The Laughing Wolf

Food For Thought: Dress For Success

To most people, this phrase means dress expensively and fancy. Certainly Madison Avenue has contributed to that correlation, but is that really what it means?

No.

Dress for success means just that: wear what is right and appropriate – the best choice – for the situation. The recent spate of meetings and interviews has reminded me of why you do it, and I want to share a bit of that with you today.

What it really means is present yourself well. Show that you have pride in yourself, because if you have pride in yourself it is seen as indicating that you will also have pride in your work. That you will do the best job possible under the circumstances. It means much more than the clothes as well.

Clothes are the gift wrap over your presentation of yourself. What lies beneath or with is just as important. So, take the time and do things right. Be as clean and neat as circumstances allow. Unless you are proceeding directly to an interview or meeting from some other work, you should be showered, shaved, and groomed as well as possible. Your fingernails should be trimmed, and cleaned underneath. Your hair should be in good shape and not looking like a rat’s nest, unless having a rat’s nest on your head is somehow integral to the job/work at hand. You should not be odiferous, smelling neither of body odor or swimming in cologne or perfume. Emitting strong odors either way is rude and inconsiderate, and will work against you.

Carry yourself well. Posture and attitude do indeed count, and slouching, slinking, and furtive counts as much against you as does cocky, arrogant, and overly aggressive. Stand tall, for you should have pride in yourself and your accomplishments. Have someone who will be honest check your posture, and work on getting it perfect. Keep your eyes up, for you are equal to the situation and all those present.

Now that you have the important stuff taken care of, you can start to wrap it. Pick clothes that work for the situation. If you are a ditch digger, wear the best pair of coveralls you have, freshly laundered. If you are a dishwasher or cook, wear the best kitchen outfit you own. In any job where clothing can have labels or such, make sure that your best pair shows the best outfit you have been with. For any job, wear the best appropriate clothes. Dressing for success does NOT have to mean a suit and the power tie of the week. It means the best possible clothes for the situation.

For Ifni’s sake, if you wear dress shoes or boots of any type, make sure they are cleaned, shined, and in good shape. Shoes can be the bow on the package, and scuffed, dirty, and dull shoes are like finishing a beautiful package with a bow made of old, slimy, anchovies. Shoes should shine to the point of getting you in trouble with the good Brothers. If you are not wearing dress shoes, make sure they are as clean as possible and in good repair. Remember, shoes are just another tool in the job, and most employers want to know that you take good care of your tools.

If you are wearing accessories, pick them with care. This can be even more true for men than women. Hear me out: picking the wrong lapel pin can kill your chances of getting work or a job quicker than anything. You don’t wear the insignia of one party into a meeting with the leadership of the other. Take the time, find out what you can about the people you are meeting with, and make your accessories work to your advantage.

Make sure all accessories carried to the meeting work for you. Again, clean, well maintained, as nice as possible. The details count, and they do add up, so make sure they add to your presence, not subtract.

Dress for success is the total package: content, wrapping, and adornment. Do right by all three, and you will be a success.

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