Chapter 1 Presentational skills:

Personal presentation

When you are speaking in public you may be representing your educational institution, your family and
organization or just yourself, but it is still you in the front line. It is you that the other person, group or
audience sees and before you have time to open your mouth and give an account of yourself, certain
assumptions, both consciously and subconsciously, have been made.

First impressions are very important - they can be about attitude as well as dress.

Visual impact is at least as important as verbal impact, people will very quickly make assumptions based
on your facial expressions, the clothes you wear, how well-groomed you are and your body language.

Facial Expressions

Little can be done to alter your face but a lot can be done about the expression that is on it. However
the day started and whatever minor crisis has occurred along the way, people have not come to meet
you with a dark expression on your face. It is your duty - to yourself as well as to the institution that you
represent - to convey a calm, friendly and professional exterior, despite how you may feel inside. Smile
and appear optimistic.

Personal Image:

The reflection that stares back at you from a mirror is not necessarily a true likeness of the face known
to family, friends and colleagues, because they will see you off-guard, in repose, concentrating on a task
or listening to them. How many people can honestly admit to looking in a mirror without altering their
expression? It is quite natural to ‘play to a mirror’ possibly by raising an eyebrow, pulling a face or
smiling at the reflection. This is why people often feel self-conscious when they see a ‘bad’ photograph
of themselves.

The Real You:

It is human nature to make compromises. All individuals change their approach depending on the
people they meet and what they feel is expected from them. Your 'on-duty' self, the one who functions
in public, is different from your 'off-duty' self, the one concerned with home, family and friends.
Everyone has many and varied roles in life. You can be one person and be a parent, son/daughter,
brother/sister, friend, adviser, patient, client and consumer all in one day.
These differing roles all require their own particular qualities and skills in personal communication and
can also call upon different requirements of attitude and appearance, i.e., of visual image. Your external
image (appearance) is how you are seen by the world, whereas the real you (not a role model or the
person you would like to be) is someone who is honest with themselves.

Clothes and Grooming:

What sort of external image is appropriate to the education institution/organization you represent?

Only you can answer this question. Due to the nature of the institution. It is important to be suitably
dressed within expected limits.

Nobody expects you to be packaged into something you are not, but your appearance is a reflection of
your own self-esteem and you should aim to present yourself to your best possible advantage. Whilst
you might be casually dressed when studding or working with in your institution/organization, a more
formal approach may well be preferable when giving presentation in a formal classroom/representing
your organization at an external meeting.

Body Language
Understanding body language is one of the most important aspects of personal presentation. The image
conveyed by the physical self should support and enhance what is being communicated verbally. If the
visual image differs widely from the spoken message, it is often the non-verbal account that is believed.

The way you sit, stand, your gestures and mannerisms and your facial expressions will say far more
about you and how you are feeling at any given time than the words you are using. When individuals
are nervous or uneasy, their behavioral 'bad habits' become more pronounced.

Awareness of your body language, of how you behave under pressure, what signals you are
unconsciously giving, how nerves and stress affect you physically, can help you understand how you
'come across' to others. It can also explain how the wrong impression is sometimes given and how
confusion can occur.

Working on body language is a way of improving personal presentation. For example, when
concentrating on something rather hard, your expression may look troubled, when in reality you are not
anxious at all, merely absorbed. This does not mean you should go around with a fixed smile on your
face, but just be aware that your physical self might send one set of signals when your mind is involved
elsewhere.

Body language can also be used as a mask to convey contrary feelings. How often have you nodded
firmly when you did not understand a word, smiled when your instinct was to scowl, clapped
enthusiastically at the end of a talk that nearly put you to sleep? In these cases you were not being
hypocritical, but using body language positively as the mechanism of good manners.

The gestures of individuals are part of their personalities, a part of how they express themselves. Hand
and arm movements can add emphasis, aid explanation and convey enthusiasm. They only become a
negative signal when repeated so often that they become irritating to the observer. Listeners can
become so side-tracked by the sight of someone constantly playing with his/her hair, tapping on the
table with a pen, etc., that they no longer listen to the spoken word. Thus the negative signal has
broken down the chain of communication.

Positive and Negative Body Language

Positive body language includes:

 Maintaining eye contact with the person to whom you are speaking.
· Smiling (if appropriate) but especially as a greeting and when parting.
· Sitting squarely on a chair, leaning slightly forward (this indicates you are paying
attention).
· Nodding in agreement.
· A firm handshake.
· Presenting a calm exterior.
· Looking interested.

Negative body language includes:

o Not looking at a person when speaking.

o Tapping a foot, fingers etc.
o Rocking backwards and forwards.
o Scratching.
o Continually clearing your throat.
o Fiddling with hair, ear lobes, jewelry, jacket, glasses, etc.
o Picking at fingers or finger nails.
o Yawning.
o Repeatedly looking at your watch or a clock in the room.
o Standing too close to others.

Maintaining personal presentation appropriate to the study/work environment

Personal presentation at learning institution/work includes your physical presentation, personal
hygiene, how you speak, get along with others and deal with issues that come up in classroom/work.

Educational institutions and Workplace solutions and adjustments

What is required to maintain at educational institution depends upon n the type of institution you study,
academic culture, institutional dress code and your family permissions.

What is required to maintain personal presentation at work depends on the job. Personal presentation
will be different in positions of responsibility, such as a manager compared to a junior trainee and also
the type of work that is done. For instance a manager may have to wear a suit or formal clothing to work
whilst an employee within an office may require only smart attire.

For people with disability who may have difficulty understanding or deciding what is appropriate work
wear, talking with them about some ideas and giving clear guidelines on what to wear, in a respectful
manner may help. Some ideas in relation to what to wear might include exactly what is or isn’t
considered appropriate in your workplace, including:

On all occasions at work, even if you can’t afford the latest clothing or shoes, what you do wear should
be neat and clean, including your shoes. If you wear make-up or perfume, it should be applied
appropriate to the workplace and fingernails should be clean and cut to the appropriate length for the
type of work undertaken. Hair should be neat. Consider what others around you at work are wearing as
a guide.

Dressing for a formal presentation in university or an interview

Keep in mind getting good marks in a class presentation includes your dressing and the way you carry
yourself during the presentation. A formal presentational look should be as sophisticated as for an
interview. Keep in mind your educational journey trains you for your selection on the work place.

How you look when you arrive for an interview will be an important factor in deciding whether that is
offered to you or not. To sell yourself as the ideal candidate you will need to take into account the
company to which you are applying, the type of job you are going for, the colors you wear, hair,
makeup, jewelry etc. It is worthwhile remembering that you have been chosen for interview on the
merits of your so the biggest part of the sale is complete. It is now up to you to impress! The guide
below is just that - a guideline of ideas that could lead to that all-important job.

Appearance for Men

Suits - Ideally you should have in your possession. They needn't be expensive, there are plenty of
department stores that sell well made and more importantly well cut suits at reasonable prices. You
don't have to buy a designer suit to create an impressive look. The best colors to go for are conservative
ones like black or blue. When deciding which one to wear on the day, consider the company you are
going to. If you decide not to go for a suit, separates can also work well. You could buy a smart jacket
and wear it with any number of trousers that match.

Trousers - When buying these, it is vital they fit perfectly. If you have bought a suit then the trousers
come with the jacket. Ensure that whatever trousers you buy are comfortable, and do not drape along
the floor. If they are too long for you, most stores will be able to offer alterations.

Do not ware tight pants. Any of the dress you ware should be according to your physique and should not
be lose or tight. The ideal colors for men are black, blue, grey and brown.

Shirt - The shirt should match the suit, and be the right size. Again, the color of shirt you wear on the day
will depend on the company you are going to. Ideally you will have a number of shirts that you can wear
with the one suit. The color of shirts should be decent like white, off-white, light blue. Remember you
want to be remembered for your vibrant personality, not the color of your shirt.

Tie - When attending an interview in a suit, a tie must be worn, ideally matching your suit. Like with
black suit you can match black tie with narrow lines. However, this is one area that you could have
some fun with. A tie can say a lot about you - the individual. Try to avoid a novelty tie as this can distract
the interviewer, but do wear one that you feel reflects your personality.

Shoes and socks - Formal shoes should be worn, as opposed to trainers or boots. Ensure they are
polished and that your socks are dark in color. There is nothing worse than a flash of white sport or
toweling socks peeping under your trousers! Good shoes can be expensive, however department stores
do shoes at reasonable prices.

Hair - Ensure that your hair is kept neat and tidy. If you have long hair, sweep it back into a ponytail.
Most importantly, make sure that your hair is washed and combed.

Nails - You should make sure your nails are clean and trimmed. If you have rough skin or a tendency to
bite your nails, try and fix these for the day. Avoid sweaty palms but by applying some hand cream
beforehand.

Smoking - If you are a smoker try to avoid smoking just before the interview. Try not to smoke in a
confined space, as this will retain the smell on your clothing. If you have smoked before your
interview keep some breathe mints handy.

Your demeanor - Speak politely and clearly and be concise. Try to avoid the use of slang, but be yourself.
Remember they wants to see the real you, not a performance purely for the interview.
Appearance for Ladies

Suit - Get a well-fitting suit. For ladies this can vary from a Salwar shirt, trouser/pants with long shirts
dress. The suit needn't be an expensive one, go for one that is well cut. Ladies suits can be bought from
a number of stores. Colors should ideally be black, blue and light pink however you could choose any
neutral color. Ladies should pay attention to the length of suit; it should not be too short.

The suit.

Footwear - Always choose something that is comfortable, that matches the suit, and you can walk in.
Heels can give height and definition, but avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Rather formal shoes like
court shoes and sandals.

Hair - Everyone has bad hair days, and they always seem to attack when you least expect. Unruly hair
should be swept back off the face, using combs, slides, scrunches or hairbands. Keep hair clean and try
to avoid putting too many products in your hair. Go for a soft and sleek image.

Make-up - The best look to go for is the natural one. Avoid the dramatic looks for an interview. Keep
shades subtle. The make-up should be light use light colors like light pink.

Perfumes - Go for a subtle, fresh scents and keep the strong ones for evenings. As with all scents, those
around you should not be able to smell your perfume.

Jewelry - The wearing of jewelry should be kept to a minimum. It is best not to turn up draped in jewelry
as it detracts attention away from you. Keep it simple, like a watch, necklace and ring.

Nails - Should be clear and well-trimmed. If you decide to wear nail varnish, make sure it matches your
suit or play it safe and go for a clear, or fresh polish.

Bags - Handbags should be smart and ideally in a color that compliments your clothing. Black, blue and
browns work best.
Your demeanor - Try not to swagger, whist in the interview. Speak politely and clearly and be concise.
Try to avoid the use of slang, but be yourself. Remember the wants to see the real you, not a
performance purely for the interview.

Dressing for work - Formal Wear

The dress code for like casual varies on the situation. There are likely to be instances where only a suit
will do, or you may be required to simply wear something smart. Always use your discretion. All formal
wear should be dry cleaned regularly to keep it looking its best, as shoes should be polished and healed.
Stick to safe colors like blacks, blues, grey and browns, as they are least offensive. Even whilst wearing a
suit it is best to avoid heavy piercings and jewelry.

Essential cleanliness related points

We are put off by smelly people. So, be sure to shower regularly and use a suitable deodorant

Do not cough or sneeze in anyone's direction. Use a tissue, if possible, to contain the germs and then say
"Excuse me"

The essence of good manners and etiquette is to be respectful and courteous at all times and with
everybody