Some wear suits, some wear shorts and golf shirts, and there are all manners in between. Part depends on whether you're working in Manhattan or in a beach resort community. Part depends on your knowledge of and relationship with your clients.
What you wear is part of your first impression. It's one of the aspects of nonverbal communication, along with posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. When you meet someone, all of these nonverbals can be ten times more effective than words, according to Bill Acheson.
He also quotes research stating that people get a first impression in 1/24 of a second and that slightly after one second the impression is so strong that it's very difficult to change.
Do you wear a name tag to the grocery store? Is your image consistent? Do you wear a logo shirt to the Little League game? Is your image consistent? Do you have a personalized license plate, a web logo or a sign on your car? Is your driving consistent?
We're constantly making first impressions, to those we know and those we don't know. Give some thought to what that first impression is.
What more does a Realtor need??
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, http://www.homefinders.com. Serving Maryland and Virginia home buyers.
Homefinders
I agree with Marquerite. Maybe I am old fashioned, but we are dealing with a huge financial commitment or investment for our clients and I for one feel like my advice will be given more weight if I appear to be the professional that I am.
I have worked with many friends, and most encourage me to wear jeans and be comfortable. I don't. They think it's silly right up to the moment they find a house they love and we get into negotiations. Suddenly they don't want their good friend handling things, they want a professional they feel confident about.
BTW, for those just starting out this doesn't mean you have to go into hock for a $60K car or 5 Armani suits. It does mean do what your mama told you. Have well scrubbed hands, finger nails clean, no spots on your tie, clean, tidy clothes in good repair, neatly pressed and shoes polished.
I have successful friends who dress "down" a little and it works in their niche markets. But for majority of us, I think if we want to be thought of as professionals instead of salesmen, we have to dress the part.
I will only wear a nametag when I'm dressed professionally.
The standard uniform for lenders in SoCal has transgressed to jeans and a golf shirt. I try to be just a bit better dressed than my competition. I am usually in a dress shirt, dress slacks, and dress shoes (no tie or suitjacket) I have found that people do tend to be a bit put of when they see the tie.
Fridays are super casual here. I may wear jeans but stick with the dress shirt. Although it's considered fashionable in San Diego to waer flip-flops, I just can't bring myself to wear flip-flops to work.
I think first impressions are very important as well. When the market is cool and its slow and I don't have any appointments and since I am not that hustler who goes door to door begging for business, I have caught myself not shaving and dressing in shorts/jeans to my office. I can look very good and I can look very poor. I will admit to this and I know its better to be dressed up consistently every single day.
In your blog it said, he quotes, who quotes?
Always,
Nima
I love this blog!!
We are suppose to look professional and wear a name tag at all times.
I love blue jeans, cowboy boots and I drive a clean truck. Dressing up for me is wearing ironed dark blue jeans, expensive blazer and blouse, lizard skin cowboy boots and depending who I work with, I'll grab my Lexus 430. I always have an expensive briefcase either Coach or LV.
I ususally dress real professional at the first meeting and at closings. I can't wear those real pointed flippy sexy shoes... they drive me crazy and I have to shuffle when I walk. My entire focus is now on trying to keep my shoes on and not on the business side.
In Texas, we actually have snakes and the cockraoches here look like birds.... cockroaches don't discriminate based on socioeconomics... Consequently, an expensive house might have a ginormous wood roach by the front door and it's important to be prepared to deal with the little bugger and not freak out. Consequenty, it's hard to combat in spiked heels, panythose, and a pretty dress...One time a Seller's cat jumped on the back of my legs and shredded my pantyhose and my legs were bleeding.
I vascilate between the two. I may be wearing jeans or I may be in a skirt, but I always try to look professional and wear my name tag as much as possible. I also have tee-shirts w/our logo on them & I try to wear them as much as possible when I'm out. I also have a car sign & sometimes I really have to be careful when I'm driving to make sure I don't cut somebody off or something equally as rude. It is weird though having to worry about my "image" after working in a field where I never dealt with people and nobody knew my name. It must be a learned skill & hopefully I'll get it down soon.
Good post.
Sharon, I really think it is a combination of the person, and the market they are working within... but the market by fair dictates more.
In business it is often said that if you want to get a promotion... dress up to that level so that people can SEE you in that role.
I am interpreting your post to go beyond what you wear. I had never thought of branding to also apply to driving and the way you present yourself.........and it is so true. Why stop with a logo, colors and font? You need to play the part no matter where you are and who you are with. Thanks for giving me a different perspective Sharon.
Ines
Here is my take on the "Dress to Impress" conversation:
Everyone knows (I hope) that when going to a job interview, you should dress professionally. I like to think of potential clients the same way people ought to think of potential employers.
In this industry, anyone you meet may be your next client. It is for that reason that I have begun to dress professionally all the time. The next conversation I have with the woman in line at the grocery store, the guy at the gas station, or the waitress at the restaurant might be my next "job interview", and as has been said, there is no seccond chance to make the first impression.
Of course we should dress for professionals.
When I am all dressed up it puts a smile on my face then my apperance will look awesome to my client. They will have faith in me, so I can help them find that Home.
Just in case anyone wonders... this is MY idea of what to wear when you're out showing homes...
**and remember... I'd LOVE your referrals!**
Many real estate agents in Manhattan wear suits and ties everyday. When I entered real estate I realized that an agent is not just a paper pusher in an office building like so many other professions. There is physical work involved and we often have to roll up our sleeves.
My first day on the job was helping a listing agent with a broker open house for a penthouse on Park Avenue. It was an estate sale. The place was filthy we cleaned it and I had to kill a huge water bug.
I no longer wear ties unless I have to. I find suits without a tie or a sports jacket and a dress shirt and pants gives the impression of a professional but also one who is not pretentious and is willing to get their hands dirty selling a property.
I have a Banana Republic across the street from my home. You can find something professional and appropriate for all occasions there.
That is why I copied and pasted my response to the two different blogs that are very similar....
It's fun to read what people wear to work. We all have our own special styles and personalities and that is what makes us all special in our own little way.
Sharon's photo is cute !! She looks like a fun peron to hang out with and I'm sure she does quite well no matter how she dresses for success !!
I am going to throw my 2 cents in here. I don't wear a suit and tie (except when I am flying planes) but I do dress with a nice dress shirt and slacks. It keeps me comfortable even in the Florida heat and keeps my clients from getting defensive when seeing the suit.
But what I really wanted to say is that even if we look professional or match our clients, no one that I noticed talked about dressing your mind.
What I mean is twofold. One, we need to be educating ourselves constantly, looking for ways to provide even more value to our clients. Two, we need to do our research on our clients and ask the questions to learn how we can better serve our clients. That is the facet of professionalism that goes unnoticed by us, but not by our clients.
BTW, one of the richest guys I have met, shows up in jeans and a nice shirt, ready to wrestle an alligator as well, which he does.
I would have to go with the professional look as well. I certanly want to make a good first, second, third... impression on my clients, even though here in Florida is pretty hot throughout the year. Thank God for air conditioning!!
I think dressy casual is ok for closings these days. I think our clients feel more comfortable at a closing or a property showing when the agent is dressed more laid back.....BUT NEVER SLOPPY!
Alpharetta Real Estate
Thank you Carl. I was begining to wonder if I was the only agent out there that still appreciated the timeless classic of the suit, er.. birthday suit. :)
The question is, "Is appearance important?". Yes, it is important. Is the question addressing a physical, how we look appearance? Who cares!?!
We are all in the business of providing a service for our clients. If we are going to be successful, we need to know our clients. By knowing the client, you will know what your personal appearance needs to be. If your client is a farmer in the midwest, you are not going to show up in a $3000 suit. You are going to show up in jeans and a button shirt. If you client is a successul business person, then break out the suit. You want to make the client feel comfortable to do business with you.
So what am I saying? I am saying who cares what you wear. The important thing is to make an appearance with your client. Get to meet your client face to face. Yes, first impressions are made in a fraction of a second, but the successful business person knows this and tailors their physical appearance to the clientelle. The other reason a person becomes successful is because they meet their client and get to know them.
For more on why appearance (face to face) is so important, please see my blog on "What has happened to meeting your client face to face?"
I grew up in Texas, and appearance is much more important there. Everyone in North Carolina is much more laid back.. Sometimes it's difficult to shake your background. Once you have a system that you follow it's difficult to adjust.
Anyway, I believe a professional appearance is important whether it's your first meeting with your client or the 5th.
My turn-
Always neat, clean and pressed. But what you actually wear depends on who you are seeing!
I'm in South Florida - it's HOT. Personally, if I see someone wearing a suit for anything other than a presentation - well, ya look silly. If I was in NYC or Boston I'd be in a suit 24/7.
Almost everyone I deal with locally is a golfer, boater - an 'outside type'. Other than the first meeting I like to dress like the person I'm going to see.
It's all what you do, NOT what you wear - I'd rather deal with someone in shorts who knows what he / she is doing than some supposedly 'well-dressed' type that is clueless!
Hi Sharon, I'm linking this blog to one I just wrote - after doing a little search on AR I liked how you put this simply and to the point.
Karen - thanks for linking to this old post.