GQ or Rolling Stone: Will you get the job?

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 17, 2002 by Shirley Webb

A company that distributes vitamins and health aids advertised for a marketing representative. Based on the resumes received, two individuals were invited to interview. Stan had five years experience and had been the top salesperson on his team three months in a row at a previous position. He confidently participated in the interview, dressed in loafers with no socks, unpressed khaki pants and a crew neck T-shirt. He removed his sunglasses halfway through the interview and ran his hands through his spiky, two-color crew cut. Dan appeared dressed in a dark business suit, button down blue shirt and a conservative tie. His shoes gleamed and his hair was neatly trimmed. He opened a leather briefcase to extract a copy of his resume, which revealed he had held only one marketing position before this interview. Which person do you think got the job?

The way a person dresses has tremendous impact on their ability to get a job and be promoted. A qualified person who dresses in an unprofessional way may be passed over for promotions or not even be hired. Sloppy and ill-fitting, or tight and short clothes cause employers and peers to look at an applicant as unprofessional. Wearing clothes that are tailored and conservative carries an image of maturity, intelligence and capability. Professional dress constitutes an extra advantage, raising your self-confidence and helping you to be alert and more comfortable in the presence of a company-hiring executive.

Professional dress varies with different industries, with law and banking being more conservative than ad agencies or nonprofits. Before going to an interview, call the company and ask about their dress code. Try to dress a level above the position you are applying for. You may dress more conservatively for the interview than you would for the job, but it is better to be over- rather than under- dressed. Once on the job, observe those around you who are respected in the office, and try similar styles. If necessary, ask one of these respectable people for advice on clothing. If you are attending an event outside the office, find out what the dress code will be.

Some companies, such as Express Services, make use of dress-for- success seminars. The company requires that employees at its corporate headquarters maintain a professional appearance. In order to help employees with professional dress issues, the company holds a "Dress for Success" seminar that each new employee attends. The seminar covers wardrobe basics, grooming, and appearance do's and don'ts for both men and women. Express offers even more, providing each newly hired permanent employee with a clothing allowance and the opportunity to shop with a professional dress consultant for a starter wardrobe.

"We have found employees come to a greater understanding and appreciation of why we want them to dress professionally after taking this course," said Carol Lane, vice president of personnel, and administrator of the dress for success program. "We feel this helps our employees set a standard. Their pride and confidence in their appearance shows in their work and in their attitude."

Perhaps if Stan, the job applicant mentioned earlier, had interviewed on a Friday, he may have been offered the job. During the `90s, many businesses instituted business casual dress codes or casual Fridays. Business casual typically includes items such as khakis, Polo shirts and sandals. While not usual, jeans are allowed on casual Fridays at some companies. With the rise of dot-coms, extremely casual dress codes became acceptable at many places. However, now that many dot-coms are out of business and companies have experienced problems with what employees perceive as casual, more conservative dress is coming back.

What will the next big dress code debate be about? Tattoos and piercings are becoming more of an issue in the workplace today. Employers need to decide what their policy is regarding these body decorations. Policies vary, from prohibiting any body decorations, to forbidding any new tattoos or piercings while holding the job, to asking employees to cover any existing tattoos, all the way to removing them as a condition of employment. In the rare cases where an employer simply asks that body piercings be in "good taste," the issue becomes really murky, as the definition of that term varies as widely as the number of plant species.

In the term "dress for success," it is wise to focus on the word "success," rather than on the "dress." In our individualistic society, Americans are not always keen on being told how to do things, and when it comes to personal dress issues, each of us feels we need to make our own personal statement. However, we can help ensure a successful professional and economic future by conforming to the culture in which we work.

Shirley Webb is director of contract staffing and professional search at Express Personnel.