm and savvy. This is not the time to express employee grumbles.
  5. Be a good conversationalist. Avoid talking about yourself or your accomplishments all night. Instead, make others your focal point. Show that you are genuinely interested in each person within a group by asking open-ended questions and including everyone in the conversation with both questions and eye contact.
  6. Eat, drink and be merry in moderation. The stories of people who have overindulged at company parties are legendary, and there’s always a price to be paid. Limit your alcohol consumption and drink plenty of water or seltzer between drinks. Also, keep in mind that the hors d’oeuvres table is not intended to be a five-course meal. Enjoy the spread, but leave some for the other guests.
  7. Be prepared to schmooze. Take the time to network and schmooze with those individuals who can influence your career or who you may not see regularly. Holiday parties are great for building or strengthening business relationships.
  8. Don’t assume everyone celebrates Christmas. In today’s multi-cultural workplace, not everyone celebrates the same holidays. Take the politically correct route by wishing those you encounter a “Safe and Happy Holiday Season”.
  9. Exit gracefully. Make an appoint to say thank you and goodbye to the person or persons responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party. Sending a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party is sure to help you gain career advancement points.

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Posted in Corporate | 2 Comments »