Casual vs. Professional Attire In The Workplace — What Message Are YOU Sending?
The job market is competitive; you need to take every measure available to stay
ahead of the competition. Perception is reality, and peoples opinions are shaped by
what you wear.
You may be the most professional, educated applicant a potential new employer has
spoken to, but if you don't look the part, you may not get the chance to show him /
her your "stuff."
From the employer's point of view, if you haven't mastered the simple art of
presenting yourself appropriately, you probably have not mastered the more
important, complicated skills required in the workplace.
Also, while employers try to be fair and impartial, ultimately they often hire people
they like, and people like other people that look and act like they do. That means that
your goal should be to try to emulate your supervisor's style of dress.
When in doubt, for instance in an interview or short assignment, you don't have a
chance to gage a supervisor's typical style of dress, it is always better to be over
dressed than under dressed.
For our temporary professionals, it's can be hard to know what style of clothing you'll
need, but it is easier to dress up a conservative piece with some attractive
accessories than make a flashy item look conservative. Before you purchase an item
of business clothing, you should be thinking about what image it will project and
chose accordingly. Ask yourself if the particular item will or will not help you
succeed. Dressing for success is not just a clever saying, it's reality.