Dress For SuccessBefore you view this PowerPoint, go to View,

then Notes Page, so you can see all of the extra information that make the slides more

helpful!

Dress For SuccessWhat to Wear to Work

Dress For Success

• Who – Host, Organization• What – Interview, Career Fair, Typical Work Day• Where – Location, Region

Dress For Success• Who – Host, Organization

• Who is hosting the event• CEO or Board Members• HR, Recruiters• Department Manager• Director of Research

• Type or organization• Fortune 500 or a Startup• Industry

Dress For Success• What – Interview, Job Fair, Typical Work Day

• Interview• Professional attire• Usually dress a level up from a typical workday at that organization

• Career Fair• Professional attire• Clothing choices should work for multiple industries or organizations

• Typical Work Day• Professional attire with some flexibility• Organization and industry specific

Dress For Success

• Where – Location, Region• Location

• Office• Conference• Restaurant

• Region• West Coast• Midwest• East Coast

Some events or locations require more or less formal attire. If you are unsure, ask HR staff or conference organizers.

West Coast based organizations and sites tend to be less formal.

Dress for SuccessWhat to do before the event

• Research and select appropriate attire• Organizational culture• Industry• Personality and Comfort

• Plan ahead• Clean and Pressed• Tailored

Dress For Success• Research the organization and industry

• Online• Colleagues• Personal Network

• Friends• Family

• Professional Network• LinkedIn• Professional Associations

Dress for SuccessWhat to do before the event

• Plan ahead• Clean and Pressed• Tailored

• Proper tailoring often takes at least one week lead time• A well tailored, inexpensive suit looks much better than an

expensive, poorly fitting one.• Cost savings

• Plan ahead and purchase professional clothing on sale

Dress For Success• Select Appropriate Attire

• Interview – Traditional Corporate• Business Professional Attire ONLY• Typically very conservative• Black, Charcoal Gray, or Navy Suits• Polished shoes, usually black

• Socks should be the same color as your slacks• Belt should match shoes

Dress For Success• How to Tie a Tie

• http://www.tie-a-tie.net/• Button Rules for Jackets (Top to Bottom, When Standing)

• Three Button Jacket• Sometimes, Always, Never

• Two Button Jacket• Always, Never

Dress For Success

• Shoe Rules for Ladies• Heels should be 3 inches or shorter• No stilettos• No sandals or open toed shoes in

conservative offices• Hosiery is a must in conservative

offices

Dress For Success

• No Cleavage• No Mini Skirts

• Skirts should be no shorter than one inch above the knee

Dress For Success• Select Appropriate Attire

• Interview – Corporate (Relatively Casual) Office• Business Professional Attire • Often best to err on conservative side and dress more

traditionally• However, some firms (such as Amazon) specifically

state that suits don’t impress them• Then…..

Dress For Success• Select Appropriate Attire

• Interview – Creative Corporate• More flexibility with color and style• Must still look professional

• No flip flops, tennis shoes• Don’t show too much skin

Dress For Success• Select Appropriate Attire

• Career Fair• Business Professional Attire • Err on the side of caution

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Bags

• Black, Brown, Oxblood• Tote or Briefcase or Folio

• Handbags• Should be small to medium in size• Neutral color

Ladies – Carry one tote or briefcase that holds everything OR Carry a handbag and folio. Do NOT carry a briefcase/tote AND a handbag.

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Hair and Nails

• Hair should be clean and well groomed• Facial hair must be neat and well kempt• Nails should be clean and buffed (short to medium)• Polish is not required for ladies but if used, it should

be neutral in color (pale pink, beige)

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Makeup

• Natural, Minimal• Neutral• The job interview is not the place for trendy makeup

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Scent

• Antiperspirant and/or Deodorant – Yes• Fragrance – No

• Some folks are extremely sensitive to scents• Fresh breath

• Use mints, not gum

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Jewelry

• Men • Watch• Wedding band (if married)

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Jewelry

• Women • Watch• Wedding band (if married)• One set small stud earrings• One necklace

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Body Art

• In general, tattoos should not be visible• Never have visible tattoos in very conservative firms

and/or healthcare• No piercings except one stud earring in each ear for

women only

Dress For Success

• More about professional appearance• Industry Quirks

• Do your research• Know if certain colors or clothing items are taboo

Dress For Success

• Cultural Considerations and Appearance• Head gear and other items worn for religious

reasons are acceptable• Long hair is generally not recommended for men

• Men with long hair for religious or cultural reasons should pull hair neatly back when interviewing

Dress For Success

• Resources• ASU Fulton Engineering Career Center

• Dress for Success Workshops• http://more.engineering.asu.edu/career/

For More Information

Connect with Fulton Engineering Career Center

Phone: (480) 965-2966 Email: engineering.careers@asu.eduWebsite: http://engineering.asu.edu/career Sun Devil CareerLink: MyASU>Campus Services>Jobs & Careers>Sun Devil CareerLinkFacebook: Engineering Career Center Arizona State University

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