"We never get a second chance to make a good first impression" - Unknown
In Professional Presence 1 lecture, we have learnt about the basics for corporate dressing, and as for the workshop, we went through the different types of dressing (such as casual, smart casual, black tie, white tie, etc.). Professional Presence 2 taught us ways to act and speak like a professional, instead of just looking like one. Before the lessons, I honestly did not know that there were so many different ways of dressings and so many things to take note of when meeting ‘important people’ for the first time. This was simply because my life used to revolve around casual wear and speaking like a ‘commoner’. This is also the reason why I had some interesting ‘experience’.
Before this semester, I have had many opportunities to expose myself and gain some real world experience. I merely know that I have to dress up for the interviews. At that time, ‘dressing up’ to me only means no shorts and slippers. Little did I know that I need to be dress in business attire and carry a proper portfolio. No wonder I get sceptical looks and emails to tell me I was not chosen.
The only time when I had a proper lesson on what to dress for interviews was during Communication Skills 2, which was also when I start to get more positions that I interview for.
One of our assignments for Communication Skills 2 was to research on writing resumes and CVs, and prepare for an ‘interview’ by our tutor, which requires us to be in full business attire. When I went to shop for my suit then, I was only concentrating on just getting something. Part of the reason was because, well, I was very much frustrated by the fact that almost all of my classmates bought their suit from G2000 and looked really smart in it while I could not fit the biggest size there and the usual priced items were simply too expensive. Therefore, I gave up trying to find any nice suit and focused on just getting one.
I did not feel the importance of looking the best then. I did not even care about the stark difference between my classmates and I. However, when I entered the classroom for my very first Business Etiquette Service Excellence workshop, I totally regret about what I thought. I did not look horribly like slop but as compared with the others, I might as well have been one. Many of my classmates look awesome in their business suits (who said you could not look nice and fashionable in them?) and I could actually compare the differences among some of us. The major difference I noticed was that some suits just look nice on you while the rest just does not.
I was beginning to realise how looking good and feeling good actually had a link. Since I did not feel that good about what I was wearing, I felt bad. Like I did not have the will to stand up straight and walk with pride, especially when most of my classmates look so much better and confident. I am so going to wear a button up blouse the coming tutorial, in hope of feeling better in it compared to the shirt I had on this week. If it does not work, I will probably end up having a tailor-made suit.
After the lessons on professional presence, I am more confident when facing interviewers. I am also more confident when it comes to choosing the right dress for different occasions. Though it made me regret wearing that pink dress for a smart casual event that happened a few months back, at least I know now that I am never going to do it again.
