Try to remember the last time a new team member was hired to join your department. Were you actively trying to scope out this new employee, wondering what type of person he or she was? Do you remember his or her appearance? Style of dress? Hairstyle? Shoes? Clothing? Did you make immediate judgements based only on appearance? Would this person mesh with the department's team members? Could he do the job? Would he be successful? Of course you made judgements, perhaps even subconsciously. But you did make judgements.

Remember this: Just as you judge other people, people will judge YOU. First impressions are important in business. So, dress for success.

First impressions are important, especially in business. It is important to make a good first impression in any given business situation job interview, sales meeting, meeting with a new prospect, pitching a new product, presenting at a conference, meeting a banker or venture capitalist. Image consultants will tell you that co-workers, clients, and suppliers all make assumptions based on the way you present yourself. That does not mean that you should always wear a "power suit" with an expensive shirt, tie and polished dress shoes; it just means that you should dress for success, but dress appropriately. Perhaps khakis are the norm where you are. A power suit in this instance would make it seem as if you are trying to hard. This does not making a good impression. Perhaps casual is the norm in your place of business. Jeans are OK. Whether the norm is business-attire, semi-business, or casual, dressing for success means always keeping a neat image. This means clean and ironed clothing and it means being in style.

Outdated clothing, outdated hairstyles, outdated accessories may suggest to the people around you that you are outdated. Perhaps they will think that your business ideas are outdated as well.

Overly sexy business attire may suggest that you are a flirt, willing to "sleep your way to the top," or that your mind is elsewhere, not on the job at hand. Super sexy short mini-skirts may be appropriate for a woman in a nightclub if that's the type of attention you seek but it is inappropriate in business.

You judge people. People judge you too. Dress for success in business. First Impressions are important.