I’ve been debating about whether or not to write this post, but I think it’s important to get the information out there since so many people are hurting their chances of finding employment and maybe have never heard this before.  Dress up!

At the risk of embarrassing some - not all, but some - people I saw at the Ohio Valley Job Fair on Wheeling island earlier this week - it is not appropriate to wear hats or jerseys or be scantily clad.  You wouldn’t wear the same outfit to a Steelers game that you would to a funeral (unless the deceased were this guy).  So don’t wear what you would hanging out with your friends to meet with prospective employers.

But just how much should you dress up?   It differs whether you’re attending a job fair or an interview, which company or companies, and what type of position.  There is a level of subjectivity and judgment…but not that much. I’ve personally always felt more comfortable a little overdressed than underdressed.  Plus, most folks won’t ding you for dressing up too much even if they’re more casual as they’ll recognize you’ve made an effort to put your best foot forward.

You don’t always need to wear a suit (though it’s usually not a bad thing).  If you don’t have one, you can just wear a dress shirt and slacks, with or without a tie depending on the situation*.  Even if you’re not in a great financial position, you can head over to the Highlands or the Ohio Valley Mall and pick up a tie for a few bucks.

Here are some general interview dress rules that are good in 99% of situations:

Yes

• Pressed clothes
• Shirt with a collar
• Skirts at least one inch above the knee or longer
• Tie
• Tuck in your shirt
• Comb / brush / style your hair
• Shave or keep any existing facial hair neatly groomed

No

• Hats, doo rags, or any non-religious head ware
• Jerseys or shirts with writing on them
• Wrinkles or stains
• Shorts
• Outfits that are too tight or revealing
• Excessive makeup

Remember - this is your first impression and everything matters, especially how you dress.  Some employers won’t give you a shot if your shoes aren’t shined; show up in your hoody and they might have security escort you out.

* I’m not trying to come off sexist by talking about ties and male dress more than female dress codes.  I simply don’t know how women are supposed to dress (other than not too revealing) and what the appropriate terms for their clothes are because I am a guy and guys are stupid.  I try to get away with saying terms like “business casual” or “professional” and hope they know what that means.

HR directors and ladies - have any advice to give to women on how to dress???

Tags: dress for success, hats, how to dress for an interview, jerseys, world's biggest Steeler's fan