Dress for Success November 2012

Objective: To understand the importance of a first

impression. To be able to describe the appropriate

dress for a job interview and why. To be able to describe appropriate dress

after you have been hired. (Business dress vs. Casual dress)

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What’s So Important about DRESS? First impressions are CRITICAL! You are marketing a product –

YOURSELF! Dress is the first thing an employer

sees when greeting you! Will dressing properly get you the job?

NO, but it will: Give you a competitive edge Provide a positive first impression!

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Important Realization Your appearance matters in:

Getting hired Getting promoted Making more money Being successful Being respected Becoming a leader Being asked to get involved

People love a winner.

Winners look like winners!

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The RealityShould you be judged by what you

wear?PERHAPS NOT

THE REALITY: You ARE judged With the job interview, it’s HOW YOU

ARE DRESSED that sets the tone of the interview.

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Number One Rule

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How Should I Dress? Conservative is ALWAYS the safest route BUT – do some investigation of the

employer What you wear should make you look

as though you FIT IN with the organization

If you overdress or under dress, the employer may feel that you don’t care enough about the job!

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How Should I Dress? Ways to find out the proper dress:

Call the Human Resources offices and ask

Visit the company’s office and observe the attire current employees are wearingMake sure you are not there on a

“casual day”!

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Hints for Dress Success Make sure you have:

Clean and polished conservative dress shoes

Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume No visible body piercings beyond

conservative ear piercings for women

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Hints for Dress Success Make sure you have:

Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in

your mouth Minimal jewelry No body odor No bad breath

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Dress for Success- Women Wear conservative colors

Matching blazer and skirt or pants – dark colors with light colored blouse – nothing low-cut

or Dress/khaki slacks (pressed) and long-

sleeve button-down shirt Skirt length should be a little below the

knee and NEVER shorter than above the knee

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Dress for Success- Women Avoid wearing tight clothing No tank tops Shoes should be low-heeled Make-up should be minimal

Lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones

Bring a briefcase rather than a purse

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Dress for Success - Men Wear conservative colors

Conservative suit or sports coat and pressed dress/khaki slacks

White long-sleeved button-down shirt Conservative silk tie (optional) Belt that matches shoes

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Dress for Success - Men If you have a beard or mustache:

Make sure it is neatly trimmed If you have any visible body parts

pierced or tattooed: Remove all piercings and cover all tattoos

if possible Pay extra attention to the shoes. Wear

the best shoes possible. Make shoes your dress shoes are well polished

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Dressing ON THE JOB Once you’ve landed the job…

Consult your supervisor as to what is acceptable dress for his/her department

Ask about any “casual days” and what type of dress is allowed on those days

When in doubt, DRESS CONSERVATIVELY!

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Examples of Appropriate Attire for Women

Business Casual Attire

Business Professional Attire

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Examples of Appropriate Attire for Men

Business Casual Attire

Business Professional Attire

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What Is Too Casual?

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What is Inappropriate Attire for Work?

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QUIZ: Who Would You Hire?

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What Are The Chances That They Will Be Hired?

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Nil to none!

Examples of Unprofessional and Inappropriate Attire

• Midriff baring clothing

• Miniskirts

• Excessively high heeled shoes

• Caps (headwear) indoors

• Very tight clothing

Clothing that reveals cleavage, your back, your chest, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for the workplace, even in a business casual setting

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Slacks, Pants and Suit Pants Slacks that are similar to Dockers and

other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable.

Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans, flannel (or other material) pajama pants, sweatpants, exercise pants, short shorts, shorts, Bermuda shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as bike clothing.

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Which One Is Appropriate?A) B) C)

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Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts

that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be no shorter than four inches above the knee, or a length at which you can sit comfortably in public

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Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up

the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, shorts, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap and strapless dresses are inappropriate for the office

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Which One Is Inappropriate?

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A) B) C)

Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets Casual shirts, golf shirts, dress shirts,

sweaters tops, company logo shirts , and turtlenecks are acceptable. Most suit jackets, sport jackets, or company logo Jackets are also acceptable attire for the office

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Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets Inappropriate attire includes tank tops;

sweatshirts; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders; and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or jumper

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Which One Is Appropriate?

A) B) C)

D) E) F)

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Shoes and Footwear Loafers, boots, flats, dress heels, and

leather deck shoes are acceptable. Wearing no stockings is acceptable if the look is appropriate to the outfit

Conservative athletic shoes and sneakers may be appropriate for some job functions (i.e., umpiring recreational activities) or for health reasons, but are generally inappropriate

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Shoes and Footwear Flashy athletic shoes, thongs/flip-flops,

and slippers are not acceptable in the office

Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in the vocational and recreation areas of facilities

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Which One Is Inappropriate?

A)

C)

B)

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Which One Is Appropriate?

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A)

C)

B)

D)

Which Fingernails Are OK?

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A) B) C)

How Many People Would Hire Them?

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Hats and head Covering As a general rule of thumb, hats and

caps are not appropriate in the office. Head Covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed

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In Conclusion …

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