Dress for Success

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Dress for Success

• Winning First Impressions for the Corporate World

Presented by Suzanne S. Clodfelter,
M.A.I.S. Manager, UHV Center for Nonprofit
Leadership
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First Impressions

• You have only one chance to make a good first
  impression.
• Your appearance tells others how you feel about
  yourself, which can define how they treat you.
• Your corporate ladder climb will be easier if you
  look like you belong there.

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First Impression Test Women Who would you hire?
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First Impression Test Men Who would you hire?
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What influenced you?

• Apparent level of sophistication
• Color of tie, shoes, dress
• Well-groomed appearance
• Conservative appearance
• Overall attractiveness
• Non-verbal signals
• Apparent level of self-confidence

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What do your clothes say about you?

• Your appearance plays a supporting role in the
  interview process.
• Your appearance can convey strong feelings of
  trust to a prospective employer.
• Your appearance can convey a sense of
  self-confidence, dependability and
  professionalism.
• Your appearance can determine how people you meet
  will react to you.

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First Impression Guidelines - Colors That Work

• Dark to medium range blues
• Navy Blue respected by all socio-economic
  levels
• Gray
• Camel/Beige
• Black
• Dark Brown
• Burgundy
• Rust

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First Impression Guidelines - Colors to Avoid

• Women
• Most pastels, especially pale yellow
• Bright orange
• Men and Women
• Most shades of green
• Mustard bad, bad, bad
• Dark Colors make you seem more powerful only use
  when you need control.

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First Impression Guidelines - The Suit

• Two-piece matched suit
• Knee-length skirt for women
• Tailored and pressed pants for men and women
• Tailored, long-sleeve shirt or blouse
• Minimal jewelry, cologne and makeup
• Leather lace-up shoes for men closed-toe pumps
  for women

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First Impression Guidelines - Grooming

• Hair clean and neat
• Details no missing buttons, lint or tags
• Hands clean, manicured fingernails
• Fit clean, pressed and proper fit
• Smell little or no cologne no cigarette odor
• Breath fresh, clean breath use a breathmint

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First Impression Guidelines - Accessories

• Shoes never lighter than the hem of your skirt
  or pants
• Belts classic, quality leather
• Bags and briefcases small, dark-colored leather
  briefcase
• Jewelry minimal business watch, nothing flashy
• Scarves and ties silk

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First Impression Guidelines - The Ten Decisions

• Social Position
• Economic Level
• Educational Level
• Trustworthiness
• Moral Character
• Level of Sophistication
• Success previous and current
• Social Heritage
• Economic Heritage
• Educational Heritage

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First Impression Guidelines - Research

• Learn the corporate culture before you interview.
• Dress appropriately for the position that you are
  applying. You convey respect to the person you
  are meeting.
• Define your audience clients, management,
  colleagues, staff fit perceived image for the
  position.

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Remember!You only have one chance to make a
first impression. Dress for success and youll
look like you belong at the top!
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First Impressions Resources

• amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/Budget.html
• amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/research.html
• www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/15-5.shtml
• careercenter.tamu.edu/Students/S1/S1B2A.shtml
• www.theofficecompany.com/Articles_Forms/current/pe
  mberton/sikes2html
• www.selfesteem.org/labelle/curriculum/dress.htm
• www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/APPEARNC.html
  
• www.dressforsuccess.org/