022: Personal Branding on the Job | Six Steps to a Better First Impression [Podcast]

When I teach about being a Company of One, people always want to know how to they can better market themselves on the job. They do their jobs well, but they are never sure about how to control their personal branding. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Creative Commons [/featured-image] You, like most, probably suffer from the ability to market what you do on a daily basis. And, you also most likely suffer from common marketing message mistakes.Click to Listen*NOTE: If you are reading this in email, you will need to go to Itunes or my blog to get access to this show.In this episode I will begin a three part series on developing your personal brand on the job.Episode 022 - Personal Branding from First Impressions  - Controlling that critical first impressionEpisode 023 - Personal Branding from Your ActionsEpisode 024 - Personal Branding: Showing them you are a leaderToday we start with Episode 22 and six steps to a better first impression.Appearance - By appearance I mean how you look. This is not dress, but perhaps hygiene. This harms more people than anything else. Looking rough tends to turn people off. Messy hair, sloppy dress, tattoos, and body piercings all make you look unclean. While some of this is culturally acceptable right now, it turns people off. Make your best first impression by controlling all you can in looking clean and neat.Take control: Pay attention to how neat you look. Brush your hair, your teeth and make sure your clothes fit. If you have tattoos, hide them best you can. Show up to work like your mother would like to see you dressed.Posture - This is second on purpose. This is such a big deal people often miss it. Nothing tells me you are confident and a leader more than posture. Good posture not only can help you get a good first impression, it can also keep you healthy.Take Control: Stand tall and sit up straight. If you have poor posture due to your muscles not working right, get help. Pilates is a great way to get posture under control. (Yes - even for guys) If you really need help, see those at Egoscue. Ignore the fact that they are about pain, because if you have poor posture sooner or later it will cause you pain.Dress - You need to dress the part. If you work in an office, look how those above you (two levels or more your superior's) dress. If not in an office, be neat. Get high quality clothing that fits your role.Take Control: Find a clothing store that specializes in the kind of clothing for your field of work. If needed, ask one of those who is a leader above you where to go. Once you get to such a store, you can get real advice. Buy what you can afford and sooner or later you will be well dressed.Eye contact - This is a must. Missing direct eye contact tells others you are either a liar or insecure. Perhaps both.Take Control: Look at the other person in the eye when they talk. This is hard to do it you are not used to it, but focus on their eyes as if their eyes are speaking. (They are!) It gets easier the more you do it.Language - I do not care that foul language seems normal today, it is not an option if you want to be taken seriously. I know some people are OK with it, but others are offended. So why risk it? And, like it or not, it is worse for a woman to use foul language than for a man. But either should be off the tablDale Callahan, Ph.D.Business Coach for Professionals Ready to Take Control Helping you move from stuck to in-demand — or start something of your own. Grab the Idea Engine: 7 prompts to find your next move Book a Next Step Strategy SessionDirector of Engineering Management @ UAB (205) 790-8447 dalecallahan.com LinkedIn

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