Polishing Your Professional Image Workshop

Updated Fall 2005

• Why should you be concerned with a professional image?

• First ImpressionsIn face-to-face, verbal encounters: • 7% of the message comes from spoken words • 38% comes from the vocal tone and inflection • 55% comes from appearance and body

language.*

*Albert Mehrabian, PhD,UCLA Professor Emeritus, from his communications research

• Appearances Count!• According to The New Professional Image, one

college career center surveyed 150 employers and found that the number one reason for rejecting an applicant after a first interview was a low rating on presence and impression.

* The New Professional Image by Susan Bixler, 2005

Agenda

• Professional Clothing: What’s expected for different professional situations– What should I wear?– What should I bring?– Professional Attire Examples

Interview

• Job Interview n : an interview to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment

Interview

• “What should I wear for an on-campus interview?”

» First Year MBA, Class of 2007

Interview

• What to Wear:– Normally expected: Tailored,dark-colored matched suit with a shirt-tie or blouse– Exceptions to the rule: More creative companies, like advertising agencies, allow for more colorful options

• What to Bring:– Portfolio/pen with notes and questions– Several resumes on quality paper– Business cards– Transcript, if requested

• What not to bring:– Water bottles– Backpacks

Interview

• Recommended Attire:

Informational Interview

• Informational Interview n: a meeting for purposes of obtaining advice, information, and possible referrals to an interview

Informational Interview

• “I never know what to wear to informational interviews. Should I dress up or down”?

» Second Year MA-HRIR, Class of 2006

Informational Interview

• What to Wear:– Normally expected: Matched suit – Exceptions to the rule: Depends on the meeting

location

• What to Bring:– Portfolio/pen with notes and questions– Several resumes on quality paper– Business cards

• What not to bring:– Backpacks

Informational Interview

• Recommended Attire:

Information Sessions

• Information Session n: Companies visit Carlson, providing an opportunity for companies and students to meet. They present information about themselves and possible career opportunities. 

Information Session

• “At information sessions, some of my classmates wear full suits, whereas others show up in khakis and sweaters. What do you recommend?”

» Second Year MA-HRIR, Class of 2006

Information Session• What to Wear:

– Normally expected: Business Casual– Exceptions to the rule: If the dress code on CARS states

otherwise– Your nametag, pinned on the right side

• What to Bring:– Portfolio/pen – Several resumes on quality paper– Business cards– Your questions

• What to do:– Introduce yourself and exchange business cards– Take Notes

Information Sessions

• Recommended Attire:

Traveling for Interviews

• Traveling for an Interview v: Taking an airplane to an interview

Traveling for Interviews

• “What do I wear when an employer requests that I fly to their company directly to interview?”

– MA-HRIR alumnus, Class of 2005

Traveling for Interviews

• What to Wear:– Normally expected: Business Casual– Exceptions to the rule: If you’re flying in and going

directly to the interview, wear your suit on the airplane.

• What to Bring:– Carry on your interview attire (do not check with

luggage)– Several resumes on quality paper– Business cards

Traveling for Interviews

• Recommended Attire:

Business Casual

• Business Casual n:attire that is acceptable for an office but casual; varies depending on the type of business and workplace

Business Casual

• “Business Casual is such a vague description. What is really classified as ‘business casual’?”

» MBA alum, Class of 2005

Business Casual

• What to Wear:– Normally expected: Casual, but no jeans or sweats– Exceptions to the rule: Offices that permit jeans or

sweats, or forbid all casual wear

Business Casual

• Recommended Attire:

Miscellaneous

• Blazer n : lightweight single-breasted jacket; [synonyms:sport jacket, sport coat]

Miscellaneous

• “I had an interview at a conference, where I was invited to attend an evening event after the interview concluded. It was more social, yet still a recruiting event. What should I have worn?”

» Second Year MBA, Class of 2006

Blazer/Separates

• When to Wear:– Informational Interviews– Information Sessions– Employer Receptions– Commonly referred to as Business Informal

Blazer/Separates

• Recommended Attire:

Image Tips: General

• Properly tailored suit

• Professional laundry and dry clean recommended

• Style hair conservatively

• Have your shoes shined

Image Tips: General

• Limit your jewelry

• Take out piercings (for women, a pair of earrings is acceptable)

• Conceal tattoos

• Avoid fragrance

• Avoid smoking immediately prior

Image Tips: Men

• Wear a belt & dark trouser socks

• Proper tie length

• Clean shaven or neatly groomed facial hair

Image Tips: Women

• Shoes should be closed-toe

• Wear hosiery (non-patterned)

• Style hair neatly (recommend pulled back)

• Conservative make-up

• Avoid revealing tops (lacy camisoles are a NO for interviews)