EngineeringProfessional Attire

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Why is attire so important?

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• First impressions- may be true or false- established within first 30 seconds- attire represents potential work ethic

“ You never get a second chance, to make a first impression”

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When to wear a professional attire?

• Interviews• Career Fairs• Conferences• Business Meetings• Business Dinners

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Professional Dress Tips for Men

• Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern

• Dark Shoes ; clean and polished

• Dark Socks

• Short Hair always fairs best in interviews

• No beards-Mustaches are acceptable

• No earrings

• No heavy Cologne

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Professional Dress Tips for Women • Pant suit with a jacket or a sheath

dress with a jacket. NO tight pants that can show underwear lines

• Tailored blouse in a light color or small print. NO cleavage or bright colors– Good color choices: black, brown,

gray, and blue

• Skirts and dresses should hit the knee when standing and covers your thighs when seated

• Hosiery should be skin color or close

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Professional Accessories• Cosmetics: Natural! Neutral eye shadows, NO

thick eye liner, NO heavy blush, NO bright lipstick, look for natural tones

• Hair: Neat and out of your face• Nail polish: Clear or conservative. Nail polish

is optional• Jewelry: Simple and conservative. NOT loud or

flashy• Shoes: Closed-toe pumps that are comfortable

to walk in. NO extremely high heels or chunky platforms

• Purse: Small and simple; color should coordinate with your shoes. No beach/pool totes, partyish, or little-girl style bags. Purses are optional.

• NO heavy perfume

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Good Professional

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Bad Professional

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Additional Tips for Men & Women

•All Clothes should be neatly pressed

•Clean and well-groomed hairstyle

•Clean, trimmed fingernails

•Empty pockets-no noisy coins

•No gum, candy or cigarettes

•No visible body piercings/ tattoos

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• No true standard for business casual; varies• Not to be confused with casual wear (jeans, t-shirts)• Everything should be clean, well pressed, and not

show wear • May be worn at:

- Office- Social/networking events- Site tour (not associated with interview)

Business Casual

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Business Casual Tips for Women• Pressed slacks or skirts are appropriate though

neither should be tight.• tailored shirts or blouses and sweater sets are

appropriate business casual choices. • Keep colors and styles conservative.• Fabrics should be crisp; colors should

generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are always safe bets.

UNT Career Center

UNT Career Center

Business Casual Tips for Men• Quick method: remove jacket and tie of business professional

wardrobe• Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved

and are appropriate even in summer.• Khakis are appropriate (pressed with no stains, frays or rips)• Wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you

sit down• Leather shoes should be worn. No sandals, athletic shoes or

hiking boots

UNT Career Center

UNT Career Center

• Confidence: eye contact, handshake, attire

• Personality: SMILE, small talk, stay calm

• Enthusiasm: speak up, ask questions, get excited

• Work ethic: be early, use examples

• Dedication: Follow up, use examples

• Team player: be nice, use examples

What do employers also look for?

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Helpful Links

• First impressions – different outfits (women)http://www.ndsu.edu/career/dress_for_success/women_college_of_engineering_and_architecture/(for men)http://www.ndsu.edu/career/dress_for_success/college_of_engineering_and_architecture_men/• Virginia Tech – Career Services (interview attire)• http://www.career.vt.edu/interviewing/InterviewAppearance.html

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It is always better to be dressed

higher than the standard than

lower.

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Questions?

Career Center940-565-2105

Chestnut Hall, Suite 103http://careercenter.unt.edu