EXCUTIVE JOB SEARCH ATTIRE: Dress for the Job you Want
Comments (0) You have heard all the dress for success propaganda and seen it subverted with casual Friday and the technology sector’s abhorrence of formality. Well guess what; if you want to be taken seriously as a Technology Executive, any Executive, you must look the part in every job search encounter.
Whether an informational meeting over coffee or meeting with the CEO, always dress to communicate you take your Job Search and their opportunity seriously. Show you have respect for the Job Search Process and their time. That means never again will you wear jeans and runners or shorts and flip flops to meet for a getting to know you. To convey respect for the process, suit up. Yes, ladies, you too.
For the informal meetings, men can wear slacks and a sports coat with good quality leather shoes. Women, the equivalent. NO DENIM. And try to avoid open shoes of any sort.
The debate rages on about men in pleats or no pleats. Let me resolve that for you here. If you are over 40, never again wear pants with a pleat. Chances are younger men don’t look good in them either.
Want an expert’s take on pleats? Carson Kressley says “In my heart of hearts, I really do believe that flat front pants do in fact look better on everyone. They are simply more modern and cleaner looking. Contrary to popular belief I do think they are slimming on heavier men. Try Bill’s Khakis. They offer several fits that flatter most any figure. They are at billskhakis.com.”
The only time pleated pants work for men is if they are tall, lean and the pants are very expensive worsted wool. The pleats drape and never, even when hands are in pockets, pucker. Do you really want to draw attention to that part of your body in such a negative way? And for women, they add fabric and pucker to their tummy area. Avoid the problem, don’t wear pleats.
There is no such thing as an information only meeting. Every meeting with a prospective employer or someone who may introduce you to a prospective employer is an official Job Search Meeting. Dress accordingly no matter how much ribbing you will take.
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Themocracy