Dress For Success
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Dress For Success
What 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
Some events or locations require
more or less formal attire. If you are
unsure, ask HR staff or conference
organizers.
• Region
• West Coast
• Midwest
• East Coast
West Coast based organizations and sites tend to be less formal.
Dress for Success
What 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 Success
What 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
Ladies – Carry one tote or briefcase
that holds everything OR Carry a
handbag and folio. Do NOT carry a
briefcase/tote AND a handbag.
• Should be small to medium in size
• Neutral color
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: [email protected]
Website: http://engineering.asu.edu/career
Sun Devil CareerLink: MyASU>Campus Services>Jobs & Careers>Sun Devil
CareerLink
Facebook: Engineering Career Center Arizona State University
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