Shauna Moerke is…

We all know the importance of presenting a professional image when we are at work and when going on job interviews (we do all know this, right?). But is it enough to just be professional? Don’t we need to be personable as well? If you are a confident, energetic, and a generally likable person, does that give you an edge over someone who, while professional, is more mellow and laid back?

Professionals who are also personable seem to have the following advantages:

-They relate well to others and others feel comfortable around them.
-They can diffuse potentially tense situations and work well with people who don’t agree with them.
-People trust them. Quite useful, for example, if you are in sales or if you are a lawyer.
-They make people feel like they matter.

I know people who are hard workers, dedicated, and smart. They may convey an image of professionalism, but they lack the instant likability that endears them to others. In spite of their great qualities, that lack of likability seems to be holding them back. For example, when faced with two candidates with similar qualifications and one is engaging and the other is calm and quiet, who are you more likely to hire?

Likability, or the lack thereof, won’t make up for bad ideas, lack of skills and education, or general incompetence, but I can certainly see how it can be a useful skill to develop. Because a person’s perception is their reality, you want to convey the best image you can.

Below are a couple of great sites on how to improve your likability.

Here and Here.