Dress for SuccessWinning First Impressions for the Corporate World

First Impressions• YOU ONLY HAVE ONCE CHANCE TO MAKE A

FIRST GOOD IMPRESSION.• Your appearance tells others how you feel

about yourself, which can define how they treat you.

• Dress for Success and you will look like YOU BELONG TO THE TOP!!!

First Impression Test – Women Who would you hire?

First Impression Test – Men Who would you hire?

What influenced you?

• Apparent level of sophistication• Color of tie, shoes, dress• Well-groomed appearance• Conservative appearance• Non-verbal signals• Apparent level of self-confidence

What do your clothes say about you?• Convey strong feelings of trust to a prospective

employer.• A sense of self-confidence, dependability and

professionalism.• Determines how people you meet will react to

you.

COLORS THAT WORK FOR AN INTERVIEW

• Dark to medium range of blues• Navy Blue – respected by all socio-economic levels.• Gray• Camel/Beige• Black• Dark Brown• Burgundy • Rust

The Suit Guidelines

• Two-piece matched suit• Knee-length skirt for women• Fitted pressed pants for men and women• Fitted, long-sleeve shirt or blouse• Minimal jewelry, perfume/cologne and makeup• Dressy leather lace shoes for men, closed-toe pump for women

Accessories - Guidelines

• Shoes – dark colors• Belts – classic, match color of shoes• Purses – small, dark-color, leather• Jewelry – minimal, nothing flashy• Scarves and ties – simple print or design

Colors to AVOID -Guidelines

• Women• Most pastels, especially pale yellow• Bright orange

• Men and Women• Most shades of green• Mustard – bad, bad, bad

• Dark colors make you seem powerful

GROOMING - GUIDELINES• 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, where deodorant• Breath – fresh, clean breath, use mints

Do Your Homework -Guidelines• 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.

Shopping On A Budget• End-of-season sales (January – July)• Put things on lay-away• Garage Sales• Resale shops• Promotions and Coupon’s• Online

Basic Wardrobe Needs• Black, Navy or Gray suit• Contrasting jacket and skirt or pants• Two-piece dress (for women)• Several white (off-white) blouses or shirts• One pair of gold, one pair of silver earrings. (for

women)• Basic ties that match pants or suits• Black or brown shoes• Black, brown, navy socks or stockings(women)• Black handbag (for women)• All weather coat

When you are CONFIDENT about your clothing, it will reflect in the way that you carry

yourself and lead to your SUCCESS!