Presented by
Deidre Dutcher
The 7 Dos & Don’ts of Building Your
Professional Image
Our Professional Image
In Career Management
Building our brand
Luxury
Professionalism
Trustworthiness
Integrity
Branding
Ourselves
Top of the line
Do
•  Learn to control your
reactions to others.
1. React.
2. Respond.
EQ — Emotional Intelligence
1.  You’re right.
2.  Address the problem.
Being in control and having the
ability to handle a crisis
“I’d like to consider
what you’ve told me.
Can I meet with you
again to follow up?”
“There’s no crying
in baseball.”
— A League of Their Own
Don’t
•  Use emotional behavior
when you need to
confront someone.
Emotional intelligence is about
building strong relationships.
Do
• Get your
foot out of
your mouth.
Engage Your EQ
1. Respect
2. Empathy
Empathy is our awareness of
others’ feelings.
Assertive Communication
Building a professional image
Engaging others
Delivering our messages clearly
Reducing miscommunication and misunderstanding
Built-in EQ
Assertive Communicator
Don’t
• Waffle.
Circular Communication
“Would you be willing
to tell me what I just
said so I’m sure I said
it correctly?”
Organize your:
§  Thinking
§  Words
Communication Habits
To improve your
communication clarity
and build your
vocabulary at the same
time is reading.
Successful people create successful habits.
Reads 5 books a month
Acceptable and unacceptable behaviors
Communicating clearly
Setting clear rules
Setting Boundaries
Don’t break
your rules.
Dos & Don’ts
•  Do
§  Openly share information
with those around you.
•  Don’t
§  Be an information hoarder.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People by Stephen Covey
2 Powerful Mind-Sets
Motivational tune-up
1.  “I live in abundance;
everything I need is right
there waiting for me to reach
out and take it.”
2.  “I’m successful at what I do,
and I enjoy helping others
achieve success.”
How you look and how others perceive you!
Don’t slouch.
What does your face say?
The Message You’re Sending
55%
Body Language
38%
Voice
Do dress appropriately.
Choose Your Clothing
1. Neat and clean
2. Err on the side of conservative.
3. Don’t wear eveningwear.
4. Nothing suggestive
5. You don’t need expensive clothing.
Choose Your Clothing
6. Shoes need to be in good condition.
7. Makeup should be subtle.
8. Skip the perfume or cologne.
9. Keep jewelry modest.
10. Personal hygiene matters.
Casual Dress
No workout clothes
1.  Use time management.
2.  Be punctual.
3.  Have a good
attendance record.
4.  Put care and attention
into the little tasks.
5.  Be diligent.
6.  Define personal and
professional time.
12 Important Dos
7.  Be creative.
8.  Group questions
or conversations.
9.  Make notes.
10. Be decisive and clear.
11.  Become self-employed
psychologically.
12. Be organized and
create systems.
12 Important Dos
What message is
your workspace
sending about your
professional image?
80% personalize their workspace.
Workspace
Keep plants, photos, and other personal
items neat and in reasonable quantities.
Keep your office neat and clean.
Your kids’ artwork belongs on your
refrigerator, not in your office.
Workspace
An inspirational quote or poster framed
and hung in your office
Keep only frequently used tools out on
your desk.
Keep snacks and candy in your purse or
a drawer.
Business
Etiquette Tips
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
Ten-hut
Shake it.
Leave no trace.
No prairie dogging
Don’t interrupt.
Business
Etiquette Tips
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
It’s not personal.
Don’t make personal calls.
Use the Sundowner Rule.
Leave your name and
number when leaving a
phone message.
10. Keep conversations,
messages, and emails short.
Business
Etiquette Tips
11.  Don’t forward jokes
and other spam.
12. Use proper greetings.
13. Don’t take home
office supplies.
14. Take off hats, caps,
and sunglasses.
15. Don’t fundraise.
Business
Etiquette Tips
16. Office parties are
business events.
17. Stand back when waiting
for the elevator.
18. No “whine and jeez” parties.
19. Apologize.
20. Attitude is everything.
Dos & Don’ts
•  Do
§  What you say you will do
§  Build strong relationships.
o Trust
•  Don’t
§  Recognize people for
work that’s expected.
Leadership
It’s a behavior.
3 Cs of Personal Branding
1. Clarity
2. Consistency
3. Constancy
Successful people act like the people they
want to be.
Start building your brand.
Welcome to
The 7 Dos & Don’ts of
Building Your
Professional Image
Q&A
With Deidre Dutcher
Thank you
for joining us today!