Having a hard time deciding what’s appropriate to wear to work? Not sure how to dress for a job interview? With so many types of formality in business attire, ranging from traditional and formal to smart casual, business casual, and casual, it can get a tad overwhelming. However, if you dress for success, you need never be uncertain again. Keep reading to learn how to dress for success at work and job interviews in three simple steps.
STEP #1: DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT, NOT THE JOB YOU HAVE
How you present yourself to others can make or break a job interview, or even help or hinder a promotion at work. You should always dress to impress, to communicate to your superiors, clients, customers or future employers that you are serious about your work.
Paying attention to the details of your appearance sends the message that you will also pay close attention to business details, and the needs of your customers and clients. Best of all, it’s a boost to your confidence as you live and dress for the career or promotion you hope to attain.
STEP #2: KNOW YOUR ENVIRONMENT
It might seem obvious but knowing the dress code of your employer will help you gauge what’s acceptable. If you work in an environment that’s patronized by clients who expect their advisors to exhibit integrity and professionalism, then the dress code will be business formal. This is often the case for law offices, accounting firms, and banks.
On the other hand, if you’re working in manufacturing, warehousing, construction or skilled trades, casual comfortable clothing will be the expectation. What if you’re a job seeker, and unsure about the company’s dress code? Simply, ask the recruiter and then refer to step one above. In either case, what you wear should be reflective of how you want the company to be viewed.
STEP #3: KEEP IT SIMPLE
So, you have a personal flair for style and you want to express your individualism. You may need to adapt your look to fit into the environment and support your professional accomplishments. Picking up some clothing staples such as a blazer, dress pants, or a well-tailored suit based on your body type and height is a great place to start. However, how well you put them together will convey your message. We recommend keeping it simple!
If your business attire is distracting others due to a too-tight shirt or a plunging neckline, your co-workers or potential employer might focus more on your looks, and less on your business acumen. For women who choose to wear jewelry, we advise adopting a less is more approach. For men who like loud colours and patterns, wear them as accent pieces, for example, a colourful pair of socks or pocket square.
Dressing for success is one of the simplest things you can do to excel yourself and your career. And when you find the right fit, tone and comfort level, balancing professionalism with flair will be a breeze.
