Dress for success

"Clothes make the man." So the old adage goes. In today's politically correct environment, of course, it would be more appropriate to say, "Clothes make the person." Semantics aside, the truth of the matter is: how a person dresses makes a statement about one's self-- identification, image conveyed to others, and level of occupational aspiration.

In short, African-American collegians, who strive to obtain the best jobs following graduation and achieve career progression later on, are advised to dress for success, as much as their wardrobe budgets and clothing options allow.

It's an attitude thing

College life has many special benefits, include ing the informality of dress pervasive on most campuses. Almost any outfit is acceptable, so long as it's clean, fashionable, and reasonably covers most parts of the body. The mixture of eclectic wardrobe styles-along with exotic hairdos-- offers plenty of room for African Americans to express individuality, and to make appropriate social statements.

In terms of acceptable dress, the prevalent philosophy on most campuses can be summed up in the R&B lyrics of another generation: "It's your thing. Do what you want to do... "

Such is not the case in mainstream corporate America. The dictum for serious job hunting can be coined in a simple statement: "Play the game and look the part." This practical advice holds true in small companies and even more so in large corporations that strive to maintain a certain corporate image.

Dress for the job you want

It's important to "look the part"as you interview for your first job out of college, and for successive positions as you advance in your career. To land the job you really want, consider the following pointers:

Make the best first impression. From the moment that you step inside the place of employment, all eyes will be on you. Everyone you speak with, including the receptionist, will draw some opinion of you based on how you dress and carry yourself. The interviewer, especially, will make a quick determination as to how well you will fit in with the group based on your attire, grooming and personal deportment. You have one chance to make a good impression-- so don't blow it! Corporate employers are impressed with tasteful and conservative clothing and grooming. What does this mean in practical terms? For men, the rule of thumb is to wear a well-pressed, two-piece dark suit (navy or charcoal, preferably) made with a nice fabric such as blended wool. Coordinate this with a long-sleeved, buttoned-down, white cotton shirt (polyester blends are out) and a colorful silk tie that is not too flashy. Well-shined black shoes and matching leather belt enhance the overall look. Women have more flexibility in what to wear to impress an interviewer. Although a traditional two-piece business suit is always a safe bet, wearing a conservative business dress with tasteful accessories can also serve the purpose well. Dark solids are more appropriate than pastels or prints (unless you're interviewing for a job in the leisure travel business). Accenting the basic attire with a colorful belt or scarf adds the right touch.

The tips mentioned above constitute the standard advice offered by college placement officials and fashion consultants such as John Molloy in his several Dress for Success books. It should be understood though, that the rules for dressing for success are flexible, depending upon the circumstances. For example: A student interviewing for a hotel position in the Bahamas might create a more favorable impression by wearing a light-weight beige suit than sporting a navy pinstripe suit that conveys the "Wall Street" look.

Grooming is important. Donning proper interview attire doesn't mean much if your overall level of grooming doesn't create a favorable impression. For instance, wearing dreadlocks might make an important social statement on campus, but it won't score you points in the context of a corporate interview.

A short, neat haircut always looks good on a man. Sporting a precision-- cut perm or other contemporary hairdo will enhance a woman's appearance. (Avoid the "exotic" looks that your beautician might want to experiment with.) Another practical point is to shampoo the night before an onsite interview. For either men or women, this contributes to a feeling of self-confidence in interviewing.

Make-up is another important part of grooming. Women should err on the side of too little rather than too much. The selection of make-up should complement skin tone, features and attire. Men with skin problems such as blemishes and uneven facial complexion might consider some of the products that cosmetic companies manufacture for the male market that address these concerns.

Don't forget the fingernails-the interviewer will definitely notice them. Even if they are not professionally manicured, they should be neat, clean and of an appropriate length. For women, a light-colored nail polish (nothing garish) adds a nice touch.

Accessorize appropriately. Both genders should pay attention to accessories such as jewelry. Wearing multiple rings, bracelets and earrings don't convey a conservative image. For men, an attractive watch and class ring (or wedding ring) is enough jewelry. Save your "wrist gear" (chunky male bracelet) for another time.