1. Image Consulting Basics – Self Test
2. Finding an Accredited Personal Image Consultant
3. Finding an Accredited Image Consultant for Your "Organisation"
4. Becoming an Accredited Image Consultant

1. Image Consulting Basics – Self Test

What do I do when I have a wardrobe full of clothes, but I feel like I have nothing to wear?

Organise your wardrobe and coordinate each piece with others. In most cases, clothing is either out of date, doesn’t fit, doesn't work with your other pieces or is inappropriate for your purpose i.e.. business meeting, job interview. Here's how:

1. Find yourself a green disposable bag and discard of all items that don’t fit or that you have not worn in the last 18 months. Make exceptions for formal wear, accessories and "historical pieces".
2. Make sure all of your clothing is in perfect condition. Discard any stained, torn, or worn items.
3. Check that all of your clothing is appropriate for your professional and personal lifestyles.
4. Make a list of the items you need to complete your wardrobe.
5. Make a decision which charity you will pass on your discarded pieces. Make sure they are still wearable.

When you need any help with any of these tasks, hire an Accredited Image Consultant!

I'm job hunting and I need an updated image. How do I start?

First, review the following:

• For women, update your hairstyle, eyewear, and make-up.
• For men, update your hairstyle, facial hair and eyewear.
• Purchase a new suit or interview outfit (including shoes).

Get a good understanding of the organisations with which you will be interviewing. As a starting point visit their website and then if possible, visit their offices to get a feel of their corporate culture and see what the employees are wearing. For your interview, dress one step above that of the typical employee. Always wear a jacket, even if the atmosphere is business casual.

Next, decide what kind of impression you wish to make upon your interviewer. Do you want to be approachable or assertive? It takes five seconds to make a first impression, so rehearse until you can convey the attitude you wish.

Above all, remember that when you look good, you feel good. So be sure to always look your best... after all it’s your personal brand!

"To Maximise Your Career, Build Your Personal Brand!"

2. Finding a Personal Image Consultant

a. What is an Accredited Image Consultant?

An Accredited Professional who provides services for individuals, corporations, government and NGO’s through coaching, advising, consulting, presentations, seminars, and workshops.

b. What services do Accredited Image Consultants offer?

Accredited Image Consultants offer assistance in image enhancement (appearance, body and colour analysis, wardrobe development, and management), sound and effective communications, confidence building, business and social etiquette, personal branding, and more with a holistic approach – all through coaching, consulting and training.

c. Why should I hire an Accredited Image Consultant?

Ultimately, an Accredited Image Consultant can help you to become more successful in your professional and personal life. He/she can accomplish this through working with you to enhance your interpersonal skills, to improve your appearance, and to increase your confidence.

d. How can I find an Accredited Image Consultant in my town/city/country?

Go to our Contact page.

e. What questions should I ask when engaging an Image Consultant?

When you are interviewing candidates, you should find out:

• If they are accredited members of AICI
• How long have they been in business
• What services do they offer, and whether they are the services you are seeking. (If not, ask for referrals.)
• Their backgrounds, training and real life client experiences
• Their references, web testimonials are not enough
• Their fee structure
• If possible, organise to speak to them and get a sense of their "real world" experience.

But beware: You might encounter someone who is dishonestly claiming IGI Certification, corporate image experience and AICI membership.

Protect yourself: If you have any questions about the authenticity of an Image Consultant’s claims, do not hesitate to call our head office for information.

For professional clients:
The consultants experience in the real-world of business, ideally you should speak to the consultant direct.

Once you’ve identified a potential Image Consultant candidate, check their qualifications (make sure they are Accredited) in order to find the image professional that most closely matches your needs.

How long will it take before my personal image starts to improve?
Some changes – such as visual changes – are immediate. The timing of internal changes, such as confidence, assertiveness, communication and influence skills, depends upon the individual.

Professionals appreciate that creating, building and actioning Your Personal Brand may take a slightly longer timeframe.

f. If I am happy with my overall image, can an Accredited Image Consultant still help me?

Many people who are happy with their overall image still benefit from the services of an Accredited Image Consultant. Virtually everyone can enhance some aspect of themselves in order to be optimally effective in their personal and professional life.

In the competitive world we all compete, we all must strive for differentiation if our intention is to maximise all our potential.

3. Finding an Accredited Image Consultant for Your Business, Corporation, or Organisation

Under what circumstances can an Image Consultant be helpful for my "organisation"?

Ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer “No” to any of the questions, an Accredited Image Consultant can help.

1. Do your employees congruently represent your company’s image and brand?
2. Are your employees ambassadors of goodwill?
3. Do your employees promote and validate your organisation?
4. Do your employees regard your organisation as an "employer of choice?"
5. Do your clients feel comfortable in their interactions with your employees?
6. Do your employees interact well with their peers and colleagues?
7. Do your employees display a negative attitude and / or lack of manners?
8. Are your employees' images compatible with your organisation’s overall standards?
9. Does your organisation have an image of trust and respect?
10. Does your organisation's image reflect responsible service?

An Accredited Image Consultant can help your employees gain confidence in their appearance and communications skills. With the proper grooming, attire, body language, communications skills, and attitude, you can be confident that your employees will promote and validate your company. Without understanding of the above they may be effecting the long term viability of your department or business.

An Accredited Image Consultant can also help you develop standards (i.e. Personal Appearance Code™ – PAC™) and best practices to promote accountability, which will help your employees consistently, project the brand image of your organisation.

Q. It would be great, but can we afford it?

A. Image Group International is an inclusive and diverse organisation, however we acknowledge we are not for "everyone". We will work with you to learn about your goals, objectives and priorities. While having a personal brand image “transformation” may be ideal we appreciate that some smaller clients may not have the budget to afford it. We will support you to develop a strategy that makes sense for you and your budget, without the overhead and salary costs normally associated with in-house training. Once you discover first-hand how our services help you prioritise your future efforts, you will appreciate that strategic brand image building actually saves your time, energy, efforts and your organisations money.

4. Why Image Group International?

Q. Why should I select Image Group International (IGI)?

A. Image Group International is recognised worldwide as the “Image Consultant’s Consultant”.

Established since 1989 our “group” of companies have the best trained and certified consultants and coaches in Australasia. Our holistic approach is professional and considerate to the needs of our clients first and foremost.

Check out what our valued clients say.