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Dressing For Success

tips for both men and women

2

Pre-test (True or False)

• You should wear enough perfume/cologne that the interviewer acknowledges that it is you that smells good___________________

• You should not get your hair cut because you are not due______________

• Today it does not matter what you wear to an interview as long as you are comfortable_________________

• If you have a body piercing you should leave it in. It is better the interviewer know up front that you have one________________

• Make-up should be used to hi-light your eyes and lips________________

3

Attention to Details is Crucial

clean and polished conservative dress shoes

minimal or no cologne or perfume minimal jewelry no visible body piercing beyond

conservative ear piercing for women no gum, candy, or other objects in your

mouth

WBL Coordinator Kenneth Abel (631) 244-5900

4

Personal Hygiene/Appearance

well-groomed hairstyle your facial hair should be neatly trimmed cleaned and trimmed fingernails well-brushed teeth and fresh breath no body odor make-up should be minimal pantyhose should be flawless (no runs)

5

Dress for Success Women

• the standard job interviewing attire for women is a conservative dark navy or gray skirted wool blend suit.

• job experts and employers seem split on the notion of pants suits, so a skirted suit is usually a safer choice.

6

Dress Attire

• skirt length should be a little below the knee and never shorter than above the knee -- no night club attire here.

• conservative colors -- such as beige or brown -- are also acceptable. Red is a power color.

• blouses should be cotton or silk and should be white, or some other light color.

• shoes should be low-heeled.

7

Appearance is Everything

• make-up should be minimal

• lipstick and nail polish conservative tones

• pantyhose should be flawless (no runs) and conservative in color

• you should opt for a briefcase rather than a purse

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Conservative Examples

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Season Colors

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Dress for SuccessMen

• the standard job interviewing attire for men is a conservative dark navy or gray two-piece business suit

• a white long-sleeved button-down dress shirt

• a conservative silk tie (that matches the colors in your suit)

• polished dress shoes

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If you do not own a suit

• then you should wear a conservative sports coat

• nicely pressed dress slacks

• white long-sleeved button-down shirt

• a conservative silk tie

• and nicely polished dress shoes

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Some Dress for Success Examples

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Conservative Colors

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Finally

• check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a final check of your appearance

• ANY QUESTIONS ????????

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Post-TestAfter this PPT would you still answer the questions the same

• Would you still wear perfume/cologne? ( refer to slide three)_______________________________________________

• Would you get a hair cut just to look well groomed and neat? ( refer to slide three)

____________________________________________________________

• What would you wear to an interview? (refer to slides five and ten)_________________________________________

• Should you leave a body piercing in? (refer to slide three) ______________________________________________

WBL Coordinator Kenneth Abel (631) 244-5900

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Assignment• Put together two interview outfits.

• Practice demo interviews as well as walking and feeling good in these clothes.

• Have your parents or your WBL Coordinator give you tips on your outfits so you are dressed for success.

• Go to the library and take out one of the books on the Additional Resources slide. Research proper dress attire further.

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Additional Resources

• Dress to Impress: How a Navy Blazer Changed My Life! (Paperback)by Joyce Nelson Shellhart (Author), Lana Beck (Illustrator) "Developing a sense of clothing style does not have to involve hours of study or years of experience..." (more)

• The New Professional Image: Dress Your Best For Every Business Situation (2nd Edition) (Paperback) by Susan Bixler (Author), Nancy Nix-Rice (Author) Key Phrases: Second Edition, The New Professional Image, Casual Friday (more...)

• Your Executive Image: How to Look Your Best & Project Success for Men and Women (Paperback) by Victoria A. Seitz (Author)

• 5 Steps to Professional Presence: How to Project Confidence, Competence, and Credibility at Work (Paperback) by Susan Bixler (Author), Lisa Scherrer Dugan (Author) "At the first company picnic she attended, Linda was determined to initiate conversation and make good first impressions..." (more)

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Dressing for Success has Successful Outcomes