When you first look at this question you think “Barbara you are not serious? Aren’t you?”. Your next thought is something like… I am so busy, so much to do at work, with kids when I go home I am so tired. Then when you finally get home you feel like this is your second job. Everyone is hungry, messy, do not listen to what you ask for… The list goes on. How on earth you want me to find time for thinking about my appearance? I dress OK? Don’t I?

If you’re like most people, you have a routine that prepares you for your workday. Do you honestly pay as much attention to this as you did when you were first got your job? The following tips will help you focus on why these things are still important:

• Wear clean and unwrinkled clothes every day. If ironing your clothes or taking them to a dry cleaner is not realistic for you, consider wrinkle-free clothes.
• If you wear a suit or a uniform have several and rotate them throughout your work week.
• Try to colour coordinate and create a total look. You don’t need to spend a fortune to do it. Experiment, be creative and ask for help if you don’t know how to do it.
• If you have limited money make sure that you update your wardrobe with new shirt or top. Even old suit will look much better with new trendy top.
• Make sure that your clothes fit. Don’t wear clothes that are too small or too big. In either case others will notice that and it does not look professional and it may create unwelcome perception of you.
• Don’t always buy the same type of clothes. From time to time buy something different. When you are shopping ask for suggestions. Try new things to see what you feel comfortable with. You may be surprise yourself.
• Make sure that not only clothes look good, before you buy make sure YOU look good in them. No need to follow latest trends if what you wear does not flatter your appearance.
• Create look that reflect your personality. Depending on type of job you do keep it well designed yet simple.
• Make up. Make sure that your make up emphasises the good points. No need to draw attention to things that you are not so happy about.
• Change your make up style every 5 years. See what is now in fashion and suits you. One of the easiest ways to tell a woman’s age is her make up. Most of us apparently stick with what we look good in our early 20′s.
• Get good haircut few times a year. You can find time for it. Yes you do. It will make you feel better.
• Don’t have the same hairstyle as you had when you were very young. If you do, chances are it will age you. There are so many different styles to choose from. Ask  your hairstylist and he/she will advise you what may suit you.
• Hair colour. Get it right and you will look great. Get it wrong and it is a common invitation for managers, peers and customers to form a negative perception of you. It can affect your position, employee evaluations, and customer rapport. Again a hairstylist can help you with that.

Spending a few extra minutes in the morning when you are assembling your wardrobe can benefit your reputation and your career. Please remember most of us are very visual. The way you look, your posture and smile will make great difference. We communicate very storng message about who we are in first 30 seconds. Before we have chance to say anything. From now on, make sure that you communicate message you will be proud of. The one that will help you achieve your goals. A good appearance is your responsibility.