Steve Chambers

While your clothes have a big, massive and important impact on the first impressions you make there are two other factors you need manage in order to make a powerful and positive first impression.  Your choice of shoes and how you chose to wear your hair communicates, more than any other one factor, where you stand on the social ladder.

Think about it.  Your hair and shoes, located at the top and bottom of your body, are the “vanity points” that communicate your self-image. They tell others what you think about yourself so you owe it to yourself to convey the right message.  Here are some pointers on hair.

*Success Secret* -  People judge you greatly based on how well you groom yourself.  Taking the time trouble and effort to be well groomed shows that you are the type of person who will put in the extra effort needed to be of greater service or value to your employer.

First Impressions and Hair

Having your hair well-groomed, clean and styled appropriately communicates confidence, good taste and a positive self-image to those around you.  In a business environment this says you are a professional who takes things seriously.  There is a lot of controversy, read as resistance, when it comes to advise on how to wear your hair but clear rules and guidelines do exist.  Basically, whatever social group or industry you are either in or hope to join will determine what length of hair and style is appropriate for you.  The message you want to send will also have a big impact on the style and length you choose.  The important thing to remember is that hair sends a message.  Be sure it’s the message you want to send.

In a business environment women should cut their hair to shoulder length or shorter.  Shorter hair on a woman is a sign of maturity and professionalism.  Conversely, longer hair is usually worn by younger women and, while it represents youth and immaturity it will prevent you from being taken as seriously in a business environment.  In nonverbal communication there is a tremendous amount of energy and power conveyed through the eyes. Don’t let your hair hide your eyes, which can interfere with the all important eye contact.

Keep in mind that your hair communicates your youth, health and vitality or lack of the same.  Keep it clean and shiny to show it off in it’s best light.  Use hair color to avoid looking too old.  While some gray, especially on a man, can convey maturity and experience, too much gray gives the impression that your best years are behind you, and you don’t want to give this impression.

Did you know that the higher up you are on the social-economic ladder the more attention you pay to grooming yourself? It’s true.  For this reason it’s a good idea to take the time to visit the barber or stylist on a regular basis.

Haircut advice for men for making a great first impression.

Get a haircut every two weeks.  It’s as simple as that.  Getting a haircut every two weeks ensures that you’ll never look like you waited too long to get a haircut. Subconsciously, this conveys that you are that type of person who pays close attention to detail.

Look around your company, your industry and the group you want to be accepted by.  What is the most common hairstyle?  Mimic that style. Like attracts and impresses.  The more you look like the people you want to impress and belong to the more they will see you as someone who will fit into their group.

Human beings are herd animals and feel more comfortable associating with and being around people just like them.  The more similar the better.  Hairstyles, aside from being a matter of taste, are also a part of the uniform adopted by that group or sub-group.  Wearing your hair significantly longer or shorter is a serious error.  You will be consciously choosing to wear a uniform different than the one worn by your peers, or hoped for peers.

For men, when it comes to toupee’s it’s best to say no.  Toupee’s tell people your insecure, deceptive and lack confidence.  They are also almost impossible to conceal…everyone will know you’re wearing a toupee.

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