Dress for Success

1. 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

2. 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.

3. First Impression Test – Women Who would you hire?

4. First Impression Test – Men Who would you hire?

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Remember!You only have one chance to make a first impression. Dress for success and you’ll look like you belong at the top!

15. 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/pemberton/sikes2html • www.selfesteem.org/labelle/curriculum/dress.htm • www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/APPEARNC.html • www.dressforsuccess.org/