Professional Dress How to Dress for Success.doc

Professional Dress: How to Dress for Successfor Interviews and in the WorkplaceGeneral Guidelines Professional Image - You are going to want to select apparel, fragrances, jewelry, hairstyle, etc. that do not detract from your professional image. The interviewers attention should be focused on what you say and your qualifications. Grooming - Make sure your hair is clean, neat and professionally styled. Avoid styles that cover more than your forehead or that you have to brush out of your face. Jewelry Women may have one earring per ear. Remove facial and other body piercings for an interview. Tattoos - Visible tattoos should be covered to avoid distraction. Clothes that fit Your attire should be clean and neatly pressed. It should fit well and remain in place while sitting and walking. Choose professional apparel that you like and for which you receive positive feedback from people who are knowledgeable about the industry standard or specific company policy. Less is more - Keep your look simple and successful until you become accustomed to the environment and learn about the companys dress code. Attire for Males Suit The suit should be black, dark blue, gray or charcoal and have no loose threads. Shirt - Wear a white or light-colored shirt. Typically, arms should be covered to the wrist. Have the shirt pressed OR do a great job ironing. You dont want to look wrinkled. Tie - A (silk or silk-like) tie should coordinate with the jacket and pant but choose one that strongly contrasts with the color of your shirt; selecting subtle or simple patterns enhances credibility. Be conservative. Socks - Socks should be calf-length or above the calf. Choose natural-fiber blends that allow a flow of air and do not hold in perspiration and heat. Choose colors such as dark blue, black or gray. The color should be dark or blend with your pants. Shoes - Wear conservative, clean, and polished dress shoes. Coats - A full-length coat can be worn over your suit; avoid casual coats. Accessories - No phony Rolexes, body piercing or earrings. Minimize jewelry. Avoid a necklace. Wear no more than one ring per hand and a dress watch. Select a leather belt that visually blends or matches your shoes. Your briefcase is part of visual effect; consider a simple portfolio as an effective substitute, and try to select a color that supports your visual effect. Grooming - All hair, moustaches and beards should be neatly groomed. (A short hair cut and no facial hair is expected.) Make sure fingernails are well groomed. Cologne - Cologne and after-shave is optional, but if it is used it should be used sparingly. Cologne should never be strong. A fragrance can cause an allergic reaction or offend the interviewer. When in doubt, do not wear cologne.Attire for Females Suit - Select a skirted suit or pantsuit that draws the eye to your face. The suit should be black, dark blue, gray or charcoal. Skirts are traditionally knee-length but those slightly shorter or longer are also acceptable. Avoid wearing something too trendy. You dont want your outfit to stand out more than you do during the interview. Blouse - A crisp white or light-colored blouse is great. Select blouses that provide visual interest. Avoid those that are transparent, that fit tightly, have low necklines, revealing waistlines or details that detract from your face as a focal point. Typically, arms are covered at least to the biceps and often to the wrist. Hose/Socks - Always wear hose to interviews. Wear plain-style, non-patterned hosiery and select colors that flatter your coloring. For traditional industries, wear a neutral color. For other industries, you may choose to wear hosiery that coordinate with your skirt. Carry an extra pair in case of runs. Shoes - Wear flat shoes or low pumps in colors that avoid making your feet a focal point, typically in black or brown. Be sure that they are clean and polished. Avoid open-toed shoes. Accessories - Do not carry a purse with a briefcase. Choose one or the other. Add accessories to express your personality and accentuate your best features. A scarf or necklace is an effective way to focus on your face. Keep it simple! Jewelry - Avoid dangling earrings and wear no more than a simple necklace, one ring per hand and a dress watch. Be sure all jewelry focuses on the face. If you have facial piercings, you should remove those for an interview. Cosmetics - Use natural-looking makeup and clear nail polish. This keeps the focus on the interview. Grooming - All hair must be neatly groomed. Hair can be worn down or up, as long as it looks neat. Perfume - Perfume should never be strong. A fragrance can cause an allergic reaction or offend the interviewer. When in doubt, do not wear perfume.Dressing on a Budget Multi-use attire o Dont wait until the last minute to choose what you are wearing to an interview. This may cause you to make a hasty decision that is not within your budget. Remember that self-confidence is your primary goal when selecting your professional interview attire. Purchase clothing with multi-use potential.o Invest in impressive, classic, well-made separates that can be combined for a professional or casual Friday look. Look at interview attire as an investment. This is usually something that you will wear again if you are in the job search process as well as something you are likely to wear at work once you obtain a position.o Begin by selecting a neutral color like black, dark gray, and/or navy as a central color for your professional work/interview attire. You can always add colors (gray, tan, light blue, and light green) that are fashionable options for work attire and can blend well with your interview wardrobe. o Purchase matching components, such as wearing a skirt or pant with jacket or vest. This allows for versatility in your wardrobe. Shirts/Blouses - Use shirts/blouses/sweaters to create a variety of visual effects. Accessories- Select ties/scarves and jewelry that add possible visual variety. Season-less fabrics - Consider investing in season-less fabrics that drape and travel well, such as lightweight stretch wool or a blend of cotton and rayon.Other Tips Research o Research the industry to find out what the dress code is for employees. Ask career counselors, faculty, and professionals in your field of interest if you are unsure. o Fields such as law, banking and accounting frequently have a stricter set of guidelines than advertising, retail and sales, which allow more casual dress. Dress two levels higher o You should dress for a position two levels higher than the one for which you are being interviewed. o This may mean dressing more formally for the interview than you will once you are in the job. o Your personal appearance/attire for an interview and in the workplace shows that you understand the importance of the situation and respect the person/people with whom you are meeting. o When in doubt, making a conservative clothing choice for your interview is usually the safest.o Once youve been hired, ask your boss or the human resources department for a copy of the organizations dress code policy. Codes vary so dont assume you can wear the same clothes you wore at your last job. Some companies allow blue jeans, sleeveless tops and open-toe sandals, but others dont. Play it safe by adhering to the organizations policy.This information was taken from: /research/dti/Research.html Try on your outfit - Always try on your outfit a week or so prior to your interview to make sure everything fits properly and is in good condition. Then, check it the night before the interview to avoid any last minute problems. Call HR - Call Human Resources or pay a visit to the office where you are interviewing if you are not sure how to dress for the interview. Be sure it is not a casual day. However, when in doubt go conservative and wear a suit. First impressions are critical - Potential employers size you up based on how you look and how you carry yourself. The clothes you wear in job hunting have as much to do with your first impression as anything else that occurs during a career fair, an interview, or any other aspect of the job search where you will be meeting potential employers. Appearance can make the difference in getting or not getting an internship or job. Correct appearance can be your competitive advanta