finding a mentor

Feb 14
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Dardis Key to Success: Professional Image Skills

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

In the Dardis Academy training course, we stress to our interns the importance of skills like business communication, selling techniques and effective presentations– all things they won’t learn from a textbook. But beyond these practical, career-focused components, we also teach our interns the importance of an often neglected “skill” – maintaining a professional image.

While a professional image won’t land you the job, it can definitely lose you the job. The difference between a professional image and a sloppy look can mean the difference between a promotion and a demotion. Professional image isn’t just about the clothes you wear –it’s a persona that effectively displays your confidence, your expertise and your passion for your work.

By arriving to work (or worse, an interview!) with a crumpled, untucked dress shirt, you portray to your colleagues that you do not value what you do or what you bring to the company.  Conversely, by dressing smartly with a careful attention to fit and detail, you send the message that you are prepared to take on challenges and thrive in an evolving environment. At Dardis, we sell professional apparel for a reason – it matters!

Beyond your physical appearance, you can enhance your professional image by maintaining a professional demeanor at the office and always treating every situation as a worthwhile learning experience.  Your supervisor and your colleagues take note about how you handle challenges with other teammates and how you deal with stress. Don’t let a heated moment or a difficult project break down your professionalism and threaten your career advancement opportunities.

Not sure how to hone your professional image? Start with these recommendations:

  • Be authentic: Potential employers see right through a false exterior. Be genuine in your words and actions.
  • Dress the part: You don’t need a fortune to invest in quality pieces that enhance your appearance and show you’re ready for the job.
  • Find a mentor: Identify a mentor that embodies the professional skills you hope to also portray and look for ways you can develop similar skills.

A professional image takes time and effort to maintain, but by entering the job market with this firm foundation, you will be ready to handle everything that comes your way.

Photo credit: Dell via Flickr

Nov 29
0

The 5 Keys to Intentional Networking

By | Career Advice | No Comments

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Networking continues to exist as a buzzword in the corporate world for good reason. The people you interact with both professionally and personally have the power to lead you to new opportunities, serve as references and provide meaningful career advice. In this digital age, LinkedIn connections and Twitter followers supplement traditional networking opportunities such as formal, in-person events.

It can be tempting for business professional, both experienced and in-experienced, to grab hold of every networking opportunity that becomes available, but smart professionals pick and choose which events and channels serve them the most in their specific field of work.

The most effective networking is intentional networking. Here’s how to get started:

Prepare your elevator speech
Some of the most important networking happens on the fly, so prepare a short, 2-minute professional overview that details your past work experience, current position and career goals.

Effectively manage your LinkedIn presence
Do you have a LinkedIn profile? If the answer is no, you’re missing a crucial opportunity to advertise yourself through a global network of more than 259,000,000 registered members. Take five minutes today and easily create your profile by importing your resume and adding a professional photo. If you already have a profile, commit to updating your profile to effectively showcase your experience. Connect with new and old colleagues, and don’t forget to join relevant industry groups.

Find a mentor in your field
A broad network will help you quickly expand your network, but you should also identify a professional that can meet with you in-person on a monthly or quarterly basis. These meetings can be formal or informal, but this set-aside time will give you the opportunity to ask important career questions and develop a strong mentor relationship.

Join the right professional organizations
If you’re a student, invest time in professional organizations both on and off-campus to build a network that will benefit you the most post-graduation. As a current professional, challenge yourself to use your time wisely by socializing at group meetings and industry events.

Engage in person and online
Intentional networking exists on and offline. Both channels work together to bolster your network, so don’t let your hundreds of LinkedIn connections replace valuable in-person networking opportunities.

 

Photo credit: GDC Europe

Contact Dardis today to learn more. Contact Us