You are no longer in scrubs. Legal nurse consultants who want to use professional image tips when they market need to pay attention to clothing. How do you want to look? What professional image do you project? Here are tips for professional dressing.
Take a hard look at the clothes in your closet
- Is your clothing age-appropriate? Celebrate your body as it is now.
- Does your clothing fit you?
- Look in a full length mirror. Your clothing should fit well.
Professional image tips for achieving a polished look
- Your clothing should make you feel comfortable and confident.
- Never look like you don’t make a lot of money.
- People notice teeth and shoes.
- When you wear a color that is the same color as your hair or eyes, you match.
- Look at your chest in proportion to your stomach and use techniques to make them look the same size. Wear a darker color on the larger part of your body. If you carry weight in your stomach, wear the same color above and below your waist.
- Go clothes shopping with a trusted friend who will be honest. Shop with a list and near the end of the season.
- Color near your face is more flattering.
- Organize your closet and weed out old clothes, duplicates, and out of style clothes. Many people wear only 30% of their clothes.
- Avoid outdated looks: shoulder pads (unless you have narrow shoulders), pleated pants, and polyester clothes.
Male dressing tips
- Your belt should be in the third hole.
- Your shirt sleeve should show one half-inch below your cuff.
- Your shoes should have 5 eyelets and never be tasselled if you are wearing a suit.
- Match your socks to your shoes.
- The darker the suit, the more powerful.
- Raising the height of the buttons brings attention back to the face.
Female dressing tips
- Wear the correctly fitted bra. Your breasts should be front and centered. Don’t dry bras in the dryer.
- Avoid a sexy look. Showing cleavage is inappropriate.
- Avoid too tight clothing or skirts that are above the knee.
- Update your hair style and invest in a good cut.
- If you have a short neck, avoid turtlenecks.
Tips for your professional portrait
- Schedule a new photo shoot every 2 years.
- Make sure you are rested before a photography session.
- You’ll need some on a solid background and possibly a full length photo. Have three changes of clothes with you for different effects.
- Natural lighting is your friend. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon are good times for outdoor shoots.
- Pull your chin out and down. It makes you look slimmer and more engaged. Never be photographed with your head tilted back.
- Love the lens. Don’t look at the person behind the lens. Exaggerate your laughter and friendliness.
- Know if you want to look smaller or larger. The photographer can make you look smaller by shooting from above.
- Check the photos as they are being taken so you can make corrections.
- Request the CD of your photos. You need the rights to the photos. Once you have one you like, spread it everywhere on the web.
Pat Iyer received these tips from Janice Hurley Trailor at a session at the National Speakers Association Annual Conference. Pat is a professional speaker and member of the National Speakers Association. Pat has teamed up with marketing professionals to produce How to Get All the Clients You Need. Take this on demand course to supercharge your marketing.