Deborah OConnor March 11, 2014

By Deborah O’Connor
March 11, 2014


When someone is criticized, it is sometimes difficult to see how this canhelp you in your career. Here is a letter I received that sheds somelight on the value of positive criticism.

Dear Deborah,

I have a good career and have always thought I dressed professionally. Irecently had a colleague tell me that if I ever want to get anywhere and move up in the company I had better learn how to dress a lot better. Iwas taken aback and was really offended. How do I handle this?

Marshall

Dear Marshall,

I recently acquired a new client through her mother. I was with a friend who was buyingart from her and she happened to ask what I did. I told her I was aSocial Strategist and that I helped people become their very best selves through dress, actions, behavior, and etiquette. Because, with allthings being equal in performance, what is going to set you apart fromthe crowd? For you, it could be your wardrobe.

I proceeded tomeet with her daughter, who lived in another state but was in town for afew days, and I completely changed her entire business wardrobe in oneday. She was on a budget and we did the whole thing for surprisinglylittle cost. She looked and acted like a different person, professional, self-confidant, a woman who could get that promotion (which she did!). I am trying to tell you that changing your wardrobe can change yourcareer and hence your life. There are businesses that help with thissort of thing, including Successful Image. Some stores have personalshoppers that help you pick out your clothing. I like to work with what a client already has, using key pieces that can be added to. Lookingsmart and confident can make you stand out in a sea of applicants.

If your boss has eight employees to choose from for a promotion withperformance being equal in all, whom will he select? I can tell you that it will be the person who looks the most professional, the bestdressed, the one that has the competitive edge. Let that person be you.

Please feel free to send questions to [email protected]. I will answer them in my weekly column.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skillsnecessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at: [email protected]  www.successfulimage.biz