Projecting a Professional ImageJournal

March 25, 2008

What does a professional look like in your opinion? Think of someone that has that image and tell us why you believe

they are professional.

Characteristics of a professional image

ProfessionalImage

Confidence

Poise

AssertivenessImmediacy

Confidence• A strong voice with

an attentive and positive attitude

Poise• To be in control of

your communication and situation.

Assertiveness• A strong sense of

purpose and self confidence

Immediacy• Approachable, friendly and open

Characteristics of Voice• Pitch

• Volume

• Duration

Nonverbal Speech• Pauses and

Silence

• Laughter

• Vocalizations

Body Talk

NonverbalCommunication

Personal Appearance

Kinesics

Facial CommunicationGestures

Personal Appearance• How you dress and how you groom yourself

Kinesics• The use of the body during

communication– Posture–Muscular tone and tension

Facial Communication

• The look on your face

Movement and Gestures–The way you

walk or move from one place to another. Gait.

–Movement that reinforces or substitutes for speech

Nonverbal communication

Environmental Cues

Spatial Time

Others

Spatial• Space and Distance

– Intimate distance: 18 inches

– Personal distance: 18 inches to 4 feet

– Social distance: 4 to 12 feet

– Public Distance: 12 to 25 feet

Spatial

• Territory– Organization

• Touch– Handshakes, hugs, pats and other forms

of affection

Time

Your time management shows how you value yourself and others

Think of your day as slices of time.– 8 hours of work/school– 8 hours of sleep– 8 hours for other commitments

Others• Artifacts– Articles of adornment used to

decorate yourself and your surroundings.

• Fragrance and Odor– Smell is believed to

provide the most direct link to the emotion center of our brain.