Career Closet
Professional Tips
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When to Dress Business Casual
Some career fairs and job fairs: attire should be specified on the website or other promotional materials for each fair. Note that some fairs suggest or require interview attire, so it is helpful to do your research in advance.
Most employer information sessions: these are typically evening sessions held the day prior to an employer's first interview day on campus. Information sessions held in a classroom on campus or conducted as a presentation to a large group don't require you to be quite as strict in your attire as a reception-type event. Some employer information sessions are conducted as receptions on or off campus, perhaps in a hotel facility. In some cases, interview attire or business attire, which is more formal than business casual, may be called for. This can depend on the industry and the type of employer hosting the event. If you are in doubt, ask the employer before attending.
Whenever the invitation, flyer or notice says it's required.
When in doubt, ask the host/sponsor about attire for a function you will be attending. It is never wrong to politely inquire about appropriate attire.
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Business Casual Guidelines for Men and Women
Business casual is crisp, neat, and should look appropriate even for a chance at meeting with a CEO. It should not look like cocktail party or picnic attire. Avoid tight or baggy clothing. Business casual is classic rather than trendy.
Basics: Neatly-pressed khaki or dark pants and a long-sleeved buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Women may wear sweaters, although cleavage is not business appropriate. Unwrinkled polo/golf shirts are appropriate only if you know the environment will be quite casual, outdoors, or in a very hot location. This may not seem like terribly exciting attire, but you are demonstrating your good judgment in a business environment.
Shoes/Belt: Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.
Cost/Quality: You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. However, do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job for business casual environment or occasions.
Details: Everything should be clean, well pressed, and not show wear. Even the nicest khakis after 100 washings may not be your best choice for a reception. Carefully inspect new clothes for tags, and all clothes for dangling threads, etc. (As with new interview attire)
Use common sense: If there are six inches of snow on the ground or you are rushing to get to an information session between classes and you left home 12 hours earlier, no one will expect you to show up looking ready for a photo shoot - they'll just be happy you made it. Avoid wearing casual clothing like gym clothes and jeans. If you show up at an event and realize you're not as well dressed as you should be, make a quick, pleasant apology and focus on developing a good impression with your interpersonal skills and intelligent questions.
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Specifics for Men's Business Casual
Ties: Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear a tie. It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to your host. You can always wear the tie and discretely walk by the room where the function is held; if no one else is wearing a tie, you may discretely remove yours, then tuck it in your book bag or other place out of sight.
Shirts: Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved and are appropriate even in summer. Choosing white or light blue solid or conservative stripes is your safest bet. Tucked-in polo shirts are acceptable in more casual situations.
Socks: Wear dark socks that are mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
Shoes: Leather shoes should be worn. Avoid scandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots.
Facial Hair: Just as with interviews, facial hair should be well-groomed. Know your industry and how conservative it is; if you are unsure what's appropriate, observe men in your industry or consider changing your look.
Jewelry: Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don't wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable.
Watches/Cell Phones/ Checking the Time: If you use your cell phone as a watch, be careful that you don't look like you are taking calls/texts while speaking with employers. Your attention should be directed toward the people with whom you are physically present. Be discreet when checking time; frequent checking sends the message that you are bored.
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Specifics for Women's Business Casual
Don't confuse club attire with business attire. If you would wear it to a club, you probably shouldn't wear it in a business environment. Also, most attire worn on television is not appropriate for business environments.
Pants/Skirts: Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp. Colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown, and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored (neither extremely tight or flowing). If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.
Skirt Lengths and Slits: Your skirt should come at least to your knees while you are standing. While you are seated, your thighs should be covered. If your skirt comes to just below the knee, a slit to just above the knee may be acceptable. A very long skirt should not be slit above the knee. Slits in the center back of a skirt used to facilitate walking and stair climbing are generally acceptable. Slits to facilitate a view of your legs are not appropriate for business purposes. Slips should not be visible.
Shirt/Sweaters: In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women. Cotton, silk, and blends are appropriate. Velvets and shimmery fabrics suitable for parties are not appropriate. Fit should not be tight. Cleavage is not appropriate to business and job search occasions.
Jewelry/ Accessories: Wear a conservative watch. Jewelry and scarf styles come and go. Keep your choices simple and leaning toward conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color. If your industry is creative, you may have more flexibility than someone pursuing a conservative industry.
Cosmetics: Keep makeup conservative and natural looking. A little is usually better than none for a polished look. Nails should be clean and well groomed. Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries.
Shoes: Should be leather or fabric/microfiber. Appropriate colors are black, navy, brown, tan, taupe (to coordinate with your other attire and accessories); white and pastels are not appropriate. For the most conservative look toes should be covered. Scandals which are neither extremely dressy nor extremely casual might be appropriate. Thin straps and spike heels are not appropriate. Chunky heels and platforms are not appropriate. Your choices reflect your judgment. Make certain you can walk comfortably in your shoes; hobbling around a job fair in shoes that are pinching your feet does not convey a professional image and does not convey good judgment.
Hose: Not essential for business casual, but are recommended if your skirt is knee length (rather than calf length) and in more formal environments such as hotels. Climate and weather can be a factor. Hose may not be expected in more conservative industries. All your choices send a message about your judgment; if the weather is extremely cold/snowy/icy and you wear a skirt with bare legs, it will reflect negatively on your judgment.
Purse/ Bag: If you carry a purse, keep it simple, or carry a small briefcase or business-like tote bag in place of a purse. A structured bag tends to look more professional than something soft or floppy. Purse/bag color should coordinate with your shoes. A briefcase is certainly not necessary for most business casual events. Leather, microfiber and finely-woven materials are appropriate. Casual canvas and straw are not appropriate.
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Grooming Tips for Men and Women
Hair: Should be clean and neat.
Shoes: Should be in polished condition. Make sure heels are not worn out.
Details: No missing buttons, no lint, and don’t forget to remove external tags and tacking stitches from new clothes.
Hands: Clean fingernails.
Fit: Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit properly, neither tight nor baggy.
Smell: Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. No odor on clothes. Don't smell like smoke.
Padfolios: Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate, but if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking silly.
Book bags/Backpacks/Totes you carry on campus: Appropriate to carry to an information session held on campus, depending in time and location and the employer's instructions about attire (after all, you are a student). For career fairs and job fairs on campus, bulky backpacks are sometimes checked at the door (it's too crowded for people to be bumping into others with backpacks), and you should carry a padfolio only. Consider the industry and type of event in choosing what to carry. It's preferable not to carry a backpack to an event held at a hotel.
Dressing professionals for interviews for that internship or first job is critical in the search process. The purpose of the Career Closet is to create a resource that will be available to better serve our student population so that they can feel prepared and professional as they launch their careers.
We are excited to be able to provide free professional clothing and wardrobe coaching to our students. All clothes must be in good to excellent quality and purchased within the last 5 years/current with fashion. Ask yourself if a college student would wear. No jeans or t-shirts. Donation form upon request.
Clothes items can be dropped off at the Career Center, Library 187, by appointment only.
Donations must meet the following criteria for acceptance:
- New or lightly worn professional clothing
- Clothes should be cleaned prior to donation
- Dry Cleaned preferred
- Clothes that do not need ironing or laundering
- No bags of clothes will be accepted (Hangers are encouraged)
- Men and Women’s Suits
- Dress Pants
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Blouses and Shirts
- Ties, Belts, accessories
- Panty Hose – Neutral Colors- Must be new in package