ProfessionalismProfessionalismDress and Act the PartDress and Act the Part

Competing OR Applying for a Competing OR Applying for a Job Job

How long does it take for How long does it take for someone to form an someone to form an opinion of you?opinion of you?

Six Six SecondSeconds!s!

What are you “What are you “sayingsaying” ” before you speak?before you speak?

Eye contactEye contact Facial Facial

expressionsexpressions PosturePosture HandshakeHandshake ClothingClothing

Eye ContactEye Contact Maintaining eye Maintaining eye

contact with a contact with a person or an person or an audience says you audience says you have have confidence!confidence!

It says you are It says you are someone who can someone who can be be trusted and trusted and you are you are knowledgeable!knowledgeable!

Facial ExpressionsFacial Expressions

A smile says you A smile says you are are friendly friendly and and approachable.approachable.

Raised eyebrows Raised eyebrows say that you are say that you are interestedinterested in in othersothers..

The HandshakeThe Handshake

Grasp the other Grasp the other person’s hand person’s hand firmly, shake firmly, shake several times and several times and release. release.

This says you are This says you are self-assuredself-assured and and enthusiastic.enthusiastic.

PosturePosture Stand up straight but Stand up straight but

not rigid. It says you not rigid. It says you are are receptivereceptive to to others. Your hands others. Your hands should be at your sides should be at your sides and may be used to and may be used to emphasize a point.emphasize a point.

When seated, sit up When seated, sit up straight and lean straight and lean slightly forward. It says slightly forward. It says you are you are interested. interested. Your hands should be Your hands should be folded on your lap. folded on your lap. Your feet should be flat Your feet should be flat on the floor or crossed on the floor or crossed at the ankle.at the ankle.

ClothingClothing

The appropriate clothing says The appropriate clothing says that you are a leader with that you are a leader with winning potential.winning potential.

ClothingClothing

How should personnel in How should personnel in the following professions the following professions be dressed?be dressed?

BankingBanking

TeachingTeaching

Do you form an opinion Do you form an opinion about people based on about people based on their attire?their attire?

YES!YES!

CareerCareer

IncomeIncome

StatusStatus

PrestigePrestige

IntelligenceIntelligence

Remember. . .Remember. . .

Your image and that of Your image and that of Texas DECA are Texas DECA are

inseparable!inseparable!

Create a professional Create a professional image with the clothing image with the clothing you wearyou wear

HairHair

Do’sDo’s Don'tsDon'ts

CleanClean DirtyDirty StyledStyled MessyMessy CombedCombed BigBig

MakeupMakeup

Do’sDo’s Don’tsDon’ts

NaturalNatural BrightBright

ConservativeConservative ExcessiveExcessive

Teeth/MouthTeeth/Mouth

Brush and gargleBrush and gargle Carry small mintsCarry small mints Do not chew gumDo not chew gum

JewelryJewelry

Small and Small and conservativeconservative

No more than 2 No more than 2 earringsearrings

Remove facial Remove facial piercingpiercing

NailsNails

Short and clean Short and clean for males and for males and females.females.

Females should Females should chose pale chose pale shades of polish.shades of polish.

Blouse/ShirtBlouse/Shirt Females—Your blouse should be Females—Your blouse should be

buttoned to your collar bone and tucked buttoned to your collar bone and tucked in. A shell may also be appropriate. The in. A shell may also be appropriate. The blouse should have sleeves.blouse should have sleeves.

Males—Your shirt should have a collar Males—Your shirt should have a collar and be tucked in. A tie is a must.and be tucked in. A tie is a must.

A blouse or a shirt should be clean and A blouse or a shirt should be clean and ironed.ironed.

PantsPants

Pants should fit Pants should fit at the natural at the natural waistline.waistline.

Belts should Belts should match your match your shoes.shoes.

Skirts/DressesSkirts/Dresses

Skirts and dresses should fit well. Skirts and dresses should fit well. They should not be too tight!They should not be too tight!

The length should be no shorter The length should be no shorter than two inches above the knee.than two inches above the knee.

Hose/SocksHose/Socks

Dress socks Dress socks should always be should always be worn with pants.worn with pants.

Hose should be Hose should be worn with worn with dresses or skirts.dresses or skirts.

ShoesShoes

Females—Your Females—Your shoes should be shoes should be a comfortable, a comfortable, closed toe pump.closed toe pump.

Males—Your Males—Your shoes should be shoes should be a polished dress a polished dress shoe.shoe.

Perfume/ColognePerfume/Cologne

Be Be conservative!conservative!

We should not We should not “smell you” as “smell you” as you enter the you enter the room!room!

TattoosTattoos

Cover them Cover them up!up!

Purse/BriefcasePurse/Briefcase

Females should Females should carry one or the carry one or the other.other.

Purses or Purses or briefcases should briefcases should be neat, clean be neat, clean and polished.and polished.

No backpacks!No backpacks!

The DECA BlazerThe DECA Blazer

What goes with it?What goes with it? Khaki or gray pantsKhaki or gray pants Khaki, gray or red Khaki, gray or red

skirtsskirts White, blue, White, blue,

lavender or red lavender or red shirts or blousesshirts or blouses Red, blue, lavender Red, blue, lavender

ties or scarvesties or scarves Navy blue, black or Navy blue, black or

brown shoesbrown shoes

Conference AttireConference Attire

Official Dress CodeOfficial Dress Code CompetitionCompetition WorkshopsWorkshops Common AreasCommon Areas Halls, Rooms, Free TimeHalls, Rooms, Free Time

SummarySummary

You communicate without You communicate without speaking a word.speaking a word.

Your image is important!Your image is important! Your attire should be professional Your attire should be professional

anytime you represent Texas anytime you represent Texas DECA.DECA.

You are Texas DECA in the minds You are Texas DECA in the minds of the members!of the members!

#TexasDECAis#TexasDECAis