Looking Good for that Presentation Matters More Than You Might Want to Believe

You’ve practiced your presentation until even the family dog heads for cover when he hears your opening line. You’ve researched your data, got your handouts ready, the slides have been double-checked and now the big moment is near.

Time to give your big presentation that will hopefully rank right up there with The Gettysburg Address and catapult you into the career stratosphere. But wait a minute. You’re not going to wear THAT, are you? And your hair -- are you sure?

Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that while you’re giving your presentation, many people will be mentally checking out your clothes and if they find anything about your appearance distracting, you can kiss the presentation hall of fame goodbye. (We are all judged in some way by our appearance, no matter how talented we are -- just look at shows like American Idol.)

I've been on television several times in the last year, and I took some time to ask the on-air reporters and anchors for their tips on what to wear. They advise:

* Dress like your audience or one step above. That means if everyone is in black tie, then you should be, too. If it’s a more casual setting , then wear more relaxed clothing, with perhaps a jacket. If you’re unsure, think about who your audience is going to be. If it’s a bunch of bankers and lawyers, then a conservative suit is a good bet. More creative folks like artists or advertisers would be okay with something a little jazzier, but just make sure it doesn’t go overboard. Remember you don’t want to distract anyone with your clothing.
*Even minor details are important. Find a mirror before you confront your audience and comb your hair, freshen your makeup, straighten your tie. If you’ve got on dangling earrings, a wild tie, a flashy scarf or a rumpled suit, your audience will be distracted. Take off a name tag and tuck it in a pocket until the presentation is over.
* For men, a charcoal gray or blue suit or sport coat is best -- no black. Wear a long-sleeve white shirt, unless television cameras are present. Then select light gray or light blue, which will help prevent you from looking washed out. If you button your coat, make sure that the lapels lie flat. If they don’t, then leave the coat undone, and avoid vests. (They add pounds.)
Find a conservative, even boring, tie. Striped red or maroon is good. And if you’re going to be seated at any time, find socks that reach high enough that no one has to see a slice of hairy leg. Black or brown shined shoes are a good idea, and make sure there are no holes in your soles.

If you wear jewelry, only use a watch and a ring. No tie pins, lapel pins, earrings or necklaces.

* For women, avoid pastel or pale-colored suits or dresses since bolder colors will make you look strong and confident. (A pastel blouse with a strong suit is okay, and best if there are television cameras. White blouses should be used otherwise.) If you are going to be sitting where others can see your legs before or after the presentation, keep your skirt length at knee- to mid-calf length. Shoes should have moderate heels with closed toes. Carry an extra pair of hose for emergencies.

Keep your jewelry simple and conservative. Pearls or gold look fine, but avoid diamonds and large, chunky or dangling necklaces, bracelets or earrings. Avoid low necklines, heavy makeup and black clothing -- it adds 10 years to your age.


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The Role of Good Looks On The Job

While women often complain that they are judged in the workplace by the way they look, the truth is that we may be our own worst enemies.

According to a new book, "Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined," author Gordon L. Patzer says that research shows that even when a woman is alone, what she is wearing can "heighten her preoccupation with how her body looks -- usually at the expense of her critical mental performance skills."

So, that means it's not just the approaching swimsuit season that has us anxious and wondering how we can grow six inches by June, it's the day-to-day judgment of ourselves that is just as problematic.

How many of us have checked out our "rear view" in the bathroom mirror at work, or tried to catch our reflection in an office window to see if the new pants make us look fat? How many times have we asked a female co-worker: "Does my hair look OK?"

This constant checking of our physical appearance -- even the tugging of a skirt or adjusting of a strap -- diverts our mental energies, "making the individual temporarily unavailable for more challenging or vital mental tasks."

Still, Patzer goes on to point out that our obsession with our physical appearance has merit: Good looking people in the workplace are more likely to get desired jobs, be paid more and have higher-level positions. And while men don't have the obsession of always checking their physical appearance, they are affected by something else: height.

Patzer says that men standing over 5 feet 9 inches are perceived as better performers, get more promotions and earn more. In fact, according to one study, every inch over this height means an annual paycheck bonus of $789.

At the same time, looks in the workplace can become even more complex as we have a younger generation that has been more exposed to visual images throughout their lives, and are more focused with how they -- and others -- look. At the other end, aging workers are becoming more sensitized to their fading looks and diminished attractiveness in a youth-obsessed culture.

The hard reality, then, is that this "lookism" as Patzer calls it, isn't going to go away anytime soon. At the same time, he maintains that even if you're not the next Carmen Electra or Brad Pitt, "you're not defenseless."

"Don't do nothing," he told me in an interview.

So, while you may not want to undertake cosmetic procedures to improve your looks, you can do other things that will improve your physical appearance, or at least the "perception" that you're good looking. Some ideas:

* Practice good hygiene. Shower every day, use anti-perspirant and wear clean, fresh-smelling clothes. Make sure your hair is clean and well groomed.
* Update your wardrobe. Nothing can make you seem older or frumpier than clothes that are out of style. If nothing else, invest in black pants and a blue shirt with nice black shoes. This works well for men or women. Invest in tailoring to make sure they fit attractively.
* Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep not only affects your mental capabilities, but affects the healthy look of your skin and hair. Not getting your rest will also cause you to put on unwanted pounds.
* Eat right. A good diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, will take years off your face and help keep skin clear and bright.
* Take public speaking classes. Being able to present yourself with confidence, to speak clearly and have a well-modulated voice will boost the perception of your attractiveness. Standing and walking with confidence, as well as using hand gestures properly will help others to see you as better looking.
* Get more education. The more schooling you have, the higher others will perceive your status, and therefore, your looks.

While these suggestions may bother some people, the truth is that improving our physical appearance should be seen as just another tool to getting the career we want. Ignoring your appearance could be just as costly as not improving your skills or completing that big project on time.




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