A lot of thought goes into the perfect job search. Take the resume, for example. It has to be the perfect marketing tool, extolling you as the best (and only sane) choice for the job. Whether Internet ready or printed on the finest bond paper, your resume must be impeccably clean and free from any spelling or grammar errors.
Your appearance has to match the resume in care and detail. Since the introduction of “casual Friday,” office dress codes are all over the map. It’s difficult to know what is the most appropriate way to dress for an interview. Should I dress like a Wall Street wannabe, be true to my casual (OK, sloppy) self, or get some clues from the latest segment of Project Runway?
There is one job opening that a few people are interested in and actively pursuing. They all have great resumes and get a lot of attention. There is stiff competition, and they are constantly being interviewed and critiqued. They are the Republican Presidential Candidates. The job? President of the United States is up for grabs next year. It’s easy to forget that they are job seekers, looking to land that one, perfect, fabulous job. In order to get the job, they have to make a great impression on at least 51 percent of the U.S. population, so how they are perceived when they take the stage in a presidential debate is critical. We can learn something about “dressing for success” from these ultimate job seekers.
Though this picture doesn’t show all the candidates, it’s not necessary. Proper interview attire is easy for the men. They all look pretty much the same. Dark suits, white shirts. If they turned around, you could almost put money on the color of the ties—red, blue, red/blue or white/blue stripes. Not much variation here. Men can wear a conservative suit, white shirt and tie to an interview and always look professional. It’s better to be a little overdressed, unless you are interviewing for a spot as drummer in a grunge band. Jobs in marketing, fashion or the arts have room for a little creativity. Properly attired, all the men in the picture look professional, conservative and presidential (at least from the back.)
Michelle Bachmann is a different story, which is true for most women competing with men for the same position. You don’t want to look like one of the guys. However, too much fluff and bling and you bring up images of Paris Hilton or Lady Gaga! Ms. Bachmann’s suit is tailored and uncluttered yet feminine. The monotone silver color says conservative, yet the slight sheen makes her stand out. Since there are so many choices, women should pay attention to how they dress for an interview. The clothes should fit the company, the job, the occasion, themselves and their figure, and shouldn’t detract from the content of the interview.
Another tip from the candidates. Whether it is intentional or not, Ms. Bachmann is the only one facing the camera in this picture. Take the spotlight and make the most of it. You only have one first interview. You want to be remembered as the one that was intelligent, confident, knowledgeable, honest and the best dressed.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent their careers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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