Dressing Professionally (Long)
Posted by kcg of IN on 5/4/07 11:18am Msg #188783
I did some in-house closings for a local company recently and they had so many they brought in another notary - she was as bright and shiny as a new dime dressed in her Dockers, a bulky brightly striped sweater and her new Reboks. The LO's kept looking at her strangely. It occurred to me that some of the young notaries have never worked in an office situation and honestly do not know what "dressing professionally" really means. I'd like to offer some suggestions.
When you go into a financial institution, you will note that everyone working there is in business attire. As a signing agent, when you go into a borrower's home you are representing a financial institution. Often, you are the ONLY human the borrower will ever see and it inspires confidence in him/her when you look as though you actually work in the industry and are not the pizza-delivery person.
Footwear:
If your footwear are held to your feet by a thingy between your first and second toe it is NOT a shoe, it is a flip-flop. I don't care how many sequins, plastic flowers or pictures of Spiderman are on them....if they slap the soles of your feet when you walk, they are NOT business shoes. Also, if they bear the name Nike, Rebok or any other athletic company, again they are NOT business footwear. You may see people scurrying down the street dressed in business attire and tennies, but I can almost guarantee that they are either carrying their business shoes or they have a pair under their desk at work.
Slacks:
Business-attire slacks are not normally folded on shelves under the the Lee's or Dockers banner. They are hanging up in the section of the store where you will find tops and jackets to match. You don't have to spend a lot of money on them......JC Penney's, Kohls, etc., have an array on sale almost every day of the week. You can get a polyester blend that you just wash/dry and put back on without the need of an iron (Iron - def - a flat metal thing that, when plugged in can be used to take wrinkles out of clothes). There are other materials that business slacks are made of but they do NOT include anything held up by a string. Those are usually almost always sold in the Pajama/Loungewear section and that is just what they are. Not appropriate
Tops:
T-shirts are unacceptable. Doesn't matter how much you paid for that diamond-studded shirt that says "Spoiled", "B$$CH" or "I'm With Stupid" ....it's a T-shirt. Invest in a couple nice tops or blouses to match those ever-so-lovely polyester blend slacks or skirts. No, this is not the outfit you would wear to meet friends at the mall or the local bar but hey, you're working - representing a financial insitution, not playing. Also remember that you are NOT auditioning for Girls Gone Wild or to play a CSI agent on tv running from lab to lab solving crimes with your boobies hanging out. No need to have Mr. B's eyes glaze over while he concentrates more on your cleavage than the papers and Mrs. B would appreciate it also.
Grooming:
Along with lack of deoderant, greasy hair and armpit hair hanging out, nothing says "I'm simply NOT into personal grooming" more than chipped fingernail polish. Look at your nails before you dash out the door.....if the polish is chipped, fix it BEFORE you go to your signing. If you have no polish on and your nails have dirt (eww) under them, CLEAN them. Your hands are on display constantly during the signing. Remember, you are going for that professional look, not the grunge look. 4-inch decorated nails? Well, I won't even go there.
Makeup is a choice.....if you have lovely skin and can get by without wearing it and not have people (as in my case) say..."oh, you look so tired" or "oh, don't you feel well", then you're fine. I personally feel it completes my look - also I don't scare people when I'm wearing makeup.
If you are clean and have used your deoderant, then there is no reason to douse yourself with so much perfume that the borrowers pass out or have to fumigate when you leave. Some people have allergies to perfume - be considerate.
Don't wear clothing to try and show off all your tattoo's. Most of the borrowers are middle-aged or older......they are NOT impressed. In 10-20 years when EVERYONE on this planet has tats, then it'll be a different story. Also, ease up on the "bling" - it's pretty distracting for the borrowers.
Perhaps if we can all dress professionally, the companies we work for can stop sending pages of instructions on HOW to dress. And can concentrate on getting those docs corrected before they send them to us.....and can concentrate on paying us in a timely fashion....and.........
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| Messages in this Thread |
|  Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Dorothy/MI on 4/22/05 11:00am |
|  Good job, Dorothy-MI! n/m -  Brenda Stone on 4/22/05 11:07am |
|  Thank you again, Dorothy and Brenda, et al!! - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:42pm |
| further evidence of a slow down - anon on 4/22/05 11:48am |
| Loan Signer Training - Anya/LA (CA) on 4/22/05 1:04pm |
|  Re: Loan Signer Training - MaggieMae_CA on 4/22/05 3:23pm |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:45pm |
| Added to thread #33325-Counter-point View- NSA training - BrendaTX on 7/13/05 9:06am |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Carlos/CA on 12/10/10 12:10pm |
| Re: further evidence of a slow down - Stephen_VA on 4/22/05 2:51pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - chelleCA on 4/22/05 2:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Knotaree DC on 4/22/05 3:49pm |
| Re: ALMOST everything you need to know to become successful - JanetK/CA on 7/18/05 12:33am |
| Details and Accuracy are Important - adding to #33325 - BrendaTX on 7/14/05 11:00am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Laura_NH on 4/22/05 10:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Sansan7 on 5/18/05 9:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - David Woodul on 5/30/05 5:30pm |
| CA-Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Elda Garibay on 6/1/05 2:17pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - sweetpea, al on 6/1/05 5:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - nkroyall on 6/7/05 4:17pm |
| Additional information - Not an entitlement - Dorothy/MI on 6/13/05 8:57am |
| Bookmark 'em - BrendaTX on 6/13/05 9:32am |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - Judith_VA on 6/13/05 3:00pm |
| Re: Additional information - spell check - SamIam_CA on 6/13/05 3:27pm |
| Recommended Reading: As a new NSA..here is my perspective - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:32pm |
| Re: Recommended Reading: Added Nicole to #33325 thread n/m - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:33pm |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - NJDiva on 9/29/10 10:00pm |
| Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:36pm |
| HP Printers/Printer Command Language (PCL) by PAW_Fl - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 8:51am |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - katsr_CA on 8/31/05 2:40pm |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - DTNotaries on 3/16/06 6:59pm |
| Re: 2nd link doesn't work any longer - Jodith/WA on 1/2/10 6:25pm |
| Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - BrendaTx on 1/2/10 6:31pm |
|  Re: Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - Jodith Allen on 1/2/10 6:39pm |
| Re: More advice from Brenda/TX - Dorothy/MI on 6/16/05 9:55pm |
| Beginner's FAQs (Compliments of AngelinaAZ) - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 5:13am |
| Making the Confirmation Call...by Iris-WA - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:56pm |
| What Ernest CT says about the Confirmation Call - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:58pm |
| Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 8:10am |
| Re: Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - tfarmertx on 7/23/05 8:02pm |
| Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 9:07pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/23/05 9:51pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/24/05 3:19am |
| End of Month - Bonnie/FL Explains - BrendaTX on 7/24/05 12:48pm |
| Accepting an Assignment / Quoting Fee / EOM (+ to #33325) - Brenda Stone on 7/26/05 4:13am |
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| Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - BrendaTX on 10/7/05 1:47pm |
| Re: Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - Nathan Ellsworth on 10/19/05 11:19pm |
| I disagree - the $10 @ is justified - ALL SONOMA MOBILE NOTARY - Judith Neeley on 2/19/08 9:13pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101-Orientation by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 11/14/05 3:56pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101 - UPDATE to #33325- by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 5:24pm |
| Adding #76283 to the thread of Message #33325 - BrendaTx on 1/27/06 12:21pm |
| Jersey Boy's 2 cents... Adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 2/3/06 10:21am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Brenda Stone on 2/5/06 3:50pm |
| For Income Tax starting place, see Msg #94550 - BrendaTx on 2/5/06 3:52pm |
| A Lesson on Attitude for New SAs... - BrendaTx on 2/9/06 3:00pm |
| A Lesson on Attitude for new SA's .... by JanetK_CA - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:27pm |
| above post by JanetK_CA, not TitleGal N~M - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:28pm |
| Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - Dorothy_MI on 2/10/06 2:37pm |
| Re: Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - lulu on 2/10/06 3:11pm |
| Msg List - Going Mobile - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:20am |
| Mobile Office - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) w/ Keywords - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:25am |
| From CharlesCA - Adding to 33325 - True Professional Society - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 3:07pm |
| Tina of MA re: Fees - When to renegotiate a fee - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 4:06pm |
| The Other Side of the Coin (back by popular demand) - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 5:04pm |
| Discussing the title company solicitation....added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 3/31/06 2:55pm |
| No HUD with the package from PAW-FL //added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 4/2/06 12:59pm |
| Signing errors through the lenders eyes by Renee Kovacs - TitleGalCA on 4/5/06 11:31pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Anonymous from 71.66.111.249 on 4/30/06 6:24pm |
| Deed of Trust/Mortgage by Atty - Kevin/CT added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:28pm |
| Re: Deed of Trust/Mortgage - PAW - Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:30pm |
| Notary Certifying Copy - See Thread beginning w/Msg #117135 n/m - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:32pm |
| Additional Info -- especially if you live alone - Dorothy_MI on 5/5/06 1:28pm |
| Manufactured Homes / Finding Info by Lawrence OK - BrendaTx on 5/7/06 7:55pm |
| Adding to #33325 - My First Signing & Marketing by eboughey - BrendaTx on 5/11/06 7:43am |
| Adding to 33325 - StamperWI - Standard Fees Calculation - BrendaTx on 5/12/06 9:18am |
| Msg to New Signing Agents from Sylvia_FL added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 11:44am |
| Demand for payment letter - adding to 33325 by droman_IL - BrendaTx on 5/18/06 7:22am |
| New Signing Agents-Read This First! Adding to #33325 Marlene - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:24am |
| Signing prior to printed date ReneeK - added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:32am |
| Re: Signing prior to printed date BarbaraL-CA added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:37am |
| How to get help on this forum - CaliNotary added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 4:48pm |
| About Backdating... by ReneeK adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/22/06 1:59pm |
| Professionalism and Responsibility - BrendaTx on 5/27/06 2:22pm |
| Apostille (or apostilles) Adding to #33325 [by Gerry VT] - BrendaTx on 5/31/06 5:55pm |
| Addition to 33325 - First & Second by ND-WA and CMS-NY - BrendaTx on 6/1/06 10:39am |
| By BrendaTX 5/26/06: *...for those who understand business* - Ndwa on 6/2/06 4:20pm |
| Id on the Amish - Stamper/WI - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/6/06 7:04pm |
| Newbies - a lesson on attitude by Janet K - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/8/06 10:54am |
| Date Clarification - Roger OH - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/23/06 2:52pm |
| Considerations for getting started/Dorothy MI /add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/9/06 1:15pm |
| For the Newbies.. Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brenda Stone on 7/17/06 1:24pm |
| More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:41pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:55pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brad/AZ on 4/3/07 2:30pm |
| Slow down in Business - Surfers or Signers - add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/19/06 2:11pm |
| Adding to 33325 - From One Newbie to Another - Great advice - BrendaTx on 8/12/06 12:05pm |
| Re: Adding to 33325 -Check list of compter needs for working - hcampersFL on 10/30/06 7:10am |
| From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:43am |
| Re: From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:44am |
| History of the loan industry and how it affects NSAs today - Laura Vestanen on 3/18/07 6:36pm |
| If you're a newbee and take $50 signings, PLEASE read - Laura Vestanen on 4/2/07 7:54pm |
| Update to Famous Message 33325 - Tim_Mphs/TN on 4/28/07 3:02am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Stella Gonzales on 5/3/07 7:23pm |
 | Dressing Professionally - by kcg/IN - adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/4/07 12:12pm |
| All of the VA Crespa questions - by Shannon Va- +'d to33325 - BrendaTx on 5/28/07 9:18am |
| First, learn the basics of signing. Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 9/4/07 6:41am |
| Important for NSAs in Illinois, Maryland, So Carolina, Mass - Laura Vestanen on 11/11/07 5:35am |
| Before you think about starting - by CJ in CA - add to 33325 - BrendaTx on 11/15/07 2:47pm |
| NSA Professional Standards - MistarellaFL on 8/16/08 11:36am |
| The Client/Vendor Relationship -- a MUST see video!! - Marian_in_CA on 5/31/09 4:28pm |
| True skinny: Notary advocate / presentment / honor-dishonor - Laura_V on 10/1/09 5:54pm |
| Re: True skinny: Notarial protest / certificate of dishonor - Robert/FL on 11/12/09 11:51am |
| Believe in yourself! - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 10:22am |
| Forgot to add..... - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 12:52pm |
| Our fees + their relevancy to state of industry - Laura_V on 10/29/09 11:25am |
| Re: What is a good rate to set and keep? - Laura_V on 11/25/09 11:57am |
| A perspective on our business Posted by JanetK_CA 1/5/10 - Laura_V on 1/5/10 6:34pm |
| Post by Les CO re the current state and probable future of.. - Laura_V on 1/12/10 10:05am |
| Better is not always cheaper & Cheaper is not always better - Moneyman/TX on 12/4/10 1:11am |
| You are an Independent Contractor...not an employee... - Lee/AR on 4/12/10 8:16am |
| Buddy's Lessons - For New Notaries 101 - BrendaTx on 6/2/12 9:03am |
| SS&TC Research Our Industry-We are Certified for God's Sake - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:33pm |
| Decide if you are a Checker, Poker or Chess Player - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:37pm |
| Tipsabout using signing central and NR forum from NJDIVA - SheilaSJCA on 8/23/12 11:07am |
| Please send information to... - Olivia Mosley on 1/13/15 11:56am |
| Olivia Mosley - you are in old files - jba/fl on 1/13/15 8:05pm |
| Sequence of events - Lender to NSA by Deborah Breedlove - BrendaTx on 9/27/12 10:15pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Janice Stephens on 10/19/12 12:36pm |
| Don't work for Low Ball, No Pay Companies - BrendaTx on 10/20/12 1:46pm |
| Sample Loan Document Package - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 3:58pm |
| Re: Sample Loan Document Package - HisHughness on 11/25/12 4:23pm |
| LOL~! n/m - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 7:45pm |
| Key Tools for Maximizing NSA Success (adding to 33325) - BrendaTx on 2/4/13 6:32am |
