Make a Great First Impression

Want to get ahead in your present job or are you looking for a new career? Whatever you have in mind, remember that appearance matters. Surveys show that people with good appearance earn more and move up the ladder more quickly.

Chances are you will earn more money if you start taking more care in your appearance. A neat and crisp appearance along with a slimmer and trimmer you makes a big difference in how you are perceived in the workplace. Its not just the clothes you wear, but the confident manner in which you present yourself.

The good news is that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to look your best. Designer duds are nice, but you can dress just fine if you do some smart shopping at the likes of Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart or one of the discount fashion retailers. It may not be fair, however, Dress for Success is more than a catchy phrase - its a reality!

In fact, if you care about your appearance, you will enjoy success in many areas of life beyond the workplace. Studies show well-groomed students get more attention and higher evaluations from their teachers and better dressed patients get more personalized care from their doctors.

According to economics professors Daniel Hamermesh of the University of Texas and Jeff Biddle of Michigan State University, is that plain people earn 5 to 10 percent less than people of average looks, who in turn earn 3 to 8 percent less than those deemed good-looking.

A London Guildhall University survey of 11,000 33-year-olds found that unattractive men earned 15 percent less than those deemed attractive, while plain women earned 11 percent less than their prettier counterparts. The good news is that you can make your self attractive and more presentable! Not everyone is blessed with Brad Pitt or Beyonce good looks, but you can still take steps to improve your appearance and as a result - earn more money!

Dr. Gordon Patzer, who has spent over three decades studying this topic says, "Good-looking men and women are generally judged to be more talented, kind, honest and intelligent than their less attractive counterparts," says Patzer. "Controlled studies show people go out of their way to help attractive people - of the same and opposite sex - because they want to be liked and accepted by good-looking people."

Don't despair if you are not as handsome or pretty as your co-workers. Performance and brains still matter, too. Despite what the research tells us, some of the most successful people are very ordinary looking at best. Business legends are often of average height (Bill Gates at 5'9½") or even diminutive (Jack Welch, 5'8", and Ross Perot at 5'7").

Most HR managers will tell you it is the appearance of confidence they find attractive, not the presence of physical beauty. And they contend that attractiveness has more to do with how you carry yourself and the energy you exude rather than having perfect features. or a great physique.

Gordon Wainright, author of Teach Yourself Body Language says anyone can increase their attractiveness to others if they maintain good eye contact, act upbeat, dress well (with a dash of color to their wardrobe), and listen well. Wainright also stresses the importance of posture and bearing. You will begin to be treated with more warmth and respect and start attracting more people to you and over time you will begin to attract more money and a better life.