Self-employed field workers over 50 should pay attention to their appearance
Do you think that once you become self-employed, you can keep working as long as you have the skills and experience?
Actually, that alone is not enough.
I quit the company I had worked at for 10 years in 2020 and became independent in electrical work.
While interacting with various clients during equipment inspection reports and meetings, I realized an important fact.
That is,
the overwhelming majority of clients value appearance and manner of speaking more than technical skills!!
is the reality.
Someone who is knowledgeable, experienced, and can solve anything, but has an intimidating way of speaking
Someone who has excellent skills, but whose work clothes are always dirty and muddy
You wouldn't want to have a long-term relationship with someone like that, would you...?
In my experience,
especially those in field work over the age of 50 should pay close attention to their appearance
.
How about you? Are you careful about your grooming?
Grooming pitfalls that self-employed field workers often fall into
When you work for yourself, it is easy to neglect your grooming.
When you were a company employee, you had people watching you, and sometimes your boss would point things out.
However, once you become independent, there is no one to check your grooming for you.
Before you realize it yourself, your appearance can end up looking quite unfortunate.
When I look at the older self-employed people I meet on job sites, I often feel it is a real shame.
Even though their skills are solid and their work is meticulous,
nose hair growing out, eyebrows left unkempt and wild, and the overall impression of their face looking dull
There are so many people like this.
Among them, there are surprisingly many people who leave their teeth in a crumbling state!!
Every time they talk, I find myself distracted by their mouth, and the important work discussion doesn't sink in!!!
Recently, there are more opportunities to wear masks, so one might think, "Why not just keep it hidden all the time?"
However, people who think this way tend to reuse the same mask and don't care even if it gets dirty.
This often happens.
Customers may not say anything, but they definitely notice these small details.
Especially after the age of 50, a lack of grooming directly leads to the impression of being "sloppy," so be careful.
Why appearance is the key to contract renewal
Why is appearance so important?
The answer is simple
because customers cannot accurately judge the quality of technical work.
It is.
It is very difficult for a layperson customer to determine the quality of electrical work or equipment inspections.
That is precisely why customers judge whether we are trustworthy based on our appearance and the way we speak.
Since becoming independent, I have become very careful about aspects other than the electrical work itself in order to maintain contracts with my customers.
Check your nose hair and eyebrows in the mirror every morning
Take care of your dental health and get regular maintenance at a dental clinic
Change your mask to a new one every day
Make an effort to always keep your work clothes clean
These are by no means exaggerated things; they are just common sense for a self-employed person.
One day, a customer I visited for an equipment inspection report told me, "Mr. XX, you always look clean and professional, which makes me feel at ease."
People who see you really do notice these things!!!
Hearing those words, I was convinced that my attention to grooming was the right thing to do.
Think about it from the opposite perspective.
If you were hiring someone for electrical work in your home, would you rather hire a contractor with overgrown nose hair and rotting teeth, or one who looks clean and professional?
The answer is obvious.
If the technical skills are at the same level, everyone will choose the clean and professional contractor.
As a self-employed individual, you are the product. You are your own sign and your own advertisement.
Especially in field work, where you visit a client's home or office directly, the importance of personal appearance is even greater.
Once you are over 50, you can no longer rely on youth to cover for you.
That is precisely why you need to express cleanliness and sincerity through your personal appearance.
Summary: A personal appearance check habit to start tomorrow
Self-employed individuals in field work over 50 should pay attention to their personal appearance right now.
Technical skills and experience alone are not enough to build long-term trust with clients.
Checking for nose hair every morning, grooming your eyebrows, maintaining your teeth, and wearing a clean mask and work clothes.
These basic aspects of personal appearance form the foundation that supports your business.
Whether you have just started your own business or are thinking about doing so, please be conscious of your personal appearance starting today.
It is important to develop the habit of looking in the mirror and viewing yourself objectively from the client's perspective.
To continue working as a self-employed individual for a long time, paying attention to your personal appearance is just as important as honing your technical skills.
Please remember that your appearance can influence your next contract.