Golf industry shows and conferences provide opportunities to network, advance within our profession, meet and greet new people and continue the quest for career advancement. Effective pursuit involves presenting yourself to strangers who know little of your background, knowledge or work habits. The expression, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," definitely applies in these situations. No matter what your level of experience or background, it’s imperative to catch the eye of those you’re striving to impress. To make a dramatic first impression your personal presentation and appearance are paramount. To set yourself apart remember, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." Consider the cultural practices used to prepare a golf course when approaching your own grooming habits. This sounds strange, but top dressing, surface grooming, growth regulation, wetting agents and fungicide applications do apply in these situations. While your daily dress is working attire that allows you to perform your job (read: get dirty!), you never know when you may be asked to head to the clubhouse, front desk or club offices. A quick change may be required. Keep a clean (pressed) pair of trousers, golf shirt, wind breaker and shoes on hand in your office or locker. For club meetings or after-hour functions, be ready with an appropriate sport coat, preferably dark in color, and a pair of dress slacks, club logo shirt and polished dress shoes. Be ready to change quickly. Never wear jeans. Make sure your shoes are clean and that you’re dressed as crisply as possible. Demonstrating that you’re an organized and prepared professional is a positive reflection on your abilities. Cultural Practices Keep in mind the following well-known agronomic practices as you consider the principles of dressing for success. Topdressing Think about the shirts you wear – from T-shirts and golf shirts, to dress shirts and all-weather gear. • Many newer fabrics are wrinkle free; however, learn how to use an iron. Clean and crisply pressed shirts of any variety make a great first impression. • Similar to the collars of your greens, care should be taken with shirt collars. Keep them down not up, top button undone. If frayed, replace the shirt. Collars of all shirts should be crisp and fall flat onto the shirt. • Button-down shirts can be used for daily wear, as long as they are pressed, clean and comfortable. They are most appropriate for club meetings or the business casual meeting. Surface Grooming/Growth Regulation Similar to turfgrass care, occasionally you need to go back to the basics for success. The same is true for "surface grooming" practices. While it may be sexy and current to have a shaggy appearance as popularized by today’s Hollywood stars, it doesn’t work well within the golf industry. • When preparing for a meeting, conference, visiting another club or playing golf with members, a well-timed haircut will allow your current drop to be at its best. • Making a positive first impression means being clean shaven. If you have established facial hair growth it should be trimmed and neat. • Unlike your Great Uncle Leo, excessive nose hair and ear hair is not fashionable and must be trimmed. • Your handshake is great first impression and indication of who you are, so clean and trim finger nails are a must. • If you are in close quarters, such a as board meeting, freshly brushed teeth followed by mouth wash rinse will keep people interested in what you have to say. • Deodorant. Need I say more? Tourney prep Like with tournament preparations, interview success and career advancement depend on the overall package. Every situation must be carefully reviewed and planned in advance. • Neat, classic and subtle attire is appealing to an interviewer’s eye and will keep them focused on you and not your trendy new European fashions. • Keep it simple. This means casual business dress for an informal meeting or golf course tour. Business suits are desired for the interview. Again, simplicity works. No glaring fabrics or distracting patterns. • If you have not worn the suit in a while be sure it fits and is dry-cleaned well in advance of your meeting. • Be sure the belt color matches your shoes. No black belt with brown shoes. • Showcase your current club by wearing a club tie in a formal setting, a club belt in an informal setting or a club logo on a pullover for a course walk. Show pride in where you work. • For interviews be sure the tie blends with the suit and its pattern. Do not look like a late night television test pattern. And, tie knot size and length should not be too large and the tip of the tie should reach and cover your belt buckle. Remember, your style of dress and presentation management can be interpreted as how you may manage and care for the golf course.
Explore the February 2010 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
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