Let's start with the basics. You've all heard the expression "dress for success". Well, surprisingly enough even though we have all heard that old saying, it seems like not too many of us were listening. I can't tell you how many times I have interviewed people that were dressed like they had just come from the beach, or had been working out in the yard. Shorts, sneakers, bare feet, tank tops, no tops, torn blue jeans, baseball caps, overalls, old, wrinkled, and dirty clothes. Now I realize that some people are just going through the motions and not really interested in working, but give me a break. There have also been many occasions when a persons personal hygiene was an issue. (They stunk!) Take a bath for goodness sake!! Now you may find this hard to believe, but the people I have been describing are NOT in the minority. This was about 60-70 percent of the people that came in off the street to fill out an application. Now let me tell you something. These people all had something in common.
THEY DID NOT GET HIRED!!!
It's really very simple. All you have to do is put on some half way decent clothes. You don't have to wear a $1000 Armani suit. You don't have to dress up like you're going to meet the Queen of England. Just some simple basic clothes that's are clean, ironed, and fit. Men should wear a nice pair of pants, a dress shirt, a tie (I hate them, I hate them, I hate them) a belt and a decent pair of shoes. You don't have to wear a full suit or even a jacket unless you're applying for a top executive position. The shirt and tie is enough. Women should wear a simple basic outfit that's once again clean, ironed, and fits properly. A blouse with a skirt, or a mid-length dress is fine. The same blouse with a nice pair of slacks is also fine. Both men and women should avoid dressing to extremes with the overly expensive clothes, too much jewelry, too high heels, etc. The way you look and the first impression you make with the person conducting the interview is probably the most important few minutes that will decide whether you get the job or get to keep looking. Looking simple yet smart let's the person know that you care enough about getting this job that you wanted to look nice for your interview. It shows that you had the initiative and good judgment to plan ahead and take the necessary time to look your best. Not like those people we talked about before. Those people are BUMS! They don't give a rat's ass about getting a job. They're lazy good for nothing people that will never get hired. At the other extreme is the over dresser. The one I mentioned that wears the most expensive clothes and the gold jewelry, and the fancy overpriced shoes. They have their hair all done up perfect. They just think they are all that and then some. Well, I got news for you. The first thing I think when I see these people is, "Wow, they look pretty good, they must be doing all right. They don't need this job." Either that, or they are just so full of themselves that nobody could stand to have them around. Who the heck wants those people working here, and look at those shoes, I don't have shoes like that. I wish I had shoes like that. What I'm trying to say here is don't go to either extreme, stay in the middle of the road. You present a more stable, conscientious, well rounded personality. These are the people that get considered first. These are the people you know will show up for work every day and do their job without giving you any trouble. These are the people that will get along with their co-workers. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT GET HIRED.