May
13
Dress for success - what does that mean?
Filed Under Job search, Reflection
Recently the young people who I am coaching on the Space Unlimite project chose to make a presentation to the client when he visited the school. The meet on a Friday afternoon which is out of school time here in this area of Scotland. Classes finish at 12 on a Friday! Normally when I arrive at the school they have changed into casual gear but on this day I was surprised - and indeed delighted - that they were switching to smart “business like ” clothes. They wanted this mid project presentation to go really well and decided that the impression they gave with how they looked was important .
Acres of newsprint and magazine space is taken up with how to dress to make an impression and I am going to go out on a limb here in making this statement - but this is where you guys out there have it so much easier ( you on - tell me it ain’t so!)
Dressing appropriately for the situation is something that most people learn. Some deliberately don’t - and good for them for making a stand. As I spend more time leading training I have become increasingly aware that my clothes should not get in the way. I need to be comfortable but never scruffy. In a school I can’t wear jeans if I am to be taken seriously ( it would be against many school’s dress codes anyway and as a guest I don’t want to conflict with that). As I am writing this my son is preparing for a presentation related to his University degree course. Although he is a stylish chap he usually wears a smartish version of normal student garb but today he will wear a suit. I have no doubt it will help put him in the right frame of mind.
Sometimes though I think “business” dressing is in danger of swamping the personality of the wearer. I remember in my early days of running my own business going to a seminar for women in a similar situation. Of the 30 or so attendees all but 2 work something other than black ( including me). There were a couple of bright souls there - and boy did they stand out. But not in a bad way - more as individuals I suppose.
I have seen youngsters ready for their first job interview - male and female- wearing clothes bought for the occasion and felt for their discomfort. It may well add another dimension to a situation that is way up there in top ranking most stressful situations! Of course nobody would suggest going to meet a potential employer dressed in anything other than your best -with polished shoes, shiny hair and clean fingernails.
I really don’t know what dressing for success means. I guess though being comfortable in what you wear is a good start and not letting your clothes wear you is a must!
Any ideas?
I’m so glad you bought your off “white top” when we were on our weekend away!!!!
Sorry if this is not an appropriate reply!
Barbara
Hey Barbara - leaking my style secrets! I am glad you persuaded me to buy it. Actually I wore that very top at an event last week and it worked really well.
J