Dress to Impress

By Thomas J. Denham

Director

Siena College Career Center

The Importance of Dressing Appropriately

Dressing to impress employers should be a crucial part of your job search strategy. Although we may believe that no one should be judged by what they wear, the reality is that employers are looking for reasons to remove you from their selection process. They are not only concerned about your resume and interview, but also aware of the image you project and often make a judgment on appearance within the first five minutes of meeting the candidate. Interviewers are looking to see if the candidate respects them enough to conform to their perceived expectations. Whether we like it or not, how you dress is taken into consideration in hiring decisions. You want to have a competitive edge, especially when it comes to making initial impressions.

Research the employer before the interview. Explore the dress requirements typical of that career field. For example, Silicon Valley will call for a different image than Wall Street. One way to gauge this is to dress in the manner of the organization's representatives. You can also find this out by visiting the office and picking up an annual report or employer brochure.

The clothing you wear should make you look like you fit in with the prospective employer and should really communicate the message, “I am already one of you.” If you overdress or under-dress, the potential employer may feel that your research has been limited and you really don't understand their corporate culture. Some may see you as a non-conformist, others may appreciate your independent thinking, but all will make a judgment on you based on attire. Research employers who will most appropriately embrace your values.

Men: Suggested Dress Code

· Suits. The Center encourages men to wear traditional business attire. This means a conservative dark navy or gray suit and a white long-sleeved pressed dress shirt (even in summer). If you don't own a suit, borrow one from a friend or consider investing in a high quality one. A tailored suit will last many years into your professional career. If you are unable to obtain a suit, a conservative sports coat and dress slacks are second best.

 

· Shirts. White shirts are always your first choice. Solid blue is an acceptable alternative. If you don't own either a white or blue shirt, go out and buy a few. There is no short cut here, and if you get the job you will probably need more than one anyway. The material must be plain or button down cotton; polyesters or nylon are out.

 

· Shoes. Polished leather--lace up black or dark brown shoes are best. Stay away from outlandish styles with buckles or chains. Never wear white or tan shoes. Avoid wearing shoes with run down heels or holes in the soles.

 

· Socks. Wear comfortable dark socks. Depending on the outfit, use black, dark gray, dark blue, but never white.

 

· Ties. Ties can make a statement about who you are. Conservative silk ties are best. Be sure that ties coordinate well with the suit and avoid flashy patterns; the interview is not a time to prove what an individualist you are. Make sure the knot is neat and the tie comes to the top of your belt or slacks. The interviewer need not see your stomach. Be sure the tie is wrinkle free.

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Career Videos