Category Archives: Presence

Style Workshop in DC in April: Dress to Impress at Work

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Natalie Jobity invites you to attend, ‘Wowing at Work: Dress to Impress’. A 4 hour Interactive Workshop

Saturday April 28th from 12:30pm-4:30pm at Hotel George, Washington DC

 ‘Wowing at Work: Dressing to Impress’ is going to be focused on addressing all your workplace wardrobe concerns.

In today’s economy women need to use every competitive advantage to continue to stay relevant and up-to-date. This 4-hour interactive workshop is designed to teach you how to ‘wow’ at work so your presence is credible, modern, aligned with your career aspirations and authentic to you. Learn how to get dressed each morning with less effort whatever your age, career or style preferences.

My Wowing at Work: Dress to Impress’ 4 hour interactive workshop provides actionable advice on:

  1. What do I wear to work?
  2. How do I create polished business outfits?
  3. How do I express my unique flair and still be work appropriate?
  4. How do I use accessories to make a statement?
  5. How do I project authority and command without looking uptight?
  6. What are key wardrobe essentials every woman’s needs for her work wardrobe?

Elan Image Management Client

What else can you expect from my Wowing at Work Workshop?

  • Learn key tricks on looking effortlessly pulled together and be inspired to augment your closet with looks that reinforce your personal style.
  • Network with other women, also looking to elevate their image.
  • Get personalized attention as you get your own outfits critiqued from an expert.
  • Be motivated to build a wardrobe of clothes you love wearing regardless of the occasion.
  • Take your look from Drab to Fab

Do you need to tweak, enhance or elevate your professional presence? This workshop is for you!

Seating is limited to just 15 women! If you desire to update, elevate or refine your workplace presence, you must reserve your seat NOW (plus the first 6 registrants get special bonuses!).

For more information and to register, visit the Wowing at Work Workshop page for more! Hope to see you there!

Are you Rocking your Professional Presence?

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Picture this; imagine a woman dressed for work with hair in a simple ponytail, little makeup, stud earrings as her only accessory, chinos, dress shirts and loafers. Then picture the same woman with a chic hairdo, skirted ensembles paired with fitted jackets, slingbacks, accessories and makeup. Transformation, right? More importantly, the ‘Presence’ of a true professional in charge of her career.

In the professional arena, especially, our image can enhance or hinder us from our goals. The question to ask yourself is this: how much effort are you willing to invest in your career goals? Yes, you can be competent, brilliant, sharp as a tack, indispensable even, but if your image is not up to par with your credentials, you may find yourself being passed up for promotions or not elevating your business as fast as you desire.

Your image transmits a message about you at every moment, whether you are aware of it or not. And more importantly, once formed, it is difficult to erase those impressions others form about you.

What this means is that you have to manage your image in the same way you manage your finances or your family schedule. Your image is an asset which can effectively position you for the success you desire. You need to treat it like the valuable asset it is.
It is helpful to think of your image as a billboard advertising “you”.  Your image is “selling” you constantly: at work, at home, everywhere you go. The good news is that you have control over how you are perceived. You just need to be aware of the messages you are conveying with your appearance and refine accordingly.

For more ways you can perfect your professional presence, read the tips on my site, Elan Image Management HERE. For even more tips, you’ll want to get your copy of
Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. Chapter 9 is all about dressing for workplace success.

Natalie Jobity, The Image Diva

Dress to impress: 5 tips to dressing like a winner

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We’ve all heard the phrase “dress to impress” but when you get to the nitty gritty what does it really mean? Dressing to impress is more than just the clothes you wear. It is your total image presentation, including your clothing, how you accessorize, how groomed you are, your poise and posture, non verbal cues, and more. Because research has proven that people make first impression judgments about us primarily based on how we look, the “dressing” part of dressing for success is very critical.

Dress like a winner and you’ll find that the way the rest of the world interacts with you will change for the better. So how does a winner dress? Here are five tips.

 

  1. 1. They own their signature style. Your style is an integral part of who you are—it is your personal stamp. A woman of style has a particular way they carry themselves–it stems from confidence but its more than just that. It’s perhaps the ultimate physical manifestation of their self expression.
  2. 2. They understand the benefits of investing in high quality clothing. High quality is not mean the same thing as “expensive” or designer brands. You can find quality clothing at many price points. But the common denominator is that the clothing is manufactured well, holds up to multiple washings and wears well over time. Moreover it fits well because it is made with better fabrication and attention to detail.
  3. 3. They ensure their clothing fits them impeccably whether they are wearing a suit or a sheath dress. Have your clothing altered by professionals as needed or pay attention to the designers and brands that work well for your figure and proportions. When your clothing fits you well you feel better in it and are able to exude mire confidence.
  4. 4. They pay attention to the accent pieces that impact their image and make them a stand out. Accent pieces are like the bow around the wrapping of a present—it makes the gift look more pleasing to the eye, more polished. It is the same with your ensembles. Accents your shoes, handbag, jewelry and scarves punctuate your look and takes your image up several notches.
  5. 5. They look fabulous regardless of the occasion and know that the way they dress speaks loudly about the type of woman they are. They choose classic or timeless designs. They don’t follow fashion trends but instead invest in clothing uniquely appointed to reinforce their style, lifestyle and preferences. In many cases they are the type of women we all look up to and admire.

Natalie Jobity, Elan Image Management, an image consulting firm

Natalie Jobity’s Joins College World Reporter with Fashion Statements Column

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Little Rock, AR – January 11, 2011 – The College World Reporter (CWR) is proud to announce the addition of fashion expert and certified (AICI) image consultant, Ms. Natalie Jobity, to our team of professional writer advisors.  Ms. Jobity will assume the responsibility for writing our CWR Fashion Statements column.

Ms. Jobity is president of Élan Image Management and founder of "Mission 1 Million Makeovers: Change Your Image, Transform Your Life," and she is a sought after image consultant based in the Washington, DC metro area who provides services to both women and men nationwide.  She is also the author of Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. 

Natalie conducts workshops and seminars on a variety of image topics for organizations, companies, women’s groups, teens, and college students, including ‘Dress for Success’ seminars and workshops. Ms. Jobity works with young women and men individually to coach them on how to dress to achieve their highest image potential which facilitates their future success.

"As America’s premier online student empowerment and career transitional magazine, The College World Reporter has the responsibility to help readers understand the importance of dressing appropriately in today’s highly competitive marketplace. The addition of a quintessential fashion expert and image consultant such as Natalie Jobity provides our readers with a resource that we feel is unequaled in the industry," said CWR publisher Donell Edwards.

Natalie is a graduate of Rutgers University (B.S. in Accounting and Economics), Cambridge University (Masters in Finance), and City University of New York-Baruch College (MBA in Marketing).

Edwards says "Anyone with an interest in learning how to improve their skills in dressing professionally will benefit greatly from reading CWR Fashion Statements and learning from Natalie ."

For more information contact The College World Reporter at TheCWR@CWRMagOnline.

About The College World Reporter:  The College World Reporter (CWR) is the premier online student empowerment  and career transitional magazine in America.  The magazine provides information and expert advice to students and all readers, and also has a number of outstanding student reporters in many foreign countries who participate in the magazine’s Virtual Cultural XChange (VCX) Program.  The magazine is at the forefront of a growing student empowerment movement and is evolving into a full fledged student empowerment organization.

What to Wear? Your Style, In Context

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I have been very excited about the responses to a thread of a Linked In group I’m a member of.  We’ve been discussing ‘what makes style’ and I want to share here one of my responses.

I conducted a dress for success seminar to a group of students on Friday and was explaining the point that how you ‘show up’ depends in part on the other person’s expectations–your example of dressing for a fashion shoot in corporate attire and almost losing your account is spot on. We need to express our style–that distinguishes us from everyone else and allows us to be authentic, creative and unique–all hallmarks of a great personal brand! But we have to express our style sensibilities also in context.

I am an image consultant and I dress and express my style differently depending on who I am interacting with and my desired outcomes. To speak to a group I usually wear an outfit in a power color for me that makes me feel confident and in command –meeting clients one on one, I dress more accessible and approachable. My goal then is to get them to trust and engage with me on an intimate level. My style is my style but it can be molded to suit the environment and goals I want to achieve.

Another point that is key in what you said is "poise". A person of style has a particular way they carry themselves–it stems from confidence but its more than just that. It’s perhaps the ultimate physical manifestation of their self expression–that ‘carriage’.

I don’t think everyone dresses with intent or an objective. This is one of the things I coach frequently about–many people unfortunately dress very haphazardly and do not realize the impact this has on the ability to achieve their goals.

More on honing your style in later posts.

Natalie Jobity, Elan Image Management, image consulting

‘Packaging’ your Personal Brand”: NAPW seminar for Women

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Is your image conveying the message you want it to convey? Are you an entrepreneur or professional who needs to step up her look so her image speaks the words aligned with her company’s brand? Then, join me on Thursday June 17th at 4:30 for a great networking event.

The NAPW (National Association of Professional Women) Annapolis Chapter, is pleased to invite you to attend a 90-minute interactive workshop with Natalie Jobity, image consultant, an expert in the areas of image, personal branding, and dressing for success.

Our image or personal brand speaks volumes for who we are.  It sends signals about our intelligence, competence, confidence, level of success, and a host of other unscientific output, which may or may not be true.  For optimal impact, we must be sure to make focused and conscious choices about the messages our image ‘business card’ is transmitting.

Here are a few of the highlights of this workshop:

*   Learn the key elements of an effective personal brand
*   Get smart on why dressing with intention and purpose can be a pathway to success
*   Understand the impact of first impressions and how to ensure yours are positive and lasting
*   Explore ways to use your signature style and image to reinforce your businesses brand image

Join other women like yourself for this engaging and valuable seminar at the Naval Reserve Club in Annapolis MD. To register and for further details please RSVP HERE.
Hope you can join us!

 

Elan Image Management, Image Consulting

Elan Image Management Interviewed on NewsChannel 8!

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Elan Image Management, image consulting, was honored to be a guest on NewsChannel 8, Let’s Talk Live segment. The show is DC’s only live and local talk show. It was a privilege to share with viewers of Let’s Talk Live on Thursday at 12:15pm about the importance of first impressions and tips for pulling together an effective business look. My host Natasha Barrett was an awesome sport and the interview felt less like one, and more as if I was chatting with an old friend.

 

Being in studio live was a bit unnerving at first, but after a minute, I didn’t even notice. The time literally flew by and before I knew it we were done. There was SO much more to share–truly I was just getting started! But I appreciate the 7.5 or so minutes of camera time-more than I expected. And folks, it was so much fun!! I LOVE TV!!

I shared tips for dressing for success with viewers and showed makeovers of a few of my clients. 

Thank you to my clients who allowed me to show their photos–so we could add a visual to my words. And thank you News Channel 8 for having me as your guest! It is an honor to be a guest on the only live and local talk show in Washington DC!

In case you missed it on my home page,  watch MY INTERVIEW with NewsChannel 8 by clicking the link.

 

As always, here’s to purposeful presence!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Want to create your Signature Style? Some tips!

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Yesterday an interview Elan Image Management  did for Brandmaker News, on developing a signature style just was posted on their site. Visit: www.brandmakernews.com/interview_detail.php for the full interview with Natalie. For a great snippet read on!

"What specific advice do you have for professionals who are working on their signature style?

Their professional presence needs to be commanding, polished, pulled together and credible because people make at least 12 assumptions about us based entirely on their initial perceptions of our image.

Understand the basic wardrobe ‘do’s for business attire. For example, a man’s suit should fit impeccably, and his shirt cuff should show through his jacket. It’s important to know that the little details like scuffed shoes, poor grooming, bad manners and poor communication can all be deal breakers.

Look at their TOTAL image package: Image is so much more than the clothes you wear. It is your total package including your clothing, but equally as important, how you accessorize, the way you communicate, how groomed you are, your poise and posture, non verbal cues, your ability to maintain eye contact, and so much more.

Have ‘Presence’ -that ability to project a sense of ease, poise, command or self-assurance. It is an energy and an attitude. It can be magnetic. It draws people to you. When it is purposeful, it can be one of your most effective tools in professional interactions."

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

Dress for Success: Tips!

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I am often asked what’s the secret to creating a professional look that also shows off personal style. Here are a few guidelines:

  • When you think of your professional image as a walking business card communicating who you are as a professional, you will look at your business style in a completely different way.  For optimal impact, you want to be sure you make very focused and conscious choices about the messages your image ‘business card’ is transmitting, noting especially if it is aligned with your professional aspirations.
  • The secret lies in the power of becoming clear about the message you want to convey and how to meld that with your personality and sense of style.
  • It is also about picking your battles: in the interview, you want to conform more than stand out. Once you get the job and you have a sense of the culture of the firm, you can flex with your style at that point.
  • Not all companies require employees to wear a suit every day. Understanding the nuances of tailored professional business casual attire is key!

Common mistakes interview candidates make when dressing for an interview include:

  • Underestimating the importance of their image to their success in getting a job.
  • Not understanding the impact of first impressions and how indelible they are especially in a job interview context. The power of image in influencing first impressions and hiring, firing  and promotions is unquestionable.
  • Not knowing that their professional presence needs to be commanding, polished, pulled together and credible because people make at least 12 assumptions about us based entirely on their initial perceptions based on our image.
  • Not understanding the basic wardrobe ‘do’s for business attire: For example for men, knowing that their suit should fit impeccably and that their shirt cuff should show through their jacket. For women, wearing separates in lieu of a suit in fabrics of poor quality. Or wearing inappropriate accessories such as dangly earrings or skirts that are too short. For both, understanding that the little details like scuffed shoes, poor grooming, bad manners and poor communication can all be deal breakers.
  • Dressing for their current position. Always dress for a higher position than you currently occupy.  Dressing for the position you are aspiring to will also   boost your confidence in your ability to achieve it.
  • Not looking at their TOTAL image package: Image is so much more than the clothes you wear. It is your total package including your clothing, but equally as important, how you accessorize, the way you communicate, how groomed you are, your poise and posture, non verbal cues, your ability to maintain eye contact, and so much more. Do you know how are you stacking up? Answering this question is key.
  • Not having enough ‘Presence’ -that ability to project a sense of ease, poise, command or self-assurance. It is an energy and an attitude. It can be magnetic. It draws people to you. When it is purposeful, it can be one of your most effective tools in professional interactions.

Want to rock a signature style in the workplace. Here are some ideas:

  • Know your personal style and personal brand. Your look must be in synch with these
  • Use accessories to express your unique flair/panache. For some men it might be a tie clip, unusual ties, a killer watch. For women it could be the creative use of color and pattern in suits and blouses. Using belts, scarves, shoes, bags all as part of their signature look.
  • Know the silhouette, cuts and designers that flatter and enhance your body
  • Invest in quality pieces. Your clothing can be one of your more important career “investments”. Look for timeless well made designs and mix these up with more stylish accents depending on your personal style.
  • Know your power colors and use them!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management

 

The Elan Blog is 3 Years Old!

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Dear Readers,

 

I’ve been blogging about image, fashion, wardrobe, style and all things fabulous for THREE years! Hard to believe how fast time flies. April marks the 3 year anniversary of the Elan Blog and I wanted to take a quick trip down memory lane about some of the topics I’ve blogged about:

  • Fashion do’s and don’ts
  • New Trends
  • Celebrity Face-offs–who wore the same dress better and why
  • Fashion icons-Michelle Obama etc.
  • Defining your personal style
  • All about color and how to wear it well
  • Developing a brand YOU
  • Accessorizing
  • Embracing your body and figure
  • Wardrobe advice
  • Organizing your closet
  • Bargain shopping
  • Dressing for interviews
  • What’s hot
  • I’m lovin…
  • Where to shop for what
  • What’s your signature style
  • Celebrity fashion and commentary
  • Projecting an authentic image
  • Fashion designer spotlight
  • Professional Presence
  • Fashion events in the DC metro area
  • My Musings on style, fashion, and whatever happens to be on my mind..
  • And SO much more

I wish I could blog each day, truly, because I have no shortage of things I can talk about. But you know when I do blog, you are getting real content and advice and not ‘fluff’–there’s enough of that to go around. I invite you to browse the archives for real content on a host of topics under the image umbrella.

My blog had been hit hard by spammmers so now leaving a comment is not as simple as it used to be. I truly apologize but the spammers won that battle. To leave a comment you need to register with your e-mail address. I would love to hear from you, my readers, but know how annoying it is to register. I’ll continue to work on that.

I have been dying to get you PICTURES of the hottest Spring trends I’m digging and I promise by next week you’ll have more eye candy than my mere words. In the meantime, here’s a picture of me that is over 2 years old but still on trend-the accessories, cinched waist, poppy red tunic and skinny jeans (cropped out):

Until then, here’s to purposeful presence!

The Image Diva, Elan Image Management, your go to wardrobe consultant