We Dress to Impress & We Dress for Success!
We’ve heard the term before, right? “Dress for Success”. What does it mean? How do you decide what attire works for your interview and/or business?
Let’s be honest. We all know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But let’s face the reality here, you are judged on interviews, client meetings, and networking events from head-to-toe. For interviews you think to yourself, “I wrote an amazing cover letter. My resume highlights my successes and accomplishments; and now, what do I wear to make a great first impression? What image does this company want to portray?” For client meetings and networking you think, “How can I show my clients that I mean business and I care about myself and my brand?”
Here’s a little guideline to get you on the right path:
1. Research. Yup! That’s right. Know your audience. This shouldn’t be a difficult task. On interviews, try simply calling the HR office and asking (always speak in a professional tone). In some cases, i.e. retail jobs; you may take a trip to the store/boutique location and get an idea of how the employees are dressing. In most cases, conservative is probably the safest way to go. But a little investigating to be sure will never hurt. For networking the trick isn’t very different. How you dress makes a statement about what your business goals are and what you want people to perceive when meeting you for the first time.
2. Don’t overspend. If you’re due to go on many interviews, don’t go running out for a new suit for each occasion. Your closet should include two “interview outfits” that will remain your go-to attire when you are planning to take your professionalism up! Bonus: a pair of black pumps should be a staple in a woman’s closet. Also, when you are networking, it’s always a good idea to carry a blazer for the professional look. The good thing is that it can be dressed up or down!
3. Look closely in the mirror at home for things that stand out too much. You don’t want any pieces of your attire to be a distraction to the person you’re meeting with. Right before you go in, check again in the restroom. If your bold necklace is the first thing you see when you look in the mirror, take it off!
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when interviewing for the position you want, networking, and/or meeting with clients:
-Groomed Hair
-Clean Nails
-No Gum
-No wrinkles in your clothing
-Minimal perfume
-Other than an earring (preferably studs) no visible body piercings
-Remove your coat if you’re wearing one before meeting
Those were just a few basic tips that should get you ready for all of your business encounters. Hope it helps! Knock em’ dead!
Xo IKA
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