Steve Jobs Can, So Why Can't I?

I am manning an exhibit booth at a tax conference in Nashville.  One of the interesting things about being behind the exhibit table is people watching. (Before you jump all over me for "watching" instead of "engaging," I do plenty of both.  That's just part of the gig.)

The people I am watching are CPAs and/or attorneys.  Some come dressed in suits.  Some come in wrinkly jeans and ill-fitting polo shirts.  And then there is everything in between.  Certain people, by their dress and demeanor, draw others to them.  Some, again by their dress and demeanor, seem to build a wall around themselves. 

Folks, if you are in professional services, dress and act the part.  Even if you are with peers, how you present yourself is important.  For what it's worth, here is my advice:

• "Business casual' is the dress code for all conferences now-a-days.   Universal rule: when in doubt, focus your dress on "business" and not "casual." 
• The younger you are, the more formally you should dress.  Why?  To give yourself a better chance at being taken seriously.  At a professional conference, you don't have to wear a suit (especially if no one else is); however, your clothes should be professional, well-tailored, and pressed.  Don't forget about your shoes.   
• If you are young and female, I suggest dressing more formally and more conservatively.  Again, the point is to be taken seriously.
• If you think these suggestions mean being boring, no.  You can dress professionally with style, flair, and color.  The point is to keep it professional.
• Concentrate on your posture at all times - when standing, sitting, or walking.  As I watch people mull about in the exhibit hall, I notice few people who stand straight or walk with confidence.  This is an easy way to stand out from the crowd.  
• Smile and say hello to people and look them in the eye when you do.

That is really all there is to it.  Only Steve Jobs is Steve Jobs.  There are always a few people in the professions that can get away with dressing more casually (and, maybe, like Steve Jobs, their dress is part of their brand), but for the rest of us, old-fashioned rules still apply.