To Dress or not to Dress.....Code?
This little detail can make or break the chances of you securing employment. I have learned the hard way not to assume that candidates understand the appropriate dress code for an interview. So I will tell you from experience what our valued clients consider the appropriate dress code.
* If in doubt always over dress and not under.
* Always dress corporate, even if you are applying for chef's position or a waiter and especially if you are applying to represent a company in a sales position.
*Corporate would mean a long sleeved shirt and tie for the men and for ladies a classy suit, pants or knee length skirt and coat.
*Guys--shine your shoes - yes clients notice.
*Keep nails impeccable, short and clean or if long in the case of ladies, then groomed with no chipped nail polish.
*Hair should be short and groomed for the gents. Ladies keep hair polished, washed and appropriately styled, avoid pony tails, save for the gym and make the effort to have a groomed do - unless of course its a perfectly styled swept back elegant pony.
*Make up should be classy and not overly done, keep the blue eye shadows for the Friday night out with the gals and keep it simple and striking.
*Go easy on deodorants but please do wear some, nothing worse than sweaty underarms.
*Interview attire should be classy and simple, elegant and comfortable, ladies wear heels that you 'can' walk in--you dont want to make your entrance praying that you stay upright and balanced.
*Never wear jeans or shorts to an interview. Guys, do not wear earings and ladies remove the nose rings, it may be your personal or religious preference but a corporate organisation may not find it appropriate. So assess the culture of the company in your interview and if you find that they may find this acceptable then great or if your piercings are very important to you, then decisions will have to be made I suppose.
*Dont show too much skin.
*Be sure not save any food particles between your teeth and fresh breath is an absolute winner.
*Never smell of alcohol/cigarettes or chew gum ever in an interview....even the smell of garlic would be more acceptable than this...of course garlic is not smell we're aiming for.
*Be sure that your hands are not sweaty, especially since you will shaking the clients hand before and after.
*Blowing your nose, coughing up a lung and continous clearing of the throat is not very appealing.
*Clean your car, I hear this one quite often. Candidates make a great impression and then the client walks you out to your car and well it looks as though your entire cupboard in on the back seat, including last nights dishes and--- its not easy on the eyes.
So although you may not appreciate all of the points above, the actual point I am trying to convey is that first impressions count. Make your best impression first, you may not get another chance. Clean is appealing, you dont need designer labels, you do need self respect. If you take care of yourself, the client will feel confident that you will take care of his company.
A well attired individual speaks volumes to a prospective employer. It says that you care enough about the opportunity to have taken the time to make an effort, so make the effort and get the job.
* If in doubt always over dress and not under.
* Always dress corporate, even if you are applying for chef's position or a waiter and especially if you are applying to represent a company in a sales position.
*Corporate would mean a long sleeved shirt and tie for the men and for ladies a classy suit, pants or knee length skirt and coat.
*Guys--shine your shoes - yes clients notice.
*Keep nails impeccable, short and clean or if long in the case of ladies, then groomed with no chipped nail polish.
*Hair should be short and groomed for the gents. Ladies keep hair polished, washed and appropriately styled, avoid pony tails, save for the gym and make the effort to have a groomed do - unless of course its a perfectly styled swept back elegant pony.
*Make up should be classy and not overly done, keep the blue eye shadows for the Friday night out with the gals and keep it simple and striking.
*Go easy on deodorants but please do wear some, nothing worse than sweaty underarms.
*Interview attire should be classy and simple, elegant and comfortable, ladies wear heels that you 'can' walk in--you dont want to make your entrance praying that you stay upright and balanced.
*Never wear jeans or shorts to an interview. Guys, do not wear earings and ladies remove the nose rings, it may be your personal or religious preference but a corporate organisation may not find it appropriate. So assess the culture of the company in your interview and if you find that they may find this acceptable then great or if your piercings are very important to you, then decisions will have to be made I suppose.
*Dont show too much skin.
*Be sure not save any food particles between your teeth and fresh breath is an absolute winner.
*Never smell of alcohol/cigarettes or chew gum ever in an interview....even the smell of garlic would be more acceptable than this...of course garlic is not smell we're aiming for.
*Be sure that your hands are not sweaty, especially since you will shaking the clients hand before and after.
*Blowing your nose, coughing up a lung and continous clearing of the throat is not very appealing.
*Clean your car, I hear this one quite often. Candidates make a great impression and then the client walks you out to your car and well it looks as though your entire cupboard in on the back seat, including last nights dishes and--- its not easy on the eyes.
So although you may not appreciate all of the points above, the actual point I am trying to convey is that first impressions count. Make your best impression first, you may not get another chance. Clean is appealing, you dont need designer labels, you do need self respect. If you take care of yourself, the client will feel confident that you will take care of his company.
A well attired individual speaks volumes to a prospective employer. It says that you care enough about the opportunity to have taken the time to make an effort, so make the effort and get the job.
