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Improving the interface
One of my big revelations last year, design-wise, is that pretty things work better. Or we think they do, which is essentially the same thing so far as interface design is concerned.
This is an exciting discovery until you realise that it applies to human beings as well. I just read an article in Maclean's that cites a 2003 study by sociologist Andrew Harrell that showed attractive children were six times more likely to be buckled into shopping cart seats (for safety) than unattractive children. Six times. And this is by their own parents.
Kind of scary, isn't it?
Anyhow, I've been wondering about how I can improve my Perceived Smartness Level at work. It's actually quite good now, at least with my workmates and with long-term clients. But I want clients to know I'm smart when they meet me. I'm the web developer and programmer and all-round knower of knowledge at our company. It's important that they see me as competent.
Last year, we had a meeting with the IT guy from a client company, about their website. He came to the meeting in dress slacks and a tie. My immediate impression was: How can this guy know anything about technology? He's just a suit! When I mentioned this to the production manager later, I found out that her impression was just the opposite -- he looked so professional, she figured he was really knowledgeable.
How would you judge somebody in that situation? Does seeing geeky toys on an IT worker's desk make them seem credible or childish? (And if you say childish, do I have to get rid of my Darth Tater? I just picked him up today.) Does a slick look make a techie seem smarter? Or more like a poseur?
How do you expect a smart IT worker to look? I'm sure I already lose points because I'm female. I'm pretty butch right now. If I go to a more feminine look, would that make me seem a better or worse programmer? Can I keep my labret?
And could dressing better make me enough extra money to afford the necessary wardrobe?
It's all just interface design in the end. I just need to figure out what design would work best.
This is an exciting discovery until you realise that it applies to human beings as well. I just read an article in Maclean's that cites a 2003 study by sociologist Andrew Harrell that showed attractive children were six times more likely to be buckled into shopping cart seats (for safety) than unattractive children. Six times. And this is by their own parents.
Kind of scary, isn't it?
Anyhow, I've been wondering about how I can improve my Perceived Smartness Level at work. It's actually quite good now, at least with my workmates and with long-term clients. But I want clients to know I'm smart when they meet me. I'm the web developer and programmer and all-round knower of knowledge at our company. It's important that they see me as competent.
Last year, we had a meeting with the IT guy from a client company, about their website. He came to the meeting in dress slacks and a tie. My immediate impression was: How can this guy know anything about technology? He's just a suit! When I mentioned this to the production manager later, I found out that her impression was just the opposite -- he looked so professional, she figured he was really knowledgeable.
How would you judge somebody in that situation? Does seeing geeky toys on an IT worker's desk make them seem credible or childish? (And if you say childish, do I have to get rid of my Darth Tater? I just picked him up today.) Does a slick look make a techie seem smarter? Or more like a poseur?
How do you expect a smart IT worker to look? I'm sure I already lose points because I'm female. I'm pretty butch right now. If I go to a more feminine look, would that make me seem a better or worse programmer? Can I keep my labret?
And could dressing better make me enough extra money to afford the necessary wardrobe?
It's all just interface design in the end. I just need to figure out what design would work best.
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So, for ME, you're better off not looking all slick and suitey--because if you're suitey I'll assume you're one of the people who gets paid to make presentations and can't actaully answer any questions including what day is today because that would be off the script.
As for girliness...I think all the things that are visually "feminine" are generally kind of the same effect. Yeah. I think I trust, techie-wise, I'd rather deal with a chick in a t-shirt and converses than a nice sweater and heels.
Caveat: I mostly avoid dressing up in most contexts and of most varieties, so on the whole I am more comfortable with t-shirt folks in the first place.
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I think in your position, I might try for a tailored suit look (pants, of course) and then, only when people get close, is it revealed that you're a woman, with a piercing and your wingtips are Doc Martens. To me the image has a sort of, "I'm a funky individual, but I care enough about your sensibilities to try" sort of feel, you know? Of course, I ascribe to the theory that, given a specific work environment, you should either 1) dress for the job you want or 2) dress like your boss, which may or may not be relevant!
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I like that. I think it goes with my general philosophy. Thanks!
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Hrm?
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Hm. Pity the smart blonde.
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Still, I generally expect competent IT folk to look somewhat like Langly, Frohicke and Byers. When they don't, I'm usually surprised (over and over again, too!). But if you're gunning for administration or middle management, I suppose Scully-like suits might work.
I see toys as a sign of a creative mind. As you are currently in a creative-type job, I'd keep them out. As I recall, our web design team usually had a game of twister going...
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Hee! But they look so different from each other. And now you've got me thinking about Frohike and I'll be good for nothing for the rest of the day.
I'm not wanting to move into management or anything like that, so I won't go for the Scully think.
one was an older black women
I read this and then I started to wonder, when am I going to be an "older" woman? I'm not in general, but in this field, I wonder if I'm pushing it already. Hmm.
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OK, turns out I did have something to contribute! Sorry.
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The real question with interface design is, who are your users and what do your users need? In this case, who do you have to impress, geeks or management types?
On a more general level, I think whatever you choose, boldness and uniqueness in your appearance will bring an impression of confidence and self-assurance. So maybe just be yourself, but be the the most aesthetically-pleasing self that you can be, according to your own standards of aesthetics. Put an effort into having the image that pleases *you* the most, and I think that avoids any pitfalls of poseurness but also, hopefully, means you project a stronger impression of being designed rather than thrown together. ;)
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As far as clothing, I've never met a genuine IT/tech person in *any* situation who was wearing anything dressier than jeans. Anyone in, say, a meeting who's in slacks or even chinos and a dress shirt? They're the PowerPoint monkey.
I think you look great. Your current aesthetic says "I don't care about body, but I am hygenic and tidy. I care about brains, and you will be cowed by my mental prowess. Oh, and I might be queer, but that's none of your business. In any event, I can kick your ass."
I suppose it could be argued that with longer hair, without the piercing, you could be turned out in a less intimidating fashion, but IMO you work in a boys' club and you should not girl yourself up unless you really feel that that's who you are.
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Otherwise, no real advice, but my inner smartass advises a nice pair of girl-geek glasses.
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YES.
Definitely. Good grooming makes it look like you respect yourself and you respect the people you're working with. Dressing well shows that you care. I am speaking here as an employer not as a co-worker.
You don't have to suddenly be Coco Chanel. You just need to lift your game enough for people to notice.
The most important question you need to ask yourself is: Who makes the decisions that improve your career? That's the person you're dressing for.
Check out the people who have the jobs you want and be as well-dressed as they are, in your own style.
Ultimately it's not so much the individual detail of the design (this shirt or that skirt) but the overall look of shiny goodness and attention to detail.
/bossy advice!
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As for the body jewelry, I'd lose it if no one in upper management wears any and that's where you are trying to go with your career. I'd also assess hair color. If your hair color is too far from natural you might think about a change to bring it closer to a natural hue.
As for toys, I think you're fine as long as your workspace isn't loaded with them. One or two is quirky and cute, more than that could be regarded as childish or weird.
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I would probably think the best of an IT person who wore clean, well fitted casual dress attire (khakis and dark pants with button downs), and let their personality shine in the details (shoes, socks, accessories). If the place you work genuinely doesn't care, I say keep the piercing for computer culture cachet.
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My background is as a therapist, although I work with assistive technology with kids/adults. Since the demands of my job are variable, I have to always be a) professional and b) flexible, since I'm on the floor with kids, or changing toilet seats in client homes, etc. So 'business casual' is the thing here. Jeans are a no-no, but I don't even own a suit. I just have to look comfortable but professional, and I think that kind of compromise works well for anyone who has to be in the public eye.
Now, our IT guy at the office? He won $1 mil a few years ago in the lottery, and he only works when he wants to. He always shows up in jeans and a flannel shirt. And he never looks you in the eye, which drives me insane, and I always have to tell myself that it's okay, he must know what he's doing even though he doesn't look confident. And the only reason I know that is through exposure.
I think there's a subliminal connection between 'bad self esteem' and 'poorly dressed/groomed'. It doesn't have to be a suit, but as first impressions go someone who is confident will usually be dressed with care (and that only means 'be your most asthetically-pleasing self, like
In the end, I think it's more how you work with what you've got rather than what you're actually wearing that's most important. If you're in jeans/flannel, it might mean that you'll have to work harder at making people believe in your abilities, or you might alienate people because you're different. Likewise someone in a suit who couldn't meet your eyes and just looked uncomfortable in what they were wearing would be just as disastrous.
Something clean and casual, paired with good body language, would send a stronger image of being competent and professional.
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I always wonder how to have good body language! I'm quite confident about my abilities but I'm not very welcoming or open and I wonder if that's something I can work on.
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I'm in the marketing department for a web developer. While I have to do the girly-girl thing, our one female programmer laid out what she's discovered from years of being the only IT girl. She said that in order to be taken seriously, she must dress somewhat conservatively (slacks and nice t-shirts or blouses). No skirts, no high heels, no girly-girl clothes. On the flip side, her hair is faux-red and is long enough for her to sit on, she's got a tattoo on her foot and her tongue's pierced. *g* In her slacks and t-shirt, she can climb around under desks, but still look good enough not to worry clients when she joins us in meetings.
I'd'a had the same reaction to a programmer who showed up in nice slacks and a tie. I'd be seriously wondering what could he know. All the programmers that I know who are good have always been on the funky side of the clothing continuum. That and typically their social skills need help. *g*
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If you have one in your area, I'd recommend H&M for good, low-priced professional clothes. Or hunt the bargain stores like TJ Maxx or Marshalls or Loehman's.
And I have Legos on my desk - the Mars exploration set with the Titan rocket, rover, and satellite, as well as two very colorful pastel drawings I did framed on the wall. Never get rid of the toys.
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However, many techies seem to think that suit=non-tech, so if you're dealing with techs, that 'professional' image isn't as important.
And I think the geeky toys add personality to the desk, nothing more, nothing less. ^_^ It's no different than the mother of a five-year-old having her child's scribbly pictures all over the desk. ^_^
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I remember an article -- early Wired maybe -- about an engineer who was interviewing with a company. When he met with management, he wore a suit and tie. When he met with the other engineers, he wore a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a tie-dyed bandana.
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From my outside, far away perspective I think that as you are female you cannot get away with what guys do.
Although glasses would probably help.
And a pony-tail.
But I had to quit the best job I am ever likely to hold in my life because I was unable to convince smartly dressed people I was competent, let alone smart. There was a long time of annoyance that they did not pay me more because I was not dressed like the people they did pay more. Your post hits too close to home and too near the bone ... I left and I have not been able to overcome this ... perception dilemna. I agree it is interface, but our faces are still - or should be - ours.
It matters to supervisors more than customers, I kept finding out. I wish you more strenght of character than I had *snort* and am truly interested on how it will work out.
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I've learned that even if I find people's reliance on physical appearance to be unfortunate, it's never going to change, so I just have to try to work with it. Not to total conformity, but to adjust where I can.
I'm not under any pressure, thank goodness, but I'm just trying to pay a bit more attention to my professional life right now.
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Of course, if you're interfacing with non-geeky business types, they'll probably be more impressed with suits and a put-together look. I guess it just depends on who you're focused on impressing, other geek types or business types/non-techie clients (as in my experience they don't necessarily equate suits with low tech cred).
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Years ago one of the muckitymucks in my company went down to the Silicon Valley to try to sell a videogame concept. He went to the offices at all the big game development companies and at the end of the trip one of the people there mentioned to him that they can always tell a salesperson by their corporate drag.
I would say dress up when you know you're meeting with a suit person, and dress as you like at other times. Or if that's not possible, straddle the fence by being stylish and bold.
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Maybe I should get some gloves and wear them at meetings. Then I'd look really crazy and people would fear me. Hmm...
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I want clients to know I'm smart when they meet me.
I think that for a female programmer, it's easiest to project this kind of smartness with the aloof, cool look. Very much "I'm a techie so I'm not from the same world as all you non-engineering types, but I've descended to help you poor people out." Posh clothes, but non-traditional ones (e.g. really nice jeans and a trendy blazer) signify success but also creativity and convey that you're not a suit. While going more feminine could be an act of performance designed to break down or problematise stereotypes about the tech world, it would probably also decrease one's cred.
How would you judge somebody in that situation?
The same way as you, actually. People in suits make me think, "So, uh, where's the real computer geek, and when can I talk to them?" This may be contingent on my background, though, as I'm from Silicon Valley, which is ubergeeky and ubercasual. A Canadian company bought the chip design company that my dad works for, and there were some complaints from the engineers after that: "Aw, you mean we have to wear shoes now? And no more t-shirts?" My dad told me a story about meeting a prospective client immediately after the merger. The new employers enforced a dress code on the engineers for fear that the clients would turn around and leave if they showed up to the meeting in jeans. So the engineers showed up in shirts and ties...and the clients showed up in jeans and tshirts.
Geeky toys, especially if I don't understand them (e.g. shirts that have jokes in perl), up the credibility factor. Most of the computer geeks I knew in high school were brilliant at what they did but rather childish otherwise. A slick look makes a techie seem more compatible with the rest of humanity (as in, "I think I can carry on a conversation with you even though I don't understand anything about your work!") but doesn't affect the perceived smartness.
And I second the girl-geek glasses that someone mentioned above.
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More than a few of these people - high school sophomores and seniors - had jobs doing beta testing IT or programming at Intel and IBM, and they were, ah, less than well put together when it came to dress, if that says anything at all about perceived smartness and the ability to get hired. One thinks of white socks with black shoes, fleece jackets, highwater pants, and stain-resistant pants, for example.
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I think there's a balance between extremely corporate and extremely casual that people in technical and scientific fields need to manage, so they can impress both the peers and the customers. I'm honestly not sure what it is, though, and it does vary from field to field.
I'd probably go for dark slacks or khakis, button-down shirt, flats, and minimal jewelry. Glasses help, because in my experience most people who wear glasses tend to be geeks (my theory is that it's because we don't care enough to get contacts, or, in the case of chemists and anyone else working with nasty substances, contacts are a danger in the lab). Although many geeky people don't wear glasses, most people do have a subconcious "glasses = smart" thing going.
Heels and skirts say not-techie to me, and a suit seems like overkill. On the flip side, jeans and t-shirts seem too casual for anything involving customer interaction. Good grooming (meaning hygiene and tidiness, not makeup and elaborate hairstyles) is always good.
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