New HR Role: How Can I Adopt a More Professional Appearance and Corporate Culture?

I am newly appointed as an HR for a company where I take care of all HR activities. I am good enough theoretically. However, when it comes to real-time scenarios, we are the actors. My problem is that I appear very simple, and my language is too plain. I want to change my appearance and adopt a corporate culture so that I can represent my company in a professional manner. Is there anyone who can help me?

Substance Over Appearance

Looking very simple is not a problem when you have substance, but looking bombastic without substance is a problem because they are actors. All great men, from Mahatma Gandhi to Mother Teresa, looked very simple but invoked huge respect from society because they were performers. Looks cannot convert one from an actor to a performer, but knowledge, skills, and talent do. So be proud of your simple looks. You may feel uncomfortable if you try to be someone other than yourself. Don't get unduly worried about your looks; instead, focus on acquiring knowledge and skills. Polish your communication skills if that is what is making it difficult for you to present things, and you will find that things around you start changing.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

It is very tough to be simple. Not every genius can do it. I don't know about looks, but what I can sense here is a desire to appear professional, smart, and capable. Right?

Guess as far as appearances are concerned, that can be changed—not necessarily by buying the best brand, but by ensuring that whatever you wear looks clean, smart, crisp, and fresh, be it your dress or your makeup (I don't know if it is applicable here? Your profile is not clear on gender). In dress, if you're comfortable with western wear, that is also good, but otherwise, even ethnic wear is great. But remember, nothing loud, nothing extravagant; the emphasis should be on staying simple. For inspiration, movies like "Corporate" and "Fashion" are good ideas to watch.

But all this is merely a background; the real thing will be the work you do and the kind of talk you engage in—here you will have to deliver. Without results, no impressions. The reason is simple enough—you have been hired to do a job! So keep your focus there—that is what will actually make you a professional.

ALL THE BEST!

I have attached a small presentation. Hope this will help you a bit 

Regards,
Deepak

Others have given good ideas based on limited information about yourself and the scenario. Hence, let me raise my questions as I am not clear about certain things. Please answer the following.

Clarification on 'Good Enough Theoretically'

What do you mean by 'good enough theoretically'?

Understanding 'Look Very Simple'

Also, what is meant by 'look very simple'? Could you kindly tell us what you wear now and what the new appearance will be like?

Corporate culture varies from organization to organization and the country where it is located. When I was in the industry as an Industrial Engineer, I was supposed to wear a suit and tie all the time at work. When I went into academia, some wore suits and others (especially sports teachers) came in shorts or jeans. But they were not considered unprofessional.

Also, in the UK, the culture is such that no one discusses the pay and bonus one gets. However, I was told that in the States, people discuss it freely (I have no firsthand knowledge). In the UK, I had to address some bosses as Mr. [Last Name]. Whereas in academia, I addressed the Vice-Chancellor by his first name. The same goes for different ways of addressing in different countries. My students in the UK addressed me by my first name; even some senior people at CiteHR address me as 'Sir', even after I tell them that they can address me by my name. However, some youngsters who probably work for American firms address people at CiteHR as 'dudes'.

Hence, kindly provide more information to help the experts give precise answers.

Regards

Thank you for your response. HR is the one who should interact with a lot of people, right? The appearance and the way of presentation play a major role while interacting with people. The corporate culture that I am speaking about requires fast, trendy, and innovative presentation.

I am lacking all these. I worked with a company where I used to communicate with clients through the phone. But in my present job, I have to meet clients and communicate with them.

I believe the first impression is the best impression, right?

I am feeling inferior in front of the clients because they observe everything - my body language, my communication skills, and my appearance.

One of my friends, who is working with an MNC company in Hyderabad, suggested to me to change and adopt the corporate culture, as my appearance and the way I handle employees seem informal.

In my MBA, I never came across all these. I feel like I am lacking somewhere.

So, I specified that "Good enough theoretically, look very simple."

If possible, suggest to me. It will help me in my career.

Regards.

As you have not answered all my questions, I can only keep asking questions to find out the real situation. As you have rightly stated, they do not teach everything in colleges and universities. Dress code and behavior are some of the topics, as these vary from organization to organization.

Please let us know what you wear now when you say informal dress. What do managers wear in your organization? I would have thought that the weather being so hot in Hyderabad, a suit would be inappropriate clothing, especially in summer. First impressions are important. For example, a person wearing a skullcap, like the Jews and religious Muslims wear, may be seen as fanatical by some in certain Western countries. Whereas the same may be considered as normal in others. See what France has recently promulgated about wearing religious outfits like the hijab and turbans.

One has to use professional language at work and avoid slang like "hi dude," etc., at work. Also, use proper language. Please give examples of how you address people, etc. The more information you provide, the better the advice you will receive.

Thank you for your response. I wear salwars to my office, and I have no idea about Western clothing, how to wear it, or when to wear it.

When it comes to addressing people, I use "Mr. XYZ" or "Miss XYZ." In our workplace, we address our Managing Director as "sir" rather than by his name.

Before joining, I inquired about the dress code from our Managing Director. He mentioned that no sleeves are allowed and that dressing should be neat and attractive. For men, formal attire is required, including a shirt, formal pants, and shoes.

Best regards,
Feeba

Dear Nashbramhall,

I totally accept your words, but is the HR profession similar to the doctor profession? HR deals with every issue in the company and plays a role even in business development. Will doctors do the same? I am just asking you that. I faced this issue personally, so I am asking for your suggestion.

"Even when the British ruled India, I know that some officials wore dhoti and went to work, and they were not required to wear western clothing." I agree, but they wore coats along with dhoti. Coats are not an overdressing style, I guess, and nowadays, dhotis are not seen except in traditional marriages. It's not an argument. Kindly analyze to understand my points. We are changing as per the trend and our lifestyle. If I am wrong, please forgive me. Please suggest me.

Regards.