As a part of Monster.com’s "Present the Best You Contest" and the launch of their new Facebook App, BeKnown, I’m sharing a few tips for dressing for interviews and the work place. The outfits below are 2 examples based on a Creative and a Traditional business/business casual work environment.
The Interview
It probably goes without saying that when it comes to an interview you want to present yourself in a professional manner. A suit is typically the way to go, but you can always mix it up a little with color and accessories. Don’t be afraid to ditch the black suit for something that better fits your personality. That could be mixing and matching pieces from different suits or adding a pop of color for a unique interview outfit. If you’re interviewing in a traditional business environment, any neutral suit will do the trick. Either way, mix in a little bit of your personality with a great bag, different fabrics or accessories.
With all of that you want to keep the industry of the company in mind. Are you interviewing at a financial company or maybe a start up? Once you have an idea of what’s appropriate go ahead and picked out your interview outfit. Having your pieces chosen will help you stay on time the day of your interview. But don’t stop there, make sure to try your outfit on! This helps to ensure the last step – being comfortable. The last thing you want to be thinking about during your interview is how uncomfortable your clothes are. You want the focus of your interview to be you – so avoid anything too restricting.
First Day
So you landed the job, congrats! But how do you dress going forward? Again research is key- is your job business, business casual or casual attire? It’s important to know the expectations for your office when getting dressed for work. Think back to what you’re interviewer wore – this may give you a good idea of what’s appropriate on a day to day basis. If you’re unsure err on the side of caution. Dress a notch above what you think is expected until you have a better idea of what’s acceptable. It's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed, right?
Monster.com recently launched BeKnown, a professional networking app for Facebook. BeKnown allows you to set up a professional profile directly on Facebook that is completely separate from your personal Facebook page. You can also check out the BeKnown app for your iPhone.
Disclosure: Today’s post is an entry for the “Present the Best You” contest sponsored by Monster. As an entrant I received gift pack including a makeup kit and professional business card holder provided by Monster Worldwide. Please know that all content is my own and is not influenced by outside sources.
