Do You Dress for Success?

When I was in my early 20s and had very little cash on hand, I still tried to make sure I dressed the part of a young professional. I would scour the sale racks to find appropriate suits, dress shirts, and acceptable shoes to wear to ensure I was presentable and even maybe a notch above my potential employer or client. I wanted to make sure I looked the part.

Why would anyone want to admit to being a conformist? Well, there is a certain truth to looking, feeling, and playing a part to get what you want in this country. Call it superficial, but it’s a reality. 

Remember the old saying, “The clothes make the man (or woman)”? I believe that that our recent lack of attention to the way we put ourselves together as human beings has had ramifications on the very fabric of our nation. I don’t think it was just the dot com boom or the grunge period in the ‘90s that sent us spiraling into a misguided casualization funk. I think it may have been our general feeling that we can do no wrong, that we are Americans and we dance to the beat of our own drummer. That is all well and good, but at what price?

Every culture has social norms. Some cultures covet those individuals with the right tattoo, earrings, or tribal clothing. Remember when your banker looked like a banker, the young person pumping your gas was in a uniform, your job applicant showed up in a suit, and your waiter wore a bowtie? It all seemed to work; and these uniforms had a purpose. The purpose was to make you, the client or the employee, and those around you understand your individual roles within the work environment. It was designed to make you feel comfortable and gave you a sense that you were getting what you paid for. This seems silly and superficial, but it worked.

Why dress to impress? Well, the Job Center of Wisconsin recently conducted a survey of employers and the results are overwhelming in favor of job applicants that put their best foot forward. Ninety five percent of employers interviewed said the applicant’s personal appearance affected the employer’s opinion of their job suitability, 91 percent said they felt dress and grooming reflected the applicant’s outlook towards the business, and  61 percent said attire had influenced ensuing promotions as well.

Backing up this data, Harris Interactive conducted a survey of more than 500 HR professionals and discovered that 90 percent of HR pros believe being well groomed is crucial to making a strong first impression and setting yourself apart from the less tidy job applicants. 

For the already employed, even colors matter. Image consultants suggest to avoid wearing overly bright colors or patterns to meetings in order to keep the focus off your clothes. For example, blue is considered the color of trust so if you are a banker, blue may be your color. Red is a power color, so you may want to accessorize your suit with a red shirt or tie before going into a big meeting.

Here are some tips to keep you on the right track when interviewing for a job, meeting a prospect or simply going to your place of work for the day:

You can be an original and still play the part. Banker, baker, factory worker, or grocery clerk. You can still have your personal flare and be your own person. Select one part of your attire that is distinctly you. A bold tie, a pin on your baker’s hat, an embroidered name on your work shirt, funky jewelry or a stylish hairdo while you ring up the groceries. You can be free you and still look the part.

Understand what people expect. This may sound obvious, but then why do I still get people showing up to interviews at my office for a professional job in jeans or cargo pants? Do the research and find out your prospect’s style, corporate culture and ask the receptionist about the company dress policy so you’re dressed appropriately for your appointment. If you get this wrong it could be the difference between landing the deal or the job or not. Unfair? No. Reality? Yes.

Dress up. Most HR professionals suggest that you dress 10 percent better than the person who will be interviewing you. Dig up your best suit, shine your shoes, neaten your beard, fix your hair and make sure that nothing is out of place before you head to the job.

Locate resources. If you’ve been working in a casual office environment and can’t afford a new suit, there are organizations out there such as Dress For Success, Wings for Success, and Suited for Success that will help not just outfit you but also prepare you for the interview. Reach out to your local Department of Labor to see what resources are available in your area.

So the next time you are getting dressed for an important interview, client appointment, or prospect meeting, remember to dress the part. Clean those shoes, iron your pants and jacket, but let your personality shine through in the little things, like a great pair of earrings or a fun tie. First impressions are important, so you want to make sure that your first impression is a great one.