Lesson Three
Dressing for Success
1. Just like accents, styles of dress or clothing choices can also be considered regional in nature. In other words, some styles of dress which are perfectly acceptable in one part of the country, may be unusual or even unacceptable in another part of the country. As an example, someone dressed for a formal event in New Mexico may include cowboy boots and a wide brimmed 10-gallon hat as part of his ensemble. Although not totally unfamiliar, this person’s appearance could raise a few eyebrows or even illicit a few laughs at a formal event or dinner in Washington, D.C.
2. The trick is to understand that there really are different levels and styles of dress for different occasions. It may be perfectly acceptable in one environment to wear your pants low enough to reveal your underwear or other parts of your anatomy. People in this environment may also see nothing wrong with its male participants covering their heads with scarves that are really nothing more than decorative rags. If a person exercises a logical and informed choice to wear this type of clothing and project the image that goes along with it; that’s fine. However, that same person must understand that the image they’ve projected will not work at a job interview for any practical or noteworthy type of employment. So what’s the solution? Be aware of your appearance and change it as the need dictates.
3. Before we get too far along let’s talk about a few basics that everyone needs to know. Someone reading this may laugh at the next few paragraphs, but that’s okay because I’m talking to you too. Everyone has a persona. Do you know what a persona is? There are more than a few definitions but for our purposes, a persona is the face or personality you choose to project at any given moment when you interact with others. As an example, there are times when you may choose to act like an extremely tough person in one instance and perhaps more caring in another. However, the faces or personalities you present to others often differ from who you are when you’re alone.
4. Knowing this is the key to understanding that you’re expected to project the proper image or persona when you’re in the working environment. Of course the best way to start this process is to ensure your personal appearance as well as your method of dress is adequate. So, let’s start with your personal appearance. Men and women alike should be well groomed at all times, regardless of what they’re doing or where they’re going. For men this includes properly clipped fingernails with dirt free nail beds. Gentlemen, this does not mean anyone expects you to get a manicure but what it does mean is that your fingernails need to be clipped and free of dirt and grime. Ladies, colorful seven inch nails and matching lipstick may be fashionable in some places, but they will only attract unwanted attention and maybe even problems in the work environment. Especially, if those nails prevent you from doing your job or whatever everyone else is doing.
5. Men, a fresh haircut is always an indicator of self-discipline and character. There is never a good reason to walk around without a good line and or the back of your neck looking like a traffic accident. If you’re bold and decide to wear a mustache, side-burns, or a beard, always ensure it’s neatly trimmed; free of breakfast, lunch and dinner left overs; and has a generally tapered and professional look. Ladies, we’ve talked about your nails and lipstick but how about hair? If you decide to wear a hair appliance, make sure it matches your skin tone and blends naturally into your overall hair style. And ladies, please remember this. Women have been wearing hair appliances or hair pieces for hundreds of years. So, whatever you decide to wear in your hair is your business and should be of no concern to anyone else. Sometimes it seems as if African-American culture makes light of and disrespects a time honored tradition of women adding volume to their hair. No other culture constantly makes fun of, and criticizes, their women for enhancing their appearance through the use of a ‘weave.’ Consequently this is a form of disrespect and needs to stop. Not only that, but if you remember Lesson One you know that this type of behavior does not fit into the concept of P.O.W.E.R.
6. Now it goes without saying that we must all ensure those sparkly white teeth are always brushed and you have some chewing gum or a breath freshener with you to use in case of emergencies. There’s nothing worse than going to an interview or being on the job and finding out your mouth smells like an abandoned cave. If you find yourself in a situation where you are going to eat before an interview or you have eaten on the job. It’s a good idea to ensure you don’t eat foodstuffs such as lettuce, greens, popcorn, etc. Why you may ask? Because these food items will almost always get stuck in your teeth and it does you no good for your smile to look like a picket fence with an old soccer ball stuck in the middle of it. If you just have to have that vegetable platter then make sure you excuse yourself to rinse your mouth or carry a small toothbrush with you in your back pack, purse, or briefcase. Note: If you’ve used it, always make sure to remove gum or whatever you may have in your mouth if you’re interviewing or talking to your boss or a customer.
7. We’ve talked about some important personal tips but now it’s time to move on, or get back to, discussing proper attire. So, you’re young and this is your first job interview and you’re not sure what to wear. You may not have enough money to buy anything different from what you’ve been wearing, so what do you do? If you’re a member of the baggy pants set, the first thing to do is ensure you have that fresh hair cut we talked about earlier. Then next thing is make sure you’ve clipped and cleaned those nails. If you’re wearing loose fitting clothes make sure they’re clean, pressed, and coordinated. If possible, make sure you wear some type of shirt with a collar and leave the bling at home. Your personality and ability to express yourself will impress a potential employer much more than anything you have hanging around your neck. Guys, I know you may not want to hear this, but leave that ‘Do-rag’ in the bag it came out of. If you’re not covering your head for religious purposes, then let your natural well groomed hair style help indicate the level of professional that you are.
8. If you have a few dollars, buy some pants that fit properly and a long sleeve shirt with a collar. The colors you select for your ensemble are up to you, so choose wisely and conservatively. If you have a few extra dollars, add a tie to your outfit that either matches or contrasts with what you’re wearing. A good belt that matches your shoe color is also a wise investment and can actually be used to hold up pants. Why am I saying this? Am I trying to be funny? Not really, the point I need to make is that it won’t do you any good to spend your hard earned cash on a conservative interview outfit and then proceed to do the following: pull your pants down so they sag, while pulling the shirt out, just a little, to give you that same ‘off the block’ look. Remember you’re trying to project that business like and professional persona so you have to play the game. If you’re presenting that tight, dedicated, and disciplined image and the person next to you is slacking; guess who has the better chance of getting hired or staying on the job? I think you know the answer. Your shoe selection is also important, some of you have a closet full of Nike’s and Jordan’s and no dress shoes (ladies I know you’re in the same boat it’s just not sneakers that you have too many of). So you need to buy something that will either match or enhance your outfit and that you can get more than one wear out of. I know that does not sound helpful but remember, I can’t see you, so I can’t pick the right shoes for you.
9. Ladies, I did not forget about you or what needs to be in your closet. A jacket and pants set, or a skirt set with a jacket and a contrasting or matching blouse, is always a good bet and never goes out of style. The problem with all of these selections (for young men and women) is that you have to know a little about sizing in order to make yourself look the very best you can. As an example; guys, do you know what ‘drop’ is with respect to ordering a suit? Do you ‘dress’ right or left? Ladies, are you aware that most of you wear the wrong bra size? And for that matter, how many of you (men and women) are wearing, or know, the correct shoe size or how to determine the correct sizes for your feet when you switch back and forth between casual and dress shoes? The easiest thing for me to do would be to tell you all the information you need to know to correct these issues but then you may not learn anything. So I want you to do some research, learn what you need to know for yourselves, and that way no one can ever take that knowledge away from you.
10. To get you moving in the right direction I’ve provided some basic information that clarifies what we’re doing. As you know, the internet has tons of useful things to look at as well as stuff that is just not true. However, for this exercise using the internet will not be a problem. The following are some currently active websites that you can research for information about sizing:
a. Women: www.freebeautytips.org/brasize.html
b. Women: http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-measure-a-female-suit-for-jacket-length-266918/
c. Men: http://www.overstock.com/mens-measurement-guide.html
d. Men and Women do an internet search for: How to measure shoe sizes
e. Men and Women more information on shoe sizes: http://www.shoelaces1.com/y_articles_shoesize.html
11. I cannot stress enough to each of you how important your appearance is. Remember, every time you step out of your house, you are on the biggest stage there is. You are a member of the biggest production ever made, bigger and grander, than anything Hollywood has and ever will produce. You are the star of your own reality series, it’s called life, and you are the one who can make things happen don’t ever forget that! So don’t sell yourself short by not dressing for success.
Conclusion: In Lesson Three, we talked about proper dress and the importance of projecting a neat, clean, and orderly appearance. As I’ve said before, sometimes you can use national or local news people as an example of how to talk and in this instance how to dress. Religious leaders like nationally known Pastors and their wives can at times, also be used as good examples of proper dress and appearance. However, the very best example is a motivated and well-dressed you. Let me know if this article was of use to you by leaving a comment or complaint.
V/r
Ronald Peeler
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