| Recently a job seeker sent me this inquiry below, | | | | Now, there are some exceptions, which is why I say |
| relating to their problems with how to dress for an | | | | above my advice is 'almost always the same:' when it |
| interview. Read on and see how sometimes the | | | | comes to what to wear to a job interview. For |
| issues become confusing."Hello Mark,Couple days ago I | | | | example, when your interview may include a work |
| went to a job interview with a national restaurant chain. | | | | environment tour that requires protective clothing or |
| I got the interview through a recruiter, who told me to | | | | when formal clothing may be vulnerable to destruction, |
| dress "appropriately" for the job interview. So I wore | | | | such as a tour of a factory or manufacturing plant, or |
| Dockers, a nice shirt with button down collar and neck | | | | construction site, or mining facility. But in such cases, |
| tie. And I wore my non-slip shoes, as the interview | | | | don't assume, ask your interviewer prior to your visit |
| was to take place at one of their restaurant locations, I | | | | what they consider proper attire. Don't guess, and if |
| figured safety first. I would have wore my dress suit, | | | | you cannot verify their opinion of what to wear, |
| but when the recruiter said to dress "appropriately," I | | | | 'always dress for success.' Risking the cost of cleaning |
| took that to mean to dress according to the interview | | | | or even replacing a dress suit may seem an |
| location. So I did. Well, I just heard back from the | | | | expensive way to get a job, but if you get the job, it |
| recruiter and he told me I was out of consideration for | | | | may seem a small price to pay.Best Of Luck With |
| the job. One of the reasons he mentioned for me | | | | Your Job SearchMark Baber has 20 years experience |
| being removed, was my manner of dress, and | | | | as an Executive Search recruiter, with placement |
| specifically mentioned my shoes. The interviewer didn't | | | | background in many industries, including: Retail, |
| feel I was dressed correctly for the job interview. I feel | | | | Manufacturing, Sales, Accounting/Finance, MIS/IT, Petro |
| as though I was dressed correctly, because we met | | | | Chemical, and others; enjoying client relationships with |
| at a in-operation restaurant location. How is one to | | | | firms like WalMart, OfficeDepot, Texaco, CircleK and |
| know what is appropriate and what is not appropriate | | | | other national and international firms. Mark has written |
| job interview dress?Tracy M, Lexington, KY"As you | | | | many articles and books on recruitment and other |
| see from the letter above, job interview dress issues | | | | topics, like Marketing strategies, Sales psychology, |
| can be confusing. When I speak with my own job | | | | Training and other business related subjects. He |
| candidates, my advice about how to dress for any job | | | | studied at the University of Texas, focusing on |
| interview is almost always the same: "Dress as though | | | | Communications, Marketing, and Journalism. Later |
| you are going to meet the President of the Company." | | | | became Managing Editor for "Treatment Today |
| When you enter a job interview, first impressions are | | | | Magazine," a publication focused on psychology, |
| lasting. You are not dressing to impress the person or | | | | psychiatry, counseling, and drug treatment. Mark Baber |
| persons with whom you are meeting -- though that | | | | is Recruit Consultant to where Jobseekers access 2 |
| may also be a benefit of your appearance -- instead, | | | | Million job transactions monthly, and can submit their |
| you are dressing to exhitbit yourself as a professional | | | | Resumes Free and have them distributed freely to |
| in your vocation. Never quibble over this, always dress | | | | Employers they choose by industry, vocation, City or |
| for success, however cliche it may sound. | | | | Region. |