DRESS FOR SUCCESS 1 A wrkshp n prfessinal dress St. Thmas University Career Services
General Guidelines 2 Select apparel, fragrances, jewelry, hairstyle, etc. that d nt detract frm yur prfessinal image. Make sure yur hair is clean, neat and prfessinally styled. Remve facial and bdy piercings ther than single ear jewelry fr interviews. Visible tatts shuld be cvered t avid distractin. Apparel shuld be clean and neatly pressed. Apparel shuld fit well and remain in place while sitting and/r walking. Chse prfessinal apparel that yu like fr which yu receive psitive feedback frm peple wh are knwledgeable abut the industry standard r specific cmpany plicy. Less is mre. Keep yur lk simple and successful until yu becme accustmed t the envirnment and learn abut the cmpany s dress cde
Guidelines fr Wmen s Interview Attire (Cntinued) 3 Use natural-lking makeup and clear nail plish. This keeps the fcus n the interview. D nt carry a purse with a briefcase. Chse ne r the ther. Wear flat shes r lw pumps in clrs that avid making yur feet a fcal pint. Be sure that they are clean and plished. Add accessries t express yur persnality and accentuate yur best features. Wmen in general wear t many accessries at the same time such as earrings, necklaces, and rings. Learn hw t tie scarves
Guidelines fr Wmen s Interview Attire 4 Select a skirted suit, pantsuit r cnservatively tailred dress that draws the eye t yur face. Skirts are traditinally knee-length but thse slightly shrter r lnger are als acceptable. Select bluses r sweaters that prvide visual interest, but avid transparent, tight fit, r have lw necklines, revealing waistlines r details that detract frm yur face as a fcal pint. Always wear hse t interviews. Wear plain-style, nn-patterned hsiery and select clrs that flatter yur clring. Perfume shuld never be strng. A fragrance can cause an allergic reactin r ffend the interviewer. When in dubt, d nt wear perfume.
Guidelines fr Men s Interview Attire Wear a matching suit in navy, black r gray (pinstripe r slid) r wear a navy blazer and gray dress slacks. Wear white r a light blue dress shirt that cntrasts with the jacket and/r tie. 5 A (silk r silk-like) tie shuld crdinate with the jacket and pant but chse ne that strngly cntrasts with the clr f yur shirt; selecting subtle r simple patterns enhances credibility. Scks shuld be calf-length r abve the calf. Chse natural-fiber blends that allw a flw f air and d nt hld in perspiratin and heat. Chse clrs such as dark blue, black r gray. Wear cnservative, clean, and plished shes. Select lace-up (nt slip-n) dress shes. The clr shuld be dark r blend with pant.
Guidelines fr Men s Interview Attire (Cntinued) 6 Select a leather belt that visually blends r matches yur shes. A shrt hair cut and n facial hair is expected. Minimize jewelry. Avid a necklace. Wear n mre than ne ring per hand and a dress watch. Be sure all jewelry supprts a fcus n the face. A full-length cat can be wrn ver yur suit; avid casual cats. Clgne shuld never be strng. A fragrance can cause an allergic reactin r ffend the interviewer. When in dubt, d nt wear clgne. Yur briefcase is part f visual effect; cnsider a simple prtfli as an effective substitute, and try t select a clr that supprts yur visual effect.
Additinal Interviewing Attire Tips fr Men 7 Suits Chse a cnservative single-breasted, 2, 3, r 4-buttn jacket. 100% wl lks and wears better than any ther material. Darker suits (dark gray, charcal, live, navy) carry mre authrity, but avid black (it s t frmal). Slid clrs and pinstripes are best, as lng as the pinstripes are muted and narrw. Avid flashy r shwy fabrics. Make sure yur suit is altered t fit prperly sleeves shuld break just belw yur wrists. Pants shuld be pleated and cuffed. A wrking price range fr a gd suit is $300-$500. Stres t cnsider fr best value and price are Men s Warehuse, Stein Mart, Macy s, and Dillard s.
Additinal Interviewing Attire Tips fr Wmen 8 Suits: Chse a cnservative-style suit in a slid, basic clr. Darker clrs generally wrk best. Buy the skirt that ges with the jacket, and if pssible, buy pants and a printed skirt that matches the jacket as well. Suit skirts shuld be n higher than 2 abve the knees. Yu dn t have t spend a tn f mney t lk prfessinal. Gd quality suits can be fund at Macy s, Dillard s, Marshalls, Stein Mart and T.J. Maxx.
Dressing n a Tight Budget 9 Dn't wait until yu are pressed fr time and have t make a hasty decisin r a chice that is nt in yur budget. Invest in impressive, classic, well-made separates that can be cmbined fr a 'prfessinal' r 'casual Friday' lk. Begin by selecting yur best neutral as a nucleus fr a prfessinal wardrbe. Purchase matching cmpnents. Having ptins such as wearing a skirt r pant with jacket r vest multiplies pssible cmbinatins. Use shirts/bluses/sweaters t create variety f visual effects. Select ties/scarves and jewelry that add t pssible visual variety. Cnsider investing in seasn-less fabrics that drape and travel well, such as lightweight stretch wl, washable matte jersey r a blend f cttn and rayn.
Research 10 Find ut what the dress cde is fr the industry that yu are interested in. When yu research the cmpany yu will ften get an idea f the dress cde fr emplyees. Ask career cunselrs, faculty, and prfessinals in yur field f interest if yu are unsure. The jb seeker shuld dress fr a psitin tw levels higher than the ne fr which she/he is being interviewed. The level f frmality yu prject shws that yu understand the imprtance f the situatin and respect the persn yu are meeting. Once yu ve been hired, it s a gd idea t ask yur bss r the human resurces department fr a cpy f the rganizatin s dress cde plicy.
Any questins? 11
Career Services Cntact Inf 12 Cristina C. López Assciate Directr f Career Services Phne: 305.628.6688 E-mail: cclpez@stu.edu Web: www.stu.edu/career