How Are You Perceived?

Have You ever wondered what people think of you? If you respond with, “I don’t care what other people think,” you are in denial. For example, you have just finished a very important job interview. As you leave the interview one of the first things you think of is how you were perceived by this panel of strangers?

Depending on the situation, we are first perceived by how we dress for the interview. How we conduct ourself during the interview, and how well we answer the questions we are asked during the interview, are all contributors to how we are perceived. It may be easy to argue that it isn’t important how we look on the outside and that our resume speaks volumes of who we are. Our work experience is also a major contribution making us the perfect candidate for the position. Some of us may go as far as enforcing the notion that it is superficial to worry about how we look on the outside. Instead, we may argue that what counts most is what comes from the inside. Do you think these panel of strangers care about your insides? Unfortunately, the first thing we see is the outside. And that is where the act of attraction or first impression begins or ends.

If we are not dressed appropriately for a particular event, others view us indifferently. And we may not be taken seriously. We see each other from the outside first for obvious reasons. This is what the eye perceives. We have no internal mechanism to size someone up by just looking at them. Knowing someone from the inside takes time, something many of us either don’t have, or we choose to be disinterested. When we don’t take time for others we excuse ourselves willingly, because we think our time is too precious to waste on someone who may have made a bad first impression.

We all have different ideas of how to spend our time. Most of us spend our lives in such a hurry we forget what day it is. We get caught up in our careers, raising families, and one day wake up and wonder where the years have gone? We may come to the conclusion that we should have taken more time to know someone better.

Our world has become a plastic, disposable society. Because of the demands many of us place on ourselves every day, we learn quickly that it takes additional effort we may not wish to surrender to get to know someone more deeply. Many of us lack the additional necessary energy to accomplish this, after putting in a hard day at the office. We drive home, possibly stop at the health club to work out, and then step into another role as a parent, and then a cook, preparing the nightly meal for the family. We have been observed both positively and negatively all day long. Do we really want to put ourselves through this all over again as we prepare to go out for the evening, to find and nurture close or new friendships?

We all need to look for the best in people first. Some of us think clothes make the person. If you are perceived as having bad taste in what you wear, or how you look, you are told you need a makeover. Overweight, you need to get in shape. Hairstyle out of style? Well, then get in style!

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. In the professional world, it is standard advice to do the following: If you want to be received well by your peers, bathe daily, wear deodorant, keep your nails clean and manicured. Dress appropriately, and preferably, dress conservatively. Wear a hairstyle flattering to you. Women should wear face makeup that compliments but does not detract from the overall package they are presenting.

Keep on top of your game by exercising regularly. Find a program that fits your schedule. You will also have more energy and a more positive attitude if you get adequate nightly rest. Don’t overdue the alcohol and party scene. Eat meals in small portions, and eat a balanced diet.

Often, how we are perceived has a lot to do with how we perceive ourselves. Take care of yourself. Feeling confident exudes confidence. Remember to appreciate who you are and what you have to offer others.