Rosalie writes:
I have a friend who is looking for work but doesn’t have any interview clothing. He is trying his best to land a job but because he is not in the right attire he is not hired. Is there anything that your organization can do to help a good friend of mine?
Please let me know!
The Career Doctor responds:
I laud your efforts for wanting to help your friend. Dressing appropriately at a job interview is important, but not the only factor to be considered. A job-seeker’s appearance (attire, grooming, smell, etc.) is certainly a major factor in first impressions formed by the interviewer.
There are now organizations for low-income men and women to find suitable interview clothing. And — by the way — also great places for the rest of us to donate our old suits, ties, etc. For men, a growing career development organization is CareerGear.org. For women, a more established organization is DressForSuccess.org. Both of these organizations do a lot more than just provide interview attire — they are also career support organizations.
Of course, there are also many thrift shops that offer used clothing at low prices.
I think the most important thing to remember is that a suit is not as important as the overall appearance. It’s better to have a nice (and clean, well-pressed) shirt and tie than to wear an ill-fitting suit.
Finally, remember that interview preparation must go far beyond attire. Once the initial greeting is done, the real heart of the interview begins — and that is where job-seekers must wow the interviewer.
Read more tips on dressing for success — or how to donate to these two great organizations — by going to this article on Quintessential Careers: When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success.
