| Do you project a professional image? Professionalism | | | | advertises you as unprofessional. It's distracting to |
| in the workplace is based on many factors, including | | | | see someone chomping away at a piece of gum |
| how you dress, how you carry yourself, your | | | | while they are talking to a client, or in a meeting. If |
| attitude, and how you interact with others. | | | | you chew gum while driving to an appointment, get |
| Some characteristics put you at risk of making a | | | | rid of it before your meeting. |
| negative impression, and this can hurt your career. | | | | 4. Excessive fragrance: Too much perfume or |
| Here are 5 key characteristics to watch for, and | | | | aftershave lotion is distracting, and can aggravate |
| ways to change them. | | | | allergies in some people. Be clean and fresh, but keep |
| 1. Negative attitude: Dressing or behaving badly, and | | | | your fragrance to a minimum. People should not smell |
| thinking that no one will notice, is a sure sign that | | | | your fragrance unless they are hugging you. If they |
| people will notice - and think badly of you. Your | | | | smell you across the room, you've overdone it. |
| attitude colors everything you do. Pay attention to | | | | 5. Unkempt fingernails: Women with inch-long |
| how you dress, and how you treat other people. It | | | | fingernails, as well as unusual colors of polish, are not |
| does make a difference. | | | | taken seriously. Anyone with ragged, or unkempt |
| 2. Unprofessional body language: Here are two things | | | | nails makes a poor impression as well. Did you know |
| we see often in public, that create a poor impression. | | | | that people notice hands right after they notice |
| The first one is yawing with your mouth wide open. | | | | faces? Keep your nails trimmed and clean. For |
| Showing the world your molars isn't professional. | | | | women, a clear polish or French manicure looks classy |
| Cover your mouth. | | | | and professional. |
| 3. More unprofessional body language: Chewing gum | | | | |