Dress_for_Success_Oct_2008

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Dress for Success!
Heyward Career Center October 2008 Essie
Williams SC Employment Security Commission
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Good Impressions
A recent human resource trade magazine reported
that many hiring managers make up their minds
about an interviewee in as little as five
minutes. Impressions matter! All things else
being equal, your packaging might make a
difference between a new job, a promotion, or the
unemployment office!
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Good Impressions (cont)

• Keep clean--take a shower!
• Have clean fingernails with clear or low-key
  color polish.
• Clothes Dress for the position you want, not for
  the position you have!

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Clothes for Men
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Clothes for Men (part 1)
The standard job or interview clothing for men is
a conservative dark navy or gray two-piece
business suit, a white long-sleeved button-down
dress shirt, a conservative tie, and polished
dress shoes. If you do not own a suit, or the
company is a bit more informal, then you should
wear a conservative sports coat (no plaids or
wild patterns and preferably a dark color),
nicely pressed dress slacks, a white long-sleeved
button-down shirt, a conservative tie, and
polished dress shoes.
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Clothes for Men (part 2)
Your belt should always match your shoes. If
you have a beard or mustache, your facial hair
should be neatly trimmed. If you have any
visible body parts pierced, most experts
recommend removing all jewelry, including
earrings. Do not have excessive body odor or
cologne.
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What Doesnt Work for Men
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Clothes for Women
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Clothes for Women (part 1)
The standard job or interview clothes is a
conservative dark navy or gray skirted suit.
Beige or brown is also okay. A blazer with
blouse and skirt is a possible second choice to a
suit. You should always wear a jacket. Skirt
length should be a little below the knee and
never shorter than above the knee -- no night
club attire here. Avoid wearing a dress (unless
accented with a jacket).
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Clothes for Women (part 2)
Blouses should be cotton or silk and should be
white, or some other light color. Shoes should
be low-heeled. Make-up should be minimal, with
lipstick and nail polish conservative tones.
Pantyhose should be flawless (no runs) and
conservative in color. Do not have excessive body
odor or cologne. You should opt for a briefcase
rather than a purse.
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What Doesnt Work for Women
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What Doesnt Work for Women
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What Doesnt Work for Women
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More Dress for Success Tips
No backpacks or fannypackscarry a briefcase!No
sunglasses on top of your head or headphones
around your neck.Ties should be made of silk,
no less than 3 ¾ inches wide with a conservative
pattern. The best colors are red or burgundy.No
heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a
man).Men should avoid wearing any jewelry
unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal
watch.No more than one set of earrings on
women.Remove facial piercings, tongue jewelry
and cover visible tattoos.No long fingernails,
especially with bright or specialty polishes.
Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a
length that doesn't leave an observer wondering
how you keep from stabbing yourself.
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More Dress for Success Tips
No unnatural hair colors or styles. No
short-sleeved shirts on men, even worse when worn
with a tie and no jacket!Avoid fishnets,
patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan
you are). Men Your socks should match your
shoes and not be too short.No scuffed or
inappropriate footwear, including sneakers,
stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals/flip-flops.
Avoid signs that your wearing a new suit.
Remove all tags and extra buttons -- and remember
to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets
and slits closed!
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Clothes
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Questions?
For more information, contact Essie Williams SC
Employment Security Commission Labor Market
Information Department 803-737-2660 ewilliams_at_sces
.org