Outward appearances can & do leave lasting impressions.

Societies are very quick to judge a person based on their attire. However, the clothes we wear, where we wear them & their purpose; all have a definite meaning when it comes to the world of work.

The idea of donning a new outfit or a ‘costume’ & becoming someone different, is something which is seen in business all of the time. Whether you have corporate uniform to wear, or an expectation of a dress code; outward appearances can change other people’s perceptions of us in an instant.

In my youth I was known as a ‘Goth’ This entailed being draped in attire which would not have looked out of place in Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ My make-up was hard & heavy to match. However, despite this outward projection, I was a happy, considerate, studious person & my attire was influenced by the music I listened to, the lifestyle I lead & the books I read. My clothing was an extension of my interests & influences.

Despite times changing & an age of tolerance & acceptance allegedly being upon us, we still judge people on their outward appearance.

In my years as a teacher I was queried in one interview about the health & safety issues surround my blue nail varnish! & I was refused employment in another job due to my red hair! These refusals to my employment with these schools were solely based on my outward appearance. I was very well qualified for the job, always ‘suited & booted’ & actually the nail varnish & the red hair were often a way I managed to build a rapport & break down barriers  with some of my more challenging students, as they felt I was a little ‘anti establishment’ with my attire choices.

However, despite the above examples & I cannot stress enough that despite hair & nails, I was always in a suit whilst teaching; we still need to be mindful of what our outward appearance tells people in certain situations.

Therefore, how would you ensure you were appropriately dressed for each potential work related scenario? Virtually Smart Ltd have considered three events in your employment journey, whereby you would & should consider your attire.

Interviews.

As part of the Virtually Smart Ltd  ‘Coaching & Mentoring’ options, we also offer help & advice for interview preparation. The fundamental thing to remember in any interview situation, is that you are being judged from the moment you arrive. What you are wearing & how you conduct yourself in those first few seconds, could be a deal breaker.

Whether you are being interviewed for a job in a coffee shop, as a teacher, corporate lawyer or a CEO; you should always endeavour to either wear a full suit, or at the very least, be smartly dressed. The old adage ‘dress to impress’ could not be more appropriate in this context. Wearing jeans & t-shirt, or a hoodie pulled up over your head, will create completely the wrong impression. Likewise, skinny or ripped jeans, grubby sneakers, the list is endless.

In addition to the attire you choose for your interview, your body language speaks volumes. Walking in with your hands in your pockets or your arms folded, will always create a barrier between you & a potential employer. Remember, shoulders back & extending a handshake toward your interviewer announcing your name & that it is a pleasure to meet them; will help you stand out from the other candidates instantly.

Every day attire in different employment & business situations.

Once you have secured your job, how you continue to present yourself, is as important as those very first moments of your interview.  It is imperative to ensure you understand before you arrive on your first day, what the expectations for attire are, in your new employment.

One example whereby the freedom of expression in personal work attire is encouraged, are the Google offices. Google’s office spaces are bright & vibrant & employees can personalise their work spaces quite dramatically. They are encouraged to reflect their creativity in the way they choose to dress as well. However, not all working environments have the same freedom of expression, so it is always best to know- before-you-go.

Unless you are bound by a company uniform, which must still be worn in a certain manner, it is always imperative to read your contract & understand the dress code expectations of your work environment. If it is not specified therein, your Supervisor or Manager should make you very aware of the expectations of your attire.

Always, be considerate to your work environment & your colleagues. Endeavour to find out very early on if things like, being allowed to wear sandal type shoes in hot weather is acceptable or pose a health safety risk. Consider the cultural sensitivities of those around you. Be mindful that in a diverse working environment & even if you are working in the public eye, how you project yourself physically, needs to have the considerations of others as part of your daily attire deliberations.

Social interactions & company events.

There is an inevitability in any employment, that at some point you will have some form of social interaction with your work colleagues. This is an opportunity for you to be able to choose an outward projection, which reflects more of your individualism. However, even here there are expectations to consider.

Always find out where your social event is being held. Many corporate meeting spaces or specific restaurants for example, will have a dress code in place. There would be nothing worse than arriving at a ‘smart casual’ event in full evening dress, or likewise, jeans & T-shirt at a Michelin Star establishment in the heart of a City.

Furthermore, your social attire needs to be chosen with some forethought, dependant on which sector of your colleagues are in attendance. Don’t get me wrong, modern CEO’s & Senior Managers are very encouraging of their staff to share their personal viewpoints, whether verbally or in how they project their self-image. However, there is always that though in the back of your mind, that despite letting your hair down in a social setting, these are still the people you will be returning to the work environment with the very next day.

Written by Katy Jane for & on behalf of virtually Smart Ltd