Professional Dress
Guide
Professional Dress Guide
When preparing for an interview, career fair, the first days of work, or a networking event, it can be difficult to know what to wear so that you are not under- or overdressed. Generally, employers will give some direction on whether the general office attire is business formal, business professional, or business casual. But what do those mean, exactly? This general guide has been developed to answer your questions and provide general information as each industry has different norms and expectations for interviews and the workplace The best way to decide on what to wear in different professional settings can be to discuss dress expectations with the HR professional, recruiter, or employer you are meeting with as well as doing research on the company and industry If you have additional questions, reach out to a Career Coach in Business Career Services to discuss further.
Professional Dress Guide Preparation
Preparing for an interview is two-fold: Doing research about the company you are interviewing/meeting with to get an understanding of their norms, dress requirements, and perspective. Physically preparing your clothes for the interview
Company Research Explore the company website to find information about dress requirements or norms Look for the employee handbook to see if there are any specific dress or grooming requirements Speak with the recruiter/employer who organized the interview, to get a better idea of the type of dress required for the interview Read reviews and gather information from websites such as glassdoor.com, the Human Rights Campaign, and LinkedIn. This information can not only help you make a good decision about what to wear to an interview or work but also if company culture meets your values, interests, and goals. Meet with a Career Coach in the College of Business who can also direct you toward what may be expected, answer questions about professional dress, and/or help you find solutions to any barriers you may experience
Clothing Preparation Gather and lay out clothes the night before to reduce stress on the day of the interview Preferably, dry clean or iron your clothes beforehand If you are not able to iron your clothes, or do not have time to go to the dry cleaner there are ways to get a similar look Hang clothes rather than folding Remove wrinkles by hanging clothes in bathroom with steam from shower Fold pants with the crease to maintain a pressed look If wearing a tie, tie it the night before and loosen it to be able to put it on the next day
Professional Dress Guide Business Professional Recommendations Business Professional attire is generally what is expected for interviews, and career fair-type events. This style of dress is focused on being more serious and polished in nature and can portray the wearer as someone who is highly interested in the person they are meeting with Use subtle ways to express yourself. Consider the message you want to convey and decide how best to convey that message. Matching 2-piece suit, when possible Can be a pant-suit, skirt or a well tailored dress Dress shirt or blouse. Focus on subtle colors Ties or bow ties should be solid or have a subtle pattern. No character or extravagant designs/colors. When tying a tie, make sure the length reaches the top of the belt line Make sure to wash and/or iron your clothes before an interview or professional meeting Shoes should be close-toed, polished and should match the outfit you are wearing. Ensure you can walk comfortably in the shoes you choose as you may go on a tour of the office or facility you are interviewing at Socks should be dark, and calf length. A subtle pattern is appropriate. No long athletic socks or loud patterns Belts should match your shoes when possible
Recommendations for LGBTQ+ students Deciding on wearing clothing that follows cisgender norms, gender-neutral norms, or in a way that allows you to express yourself can be difficult when making a first impression or preparing for work. A good place to start is by researching the employer to help make an informed decision. The Human Rights Campaign, social media, Glassdoor, and/or the employer website are resources when deciding on what to wear. Is the employer more conventional or progressive in terms of LGBTQ+ rights? Answering this question can help you think about how to dress for the opportunity ahead as well if the employer is somewhere you would want to work for/with. Also, reaching out to a career coach in Business Career Services can also help research, talk through your options, and/or get you in contact with additional LGBTQ+ resources on campus.
Recommendations for Religious Traditions Depending on your faith background and traditions, there may be some concern on wearing or not wearing specific articles of clothing. While it can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, you have the right to ask for accommodations to the dress code so that you can continue your faith traditions. When possible. match any traditional religious attire such as yarmulkes or headscarves to your attire. If you have questions on navigating this conversation, reaching out to a career coach in Business Career Services can also help you talk through your options, and/or get you in contact with additional resources on campus.
Professional Dress Guide Business Professional Here are some examples of business professional dress that would be appropriate for interviews, career fairs, and some office jobs.
Professional Dress Guide Business Casual Attire “Business Casual”
has an ambiguous definition with industries and employers following slightly different rules and holding different expectations. For example, business casual in a supply chain role may suggest jeans and a tucked-in polo while business casual in an accounting firm may require slacks and a tie or jacket. When discussing work attire, ask to clarify the employer’s definition of business casual to better prepare for a new job. Button-down dress shirts, blouses, and polo’s are appropriate, with more variation in color, pattern, and material. Still avoid shirts that are too loud or busy. Additionally, ensure shirts fit properly and are not too tight, loose, or revealing Khaki’s, chino’s, slacks, skirts, and dresses are appropriate Dark jeans may also be appropriate but very dependent on office and industry culture Blazers, sport coats, suit jackets, and ties are no longer needed unless advised by the employer Sweaters, sweater vests, and cardigans are appropriate Dress shoes, boots, flats, loafers, and oxfords are appropriate Belts should still match your shoes and general outfit.
Professional Dress Guide Additional Tips: Grooming and Accessories Grooming Hair and facial hair should be well groomed. This includes natural hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locs. Nails should be trimmed and cleaned. If painted, ensure the color is neutral and nondistracting. Wearing too much cologne or perfume can be overpowering during in-person interviews. Use cologne or perfume lightly. Traditionally, many would suggest that tattoos and piercing should be hidden but they are becoming more widely accepted. You will want to investigate further regarding company standards Makeup should focus on neutral tones and colors. No over-the-top designs or colors. Accessories Bringing a small bag, padfolio or briefcase is permitted. Avoid large bags or backpacks. Keep phones on silent or off and out of sight Headscarves, wrappings, and yarmulkes should match your outfit when possible Wear moderate jewelry in size and amount If you are wearing a smartwatch, make sure it is silent, non-distracting and that you are not checking it when notifications arise.
Professional Dress Guide What Not to Wear: Business Professional and Casual T-shirts in general but specifically shirts with graphics, logo’s, or statements, should not be work unless permitted by the employer for a specific event or situation Jeans that have holes, or are dirty are inappropriate in most situations Athletic shoes, casual shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are not appropriate Hats are not a part of either business casual or business professional attire
Professional Dress Guide Frequently Asked Questions What should I do if I do not own a suit or cannot afford to buy one? There are a couple of options students can take. Ask your friends if they have a suit they would be willing to lend you Shop at thrift stores in the area Attend “Look Smart Professional Closet” events held by the Career Development Center on campus and get free professional clothes Fill out this form to gain access to the Walker College of Business Professional Support Fund, https://business.appstate.edu/students/professional-attire-support Dress as close to business professional as you can. Ex: If you do not have a suit wear slacks or skirt, a dress shirt, and a tie. The employer I am interviewing with is very casual, will I be overdressed in business professional attire? Reaching out to the recruiter or professional who arranged the interview to inquire about dress attire is appropriate You could also reach out to an alumnus who works for the employer and hold an informational interview before your interview to learn more about the company and any suggestions they have regarding interview attire While their day-to-day attire is casual, you still want to make a good first impression. If you are unsure, it is generally better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. Normally, we are expected to wear business casual in the office but there are Casual Friday’s. How casual is a Casual Friday? Err on the side of more business than casual. While you may be able to dress down a bit in jeans or a polo, consider how you would want to appear to a supervisor or higher administrator if you were pulled into a meeting or needed to meet with clients Observe a Friday before going “all in” on Casual Friday. See how others in the organization dress on a more casual day. How do I tie a tie? This Youtube video provides a helpful guide- https://youtu.be/HXJx8j7JpKY I'm having a hard time finding a full suit that matches and fits me, what should I do? Wearing something as close as possible to professional dress is advisable. If this requires you to mix and match jackets and pants, that is ok as long as the colors complement each other
Visual Examples of What to Wear in Professional Settings Business Professional: https://www.pinterest.com/wcobbusinesscareerservices/business-professionaldress/ Business Casual: https://www.pinterest.com/wcobbusinesscareerservices/business-casual-dress/ Interview and Career Fair Attire: https://businesscareers.appstate.edu/career-coaching/professional-dress What not to wear: https://www.pinterest.com/wcobbusinesscareerservices/business-attire-what-not-towear/