Dressing for Success in the Workplace

They say that the first impression is the lasting impression. Therefore, how you present yourself signifies who you are and how people will see and remember you. They key to leaving a good impression on others is carrying yourself in a polite and professional manner. It is also essential that you are clean, presentable, and dressed appropriately for the workplace, especially if you are working with clients or the public. Dressing for success does not necessarily mean that a person must go out and buy a $10,000 power suit. The slogan simply means that you must look like you belong in that position, take your job seriously, and are committed to the company. Each company has its own dress code and it is essential that you know what the guidelines are before starting a new job.

For men working in an office environment dress is fairly standard. The clothing can range from a golf shirt or sport jacket to a pair of dress pants and shirt and tie, or at the higher end of the dress code spectrum, a full business suit. For footwear, consider leather dress shoes and dark socks, and always avoid wearing sandals. You can always look around to see what other employees are wearing to get a better idea of what is commonly accepted. No matter which articles you choose, the key is to look neat, clean, pressed, and well put together.

For women on the other hand, it can be harder to know what to wear since there are so many options; however it is key that you dress appropriately as well – nothing too tight, baggy, or short. If you are thinking about wearing something to work that you would normally wear out to the bar or for a girl’s night out, put it back in the closet. What you want your co-workers and boss to notice is your intelligence, strong work ethic, and commitment to the company, not a short hemline or revealing top. Shoes can be another issue for women in the workplace, especially when entering a new job. Some companies do not mind what kind of footwear you wear, as long as it looks appropriate for the office, while others are very sticky about the issue – open-toed shoes and flat sandals or “flip-flops” are always a hot topic up for debate. You can dress fun and show off your own style, while still adhering to the company dress code. If you are ever in doubt about what to wear or what not to wear, remember that erring on the side of conservative is far better than dressing risqué. It is never wrong to ask someone in human resources to define dress guidelines.

In addition to dressing appropriately, here are some key things to remember about maintaining your appearance in the workplace:

* Avoid strong perfume and cologne as others may be highly sensitive to smells or even allergic.
* If you are a smoker, make sure that you do not enter the office smelling of cigarette smoke; stand out in the open air to let the smoke dissipate easier, chew a piece of gum or use breath spray before returning to work, and use Febreze or a similar product if the smell is lingering on your clothing.
* Keep fingernails shapely and clean.
* For women daring to bare their feet, regularly treat yourself to a pedicure to make sure your feet are looking healthy and presentable.