5 Tips to Look Professional in a Meeting

Business meetings are very important for your career. You have to give and do your best on every single one of them. Moreover, you have to leave an impression of a true professional. Here are 5 tips on how to look professional in a meeting.

1. Your Appearance

Whether you like it or not, the first impression is very important and you will be judged by the way you look. Do your best and look as professional as possible.

Pay attention to your clothes, your shoes, hair and makeup. One word to describe those four elements of your appearance should be “simple”. Professional, of course, goes without saying. Keep your clothes, shoes, hair and makeup simple. Clothes should be of a darker color, heels not higher than 3”, hair tied and away from your face and makeup barely noticeable.

Keep in mind that anything too excessive, when it comes to your appearance, is not really good for a business meeting. Leave super high heels, tight, see-through clothes and crazy makeup for a night out. For more tips about your appearance, check out the article on 5 Things You Need to Know About Looking Like a Professional.

2. Your Behavior

First and foremost – don’t ever be late for a business meeting. Whatever reason you might have for being late, trust me, the corporate world does not want to hear about it. Plan your time wisely and remember that it is always better to be a little early than a little late. Find out How to Always be on Time in 5 Simple Steps on this link.

Once you get there, make sure you properly greet everyone. Deliver a strong handshake, either with one or with both hands. Watch out that it’s not too strong though; you don’t want to be known as a “hand crusher”. Always look the person you are talking to in the eye. Don’t let your eyes wander, that is not considered a good quality in a business world.

Give your business card to everyone who needs to have it. It is generally advisable to hand out the business card with both hands. It may look silly to you, but it is considered to be more polite. Decide on the design of your business card only after you check out the article about 4 Tips to Make a Great Business Card.

3. Be Well Prepared

You are not going to a business meeting to simply be there, you need to be actively involved in the meeting. In order to do this, you need to prepare yourself the best way you can.

Study the subject of the meeting thoroughly. It doesn’t matter if you will be talking or just listening, you need to know what it is all about. Don’t let anyone catch you off guard or unprepared. Be ready for every question that might pop up and have prepared solutions for any possible problem.

Of course, you can’t really know everything; but the better you are prepared for the meeting, the less room you leave to make any mistakes.

4. Turn off Your Cellphone

group of employees

Unless there is a person who needs to be involved in the meeting and you are expecting their call, you don’t need your cellphone. Be a true professional and turn your cellphone off during the business meeting.

Let your family know that you will be in a meeting, so that they can call somebody else if there is an emergency. Don’t think that I am advising you to put your job before your family; I am simply saying that it is better and more professional not to be interrupted by calls during an important meeting.

5. Pay Attention

The purpose of the business meeting is for issues to be presented and discussed. People who are there are expected to listen and take part. So, pay close attention to what others are saying.

Don’t doodle in your notebook and wander off, however boring the meeting might be. Listen carefully and write down anything you think is important. If there is room for questions at the end of the meeting, make sure you ask one; that will show both your professionalism and your devotion to the subject.

About the author

Sarah

I’m a free spirit who likes to travel, cook and fly. Licensed paraglider pilot, I spend all my spare time flying. In the meantime, I like to share my recipes and travel experiences.

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