Putting the Pieces TogetherSelf-Presentation Skills

AttitudeTake the Attitude Quotient SurveyWhat were your results?

Why Do I Need a Positive Attitude?

Let’s take look at Ruth…

When an idea was presented, she was the first one to say, “That won’t work.”

But she never offered alternatives. She never looked for solutions. She never, ever gave anything or

anyone the benefit of the doubt. Ruth was an absolute nightmare to

work with.

Why Do You Think Ruth was a Nightmare to Work

with?

Some people are just naturally more positive than others.

Most organizations work best when there are a wide variety of personalities in the mix.

But negativity for its own sake rarely serves a purpose.

People who can’t demonstrate a positive “can do” attitude in the workplace are truly damaging their career future.

Why Attitude Matters

You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal? I’m just being honest. I have to voice my opinions and be myself. I don’t do the

fake stuff.”

That’s fineNo one’s asking you to fake it…

much. The workplace is a living,

breathing organism and everyone impacts it.

Your negative attitude can bring down the entire thing.

It’s as contagious as an airborne virus.

Now, Let’s be Clear:

Voicing a different opinion, speaking assertively and

saying “no” are not essentially negative.

A few simple strategies…

That will help you demonstrate a positive attitude, while still being yourself in the workplace:

Smile It’s amazing how powerful a smile can

be. It actually changes your brain

chemistry. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to smile

regularly throughout the day. Others will respond to you more

favorably and you’ll naturally feel more positive

Seek Solutions Negative people see obstacles. Positive people look for solutions. Instead of pointing out a challenge

and waving the white flag of surrender, approach it like a puzzle. How can we turn the situation

around? How can we fix the problem? How can we make this work?

It’s fine to be skeptical, but bring your own ideas to the table as well.

Remain Professional Negativity comes from a place of

emotion: Frustration, anger, disappointment,

etc. Do your best to set these feelings

aside. The workplace is a professional

environment—it’s your responsibility to act professionally.

That means using tact and diplomacy, stating facts

before feelings, and finding ways to get the job done—

even when it’s uncomfortable.

Respect the TeamNegativity sucks the energy from those

around you. Give your team members the respect

they deserve.

A little effort goes a long way…

Even if you aren’t feeling particularly positive, focus on the bigger picture.

You’re a part of the team and your attitude matters.

Negativity is like a boomerang:

It always comes back to you.

The more you project a positive attitude, the more positivity will come your way.

You don’t have to pretend to be someone else.

Just recognize the powerful force that is your attitude, and use it to your advantage.

Dressing Appropriately

What is good grooming?

It is knowing what to do and putting it into practice on a daily basis.

Good grooming starts before you put on your clothing.

Good Grooming:

Means taking care of your hair, skin, face, hands and your total body.

Hygiene and Skin CareBathe or shower daily. Rinse or wash your face at least

two times a day. Brush and floss daily. Use mouthwash or rinse with

diluted baking soda if mouthwash is not available.

Drink plenty of water to keep your insides clean.

This will also help to keep your skin fresh on the outside.

Remove underarm and leg hair regularly. (for females)

FemalesRemove any facial hairs as they

appear. A depilatory or a bleaching cream

may be needed if you have heavy facial growth. (mustache)

MalesShave every day…if you have

beard growth If hair only grows on your chin—

only shave that

Wear Very Little or No Perfume/Cologne

AllergiesPersonal taste

Tattoo and Piercings They have become very popular

and are worn by both older and young people

It is recommended that the tattoo should be covered with clothing and piercings removed, if possible, for the job interview.

Some employers will require you to remove visible piercing while at work

Hands and NailsYour hands talk for you! Hands and nails should be clean Fingernails should be manicured or

cut short

Interview Tip: Have a Good Hand Shake

Practice giving a good handshake. This is especially important for a

woman. A good handshake is firm but not

tight, grasping the person’s whole hand.

Smile and look at the person while you shake hands.

Dress for SuccessHow to Dress for Work

WHAT DO YOU THINK?Successful or Not?

Successful?

Successful?

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

Ten Easy Ways to Look Unprofessional

Either don’t shave, or miss a couple hairs if you do. If you’re lucky, you’re the type whose facial hair grows very sporadically, so not shaving means inch-long hairs in random places!

Make sure you don’t wear deodorant. The musky smell of body odor is natural, so it must be good!

Don’t comb your hair. That cowlick looks AWESOME!

Keep your clothes near your kitchen. This way, last night’s cooking will attach its pleasant odor to your dress shirts, and you can enjoy the smell all day. You can even share the smell of turmeric or tomatoes with your coworkers!

Don’t brush your teeth. Those crazies who brush their teeth before work just aren’t living frugally, right?

Be proud of your tattoos! Wear those shirts short enough to show off that angel or “T-bone” on your lower back (any 7th Heaven fans out there?)

Oh, and women, make sure you wear low-rise pants. Your male coworkers will appreciate it!

Women, wear big hoop earrings. Men, just wear earrings. Nothing like turning your head and getting smacked by a few ounces of fake gold. It’ll keep you awake!

Men, wear socks and sandals to client meetings. Or, just sandals, no socks! Be proud of your feet. Ignore that every other man you’ve ever met in the boardroom has worn closed shoes. It’s comfortable and snazzy!

Wear white socks and too-high pants. I don’t mean just pants that ride up when you sit down and show off your Champion socks. I mean showing them off when you’re standing up too! Plus, your pants are protected during a flood

10 MORE EASY WAYS TO LOOK UNPROFESSIONAL

Wear an outfit 2-3 sizes too large. This can be baggy street clothes or a suit coat that hides most of your hands because it’s so big.

Wear a too-tight outfit. This isn’t just for the office. How many times have you seen a woman (or even preteen) walking down the street in something about 2 sizes too small? Listen, if something is hanging over the edges, or when you sit down, the skirt rides up more than an inch, it’s too short and too tight. Guys and gals, if you can see between the buttons on your dress shirt, it’s too tight.

Don’t brush your teeth and don’t drink anything (or just drink coffee). I already mentioned brushing teeth in the first post, but this is an important one to me. Listen, I don’t care whether you think your breath is fine in the morning, brush your teeth anyway! Brush them at night before bed too. Oh, and not drinking anything means you’re not flushing bacteria out of your mouth. Stay hydrated!

Smoke. Is there anyone in this country who thinks that smoking makes them look cool anymore? I know, it’s addicting. This isn’t about addiction, this is about professionalism. If you reek of smoke, don’t think that a breath mint will cover it up. You need to go change your clothes, hose yourself down and rinse your mouth with a bottle of Listerine to get rid of the stench.

Keep that unibrow/monobrow. When you look in the mirror, do you notice that you only have one eyebrow? One BIG eyebrow that goes across both eyes? I know that I shouldn’t care about appearance because we’re all God’s children, but there are certain fashion and decency standards I follow. Pluck or shave that patch of hair between your eyes, please.

Women, don’t pluck, shave or bleach that mustache. You’re not a man, right? Nature didn’t bless you with a clear lip, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep that ‘stache, or those 2 LOOONG hairs that look like antennae.

Wear worn-out clothes. You know a polo shirt is worn out when the collar is fraying or is curled like a potato chip. If you have any holes in your clothes, especially in your pants bottom, you need to turn around, go home and find some clothes that don’t double as rags.

Men, keep an unkempt mustache or beard. If you’re going to keep facial hair in the corporate world, keep it trimmed close.

Don’t even try to match your outfit. I understand that picking colors and patterns is an art, and even I mess up once in a while, but you at least need to TRY! That orange Texas Longhorns tie does not go with that red flannel button down and brown wool sports coat. Oh, and…

Wear the same outfit more than once per week. Unless you’re Agent Smith from The Matrix, you probably alter your styles each day. However, trying to get away with the same exact outfit more than once in a week, much less consecutive days, doesn’t work. I’ve actually only run across one person that tries this. And it happens to be that outfit from #9.

The Preceding Information is from:

http://www.cleverdude.com

Assignment: Using the magazines in the

classroomOnly the magazines on the table and

the magazines located in the drawers labeled “magazines”

Cut out pictures of people dressed for work (business professional or business casual)

Both male and female

Assignment:8 picturesCut out neatlyMount each on a sheet of

computer paper Identify and label the items that

make this person “professionally dressed”

Example:

Creating Your Personal Brand

What is a Personal Brand? In today’s competitive workplace,

distinguishing yourself form your peers can be a challenge

It is not just about getting a job---it is about building your own personal brand

What Does this Mean?Think of brands that we all knowCokeNikeMcDonalds

Your Personal BrandA combination of the product you

offerYour job performance

Your valuesThing that are important to you

How the two work together

Much More than a Job TitleA holistic look at your goals,

passions, and valuesHow they enhance what you offer

the employerWhat makes you interesting ,

compelling, and stand out from your peers

Using your uniqueness to your advantage

1. Creating Your Personal Brand

Start by evaluating your current reputation and compare it to what you would like to be

Identify the qualities that make you unique and how they may be valued by an employer

Exam who or what you don’t want your personal brand to be can reveal what you want

Just flip the negative around to a positive

Ask YourselfWhat are my strengths?What am I already known for?What am I passionate about?What would I really like to

accomplish in my life?What am I truly good at?What contribution can I make?How do I define success?

What does success mean to me?What do I want my legacy to be?

Hand down to future generationsHow would I like to be

remembered?

2. Boil it DownCreate a statement that includes

everything you want your brand to be

This is your personal Mission Statement

3. Listen to FeedbackBuilding your own “board of

directors”MentorsPeersFriendsFamily

Putting the Pieces Together

Using the questions and answers :Develop a personal/professional

Mission StatementDevelop a list of your “Board of

Directors”Create a sign with your Mission

StatementOn the back put your name and the

list your “Board of Directors”

Examples“I am an effective and efficient

production manager who remains calm no mater what crisis arises.”

“I am a highly qualified, proven, results-driven executive who wants my legacy to include mentoring young talent.”