Surviving Corporate Politics Part 2: Keeping Up Appearances

Never a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression, or so the saying goes. We all know that when someone is introduced into your work environment for the first time, their peers size them up immediately. How they are dressed, how they talk, and how they set up their workspace. Especially in large companies, where there is constant personnel movement, keeping up your appearance is a full time task. In smaller companies, how you compose yourself from Day 1 is of utmost importance. We will start with the basics:

Work Clothes: Dress up. Not in terms of church going attire, but as your immediate superiors. In cases where there is a big gap between your level, and that of your manager, than take the all but 1 approach. If your boss wears ties with his suit, then leave that out. If he wears a jacket, but no tie, then wear a nice shirt and pants. In all cases, you have to stand out and be noticed against the grain.

When companies look to cut staff, they want to keep those that they feel are flexible, and like-minded. Fitting into their image gives your boss the impression that you will follow his lead, and make yourself an asset for his goals. The bible has a verse about respecting the Sabbath, and keeping it holy. For our corporate survivor, that day is Casual Friday. On Fridays, you should never wear a suit jacket, or a tie. You should also never, under any circumstance, wear JEANS! Talk to your local clothing retailer for some upscale casual wear.

For the advanced: Keep a spare, neutral colored blazer in the office, either at your desk or in a closet. If you find that you do not have enough matches clothes for it, then buy an extra pair to keep at the office as wear. Spend the money to get your pants and jackets tailored to fit properly. Keep a pair of work shoes for office use only. Work shoes can be fairly expensive, so you will want to make them last.

Most importantly, unless you have a sizable budget for clothes, avoid the "in" trends. Usually, 1 "in" suit a year is enough. Of course, sitting down with your colleagues, and showing your white, or unmatching socks spoils the effect, no matter how expensive the attire, so always keep a pair of black socks handy.

Grooming: Keep yourself shaved. Mustaches and beards are okay, as long as you keep it trimmed at ALL times. Get your hair cut by a stylist, and not a barber. You are not 12 anymore. If you are going bald, deal with it. You are not fooling anyone by placing pieces of hair over your bald spots. Make sure to take care of any "special" issues you may have, like, for instance, the famous Unibrow. You do not want to be thought of as Burt from Sesame Street. Facial piercings are an obvious no, and even earrings should be removed.

Your teeth should be in good condition. There are plenty of whitening products on the market, so make sure you buy them. Your pockets should always have a breath mint, and NEVER gum. If you drink coffee, or eat, you should be popping those mints right afterwards. It is too late if you run into someone unexpectedly.

For the advanced: Pay attention to any skin conditions you may have, and always keep the applicable creams or lotions at your desk. You should always keep a box of Kleenex right next to your lotion bottle, and keep extra's somewhere close by. For the mornings where you just simply forgot to shave, keep an extra disposal razor (and cream) in your desk. Last thing you need in your desk is a toothbrush, toothpaste, and yes, even dental floss for after lunch. You never want to be seen picking the spinach out of your teeth.

Getting Organized: Your desk should never look that it was hit by a strong wind, or even a light breeze. While you may have a mind that never forgets a detail, you will never inspire confidence in those that see your working conditions. All meetings should be logged into a calendar of some sort. All papers should be properly categorized into folders, and in a cabinet if possible, or in a neat stack if necessary.

Your desk should be clean, and devoid of any crumbs, stains or other unnatural marks or blemishes. You should only be allowed 1 loose paper and pen at your desk. That will be for writing your to-do list for the day, and any other relevant information that may need to be noted down quickly. If your company does not offer a regular sized book, then you must buy one yourself. You should never attend a meeting without it.

For the advanced: In an organized setting, make sure to place any certificates, work related awards, or any other important documentation in plain view. It should be the first items seen by someone as they approach your desk. You may want to keep a bottle of Windex in your desk, but I would keep that low key. You don't want people thinking you are a freak! If you do not have a portable device where you can access your calendar, than look for your availability a few weeks in advance before you attend a meeting. You always want to give the impression that you know what you have to do for the next few weeks.

If you follow those steps, you will increase the level of confidence of your boss about your abilities. And while the illusion of control is never a substitute for good, hard, honest work, following these steps will help make sure you do not get overlooked by management. Too often, decisions are made fast, and the last thing you need, is for your boss's gut feeling to choose someone else, because you appearance of sloppiness, even if the work you hand in is on-time and well done.

About The Author

Gary Whittaker is the editor of T.E.N Magazine, a webzine with balls! Check out more articles at http://www.tenwebzine.com.

editor@tenwebzine.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees

Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More

Losing a Career When Youre Moving for Love

Those who watched HBO's Sex and the City (SATC, now... Read More

Online Resume Tips and Secrets

I manage a website for corporate flight attendants that features... Read More

Mid-Life Crisis: Its Not Just for Men Anymore!

A recent story in Career Journal begins:"The "midlife crisis" has... Read More

5 Ways to Profit From No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (No Child... Read More

Always Have a Current Resume

What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write... Read More

Dynamic Interviewing Practices

The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. If you're reading... Read More

A Killer Secret To Get Your Cover Letter Read

You're still reading?so I know my title grabbed your attention.Why?... Read More

To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key

When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More

Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job

When you start a new job, you probably realize the... Read More

8 Steps to Getting On-Track When You Start a New Job

Starting a new job can feel like moving to a... Read More

Nine Career Zappers

Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success.... Read More

Career Education Options For Working Adults

Ask yourself this question: "Do I like what I do... Read More

Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Cracking the Connection Code: Networking for the Introverted

We've all heard it before: "Just get out there and... Read More

Resume Writing Tips

Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More

Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer Than You Think...

You don't have to look very far to find fascinating... Read More

Supplement Your Skills and Improve Your Work Position

It is often said that the majority of people are... Read More

15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes

The thought of writing a resume intimidates... Read More

Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

This article relates to the Job Security competency, commonly evaluated... Read More

Handling the Dreaded Why Did You Leave? Question

If you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances, you... Read More

Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?

Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More

How to Know if You Are in the Right Career

Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More

Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination

Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More

Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills

Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I... Read More

Using Recruiters: How To Get A Step Ahead Of The Crowd

When there is an opening to fill, a company has... Read More

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?

Why do you work?Stop and think about it. Other than... Read More

Career Change: A Glittering Invitation To The Emotional Stalkers

As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More

Are Your References Ready?

One of the most common forms of background check performed... Read More

Self-Preservation Techniques For The Unemployed

Looking for work can be difficult, frustrating, anxiety-provoking, and demeaning.There... Read More

CVs And Resumes Sometimes Just Get In The Way

As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many... Read More

Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?

In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More

Independent RN Contractors Are Taking The Nursing Profession

Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.... Read More