Appearance and Appearance and Professionalism in Professionalism in

the workplacethe workplace

Dari DeSousa; PHRDari DeSousa; PHR

Director of HR OperationsDirector of HR Operations

San Diego Marriott Hotel & MarinaSan Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina

How serious am I?How serious am I?

Please think to yourselves and rate the Please think to yourselves and rate the level of how well you think my level of how well you think my presentation will be…presentation will be…

1 is low, and unprofessional.1 is low, and unprofessional. 5 is high, and represents a skilled 5 is high, and represents a skilled

presentation.presentation. WHY did you pick the score you did?WHY did you pick the score you did?

Match your appearance Match your appearance to the job you are to the job you are seeking…seeking…

Visible Body PiercingsVisible Body Piercings

How much is too much?How much is too much? When are they appropriate?When are they appropriate? Should you remove them for the Should you remove them for the

interview or only when you get the job?interview or only when you get the job? Biggest “NO” = facial piercingsBiggest “NO” = facial piercings Sometimes acceptable = tonguesSometimes acceptable = tongues Most acceptable = various ear piercingsMost acceptable = various ear piercings

But what if you work But what if you work here?here?

Female attire…Female attire…

But what if you work But what if you work here?here?

Pajamas under any Pajamas under any circumstances … never!circumstances … never!

Basic guidelines:Basic guidelines:

Closed toe shoesClosed toe shoes No shorts, short skirts or jeansNo shorts, short skirts or jeans Clean, neat and Clean, neat and conservativeconservative Never show the interviewer your belly, Never show the interviewer your belly,

back or too much cleavageback or too much cleavage Leave funky fashion at home – you want Leave funky fashion at home – you want

to stand out because of your skills, not to stand out because of your skills, not your extreme state of dressyour extreme state of dress

More appropriate for an More appropriate for an interview…interview…

Men’s attire…Men’s attire…

But what if you work But what if you work here?here?

Basic Guidelines:Basic Guidelines:

Neat and clean appearanceNeat and clean appearance Under no circumstances should the Under no circumstances should the

interviewer know the answer to the interviewer know the answer to the question, “Boxers or Briefs”question, “Boxers or Briefs”

Neat hair, clean shavenNeat hair, clean shaven Wear conservative clothing instead of Wear conservative clothing instead of

sports wear or items with logossports wear or items with logos Remove excessive jewelry and any Remove excessive jewelry and any

earrings.earrings.

More appropriate for an More appropriate for an interview…interview…

How about this?How about this?

Now is it okay?Now is it okay?

How about facial hair?How about facial hair?

Facial Hair Guidelines:Facial Hair Guidelines:

Any facial hair must be neat, groomed, Any facial hair must be neat, groomed, trimmed and well kepttrimmed and well kept

Know the company’s policy before you Know the company’s policy before you waste your (and their) time interviewing waste your (and their) time interviewing …if you are especially attached to your …if you are especially attached to your moustache or goatee and would refuse to moustache or goatee and would refuse to shaveshave

5 o’clock shadow will impress no one5 o’clock shadow will impress no one

Be a minimalist in extreme Be a minimalist in extreme designs, colors or amounts designs, colors or amounts of jewelry.of jewelry.

Mannerisms that will get Mannerisms that will get you noticed (in a bad way)!you noticed (in a bad way)!

No eye contact, no smileNo eye contact, no smile SlouchingSlouching SlangSlang Talking on your cell phone or having your Talking on your cell phone or having your

cell phone ring at allcell phone ring at all ““Uhhhh”Uhhhh” Not shaking our hands and saying, Not shaking our hands and saying,

“thank you” at the end of the interview“thank you” at the end of the interview

Be prepared:Be prepared: Know the answer to the following question, “Why Know the answer to the following question, “Why

should this Company hire should this Company hire youyou over other over other applicants with the same amount or slightly more applicants with the same amount or slightly more work experience than you”?work experience than you”?

A resume will make your application stand out A resume will make your application stand out over other students/teens also trying to get a job.over other students/teens also trying to get a job.

Know the Company for which you are applying – Know the Company for which you are applying – visit the web site, visit the workplace before you visit the web site, visit the workplace before you interview – then you will have an idea of who you interview – then you will have an idea of who you could potentially be working for.could potentially be working for.

A few extra “WOW”s…A few extra “WOW”s…

Know the name of the person interviewing you, Know the name of the person interviewing you, at the end of the interview say, “Thank you at the end of the interview say, “Thank you very much for your time Mr. Jones”.very much for your time Mr. Jones”.

Ask for the interviewer’s business card, use the Ask for the interviewer’s business card, use the information to send them a quick “thank you” information to send them a quick “thank you” note, thanking them for their time, and letting note, thanking them for their time, and letting them know you are excited about the possibility them know you are excited about the possibility of working for their Company.of working for their Company.

If you are unsure of what is appropriate, call If you are unsure of what is appropriate, call the HR Department of the Company and simply the HR Department of the Company and simply ask – they will help you out.ask – they will help you out.