The Art of Presentation: Where Skill Meets Style

in Hive Learners24 days ago

Every time I had to make a presentation during my time at the university, I had to dress properly. I don't remember being explicitly told how to dress, but by default everyone knew to look sharp and smart, and that's usually by wearing a clean, nice shirt with a tie, along with pants and dress shoes. It turned out that our dressing was always assessed alongside other parameters of our presentation.



So, even though I may have the right things to say and can deliver well, my grade is often tied to my appearance. It may seem rather unrelated to assess one's mental preparedness based on appearance as well, but it just makes a lot of sense at the end of the day.

There are certain ways food can be presented to one that, regardless of how good it may taste, could just turn out unattractive if it is not visually appealing. And this ideology cuts across many aspects of our lives. Appearance is key.

One's dressing says certain things about them that they may not even say verbally. For an interview, a person's professionalism, attention to detail, and suitability for the company's needs can be deduced in some ways, just by assessing one's dressing.

Personally, seeing a person who takes their time to pick the right clothes to dress adequately for an occasion and ensures that they make themselves tidy and smell good, I can presume that the person is conscious of visual appearances and impressions, respects where they are dressed, and understands the importance of carrying oneself properly.

In some cases, jobs may require a certain look—mostly formal—before clients will feel confident and trust in them. If one cannot prove to the company that they can deliver in this regard by dressing accordingly for the interview, it's expected that they write one off right there.


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From a broader perspective, however, physical appearance has no bearing on a person's ability to perform their job duties properly and effectively. Appearance may influence their perception and decision-making processes, but it is paramount to put more relevance into skills-based assessment.

Appearance is something that you can change in a minute, but acquiring and being valuable is something that takes time, dedication, and hard work to develop, and that's what is most important to any company—the ability of the potential recruit to add value and solve some of the company's problems.

If the right person for the job is obtained and "appearance" isn't something they are great at, then means can be developed to enlighten and equip the individual in such regard.

In all, understanding that appearance influences the decisions interviewers make, one can do very well for themselves to add to their well-developed skill that could be needed by doing their due diligence and dressing properly for the occasion, in a way that wouldn't be overdone but sending the message that one is responsible as they are skilled.


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 24 days ago  

As is a part of human nature, we quickly assume that a person with amazing physical appearance is smart and confident, and it's easier for us to believe we can trust them.

A person who pays no attention to himself and what impression he serves might as well just seem disinterested.
And even if the person cones highly recommended, appearing tardy would leave the employer with tings of doubt. Being attractive has always been an unspoken criteria for job procurement.

 23 days ago (edited) 

Bullseye, Amaka! Yes an unspoken criteria, and it'll only be unwise to disregard in hopes that whoever's judging would "see right through it" and look deeper at one's capabilities.

I'm curious. What's your go to type of shoes for, say, an interview of such, flats or heels?

 23 days ago  

What shoe I'd go for would largely depend on what outfit I'd be wearing. Flats generally go with anything. Heels, on the other hand, can say different things. Too high heels are a no-no. Heels with moderate height do a better job. I can also testify to heels, increasing feminine energy and boosting confidence.

So, moderately high heels would be my pick, as they offer comfort and the vibe of professionalism.

 23 days ago  

Fascinating. You sure know your style, and I like it.

I also think that heels that are too high are just excessive, and dangerous, too.

 24 days ago  

There is a common saying "dress the way you wish to be addressed". Before what comes out of your mouth the person on the other end has done some reading and it's from your appearance.

Being conscious of this I almost always make sure I dress at my best in terms of neatness and looking good wherever I go.

Great write up, brother!

 23 days ago (edited) 

And "First impressions matter." And usually, our appearance influences first impressions. You're pretty neat, brother, and that's admirable. Keep on... 😉

By the way, when's the last time you wore a suit?

 23 days ago  

Yeap. Thank you brother 🥹 I try my best.

I wore that blue one recently. I attended a dinner birthday party. I must have told you. Where I got the book "Unbroken".

 22 days ago  

Oh, yes. You did tell me about it. You looked very sharp in it, remembering now.

 22 days ago  

Yeah. Thank you brother
Repping you 🤭

 23 days ago  

No doubt champ, appearance is the key, just like the reference you made with the food, the appearance draws you and the taste determines if you would either swallow or spit out and vice versa, anyways that doesn't mean a poor dresser doesn't;t have the skill, which is why I think we need to be flexible sometimes, great write up man..

 23 days ago  

Indeed, bro. Indeed, flexible is important. It's not entirely up to us, though, so one would rather be safe than sorry.

Let me ask. What's your take on ties? Do you like to wear them, bro?

 23 days ago  

Yes, i love ties but i do prefer bow ties..

 23 days ago  

Nice. I think bow ties suit you well, imaging them on you.

 24 days ago  

It is the same, we have also given many interviews, our clothes were not good, so we were not selected. Yes, it should be at the base of the skull.

 23 days ago (edited) 

Spot on, comrade! It's why many of us have learned to at least look good and appear confident.

 23 days ago  

Appearance is something that you can change in a minute, but acquiring and being valuable is something that takes time, dedication, and hard work to develop.

This is the key line in my opinion. That is the reason we need to focus on skills rather than focusing on appearance.
!PIZZA

 23 days ago  

Appearance is a piece of cake if you nail skills. Speaking of which, what skills are your eyes on now? I know you'll be done with school soon enough.

I remember an interviewer giving me a job because I dressed smart that day where as I even know nothing about the job🤣

 23 days ago  

That's what you'd call "express ticket." 🤓 How long ago was that?

Lol! 2 years ago 😂

PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered:
@intishar(2/5) tipped @olujay