It is becoming increasingly understood that personal appearance is one asset that can increase an individual’s professional competitiveness; consequently, workers need to utilize appearance management strategies to gain a competitive advantage. Appe...
It is becoming increasingly understood that personal appearance is one asset that can increase an individual’s professional competitiveness; consequently, workers need to utilize appearance management strategies to gain a competitive advantage. Appearance management strategies for professional success do not simply mean creating a beautiful appearance, but rather designing professional achievement by improving job skills, reliability for expertise, and interpersonal attractiveness through an individual’s appearance.
This study first clarified the concept and constituents of professional image, focusing on the goal-oriented point of strategic appearance management for workers. It subsequently examined clothing images and appearance management strategies in order to frame a professional image. Finally, the study discussed appearance management strategies that lead to higher achievement by considering the relationship between appearance management strategies that workers use and achievements.
The study relied on inquiry-based qualitative research as well as statistics-based quantitative research. In the qualitative research, the researchers conducted an in-depth investigation of the effect of an individual’s image and appearance in the workplace interacts on business and achievement. Based on the results, the perception and constituents for clothing images as well as appearance management strategies and their achievements were examined. The quantitative research was divided into two parts. Part 1 examined the components of worker’s desired professional image (DPI) as well as clarified the professional clothing images. Meanwhile, part 2 verified types of appearance management strategies that workers in our society utilized and achievements via the appearance management, subsequently clarifying appearance management strategies that promote a professional image and lead to greater achievements. Furthermore, this study determined the influence of individual characteristics on appearance management strategies.
For the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight participants who are considered successful in their respective fields of work. Meanwhile, the quantitative research employed a measurement tool developed according to the previous research, which was utilized to create and administer a survey. The previous research involved 123 male and female workers engaged in various jobs as positive sampling both on- and off-line. The final study relied on a positive sampling of 1,056 male and female workers engaged in 10 occupational classes.
The qualitative research was used to verify that workers perceived professional image as a crucial factor for increasing their career achievements; in particular, individuals seeking higher achievements actively managed their appearance in order to create a professional image. Participants defined professional image in connection with conscientiousness and self-management skill, assertive and open attitude, leadership, interpersonal skill, customer-satisfaction spirit, expert knowledge and skill, and confidence in the result. They routinely experienced achieving a career opportunity, improving interpersonal relationships, obtaining special treatment or protection from a biased angle, and increasing reliability on business as a result of their professional image.
Several conclusions can be drawn from part 1. First, professional image factors include ‘openness,’ ‘leadership,’ ‘integration,’ and ‘economic power’ all of which demonstrated a high interrelationship. Thus, individuals should actively manage all four factors to build a professional image.
Furthermore, in regard to professional image, the clothing images of successful individuals was defined as ‘normative,’ ‘assertive,’ ‘polished,’ ‘splendid,’ and ‘masculine’ with ‘normative’ being ranked most important, followed by ‘assertive’ and ‘polish’ in order. Although ‘masculine’ and ‘splendid’ positively influence professional image, because the degree of importance is low, it was important to be cautious when interpreting these factors; conservative and masculine code is important for the successful clothes verified in the previous research.
In addition, after examining the influence of clothing images for professional image, the results indicated that a ‘normative’ image promotes professional image in all dimensions. ‘Assertive’ clothing images positively affect ‘openness,’ ‘leadership,’ and ‘integration,’ but negatively affect ‘economic power.’ Meanwhile, ‘polished’ clothing images positively influence ‘openness,’ ‘leadership,’ and ‘economic power,’ whereas ‘splendid’ clothing images positively affect only ‘openness’ and negatively affect ‘leadership’ and ‘integration,’ meaning it should be used selectively depending on specific needs.
As a significant difference in job achievement stems from clothing images and professional images, it is important to use the appropriate professional image and clothing images according to career in order to build a successful professional image.
Several significant conclusions can be also drawn from part 2. First, participants’ preferred appearance management strategies were assertive integration strategies, assertive distinctiveness strategies, assimilation strategies, moderate strategies, and dodging strategies. Assertive integration strategies frequently utilize not only appearance strategically in order to present social success or a good image, but also both assimilation strategies and dodging strategies simultaneously. Meanwhile, assertive distinctiveness strategies use the individual’s own specialties or distinctiveness. Assimilation strategies focus on managing an individual’s appearance by matching the clothing image of people within a group to which he or she belongs or with whom he or she shares the same