Graham Staffing Services, Inc.

Making That First Impression

It may sound like a no-brainer, but wearing clothes that are clean, well-pressed and fit properly is a step that many interviewees overlook, said Kelly Van Aken, director of recruiting for national staffing and recruiting firm Aerotek. Taking a toned-down approach -- such as a suit paired with a blouse and polished pumps or dress flats in a navy, black or gray color scheme -- goes a long way toward keeping the focus on what you could bring to the boardroom instead of what's in your closet.

To be safe, cover any tattoos and remove any visible nontraditional piercings.

"To build a positive first impression, it's better to air on the conservative side. You don't want to wear something that you'd leave with the interviewers ... that all they remember is that tattoo or nose ring," Van Aken said.

Once the job is yours, you can breathe a little when it comes to the daily work ensemble. Geography can play a part in how casual or formal the work environment is, said Deborah Bateman, executive vice president and director of sales and marketing at National Bank of Arizona.

Structured suits, dark colors and hosiery are par for the course in most East Coast corporate offices, which tend to have a more formal vibe. On the more relaxed West Coast, lighter colors, feminine suits and dresses and bare legs are acceptable. Get your culture confused and you risk sending the wrong message.

"If you are in a laid-back environment in the West and you come dressed like they do in New York, people can perceive you as being stuffy, not approachable. You want to be well-groomed but not overdressed," Bateman said. "If you do the opposite, it would look like you are not complying with the dress code. People may perceive you as being causal, not as focused."

Van Aken, who is based in the Philadelphia area, advises overdressing as opposed to underdressing but says that attempts to be flashy can alienate a newbie from her co-workers.

"If everyone's casual and you wear a suit, everyone's thinking you're trying to one up us," Van Aken said.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's:
Project confidence through good posture, eye contact and a firm handshake.
Demonstrate good manners, such as using a person's name when you meet him and when you depart and standing when he approaches you.
Keep your hair and nails groomed. Touch up that nail polish and use a little mousse or styling spray if needed to keep tresses in place. Save the mussed-up beachy waves for the weekend.
Dry-clean clothes to get that professionally pressed look. When that's not possible, break out the iron. Simply giving shirts a quick shake out of a warm dryer won't do.

Don'ts:
Elaborate hairstyles that scream for a double take
Exaggerated or theatrical makeup
Heavy fragrance that may push people away as they get closer
Any accessory or look that could be distracting: Big jewelry that makes noise when you move; too-high designer pumps; a slim skirt that rises to the midthigh or higher when you sit down
Anything that will cause people to be preoccupied with what you're wearing instead of what you are saying.
Highlight, Don't Dominate

Taking cues from higher-ups with desired job titles is an easy way to figure out a working wardrobe, Bateman said. If the director of international client services is wearing long-sleeved blouses and pencil skirts, perhaps it's best to keep the sleeveless shell at home, but full suits and tailored dress slacks get the green light.

A few essential pieces can build an office wardrobe that won't take a month's pay, which is helpful especially for women just starting out. Van Aken suggests a foundation in black, blue, brown and dark gray in pants and skirts that can be worn several times with different colored tops. It's easy to get away with two or three versatile pairs of heels in different dark colors. Having one suit that can be worn on interviews or for a meeting with company executives is crucial.

"If you go with a darker color, you can change up the shirt color and wear it more than once," Van Aken said.

But conservative does not mean boring. Simple accessories make it possible to be subtly trendy without being distracting. Attractive earrings -- but not so big that they make noise when entering a room -- a colorful scarf that changes up an outfit or a chunky necklace shows people you are aware of what's in but not obsessed with being covered in the latest fashions and flaunting them at the office.

"Choose something with an edge that you can have fun with now. It garners attention but does not create a distraction. People will focus on the work you're doing instead of the way you dress," Bateman said.
Tricks of the Trade

Once the basics are down, the next step is maintaining that got-it-together look for eight or 12 hours a day. Staying as close to impeccable as possible in case the CEO breezes into town for a surprise visit takes some effort and planning.

Never underestimate the power of an on-the-go fix-it kit kept in your car or bag, just like the one Janey Pearl, senior assistant to the mayor of Phoenix, has handy. In her previous job as a press secretary, Pearl worked endless days during her former boss' run for governor, so being prepared for any snag and ensuring she and those around her can be camera ready even after trudging through dusty desert trails and long interstate car rides is second nature.

The kit's ingredients: Baby wipes, lint brush, hairbrush, mascara, lip gloss, compact power, a Clorox Bleach Pen, nail file, Band-Aids, Super Glue Pen and Origins Peace of Mind on-the-spot relief balm to tackle sudden headaches.

"My boyfriend and my friends laugh at me because I have all of this, but I'm always prepared," she said.

Pearl also keeps handy a pack of Hue liners that can be inserted into the shoe to ease a sore toe or ball of the foot. An extra pair of dressy yet comfy shoes -- a staple in her car or at her desk -- is insurance against aching feet from too much stiletto-wearing.

"You can see a girl dressed to the nines, with her hair all done up and her makeup is perfect, but if her shoes are uncomfortable that's going to affect her posture and attitude. If she's in a place where she has to mingle for a work event, she's not going to be walking around a lot," Pearl said.

A versatile suit jacket and a little cami are a must for Carina Sonn, a breaking news reporter for the Belo Corp.'s Phoenix television affiliate, who keeps the spare outfit in her car just in case.

At her desk, she keeps a full suit, a dark peacoat, a pair of galoshes and two pair of dress pumps. A couple of scarves, a pair of earrings and a necklace are close by to add a bit of polish or flair on the go.

"I never know if I'll be reporting in a snowstorm in Flagstaff or going to interview the governor. In my job, you never know when you'll get stuck overnight on a story. You have to be ready for anything," Sonn said.

Feeling refreshed is a huge factor when it comes to looking flawless. Sonn is a fan of Fit in Clouds, foldable ballet flats that come in a little pouch she totes in her purse to give her feet a break and conserve her heels. In a second makeup bag, Sonn keeps a brush so she can reapply blush quickly.

"Just adding a little blush, it feels like a total pick-me-up, and I feel ready to go on camera," she said.

When it comes to office attire, having what it takes to succeed means allowing your ensemble to highlight your intellectual assets without overwhelming them. Hard work deserves to be rewarded, so let the right pieces of clothing work for you so you can concentrate on wowing the bosses with your ability to do the job.