Wait, how come you are wearing those jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt and you are aspiring to be the next CEO to hit the pages of Fortune Magazine? How about you have an important meeting with a client who can potentially bring you BIG business? You need to edge over your competitors without looking like you are going to the club or dressing for casual lunch with friends. Dress as you want to be perceived, people want to know you mean business and the way you dress means a lot for those who are doing the interviewing.
Our culture is very conscious driven, the car you drive, your hair color, your shoes, that hot pink nail polish you had over the weekend? -Ugh… exactly. It has become more important than ever to pay close attention to your appearance in all work and business situations. It has always been important to present yourself in a professional manner, but with competition in the workplace becoming more fierce than ever, your promotion or your newly increased budget can come down to your appearance and yes the way you are perceived by others.
Here are some helpful tips on how to “Dress for that dream job, or that client you have been chasing for the past year”
Your Outfit
Don’t just throw on the first thing that comes out your closet and don’t just wear black because you think it looks professional hoping this will land you the job. If you know you have a major interview or a meeting with a huge potential client, research, raid your closet, have some fun and play dress up! This doesn’t mean put on your best Sunday dress and your pair of Louboutins! Think about where you envision yourself five years from now, how would you dress if you were a top executive at their company, how will your client perceive you. Ask yourself: do I look convincing? Would I hire myself? Do I look like the CEO or the company’s receptionist?
If it’s a corporate environment try blouse, trousers and accessorize in a very minimal way, I always prefer a jacket when I am interviewing someone. If you are working in a creative environment, again don’t dress as if you were going to a club, but adding a few pops of color will add a oomph to your outfit.
Personal Hygiene
This should be a requirement for everybody, however there are still m
any who feel Hygiene is not as important as how you dress. If there is one thing that turns me off is bad hygiene especially when it comes to an interview. How can I interview someone who will potentially represent me when their nails are dirty, or they have body odor or their outfit is wrinkled. This is embarrassing and unpleasant for all concerned not to mention it will cause a major distraction. It is vital that you bathe, iron your clothes and clean your nails before meeting with a top executive or a potential client. Get up earlier if need to be, but do not even thinking of walking into your workplace if your hygiene is all not there.
Pay attention to Detail
So you look smart, and you smell good, that’s it right? Wrong!
Do you have a pen, do you have a notepad and a nice presentable portfolio? I’ve once had an interview in where the candidate did not have a pen, paper and her resume was wrinkled. It can often be the small details that get the most attention, there is nothing more admirable than someone who is punctual and organized.
This seems like a lot of work, but adding those extra 15-20 minutes organizing and preparing yourself might lend you that dream job or that million dollar client!
