Aug. 3, 2006
 
GETTING HIRED: ‘Business Casual’ is an Oxymoron; Dress Like You Mean Business
 
By Marvin Walberg
Scripps Howard News Service
 
As far as I am concerned, "dress/casual" never should apply to the workplace, or to job seeking. "Business/casual" really is an oxymoron! It may work for Bill Gates, but it's interesting -- in a photo at a fund raiser for his charity, he was dressed in a shirt and tie!
 
In your job search, you should dress like you mean business in every job-search related activity -- even filling out apps at fast food restaurants. First impressions affect everyone and last forever. Let me tell you a story about dressing up.
 
My teenage daughter was preparing to attend a career-oriented leadership conference in Washington, D.C., this summer. The dress code for the leadership sessions was "business dress." They could dress casually for tours and labs. That meant buying her clothing suitable for business, which we did.
 
When we got home with her new clothes and she tried them on for us, I asked her how she felt. "Sort of powerful, and older, and I know it sounds crazy, but a little taller!" she said. I knew exactly how she felt.
 
When you are dressed to do business, you do feel more powerful, in control, in charge, and simply more professional. Although many businesses continue to allow employees to dress casually, I believe that dressing professionally increases productivity and customer service, while lowering accidents and even harassment cases. If you could stand two people, exactly alike, side by side, one dressed casually and one in professional attire, which one would you more likely tend to trust and want to conduct business with? What is acceptable business attire for you?
 
Check places where you would like to work and observe what others wear; then you step it up a notch. If, men, everyone seems to wear a shirt and tie, you add the suit jacket when you interview. Men and women should remember that less is best when it comes to jewelry, colognes and even makeup. Dress down with accessories, and if you still need help, get advice and direction from an experienced clothing salesperson.
 
To repeat, even if you are completing applications at fast food stores or looking for a part-time retail job, dress like you mean business. People see and people talk. Make sure they say something positive about you! Marvin Walberg is a job search consultant based in Birmingham, Ala. He can be contacted at P.O. Box 43056, Birmingham, AL, 35243. E-mail him at mwalberg@bellsouth.net.