Dress to Impress for Success The Right Look for that Important Interview A Presentation for SDSU Career Services Mary J. Pietanza San Diego, CA August 23, 2011

Agenda Introductions Todays Objectives Dress to Impress ~ Achieve the Goal Recap Resources

Introductions Name Role/Department Impact on students Summer vacation – real or wishful thinking...

Objectives What do you hope to get out of todays session?

Todays Objectives Current: Identify what you see today The Good The Bad The Ugly Goal: What do you want to see to achieve the goal? Barriers, challenges, considerations Recommendations: What can/will you do? What can I do?

6 The #1 Interview Mistake POOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE

Now You See It, Now you Dont What is considered Poor Personal Appearance? What do you see now that should not be seen for interviews? What should students avoid wearing? What do you see that is right? What to Wear?ChangesStays the Same At SchoolX At WorkX Job InterviewsX

Goal through Dress to Impress Make a good impression in interviews to land that job or internship

College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. In life, people will no longer be grading you. Your success will be defined in a myriad of ways so get competent and credible in what you love to do. - Jon Stewart, Host of The Daily Show, Comedy Central

10 Know Your Environment College & Campus Scene – You are free to display your own style, be self expressive, and wear latest fashion trends Business World More conservative Personal style wont necessarily win points

Sometimes Sammi just has to be Sammi... ??

12 Appearance You have one chance to make a good first impression. Specifically...

You Have Only 30 Seconds to make an impression through... Education level Career competence & success Personality Level of sophistication Trustworthiness Sense of humor Social heritage (Bixler & Nix-Rice, 2005, pp 4-5)

Barriers, Challenges, Considerations School culture vs corporate culture Individual personality (be yourself)yourself Peer influence Cost of professional interview attire Knowing thyself and thy interviewing company Physical things that cannot be changed Ethnic and religious norms Others?

15 Why is Appearance Important Appearance is 80% of first impressions – prior to opening your mouth! The wrong appearance sends a red flag to a potential employer that you may be a non-conformist who may not be a team player.

Ask Yourself This One Question Will this help me get the job??

Recommendations CHALLENGES School culture vs corporate culture Be yourself Peer influence Cost of professional interview attire Knowing thyself and thy interviewing company Physical things that cannot be changed Ethnic and religious norms Others? SOLUTIONS Interview culture is different than both Be professional Career influence Creative gifting and shopping Be professional and do your research Emphasize your best and downplay the rest Assess and balance the right fit for both Show good judgment

18 What to Avoid Hair covering face Jeans Athletic shoes Short skirts Heavy make-up Clunky jewelry Long fingernails and trendy nail polish Too many earrings and/or any visible rings Polo or t-shirts Tattoos Noisy shoes Hats Gloves Heavy perfume/cologne Sunglasses indoors (unless necessary) Open-toed shoes/sandals Shoes without socks or nylons Low cut necklines Uncomfortable and too-tight and too-loose clothing Any wrinkled or soiled clothing

19 Tips on Interview Attire - Women Solid color conservative dress or suit Closed-toe, low to medium-heeled pumps in a conservative color – black, navy, beige (in summer only) Conservative jewelry in small doses Wear nude or tan pantyhose Hair should be kept neatly combed Keep make-up light and natural Light perfume, if at all Portfolio & purse or briefcase

20 Tips on Interview Attire - Men Wear a suit (navy, gray or charcoal) with white shirt neatly pressed Keep ties conservative Dark over the calf socks that match suit Black leather shoes (polished wingtips or loafers) Minimal jewelry Conservative haircut – collar length, above the ears, neatly combed Either clean shaven or neatly trimmed facial hair. Portfolio or briefcase

Recap – Awareness to Action Keep Ultimate Goal in Mind Focus on landing the Job Understand Interview Culture Different from School and Workplace Cultures; more professional and conservative than both; obstacles and opportunities; be your contextual self Use Objective Statement for Interview Preparation and Execution Will this help me get the job? Implement Yes actions!

Todays Objectives Current: Identify what you see today The Good The Bad The Ugly Goal: What do you want to see to achieve the goal? Barriers, challenges, considerations Recommendations: What can/will you do? What can I do?

Questions

Acknowledgments & References The New Professional Image, 2 nd edition, by Susan Bixler and Nancy Nix- Rice, Adams Media (2005), ISBN: The New Professional Image, Beyond Business Casual: What to Wear to Work If You Want to Get Ahead By Ann Marie Sabath, Career Press (April 2000), ISBN: Beyond Business Casual: What to Wear to Work If You Want to Get Ahead Your Executive Image: How to Look Your Best & Project Success for Men and Women By Victoria A. Seitz. Adams Media Corporation (February 2000), ISBN: Your Executive Image: How to Look Your Best & Project Success for Men and Women (several pages) prasad_ethnic_style_in_workplace.asp prasad_ethnic_style_in_workplace.asp SAIC Human Resources Other Readings by Chandra Prasad Exploring Culturally Specific Styles in the Workplace The shift to "business casual" begs the question: what about ethnic styles? Exploring Culturally Specific Styles in the Workplace Difference as Advantage By Chandra Prasad, IMDiversity Career Center Special Contributor Maximize the benefits of your cultural identity on the job Difference as Advantage