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Using Impression Management to Excel in Your Career By Mercedes Alfaro, President, First Impression Management Having well-rounded socializing skills are not an option, but a necessity of business life.

Set goals.  Where do you want to be in one, three and five years from now?  Do you want a promotion? A new job or career? What are you willing to do to achieve them? Write them down and review them periodically to keep on track.  

Take a good look at yourself or better yet, ask your mentor for feedback.  Unfortunately, we never see ourselves as others do.  If you are not getting the results you want, ask for feedback from others to better understand what is holding you back.

Commit to the change you want to create.  To make any change in behavior you must practice the new skill repeatedly for twenty-one days.  Set aside time to do this and make it a priority.

Dress appropriately.  Wear clothes that fit well and are appropriate for each business occasion.  Understand the difference between traditional business attire and the different levels of business casual.  Wear clothes that say you are there for business and should be taken seriously.  If you wear it to the beach, on a hot date, or to the park - it's not appropriate for business. With that in mind, keep mini skirts, T-shirts with slogans, overalls, low-cut tops, sandals, jean jackets, sneakers, zip-front hooded sweatshirts for your weekend or at-home wardrobe only.

Learn how to properly shake hands.  Touch thumb joint to thumb joint.  Make it firm - not a bone crusher or a loose fish handshake.  People form an impression of you by your greeting.  Make sure they've formed a good one.

Keep your body language open.  In business, many professionals are not aware of how they are communicating with their body.  Fidgeting or not making eye contact, will give you away.  Keep a smile on your face and your body language open.

Fake it until you feel it.  If you feel as if you have already achieved your goal, it will happen.  Individuals that maintain an upbeat attitude portray a positive image and attract positive company.