Whether working in a cubicle or interacting directly with customers, dressing appropriately is of the utmost importance. Regardless of your communication or analytical abilities, the first thing others will notice about you is your appearance. Obviously, certain jobs will require different attire than others; in certain circumstances you may even be asked to wear a uniform. However, there are several basic guidelines one can follow to appear as professional as possible. First and foremost, make sure you are well-groomed, polish your dress shoes and avoid chewing gum during office interactions.
When working in an office environment, appropriate office dress differs based on gender. Women will want to opt for a business professional outfit or suit and men should generally suit up in a shirt, tie, and suit complemented by dress shoes. Avoid overly flamboyant colors and remember to match. These guidelines apply regardless of the weather or the season, as they serve to promote an atmosphere of professionalism and respect within the workplace.
Proper business dress is such a critical issue that professional seminars are based around the practice. Prior to actually obtaining a job, one must report for an interview to assess one’s qualifications and relevant skills.
Despite the objective nature of interviews, the interviewer will be focusing on your presentability due to the formality of the position. One of the most valuable rules to remember for interview dress is to dress as if you are already a high-ranking employee within the company. This way, you will convey a high degree of professionalism.
As a matter of atmosphere, certain working environments will demand a higher level of dress than others, whereas a Fortune 500 company would require very formal dress, a start-up firm would have much more relaxed standards. While the office dress code is much more casual than it was a few decades ago, showing up for work in a T-shirt and jean shorts will still encourage an attitude of disrespect and apathy.
However, it can be somewhat of a challenge to dress formally on a budget. Fortunately, there are stores offering affordable formal attire, as well as other methods of obtaining appropriate wear. Consignment shops offer bargains for the budget-minded business person. You may also want to search out sales at formal wear stores or, if all else fails, check at your local Goodwill store. Another strategy is to suggest that your relatives and/or friends that you may be interested in a suit as a present for an important occasion. If used wisely, these techniques can earn you a lot of professionalism points for a lower price.
While today’s fast-paced, aesthetic society stresses appearance more than ever, many workplaces have leaned toward more casual wear. However, this does not mean that you should be the employee who arrives to work dressed like he just came off the cow pasture. Professionalism still matters, and thus it is critical to dress likewise.
Written by Elizabethtown College Students In Free Enterprise, a nonprofit organization that teaches others the principles of free market economics. Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to visit the SIFE blog at http://etownsife.blogspot.com/. Contact sife@etown.edu with any questions.
This article was originally published in the Etownian on Thursday, January 31st.
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