Presenting A Polished Appearance—Preparing For A Professional Career

If you have aspirations of cultivating a professional career, you're undoubtedly already pursuing the necessary educational goals or are in the process of planning a particular course of study. However, keep in mind that no matter how solid your credentials are, a visual appearance that doesn't identify you as a professional will work against you. Fortunately, you don't have to follow every hair and fashion trend in order to look professional unless you intend on working as a model, but you do have to cultivate a polished appearance. Here's how to get those particular ducks in a row. 

Identify Several Style Mentors

Paying close attention to the styles favored by those in your desired industry will serve you well when the time comes to go on interviews, network, and otherwise get your career off the ground. Different industries have different style standards, and what flies in the office in a creative field such as advertising won't work well in a traditional banking or law environment. 

No matter how casual the environment or industry, however, resist the urge to dress in an overtly provocative style—save these clothes for after hours. Strong perfume and flashy makeup, jewelry, and accessories should also be avoided in the workplace. A good rule of thumb is that if you have to stop and ask yourself whether a certain items is appropriate for the workplace, it probably isn't, so it's best to err on the side of caution in these situations. 

Consider Cosmetic Dentistry

No matter what field you decide to enter, a winning smile can be one of your biggest assets on your road to success, so don't hesitate to consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist to identify cosmetic dentistry procedures that can help dental problems that would distract from an otherwise professional appearance. For instance, you might have a chipped tooth, or perhaps your teeth could use a good whitening. Remember, the object isn't to look worthy of being featured on a magazine cover—you just need a smile that doesn't take any of the polish away from your professional appearance. Your local cosmetic dentistry professional can provide more information on getting the kind of polished smile that will help advance your professional career.

Have a Professional Hair Consultation 

When you're a student or are otherwise engaged in career preparation activities, you've got a lot of flexibility in how you wear your hair. However, things change once you're expected to present a pulled-together appearance on a regular basis. Your consultation should include tips and tricks for styling hair in a hurry on workday mornings as well as recommendations for easy-care styles that are appropriate for your industry.