Dress for Success What is so important about dress?

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)

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 Give you a competitive edge Provide a positive first impression! Provide a positive first impression!

The Reality Should you be judged by what you wear? PERHAPS NOT  THE REALITY: You ARE judged You ARE judged With the job interview, it’s HOW YOU ARE DRESSED that sets the tone of the interview. With the job interview, it’s HOW YOU ARE DRESSED that sets the tone of the interview.

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 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! If you overdress or under dress, the employer may feel that you don’t care enough about the job!  Ways to find out the proper dress: Call the Human Resources offices and ask Call the Human Resources offices and ask Visit the company’s office and observe the attire current employees are wearing Visit the company’s office and observe the attire current employees are wearing Make sure you are not there on a “casual day”!Make sure you are not there on a “casual day”!

Hints for Dress Success  Make sure you have: Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Clean and polished conservative dress shoes Well-groomed hairstyle Well-groomed hairstyle Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Cleaned and trimmed fingernails Minimal cologne or perfume Minimal cologne or perfume No visible body piercings beyond conservative ear piercings for women No visible body piercings beyond conservative ear piercings for women Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath Well-brushed teeth and fresh breath No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth Minimal jewelry Minimal jewelry No body odor No body odor

Dress for Success- Women  Wear conservative colors Matching blazer and skirt or pants – dark colors with light colored blouse – nothing low-cut Matching blazer and skirt or pants – dark colors with light colored blouse – nothing low-cut OR OR Dress/khaki slacks (pressed) and long-sleeve button-down shirt 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  Avoid wearing tight clothing  Shoes should be low-heeled  Make-up should be minimal Lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones Lipstick and nail polish in conservative tones  Bring a briefcase rather than a purse

Dress for Success - Men  Wear conservative colors Conservative suit or sports coat and pressed dress/khaki slacks Conservative suit or sports coat and pressed dress/khaki slacks White long-sleeved button-down shirt White long-sleeved button-down shirt Conservative silk tie (optional) Conservative silk tie (optional) Polished dress shoes Polished dress shoes Belt that matches shoes Belt that matches shoes  If you have a beard or mustache: Make sure it is neatly trimmed 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 Remove all piercings and cover all tattoos if possible

Dressing ON THE JOB  Once you’ve landed the job… Consult your supervisor as to what is acceptable dress for his/her department 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 Ask about any “casual days” and what type of dress is allowed on those days When in doubt, DRESS CONSERVATIVELY! When in doubt, DRESS CONSERVATIVELY!

Examples of Appropriate Attire for Women Business Casual Attire Business Professional Attire

Examples of Appropriate Attire for Men Business Casual Attire Business Professional Attire

What is too casual?

What is Inappropriate Attire for Work?

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.

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.

Which is appropriate? A) B)C)

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.  Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini- skirts, skorts, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap and strapless dresses are inappropriate for the office.

Which is inappropriate? 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.  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.

Which is appropriate? A) B)C) D) E) F)

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.  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.

Which is inappropriate? A) C) B)

Which is appropriate? A) C) B) D)

SNEAKERS: What is appropriate (for those authorized by duty/assignment to wear athletic shoes)  Appropriate, conservative athletic shoe  Inappropriate, flashy athletic shoe

 Jewelry, Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne: Should be in good taste, with no visible body piercing other than pierced ears.  Fingernail Length: fingernail length should not interfere with the effectiveness and efficiency of your job performance. Nails should be well maintained with polish or natural color.  Hats and Head Covering: Hats and caps are not appropriate in the office. Head Covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed.

There is a time and a place for all attire. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, trips to the mall, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work.

Violations of Dress Code  If an employee’s supervisor determines that an employee’s clothing fails to meet these standards, the supervisor shall ask the employee not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. The supervisor may send the employee home to change clothes and shall issue a verbal warning for the first offense. All other policies about personal time use will apply. Progressive disciplinary action will be taken for further dress code violations including termination.