Alusine Barrie: First Impressions Will Not Take You Far _ Be Professional, Don't (Just) Look It

I would like to start by stating that there is something to be said about looking professional. Especially for young people entering the job market. After all, 'first impressions go a long way' is a well known piece of wisdom preached to young people (and rightly so). Studies have shown that in the first few seconds of interacting with us people make a an impression of us based on how we look or carry ourselves, until those impressions are caused to change.  

In situations where someone has to make a judgement about your character or capacity and you don't have a chance to demonstrate your inner powers, it is critical to make good first impressions. In your early interactions with other people (in your job search, or first days/weeks at your workplace) you want to look professional - dress professionally and carry yourself in a way that communicates expertise, professionalism and maturity.

The challenge with first impressions is that, they are like perfume, the effect eventually wears off. Through experience, we have learnt that first impressions of others are not very reliable measures of character and of your capacity to contribute to an organization's growth and success. They are just tentative. Once people make impressions of us, they are constantly comparing us now against the impressions they made of you the first time they interacted with us.  

So rather than (just) looking professional, why not do both? Dress appropriately, but more importantly get to work on time, do your work with diligence, contribute to your team's success and deal with clients respectfully and kindly.

First impressions may work to get you a job (if you are lucky), but they are surely insufficient to help you keep your job and succeed as a professional. So, choose to be professional.

Regards,

Alusine Barrie.