Dress for Success!Dress for Success!

Entry task: Within 10 seconds an Entry task: Within 10 seconds an employer creates a judgment about you employer creates a judgment about you based on your attire. Name some things based on your attire. Name some things you feel would be appropriate to wear you feel would be appropriate to wear for an interview. What are some things for an interview. What are some things that aren't appropriate? Think in terms that aren't appropriate? Think in terms of total appearance. (List at least 3 for of total appearance. (List at least 3 for each)each)

Target: Identify positive interviewing Target: Identify positive interviewing techniques.techniques.

First Impressions CountFirst Impressions Count

Employers make an Employers make an impression based on impression based on how we’re dressed how we’re dressed within 5 seconds. within 5 seconds.

What impression are we What impression are we leaving and what does it leaving and what does it take to leave a good take to leave a good impression?impression?

What is appropriate What is appropriate attire for an interview??attire for an interview??

General GuidelinesGeneral Guidelines Clothing should be neat, clean, Clothing should be neat, clean,

and pressed. This means and pressed. This means ironing or a trip to the dry-ironing or a trip to the dry-cleaners.cleaners.

Shower or bathe the morning of Shower or bathe the morning of the interview. Wear deodorant. the interview. Wear deodorant. Don’t wear cologne/aftershave Don’t wear cologne/aftershave or perfume: you don’t want to or perfume: you don’t want to smell overpowering or worse, smell overpowering or worse, cause an allergic reaction.cause an allergic reaction.

Make sure you have fresh breath. Make sure you have fresh breath. Brush your teeth before you Brush your teeth before you leave, and don’t eat before leave, and don’t eat before the interview. Don’t smoke right before the interview. Don’t smoke right before an interview. an interview.

If you have a facial piercing or If you have a facial piercing or earrings, remove the jewelry. earrings, remove the jewelry.

Your hair should be neat, clean, and Your hair should be neat, clean, and conservativeconservative

He is half way there!He is half way there!

WomenWomen

Suit and blouse – skirt or pantsSuit and blouse – skirt or pants Skirt must be knee length or longerSkirt must be knee length or longer Watch blouse neckline/cleavageWatch blouse neckline/cleavage

Shoes must be close toed with Shoes must be close toed with a moderate heel a moderate heel Hosiery is a mustHosiery is a must Stay with solid colorsStay with solid colors

Keep makeup minimal Keep makeup minimal and natural and natural Avoid bright or unusual colors Avoid bright or unusual colors

(e.g., purple lipstick) or very (e.g., purple lipstick) or very long nails. Think Job long nails. Think Job Candidate, not Mimi Candidate, not Mimi

Hair should be pulled back and styledHair should be pulled back and styled To avoid nervous habits To avoid nervous habits

of playing with hair of playing with hair or or too much focus on styletoo much focus on style

MenMen A suit means a matching jacket A suit means a matching jacket

and pants, dress and pants, dress shirt, tie, coordinating socks & shirt, tie, coordinating socks & dress shoes. dress shoes. Avoid loud suit colors & stylesAvoid loud suit colors & styles Ties must be conservativeTies must be conservative Shined and polished dress Shined and polished dress

shoes shoes Freshly cut and styled hairFreshly cut and styled hair

preferably no facial hairpreferably no facial hair Shave morning ofShave morning of

You be the judgeYou be the judge In your group, you will be handed a picture of In your group, you will be handed a picture of

a job candidate: a job candidate: As an employer give us your first impressions, As an employer give us your first impressions,

good and bad.good and bad. What can this candidate do to adjust their What can this candidate do to adjust their

appearance?appearance? You will present your ideas to the class as the You will present your ideas to the class as the

candidates picture will be displayed on the candidates picture will be displayed on the screenscreen You have 5 minutes to gather your ideas to be You have 5 minutes to gather your ideas to be

presentedpresented

Candidate # 1Candidate # 1

Candidate #2Candidate #2

Candidate # 3Candidate # 3

Candidate # 4Candidate # 4

.

Candidate #5Candidate #5

Candidate #6Candidate #6

Candidate # 7Candidate # 7

Candidate # 8Candidate # 8

ReviewReview

Dress for successDress for success

If you have to ask, “can I wear this?” If you have to ask, “can I wear this?” The answer is always “ The answer is always “NO”NO” If you are unsure, lean on the conservative If you are unsure, lean on the conservative

side Always dress 3 levels higher than the side Always dress 3 levels higher than the job you are interviewing forjob you are interviewing for

Remember that an interviewer is Remember that an interviewer is selecting you to represent the companyselecting you to represent the company

Looking even slightly unprofessional can Looking even slightly unprofessional can cost you the jobcost you the job

Remember…Remember…

It is important to realize that you It is important to realize that you want to stand out for your want to stand out for your qualifications for the job… not for qualifications for the job… not for what you are wearing.what you are wearing.

HomeworkHomework

Find interview attire at home using Find interview attire at home using the internet or magazines.the internet or magazines. Find 2 pictures of people wearing Find 2 pictures of people wearing

incorrect clothing for an interviewincorrect clothing for an interview Find 2 pictures of people wearing Find 2 pictures of people wearing

correct attire for an interviewcorrect attire for an interview Write a short description about the Write a short description about the

out fit and why it is appropriate or out fit and why it is appropriate or why it isn’t appropriate.why it isn’t appropriate.

Homework: Homework: Create a list of 9 ideas on how to prepare Create a list of 9 ideas on how to prepare

for an interviewfor an interview 3 ideas on what to do before an interview (day or 3 ideas on what to do before an interview (day or

night before)night before) 3 ideas on what to do right before the interview 3 ideas on what to do right before the interview

(within an hour or minutes before)(within an hour or minutes before) 3 ideas on what to do during/after the interview3 ideas on what to do during/after the interview

We will be assimilating a list with the ideas We will be assimilating a list with the ideas from this assignment for your use in from this assignment for your use in preparing for your mock interviews in a preparing for your mock interviews in a week and a half, so please make a conscious week and a half, so please make a conscious effort to provide valuable ideas to our class. effort to provide valuable ideas to our class.