Though they may prefer to be judged by their intelligence and experience, they are also evaluated by their style and attire.

First impressions are formed in an instant and appearance can heavily influence someone’s initial opinion of a business leader’s personality, competence and capability.

Like it or not, appearance does matter. When you dress and carry yourself in a positive manner, this helps convey to others the business message you’re trying to convey. This is especially important in giving presentations, whether the audience is two executives or a thousand.

Presenters who appear put together will be perceived as more knowledgeable and responsible than those who seem disheveled. Impress others at your next important client presentation with the following tips:

1. Dress to boost your confidence

Everyone knows that when you look good, you feel better: You’re more confident and others treat you with more respect. Your physical presentation should be on par with the quality of your work and the reputation of your business.

Looking your best isn’t about vanity. Instead, it’s about investing in self-improvement. Keeping high standards for your appearance will help you feel happier and more successful.

2. Send the right message

There’s casual and then there’s very casual. The definition of what constitutes a casual outfit has reached an all-time low. Though it may be quick and easy to throw on the first thing you see, your appearance speaks volumes about you.

If you look like you just rolled out of bed, most people will assume you just did. Regardless of the type of business you’re in, strive to look your best and live up to the expectations of your audience.

3. Make your appearance a priority

Many executives put their appearance on the back burner because of obligations to work and family. Although your schedule may be packed, make your appearance a priority on the day of a speech.

Before your presentation, schedule some extra time to select an appropriate outfit. To look your best every day, dedicate resources toward long-term investments like clothing purchases, hair maintenance and self-care.

4. Mirror your audience
If you’re presenting to a set of technology clients, a casual pair of trousers and a button-down shirt may be completely appropriate. Likewise, dressing in a more fashionable outfit may help an artistic crowd connect with you and your message.

But for some scenarios, traditional business attire is the best choice. Don’t choose clothes for your own comfort. Instead, dress for the comfort of your client. When in doubt, follow your client’s lead and dress just a notch above that level.

5. Make the most of your budget

Many professionals feel that they can’t afford to be fashionable, but you can show your personal style without overspending.

Rather than investing in a large wardrobe, choose quality over quantity. Purchase only the items that send the message you want to convey. Classic pieces that fit and flatter your body will help you look your best for any presentation.

6. Details can amplify an appearance

Carefully selected accessories can make the difference between someone who puts on clothes and a person who gets dressed. For men, a nice watch and a classic pen will add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

For women, shoes, jewelry and a great handbag can mean the difference between a bland outfit and standing out from the crowd. Invest in the best shoes you can afford. And when choosing jewelry, keep things simple and classic. Remember, a person who is dressed more professionally is treated more professionally.

– http://www.businessinsider.com

But the barrier of entry for the world of endless lines of code can seem daunting. If you haven’t gotten your feet wet, it’s difficult to even know where to begin. For those that have been waiting to make the jump to JavaScript, Udemy is offering a course designed specifically for newcomers to that programming language. If you have a basic knowledge of HTML but little coding know-how beyond that, it’s meant to guide you through one of the most ubiquitous programming languages in the world.

JavaScript for Beginners: Learn by Doing Practical Exercises normally runs for $99, but today you can pick it up for just $15 and begin your adventure in creating through code. Its 30+ lectures and 3.5 hours of content will teach you how to write functions, arrays, loops, variables, math operations, and more. This could be your chance to learn a valuable skill, and with it, a new way of thinking.

JavaScript for Beginners: Learn by Doing Practical Exercises, $15 (originally $99), available at Udemy. [Use promo code LEARNFOR15.]

– http://www.businessinsider.com

Today, Google is one of the world’s largest companies, with a market cap of more than $450 billion. Brin oversees GoogleX and Special Projects, divisions responsible for developing world-changing technology like driverless cars.

In a 2000 interview with the Academy of Achievement nonprofit, conducted when Google was still four years away from its initial public offering, Brin revealed some of the books that inspired him to dedicate his career to blending technology and creativity.

“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” by Richard P. Feynman

Feynman (1918-1988) won the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in quantum electrodynamics and remains a giant in his field. He is perhaps best known in pop culture for his entertaining autobiographical works, which Brin says all left an impact on him. “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” first published in 1985, is regarded as the best introduction to these works.

“Aside from making really big contributions in his own field, he was pretty broad-minded,” Brin told the Academy of Achievement. “I remember he had an excerpt where he was explaining how he really wanted to be a Leonardo [da Vinci], an artist and a scientist. I found that pretty inspiring. I think that leads to having a fulfilling life.”

Feynman, who created a portfolio of drawings and paintings under the pseudonym “Ofey,” explained in a 1981 BBC interview how art and science complement each other: “I have a friend who’s an artist and … he says, ‘I as an artist can see how beautiful this [flower] is but you as a scientist take this all apart and it becomes a dull thing,’ and I think that he’s kind of nutty. …

“I could imagine the cells in there, the complicated actions inside, which also have a beauty. I mean it’s not just beauty at this dimension, at one centimeter; there’s also beauty at smaller dimensions, the inner structure, also the processes. The fact that the colors in the flower evolved in order to attract insects to pollinate it is interesting; it means that insects can see the color. … All kinds of interesting questions, which the science knowledge only adds to the excitement, the mystery and the awe of a flower.”

“Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson

– http://www.businessinsider.com

It’s a blessing because with that many people using the business-oriented social network, recruiters are prowling the site to find job candidates. LinkedIn makes over 60% of its revenue on recruiter tools, the company says. 

It’s a curse because with 400 million profiles on the site, it can be tough to make yourself stand out from the pack.

The best way for recruiters to find you is if your profile pops up when they search for job candidates.

Here’s a tip for surfacing your profile in those searches, from LinkedIn spokesperson May Chow.

Fill in the section of your profile called “Summary” and make it at least 40 words long. Summaries shorter than 40 words will not trigger inclusion in a search, she says.

“Having a profile with at least 40 words, means the profile can surface higher up in searches that include words that match words in a profile,” she explains.

So, its also good to stuff appropriate keywords in your summary, and it doesn’t hurt to put a few in those first 40 words to describe your job expertise and experience. Start with a format like this:

“I am a XX [for instance “software quality control engineer”] for YOUR COMPANY. My responsibilities include xxx [keywords] and xxx [keywords].”

LinkedIn

– http://www.businessinsider.com