Image - Why bother?

Do people really determine how competent you are based on your appearance?

Anyone who has seen the movie ‘Pretty Woman’ will know the importance of image and the message that an image can send. High skirt and short boots can equate being disrespected and disregarded; clean, neat fashionable dress usually equates with being respected and being attended to. This is an extreme example but it serves to show we send a message to other people about ourselves in the way that we present ourselves.

Your personal presentation influences people’s behaviour toward you; such as whether they will agree to your request, hire you, or pay the salary you want. People show you the same respect you show yourself.

Every time you get dressed and leave the house, you showcase key pieces of information about yourself, including your education level, your approximate wealth, and even your feelings of self-worth. All by the clothes and accessories you choose and the manner in which you wear them. Image matters because people make assumptions based on limited information. For example people may be judged as capable, professional, successful – even wealthy or intelligent because they are well dressed. The reverse is also true. Research indicates time and again that how you present yourself plays a significant role in how you’re perceived and treated by others, yet to look at any crowd, you’d never guess that was the case. Slumped shoulders, nondescript clothes, body parts showing that should be kept under wraps - it’s a mess out there.

If I was asked my opinion, I’d say it’s because so many people suffer from low self-esteem that it’s preventing them from realising their full potential - all for the want of taking better care of themselves and projecting the image of who they really are to the world. So what can you do if you need help to portray the image you want?

One way is to engage the services of an image consultant. An image consultant gives people advice that will help them achieve what they want – whether it is to get a new job, to make a good impression, or simply to feel good about themselves.  However, image is more than physical appearance. In addition to how someone looks, people also form impressions based on how that person talks and behaves. An image consultant might also consult with clients about verbal and nonverbal communication as well as etiquette. In addition to consulting with clients, image consultants typically have a network of strategic partners to refer clients to, such as hair stylists, makeup artists, dieticians, dentists, personal trainers, plastic surgeons, and voice coaches.

Image consultants assist people, such as:
* Women who want a new look;
* Job-seekers;
* Corporate executives;
* Lawyers and their clients;
* Cancer survivors;
* Television personalities;
* Spouses of recently promoted executives;
* Politicians;
* Singles seeking a partner.