dressing professionally tips

Hi All:

Great tips!

I have always wondered one thing though- What's an appropriate do for the hair, say if it's not too long and falls till the back- leave it loose or tie it up. I always seem to take a conservative approach and tie it up.

I also understand that the dressing should also be appropriate to the role- As you grow up the ladder, the more conservative (yet smart) the better.

Prb.

 

Great thread! My inputs

1. Use Deodorant - A Must especially in the summer. Americans are very body-odour aware and you are immediately looked down upon if they catch a whiff of BO. Perfume and powder does not mask BO, you need deodorant!

2. Don't wear tight fitting clothes unless you have the figure to show it off. I once saw this desi girl at Cisco wearing a tight top, skin-tight jeans, a long plait with flowers in her hair that had been oiled. She was as full-figured as me and I would never ever be caught wearing such an outfit in public. And did I mention the 3 inch stilletos this dame was balancing herself on!

3. Don't go to work smelling like an Indian Kitchen. I know many of us have to cook in the morning, but don't do that in work clothes. Change after you have finished cooking!

Cheers,

Pooja

 

Hi All,


Does it really make a difference how you dress for an interview? In many cases, it does. I'll never forget the gentleman I interviewed for an accounting position. He had been out of work for a few months and wanted to show me why. He took off his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt and started to pull down his pants (this is a true story) to show me the scar from a boat propeller that had injured him. He didn't get the job. Neither did the young lady in a bright red skirt so short and tight that she could hardly sit down!
In the conservative business climate I worked in at the time, appearances did matter. In other environments it isn't as important. However, it does make sense to dress your best for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the organization. If you're in doubt about how to dress for an interview, it is best to err on the side of conservatism. It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed (or undressed).

Women's Interview Attire

• Solid color, conservative suit
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoes
• Limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Tan or light hosiery
• Sparse make-up & perfume
• Manicured nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

Men's Interview Attire

• Solid color, conservative suit
• White long sleeve shirt
• Conservative tie
• Dark socks, professional shoes
• Very limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Go easy on the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

"I live in NYC (where fashion is on every block) and it’s so hard to be stylish and look professional. Example: My internship holds professional networking events and casual networking events. I went to both and at both I wore pants, dress shirt, sweater vest or skirt, dress shirt, blazer. However, at the casual networking event another intern looked fantastic in a black and white print cap sleeve dress, opaque tights, and patent leather mary jane heels. She accessorized with a black cardigan and diamond earrings. It was perfect for a casual networking event.
I def. think you should post some ideas on how to dress for an interview, a seminar, volunteer work, every day work, professional networking, casual networking…of course these categories apply to my life!"
The "What To Wear To Work" Question

Dressing for a job, an interview, an internship, a networking event, etc. is a source of anxiety for everyone at some point in their career. Each company and event is different, so it can be nerve-racking not knowing what the proper dress code is, what you can and can’t wear, etc. You want to make the best impression, of course, and your clothes say a lot about you & who you are!
There’s also the question of what season it is, what city you’re working in, whether you walk to work or not, and whether you’ll be sitting or standing most of the time, among other concerns! That’s a lot to think about, so it’s no wonder so many people feel frustrated with this kind of thing!
I’m currently in business school and it seems like they give us tips on this every other day. Also, I’m a junior so all my friends are having these problems right now! Suffice to say that I know a lot about this stuff & have tons of tips to get your wardrobe right in a professional setting - without sacrificing style, of course.
There will be outfit examples and budget-friendly options as well. Sound good?
To start off, I’m going to go over career-wear basics. When your boss tells you that a certain dress code will be mandatory at tonight’s networking event, do you know what she means? Check the handy guide below for all the info you need.
Types of Business Attire

There are 3 main types of "business dress" that you need to understand before we get into dressing for specific events. These are probably terms you’ve heard before, but after reading this, you should have a good understanding of what clothes work for what dress code. The three types of dress codes are: Professional Dress, Business Casual and Campus Casual.
1. Professional Dress
This is the most conservative type of business wear. It’s what you’ll be expected to wear in the office if you work in accounting, finance, or other conservative industries (or if you just have a really conservative boss!) For women, this means a business suit or pants suit, or dress and jacket. For men, professional dress means a business suit or a blazer, dress pants and a tie.
Where to shop for professional dress clothing: Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor (women only), Men’s Wearhouse (men only), and Nordstrom’s Women’s Suits (women only).
2. Business Casual
This is a more relaxed version of "Professional Dress", but it doesn’t mean you’re actually going to be "casual"! This is likely going to be your office dress code if you work in a semi-conservative workplace, but some interviews and events may also call for business casual. Basically, business casual is a shirt with a collar and/or a sweater, khakis or dress pants and nice shoes for women. Women can also sometimes wear a moderate length dress or skirt (read: knee-length or longer!). For men, business casual is a polo shirt or shirt with a collar and/or sweater, khakis or dress pants and dress shoes. No tie is required.
Where to shop for business casual clothing: Banana Republic (look in the "Work" sections), Eddie Bauer (look in the "business casual" section).
3. Campus Casual
Campus casual is what you probably won’t be wearing to work. This is the technical term for what you’re probably wearing every day - jeans, tee shirts, flip flops, sneakers. You may be asked to wear campus casual to some very informal on-campus interviews and career days, and some casual networking events. In general, you probably want to stay away from this in the workplace and err towards more conservative stuff.


Regards
Rohini

 

hi,
Very good points.... Bow

In the US, every working person will have a blue shirt/top and a Khaki pant/skirt (business casuals). This can be used for any occasion, like an interview, a meeting, a get-together etc.

Also, it looks very odd when you wear turtle-necks in summer. I do understand that the temperature in some offices is about 63 degrees. We can always keep an extra jacket at work. I keep a pair of gloves too, to use if I go into the servers' room.

Watch the shoes you wear. Skirts and pants may not go with the same pair. Do not wear running shoes/sports shoes with formal pants or skirts. Keep at least 3 pairs, a black, a white and a tan/brown.

Also, keep some mouth freshners with you all the time. Pop one into your mouth if you have been quiet for a long time. Especially if you are diabetic.

My My 2cents

Regards,
Sharada