Transcript Ozarks Technical Community College Career Employment Services

Dress To Impress
If you had a job interview
tomorrow, what outfit would you
wear?
“Clothes make the man (woman). Naked people
have little or no influence in society.”
~ Mark Twain
First Impression Test – Women
Who would you hire?
First Impression Test – Men
Who would you hire?
Casual Meeting / Interview / Career Fair)
•Use Common Sense
•Be Conservative
•Research Online or Read Articles / Books
•Talk to Department Store Professionals
•Discuss with Teachers Career Professionals / Business Leaders
/ HR Professionals
•Forget what you see on TV
•Should you be judged by what you wear?
•Perhaps not, but the reality is, of course, you
are judged.
•All About First Impressions
•Every part of the interview process is about
judgments
• Résumé
• Cover Letter
• Phone Interview
• In-Person Interview
Make a Lasting Impression
• 41% of employers more often promote people
who dress better
• 64% of employers surveyed have banned flip
flops
– 49% have forbidden mini-skirts
– 38% have banned sleeveless shirts
– 28% have prohibited jeans
CNN.com article “How to dress for success at work”, July 30, 2008
•Research the prospective employer - companies and even
industries have definable corporate cultures.
•Professional Position vs. Skilled / Non-Skilled Labor Position
•When in doubt ask HR Department or Recruiter
•If you must ask…ask it professionally
•Like it or Not - Different Standards for Men and Women
No matter how conservative!
Your Mother is Right!
• Conservative two-piece business suit (dark blue or
grey is best)
• Black = Power
• Grey = Neutral
• Blue = Loyalty
• Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is
best, pastel is next best)
• Stripe in shirt is fine
• Stay away from “wild” or “crazy” patterns
• Button-Up
• Low Cut = Never
• Clean, polished conservative shoes
• Same color as belt
• Do not wear open-toed shoes
•Well-groomed hairstyle
•Clean, trimmed fingernails
•Minimal cologne or perfume
•Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins
•No gum, candy or cigarettes
•Light briefcase or portfolio case
•Don’t overdo your jewelry
•Wear only one or two rings
•Avoid jingling bracelets, giant hoop or dangling earrings, and any
other flashy jewelry
•No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)
•Ask someone you trust, “How do I look?”
Put Away the Sports Jersey!
•Tailored suits in navy, gray, beige
•Natural fabrics - wool/wool blend for the
suit, cotton for the shirt, silk for the tie
•Seasonal fabrics & colors
•Dark suit, light shirt
•Business shoes and over-the-calf
matching socks
•Matching tie in low-key colors
•Stay away from cartoons or sports symbols
•Shoes & belt should match
•Facial hair
•Depends on position - mustache normally acceptable
•Jewelry
•Watch
•College ring, military ring, wedding band
•No earrings
•Pants
•Proper fit – not too loose or tight
It’s About Fashion –
Not Red Carpet Glamour!
Women:
Consider These Tips/Advice
•Avoid loud or flashy styles and colors
•Most recent fashion isn’t necessary
•Use makeup sparingly
•Stay away from bold colors
•Lipstick should be natural
•Nail polish should be natural
•Low -heeled shoes
•No open-toed shoes
•Heels should be 1 – 2 ½ inches
•Hosiery
•Job experts and employers are split on the notion
of pants vs. skirts, so choose a suit that’s professional
•Skirt length should be at the knee, a little below the
knee and never shorter than the knee
•Opt for a briefcase rather than a purse
•Hair – a natural color – bold highlights can be a
mistake
Do you think a female should wear a
skirted suit rather than a pantsuit to the
interview?
Yes
No
No opinion
Other
No answer
5
29
65
19
1
119
(4%)
(24%)
(55%)
(16%)
(.8%)
Courtesy of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
You’ve Got the Job – Now Keep It!
Have you cleaned up your Social Media accounts lately?
•Men
•Not expected to wear ties
•Business or sports jacket is appropriate
•Stylish, solid colored pants
•Long-sleeved solid or striped dark shirt
•Dark socks
•Matching belt and shoes
•Women
•Business skirt or pants
•Conservative blouse or sweater
•Blazer or vest is appropriate
•Flat or low heels
•Neutral hosiery
•Belt, scarf, and accessories should remain understated
Business Casual
Women
Business Casual
Men
•Sometimes when employees hear that business
casual is their company's policy on dress, some
take the opportunity to really dress down.
•Trade slacks for jeans
•Shirts for T-shirts or sweatshirts
•The summer months = treacherous minefield of
work fashion DON’TS.
•Tank or tube tops
•Flip-flops or tennis shoes
•Shorts
•No bare skin!
•Remember - You are going to work, not a picnic
or a ballgame.
•Business attire is an investment
•Seek professional advise
•Basic / Classic styles
•Save the fun stuff for the weekend or company picnic
•Dress appropriately for business occasion
Ozarks Technical Community College
Career Employment Services
Thank You!
Questions?
In cooperation with :
Malinda Stevens
Former Human Resources Manager
Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation (SRC)