(ARA) – Remember how you would lay out your clothes the night before you went to school? You may want to continue that habit – if you’re in the market for a job or want to hold on to your current position. Preparation goes a long way when it comes to making a good impression.
“Always dress one notch higher than you think is needed. It’s better to err on the side of dressing more conservative,” says Nancy Cerny, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College – Quad Cities located in Moline, Ill. Cerny, who works closely with graduating students, even recommends putting in a call to the receptionist at the company you are interviewing with to ask about appropriate office attire. “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed in any professional situation,” adds Cerny.
Organizing your business and interview wardrobe begins well before graduation. Also, dressing for success can be a little expensive. Trips to Goodwill Industries, consignment shops, and second-hand stores are always wise moves when personal cash is limited. “You really don’t have to spend a lot of money to look professional, but you do need to spend a good amount of time planning for it, “says Cerny.
The toughest lesson for Generation Y is to encourage them to keep their professional image separate from their personal image, according to “Managing Generation Y,” co-authored by Bruce Tulgan and Carolyn Martin. What you wear on weekends is not always appropriate for the office. “During a trip to the shopping mall you often see women dressed in tank tops with their bra straps showing and it seems to be socially acceptable attire, but in a business setting – it’s not OK,” Cerny says. “The same goes for men who wear baggy jeans with their underwear showing. You need to know where to draw the line between your professional and social image.”
Put yourself in the place of the potential employer. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “If I were a person meeting me for the first time would I hire myself?” Sometimes when you step into the shoes of another person, you may just send yourself a rejection letter.
Always lean toward solid, conservative colors for women, such as black, blue or dark gray. For men, a dark blue, gray or brown suit with a plain white shirt is appropriate. A $4 can of shoe polish makes a man look more appropriate for an office job, but starting your day with clean shoes is a must for any job, whether it be in the office or in the field, according to Cerny.
Both men and women should pay attention to grooming. Nails should always be clean and neatly trimmed. “It’s best to have a basic nail color – no stripes or polka dots,” says Cerny. “For men, you don’t want to look like you’ve just changed the oil in your car. Dirty nails are a turn-off.”
While your clothing should be conservative, your hair should also be businesslike. “Women should avoid putting different colors in their hair, like orange, red and blue. When preparing for interviews, leave the colored hair pieces behind,” Cerny says.
“Fifty percent of interviews will be judged within the first 30 seconds of the interview – based on your appearance,” says Joanne Pobiner, certified image consultant and professional member of the Association of Image Consultants International. “First impressions can determine whether you get a job offer. With such a tough job market, you must be on board with these tips,” Cerny adds.
Don’t wear a lot of perfume or aftershave. “You don’t want to smell like a perfume or cologne counter salesperson. Smell is a strong sense. If you walk into a building and they can smell you in the back of the office, that’s not good.”
For your success, the way you dress and the first impression you make during an interview could get you a job offer or a rejection letter. So, be prepared when you leave for that interview, knowing that you will make a lasting impression on the interviewer.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
