The adage goes that no one should ever judge a book by its cover, but people do so anyway, especially in the world of business. Your personal appearance and cleanliness will matter, whether you’re the owner of your own company or applying for a position in someone else’s business. Your hygiene matters because people will assume many things about you based on how you present yourself.
Not to mention, businesses require an understandable level of professionalism. You outward appearance must be clean and presentable because you either represent your business or represent the interests of a larger organization.
Below are six hygiene and personal grooming tips you can use to ensure your success in the world of business. Following them can lead to a new boom in your business or a successful job interview in your future.
Dental Health
Your smile is one of the most important weapons in your business arsenal, but its understandable if you don’t like smiling because you have bad teeth.
According to one source, 18 percent of Americans feel their dental health affects their ability to get a job. This can be because you have what people disparagingly call “British teeth” or because you have a clinical condition. Regardless, here are a couple of ways you can improve your dental health and appearance.
- You can enhance your confidence by making your teeth look more presentable. Some cosmetic procedures you can use include whitening your teeth. Some dental care providers even provide kits with themes, such as teeth whitening for men’s health, so you can take better care of your teeth in the comfort of your home.
- Your teeth are only one aspect of your mouth. Make sure you don’t neglect other areas of your oral and dental health. These include flossing regularly and using lots of mouthwash to fully sanitize your mouth. Just remember that if you have sensitive gums, refrain from flossing within thirty minutes of your interview as it could lead to bloody gums.
Hair Care
No matter what style you keep your hair in, keeping it clean is a priority for both your well-being and your professional prosperity. Hair can be a delicate subject, especially if you’re used to a style or color that close-minded employers could look down on. But so long as you keep your hair healthy and clean you can ensure interviewers and other entrepreneurs don’t take issue with it. While we’re on the subject of hair, these tips are also applicable to those with beards that wish to keep them. If you don’t want to shave your beard, make sure you look after it and it’s well groomed. Think about getting beard specific products like a beard straightener, oil and balm that will help you keep it healthy and presentable.
- Don’t shampoo every day. Although it may seem counterproductive to cleanliness, shampooing your hair whenever you take a bath strips it of its natural oils and protection. This leads to dead, lank hair that lacks its natural and beautiful sheen. Shampoo it once every other day or only if you sweat a lot or exposed to lots of dirt and particulates.
- Moderation is key when you’re applying any product on your hair, whether that’s hair gel for some structure or pomade for shine. Too much product can sap the vitality from your hair and look unsettling. Using too much gel and other hair products can also damage your scalp and lead to dandruff, which you most certainly don’t want on your shoulders in a business setting.
Personal Cleanliness
Aside from your hair and teeth, you must also pay attention to other areas of your hygiene. The appearance of your hands may not seem so important, but what happens when another entrepreneur or interviewer shakes it? Who knows what can happen to your job prospects if you’re in an elevator with potential clients and you didn’t shower that morning?
These aspects of hygiene are all just as important as the state of your teeth and the sheen of your hair.
- Several conditions can lead to intense body odor. It could be from a hormonal imbalance or because you’re taking some form of medication that alters your body chemistry. In any case, you will need to address the issue before you enter an interview or meeting. When taking a bath, take particular care to scrub your armpits before drying completely. Apply liberal amounts of deodorizer as well as cologne. Remember to reapply before your meeting or interview.
- Trim and buff your nails the day before any important interviews or meetings. Remember to scrub your nail very carefully to remove any traces of dirt under them. Sanitize them as well before and after touching any surfaces.
Your hygiene and appearance matter to your success as an entrepreneur or an employee. Keeping yourself clean is just one aspect of becoming successful. But together with skills and determination, hygiene can make or break your career.
