Jul 12 2010

New Job? Now It’s Time to Look The Part

Posted by Simon Zhen in Career
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If you are starting a new job, you have probably already thought about what you will wear on your first day at work.

Most of us spend hours figuring out what we will wear on a date because we want to make an excellent first impression. The first day on the job should not be any different.

Because this will be your first introduction to your fellow co-workers, many of your superiors, and your clients, you want to make sure that they take you seriously and respect your right from the beginning.

Tips to Make a Great First Impression

Be appropriately dressed. It goes without saying that overtly sexy and revealing attire is inappropriate for the workplace. Additionally, an artist accustomed to wearing colorful and flowing clothes would not be dressed appropriately to work at a bank. Not only must you don the proper attire for your job, your attire should also compliment the standards of your company and industry.
Be consistent. It is not enough to dress appropriately once in a while. You have to dress the right way for every day you step into your office doors. If you don’t, you leave others with ambiguous assumptions of your role and your professionalism.
Pay attention to color. There has been plenty of research claiming that different colors convey different messages, moods, and vibes. Color choices can say a lot about you and say a lot to others.
Watch for fit. We have to be honest here – not every body type can wear every kind of clothing. Choose clothes that best suit your actual body type and not the one you had five years ago or the body you wish you had. Make sure you dress in a way that best suits your physical attributes while sending out the right message.
Buy quality clothing. To some, wearing clothes that are high quality exhibits the appreciation of high standards and expectations. Even if you can only afford to build a wardrobe piece by piece, having a small selection of high quality attire will keep you looking good for a long time.
Watch your grooming. There is nothing more unpleasant than repulsive body odor, unkempt hair, excessive make up, or torn clothing. Pay close attention to details and it will pay off in the attention people pay to you.
Dress up a bit. If you are working directly with clients, this is increasingly important. The small effort to add to your presentation gives an air of professionalism that you simply cannot find elsewhere.
Keep it current. You need to look like you bought your wardrobe in this century. Say goodbye to those shoulder pads or loud prints that will date you back ten years. The world, the companies, the businesses, and the people are evolving so it would tell them that you can keep up with all that.
Dress for your goals. If you dream of being the chairman of the board, then try to assimilate him or her in your attire. It will make you feel like you are headed up the ladder. And, if you feel that way, then your attitude will lead you on your way up too.
Ask for help. This is especially true for students who are new to the professional world. Ask your new employer what attire is expected and pay attention to how the other people who work there are dressed when you go in for your interview. If you are still confused, don’t be afraid to ask.

We all know that we need to dress for success but not everyone knows exactly what that means. Hopefully, with the help of these tips, your first day on the job will be one that everyone remembers for all of the right reasons.

(Photo credit: karsten.planz)

This article was written by William Eve, a regular personal finance writer for Home Loan Finder, a 100% free mortgage comparison and application service. Whether you are buying your first home, upgraded or property investor, visit the Home Loan Find website for more quality information and guides on competitive mortgage products.