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Dress to Impress

During your job search, your resume is your stand–in. You have to dress it up and make it present you as well as you would if you were there in person. So when your resume opens the door to an interview, you should be just as presentable in person.

In a sense, you have to make a first impression all over again. Besides being judged on your general business etiquette, your prospective employer will make mental notes about the way you look and present yourself – whether the person interviewing you is conscious of this or not.

We all know that appearances matter, and as much as we like to deny that society isn’t that superficial, research has shown that physical appearance affects people’s opinions, not only in the U.S. or in the western world, but across cultures worldwide. Your personal image plays a big role in your career, and especially in your job search. Most people realize they need to dress well for an interview. So then why do we still see so many ill prepared and poorly presented candidates?

Part of it may be due to confusion. In today’s work force, it’s often not clear what is considered appropriate business attire. This is especially the case with the introduction of business casual protocols – or lack thereof.

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Different industries tend to have their own dress codes and offering uniform advice (no pun intended) on how to dress for interviews is simply not feasible. However, let’s look at some basic ideas, culled from common situations that incorporate image management to maximize your job search.

a. Reap the dividends of a strong personal image.

You’ve determined your personal brand in the work place and integrated this into your resume, cover letter, and other career documents. Yet many forget to make sure that your physical appearance underscores this brand. You want to present a congruent message on paper and in person. Show people how you think about yourself by the amount of attention you pay to your appearance and, in doing so, tell them where you see yourself going in the future.

Research suggests that physically attractive employees earn more. The Wall Street Journal once reported on a research project that indicated that out of 2,500 lawyers (both men and women), attractive attorneys earned as much as 14% more than their less–handsome colleagues. The point is: we can create a version of ourselves that capitalizes on our most attractive aspects and present ourselves, through proper dress and grooming, as highly respectable and professional.

b. Look good, feel good, and work effectively.

Realize that the way you look doesn’t only affect how others perceive you, but it also influences how you feel about yourself. It affects how you feel, think, act, and speak. You might even find yourself speaking more confidently and walking taller.

c. Forget about trends and focus on what works for you.

For most executives, classic attire will do the trick. Trends are a wonderful invention of the retail industry to keep us buying. This does not mean that you should look outdated. It simply means that trends tend to be distracting. They reduce your effectiveness in leadership or professional roles. Trendy items also tend to look good on a few people only. It is much more important to learn what suits you as a person, as someone with your body type and coloring, and within the context of your position and industry. Above all, dress with integrity.

Companies also benefit when employees – and especially executives – clearly represent the brand. When you demonstrate an understanding of this principle, you will be able to set an example for your staff, your new hires, and the people you supervise. Dress the part, and dress for success!

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