Impressions A Young Professional’s Survival Guide to Business Dress and Etiquette
by Sydnie Payne
Impressions A Young Professional’s Survival Guide to Business Dress and Etiquette
by Sydnie Payne
Thank you to all my talented and wonderful instructors at Red River College.
Contents:
38 Business Casual 46 The Perfect Suit 52 Casual Friday 56 Shoes 60
Interview and Resume
Tips and Tricks
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LADIES MEN
8 Business Casual 18 Business Professional 22 Casual Friday 28 Shoes and Accessories 34 Wardrobe Staples
From me to you, I hope the guidance I’ve included in this book helps with the journey into your new career. -SP
Introduction Quite a few years ago I was hired for a summer position in an office. When I was given the job, my boss told me the dress was ‘business casual’. I had never worked in an office before and had absolutely no idea what it meant. I asked my friends and family, but of course on my first day I was totally off. As the summer continued I got better though, and started to understand what this new term meant. A few years down the road and I’m a student in Red River College’s Creative Communications program. Pretty soon I’ll be working in the industry, and back in my business clothes. The idea of going into the professional world fashionably unprepared scares me to my core, and I realized, other students must go through this every year. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands by creating this book. I set out with a few ideas of my own, and interviewed a group of professionals in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They gave me their opinions, tips, and style tricks, which I combined with my existing knowledge to create this book. Not only does creating this book combine my love for writing, fashion, and photography, it allows me to share something with all of you that I think is very important. Recent graduates sometimes have a hard time being taken seriously in the professional industry. That’s why we need to up our game and make a lasting first impression that counts. Being dressed well is half the battle, if you look good, you feel good, and people will take notice. This book is written with my views and the opinions of the business professionals I interviewed. Take this advise and combine it with your own style, after all, people want to get to know your personality. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy Impressions.
-Sydnie
THE
LAD
DIES Business Casual
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Introduction
Businesses today want their employees to dress in a way that reflects the company in a positive way. They want you dressed professionally, but comfortable; uniformed, yet uniquely your own. This style of dress is most commonly known as business casual. The first time I heard this term it made my head spin. The first thing that came to mind was business: a stuffy pantsuit with ugly shoulder pads, pantyhose, and ugly shoes that belong in 1985. And casual: my rockin’ jeans with rips in just the right places and a cute t-shirt that fits me just right. Well, after some research and observation, I have come to realize that this business casual term is actually a mix of both. So don’t worry, you won’t have to wear shoulder pads, or your grandma’s shoes.
Tops For business casual, choose tops with an extra bit of flare: In a business casual environment as long as you’re not wearing the same shirt to the club on the weekend, or while painting your room, you’re probably okay. The top you wear doesn’t have to be overly fancy. But at the same time, you don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed. For business casual I like a collard shirt, something with or without buttons, I think it makes you look much more put together without even trying. If you’re not into a collar, try something that has a bit of embellishment or ruffle. These characteristics will take an ordinary t-shirt from casual to business appropriate.
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Businesses want their employees to dress in a way that reflects the company in a positive way.
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The biggest things to watch for on top: cleavage and midriff. These are non-negotiable. You can’t show too much skin in an office because you won’t be taken seriously as a professional. If you think it might be even the slightest bit short at the hips, or might be showing a little too much cleavage, don’t chance it. The best way to look at it is: Would I wear this to go see my boyfriend’s parents? If the answer is no, put it back and save it for a night out with friends.
Here are a couple examples of tops to wear in a business casual office:
12 To me, it seems like in the summer, offices want to waste all the money they can on air conditioning, and in the winter, pinch every penny on heating. Why are offices always so cold? My solution is to own a simple cardigan in a couple neutral shades: black, brown, beige, or grey. These four colours go with anything and everything, and I almost always have one on while at work. Even if it’s a scorching 30 degrees Celsius, throw one in your bag, you never know when you might need it.
TIPS Add a Belt: Belt your cardigan over a top at the waist to give yourself instant shape and style (see picture to the left).
Too Much Skin? Do you have a beautiful top you want to wear but it shows too much cleavage? Try putting a bandeau or camisole underneath. They can really help to cover up skin that shouldn’t be shown.
Watch your Back: Try on the shirt you want to wear with a pair of pants that go with it. Squat down to the ground and stand back up again. Did your shirt rise up at all during that exercise? If any skin was exposed it’s time to re-think this outfit. Try a long camisole underneath and try again, or pick a different shirt.
An added touch... Another quick trick is to add a blazer to your outfit. The blazer doesn’t have to necessarily match your pant, and it adds an instant touch of class to any outfit.
In this example, just adding a simple blazer to the outfit adds a professional touch:
For more on blazers, see page 21.
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Bottoms
Never too tight, never too short. What to wear on the bottom: There have been a lot of questions on whether or not it’s okay to wear jeans in a business casual environment. After some research I’ve come to the decision that jeans should never be worn to work unless it’s a casual Friday situation. Dress pants are safe, as long as you get a pair that fit you properly they’ll look professional. How do you know if they fit properly? Can you see the outline of your underwear? If yes, you need to go a size or two up, no one should know what style panties you wear. In terms of length, you want them to sit about half an inch from the ground when you’re standing up straight. Too long, and they’ll get frayed at the bottom and look awful, too short, and (as my mother always said) you’ll look like you’re waiting for the flood. The last thing you need to worry about is are they too low in the hips. Like I said before, no one needs to know what kind of underwear you have on, make sure they go up high enough to cover anything you don’t want seen.
TIPS Find Your Perfect Fit: If you don’t know what style will flatter your figure, my suggestion is to go to your local business attire store, and ask a sales associate to fit you with a nice pair. Try them on and see what you think. Remember, you have no obligation to buy, just see what they look like, you can always find the same style somewhere less expensive.
No Time for Hemming? Do you have a pair of pants you want to wear but they’re too long and you don’t have time to get them hemmed? Double sided tape works as a quick fix. But don’t always rely on taping, when you get the chance have them hemmed.
Find a Good Tailor: Need to get a pair of pants hemmed? Don’t go to a chain company, those small mom and pop stores charge about half the price, and do a better job in my opinion.
Skirts Skirts are great for the office in both summer and winter. My general rule for skirts: keep it around knee length. Also, like pants, make sure it’s not too tight. If you can see a panty line, take it off and pick something else to wear.
To the left is a great example of a skirt for the office.
An added touch... Want to wear a skirt in the winter? Just throw on a pair of opaque tights and you’re good to go (see picture to the right). See, here’s the same skirt, with tights. Perfect for those cold days. We’re going to talk about shoes a little bit later, but if you would like to check it out now, turn to page 28.
16 Watch the neckline. If your shirt is too low cut, add a camisole underneath to cover up.
Ruffles and a tie add to this otherwise basic top, making it look more professional.
Make sure your shirt is long enough so it doesn’t ride up when you sit at your desk.
No sandals allowed! Stick to closed toe shoes.
Simple black dress pants are a staple to any business professional wardrobe.
Chapter Summary: When in doubt, dress on the conservative side: If you think your shirt might be too low cut, trade it up for something that’s a better fit. better safe than sorry in this case.
Choose a shirt with a kick: Choose something other than a plain t-shirt for the office. A top with buttons, frills, or another type of detailing will instantly come across as more professional.
The bar rule: Did you wear it to the club last weekend? Then don’t wear it to work. Chances are if you wear out with your friends, it won’t be a good match for the office.
Add a blazer: Adding a blazer to any outfit will make it instantly more professional. Even if you’re wearing a simple t-shirt under it, people won’t even be able to tell.
Cardigans are your best friend: Offices are always cold - at least to me. Keep a cardigan at work, or throw one in your bag. They look good, and will keep you warm.
Not too tight: Nothing you wear should be too tight. Your pants should fit comfortably, and your shirt should leave a lot to the imagination. If people can tell what type of underwear you’re wearing, your pants are too tight.
Business Professional
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Business Professional
Business casual’s big sister. Yes you have to be professional, but you can still let your personality shine through: Some businesses will ask their employees to dress business professional. If I were to quickly describe this dress type, I’d call it ‘business casual’s big sister’. You’re basically taking all the rules of business casual and upping the ante. Some professionals won’t have to dress business professional on a regular basis, and will probably be working in a more casual office environment. However, you may need to dress yourself in business professional attire for special events or conference situations. Ladies, your business professional look should be an upscale version of what you would wear in a business casual environment. Through my research I have found that business professional means you should be wearing a suit, or a blazer with a skirt or pants. There are some great options for women’s suits today, from pantsuits, to skirt suits, and in all different styles and shapes. Whether you opt for the pant or skirt is up to you as both are considered equally acceptable. If you opt for a skirt suit, no bare legs. I know pantyhose is so old-school and weird to wear, but in this case you’re going to have to wear it. Opaque black tights are a great way to take a skirt to winter appropriate, and you can choose a lighter hose for summer. The top you wear under your blazer should be a blouse, either a button up with a collar, or something with a detail. A blouse might not necessarily be button up, but you should look for something with a collar detail, or something extra that gives it that professional look.
The top you choose is one of the only pieces in this look that will really show your personal style; so have fun with it. Wear a bright or multicoloured blouse under your suit, it will add some personality to an otherwise typical look. Keep your blouse tucked into your pants or skirt under your blazer, that way when you get hot, you can take off the blazer and still look great. Closed toe shoes are a must when dressing business casual. And the heal height you choose should be fairly modest. For more on shoes, see page 28.
Blazers Blazers are a great way to add a professional touch to any outfit. You can choose to wear a neutral coloured jacket, like the one on the right, or make a bold statement with a bright colour, like the blazer to the left. Length is a personal choice, but depending on your body type, you might be better suited for a short or long blazer. Try on a few to see what style you like best.
A blazer should fit in two places:
1 2
The shoulder seams should line up with the natural curve where your shoulder meets your upper arm. This fit is crucial, as the shoulder cannot be altered. The fit where the buttons attach should fit comfortably. When closed, the blazer should not be pulling at the waist or bust area.
Don’t worry about the length of the sleeves, this can easily be altered at your local tailor.
Casual Friday
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How Casual is too Casual?
Many offices will have casual Fridays every week, sometimes known as ‘jean day’. However, some businesses will never have this option, it depends on what type of business you’re working for. The guidelines for casual Fridays do vary, and in this chapter I have set out some general guidelines for these days. You should always follow each individual company’s rules. My number one suggestion for casual Fridays is to observe and copy. On the first casual day in your new workplace, stick to the safe side, meaning dress business casual for that day. Wear dress pants, a dress shirt, and nice shoes, better safe than sorry. Take notice of what your boss is wearing. That’s right, your boss, not your co-worker, or someone in another department. You want to see what the person in charge is wearing, and that’s how you should dress for future casual Fridays. If your co-worker is wearing jeans, running shoes, and a t-shirt, but your boss is in a nice button up dress shirt, wear a dress shirt. Like I said, there are some general rules and guidelines for dressing in a casual Friday environment.
Top 5 Don’ts: The following five items are never allowed in an office: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
No ripped jeans No stained jeans No cleavage No tank tops No midriff
Before and After: Look at the difference in the two pictures below. By just adding a blazer, and some dark wash jeans, this look went from weekend shopping, to office ready. Adding small touches can make a big difference in your outfit.
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It might be casual Friday, but you can still look professional:
If jeans are common in your workplace on casual Friday, by all means you can wear jeans. But stick to nice jeans that are a dark wash and have no rips. Make sure your jeans aren’t too tight, no one wants to see the outline of your underwear. The best way to dress jeans for the office is to keep everything else you’re wearing more business casual. So, you’ll want to dress up your jeans with a nice collar shirt, or a blazer, and always pair jeans with a pair of office appropriate footwear. Just because you’re allowed to wear jeans, doesn’t mean you should show up looking like a slob.
Tops Ladies, you have lots of options in terms of what you can wear with your jeans on your casual days. As long as your top is nicer than a plain t-shirt, you’re probably good to go. It’s always nice to dress up your jeans though, so wear a button up, or something with a nice neck line. As I mentioned before, throwing a blazer over your top does wonders to a plain-Jane t-shirt (see page 21).
Bottoms The jeans you wear to the office should be nice. By nice, I mean a darker wash, something dark blue, or black. They should fit comfortably, and not too tight. The same rules apply here as on page 14. Not too tight, not too low etc. Do the squat test just in case and make sure no one sees anything they shouldn’t.
Chapter Summary: It might be casual, but it’s still professional: Yes, you can wear jeans to work when it’s allowed, but keep your top more professional. That means, no t-shirt with your jeans. Opt for a nice blouse, or add a blazer to your outfit to up the professionalism.
Dark wash is best: Dark wash jeans look cleaner, and more professional. Try to stick to dark blue jeans over light wash options.
No rips: Yes, I know you love your jeans with the perfect rips and tears, but save those ones for the weekend. Jeans you wear to the office should never be ripped.
Imitate your boss: For the first few casual days at your new job, dress business casual. No jeans. See what your boss is wearing and imitate that for the next week.
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The best way to dress jeans for the office is to keep everything else you’re wearing more business casual.
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Shoes and Accessories
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When you’re choosing footwear for work, it’s best to keep things clean, simple, and conservative.
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Introduction
Shoes are what completes a woman’s outfit, with the right pair you will look the part.
A lot of people think that shoes don’t matter when it comes to business attire. They think ‘oh, they’ll be under my desk all day’. Sadly, shoes are usually an afterthought to an outfit, but they shouldn’t be. People notice shoes, and the right pair can complete your entire outfit. I’m the type of girl who thinks, the higher the better, when it comes to my heals. I love tall, beautiful, towering platforms. And in my opinion, the crazier, the better. However, I save this collection of fun party shoes for just that - parties. These heals come out on the evenings and weekends when I’m out with my friends, not at the office. My point here is, when you’re choosing footwear for work, it’s best to keep things clean, simple, and conservative. There’s that word again, conservative. So, how do you find shoes that are appropriate for the office? Neutral tones go a long way. My suggestion would be to pick up a pair of shoes in a couple neutral colours. Black and brown are staples for any season, and having a pair of beige or white shoes is great for the summer months. Now don’t get me wrong, a little colour is okay when it comes to your shoe choice. But stick with something subtle. When it comes to heal height, I like to go with something more modest. Opinions on this topic definitely vary, some say heal height doesn’t matter, others say it definitely does. A safe height to go with is to stay within 2-3 inches. Anything above three inches looks like it belongs in a bar. A little test: do you wear those shoes to the club? If so, they probably won’t work at the office. In my opinion, toes should never be seen at the office, however, some offices allow women to wear nice dress sandals to work. If you want to wear sandals, and the office you’re working in allows it, by all means it’s okay to do so. But remember the rule: is your boss wearing sandals? If you’ve never seen your boss’s toes, I think it’s best not to show yours. All in all, flats or a short heal are safe, and pick something in a neutral colour. Stick to a closed toe to start, and see what others are wearing before choosing a sandal.
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Top 5 shoes that DO NOT belong at work:
1 Six-inch platforms 2 Anything that sparkles 3 Anything neon 4 Flip-flops 5 Anything Dirty
These shoes are hot! But save them for the bar, stilettos don’t belong at work.
Accessories From bangles to necklaces to chains, what is good for the office: When accessorizing for a professional environment, I like to go with the rule less is more. I know that new neon pink bracelet you bought is amazing, but save that one for going out. It’s a good idea to keep jewelry simple, and classy. Consider having a few nice chains, some gold, some silver, and maybe some bracelets to go with them. Nothing too clunky or eye-catching though. Here’s a great example of jewelry to wear at the office:
This necklace is understated and simple. Paired with a watch, it’s a classic and professional accessory pairing.
In my opinion, wearing a watch instantly makes you look more professional. You don’t have to wear a designer watch, or anything expensive, you can purchase nice looking watches at department stores for under $50. A watch is something that will last a long time, and is something you will wear every day, which makes it a staple piece in your wardrobe. Not only does wearing a watch help you make sure you’re on time, but it also shows others that you care about being on time. One of your best accessories is a belt. Pick up one in a couple different neutral colours, like black, brown and beige. Throwing a belt over an oversized sweater or baggy shirt gives you instant shape. And honestly, I think it makes a casual shirt look more dressed up, and appropriate for business.
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Not only does wearing a watch help you make sure you’re on time, but it also shows others that you care about being on time.
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Wardrobe Staples
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Staples
Staple pieces are essential to every wardrobe, define your own staple items. There are several staple pieces that should make up every professional woman’s wardrobe. The following list are items that I see as staple pieces, however every girls list will look different according to personal style.
1 2 3 4 5 6
A blazer in a couple different neutral tones: Good options are black, beige, grey, brown, and navy blue. Find what style dress pants suit you best, and pick up a pair in a couple different colours - black, brown, and grey are good colours to start with. Between these three neutral colours, you’ll have something to go with any colour shirt. 2-4 cardigans: Pick these up in neutral colours, short or long depending on your preference and style. These are great to throw on top of an outfit on a cold day, or to even to keep at work for when you need them. Several blouses or collard shirts: I like to have one or two neutral coloured shirts for work, but I also like to buy some fun colours and patterns. It’s nice to match a neutral pant and blazer with a bright and vibrant shirt underneath, it adds some personality and fun to your wardrobe. Heals and flats in neutral tones: I like to always have a pair of modest heals and flats in black and brown. No matter what the occasion, you should be good to go with one of these. Not all women enjoy wearing skirts or dresses, but those who do will benefit from owning a few nice ones. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from observing fashion over the years, it’s that a wrap dress looks amazing on almost every body type. This style is also great for an office setting, wear it with a nice pair of shoes, check your cleavage, and you’re good to go. (See opposite page)
All the items listed above can be found whether you’re on a small or large budget. If you’re willing to spend more on certain items, and less on others, choose the pieces you’ll wear more often. In my opinion, if spending more on certain pieces, I’d put the bulk of my budget into pants, shoes, and blazers. These are the items you’ll probably wear more often, they won’t go out of style if you buy in neutral tones, and will last a long time.
Staple #6: The Wrap Dress
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MEN Business Casual
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Introduction
Many offices today want their employees to dress in a way that reflects the company in a positive way. They want you dressed professionally, but comfortable; uniformed, yet uniquely your own. This style of dress is most commonly known as business casual. There are lots of men out there that think they don’t have much choice when it comes to business fashion. We’ll I’m going to prove that this is false, there are options for men, many options. Looking professional is important, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let your personal style shine through.
Tops A dress shirt is a staple in every man’s business wardrobe. The good news is, you can have fun with it: The best place to start for men is with a straight forward button up dress shirt. Sizes for men’s dress shirts are determined by collar size, which is the circumference of your neck in inches. So a size 17 dress shirt means your neck is 17 inches in circumference. But it doesn’t stop there, because there are many different types of cuts and fits available. The best way to know your shirt size and fit that best suits you, is to go to a men’s dress store, and ask a sales person. They will take your measurements and match you to the right shirt. You’re not obligated to buy, and can go find the same style somewhere less expensive On colder days consider putting a sweater, cardigan, or vest over your dress shirt (see the image to the right).
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Looking professional is important, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let your personal style shine through.
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3 most important things to look for in a dress shirt:
1 2 3
Collar: Do up the buttons, including the top one, can you fit two fingers in between? If so, it’s not too tight. The first few times you wear a dress shirt, you’ll think the collar is too tight, it’s natural. Shoulders: The shoulders of the shirt should be fitted properly. The way you measure the shoulder fit is by looking at the seam. Make sure the seam runs through the middle of the round part of your shoulder. The shirt shouldn’t stick out here at all, if it does, it’s too big. Body: The body of the shirt should be slightly loose, but relatively fitted. You don’t want too much gaping when you tuck it into a pair of pants. That being said, if the shirt looks like it’s pulling at the buttons, it’s too small.
TIP Not a Good Fit? There are a lot of men who have a thicker neck and shoulders, but a smaller core. If this is you, it’s important to buy a slim fit shirt. Slim fit not available? Purchase the shirt even if the body is too big, and take it to be altered. Your neighbourhood tailor will add 2 darts at the back of the shirt, making it a better fit for your body. So always buy to the fit of the collar and shoulder, the body can be fixed.
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Ties
Every man should own at least one tie for business related events or meetings. Here are some tips on choosing the right one: Ties can be tricky, what style do you go for? What colour tie goes with what shirt? Well gentlemen, it’s really up to you. That’s right, your tie depends purely on your personal style, so have fun with it. This is your chance to show some personality. If you like a design, go for it. A general rule is to choose a tie that brings out the colour of your dress shirt or suit. So, if you’re wearing black pants with a light blue dress shirt, pick a tie with some blues in it. The tie is what will bring together all the colours of your outfit. My only two suggestions: 1. If you have a multi coloured or intricate patterned tie, keep the shirt neutral and simple. 2. No cartoon ties PLEASE.
To Button? Or Not To Button? • If you’re wearing a tie, button up your shirt to the top. • If you’re going tie-less for the day, don’t do up all the buttons, keep the top one undone.
How to Tie a Tie The example below is step by step instructions for how to tie a tie. This is just one way of tying as there are many different knots you can choose from. A simple Internet search will bring up endless instructions and videos for you to check out.
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Bottoms
Finding a good fitting dress pant will instantly make you look the part. Here are some tips to find your perfect fit: A dress pant can be made of a variety of fabrics and in many different styles. A good quality dress pant is made of 100% wool, however you can purchase wool and synthetic blends. Wool is more expensive, but they breathe well, and will generally last longer since they are better quality. For the hotter summer months you can buy a pant made of lighter, more breathable fabric. And in the cold winter months, you can usually find something heavier to keep warm. That being said, you can get away with a generic cotton dress pant for all months of the year. The best thing to do when looking for the right fit, is to try on a few different options. For years men’s dress pants have always had pleating in the front. But companies have been making more of a strait legged pant recently, which is more modern. Go for what you like best, and what looks good on your body type. For information on purchasing suits, see page 46. Your socks should always be matched to your pant - or as close as you can get them. So, black pant, go or a black dress sock, etc. And when putting on the finishing touches, please remember: The colour of your shoes and belt should match. For more on men’s shoes, check out page 56.
Chapter Summary: Show Your Personality: Yes, dress shirts and ties are pretty standard for men in business. But you can make it your own. Choose a coloured shirt or tie to add your personality to your look.
Fit is Important: The fit of your dress shirt’s collar and shoulders are most important. If it’s too big in the body you can have it taken in at a tailor.
Ties and the Button: If you’re wearing a tie, the top button of your shirt must be done up. If you’re going tie-less, you can leave the top button open for a more casual look.
Shoes and Belt Rule: The colour of your shoes and belt should always match. Black with black, brown with brown.
Socks Match Pants: The socks you wear should match your dress pants. This way, when your pant leg rides up, your sock isn’t out of place.
The Perfect Suit
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Suit up When choosing your first suit, there are some guidelines to follow, however a lot of your choice will come from personal preference. When you go to purchase your suit, bring a pair of dress shoes with you (ones that you would be wearing with the suit), a dress shirt, and a tie. Some retailers will provide these for you to use, but not all will, so go prepared.
Comfort Most importantly you want to be comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, you’re going to look that way. So, by buying something that you feel good in, you will be more confident, and look better overall.
Colour You’ll want your first suit to be as versatile as possible, especially if you’re only buying one at a time. Choose something in a dark colour; navy blue or a medium colour grey are the best options for a few reasons:
Good for any time of year Can be worn with many shirt and tie colour combinations Can be worn with either black or brown shoes and belt
Many think a black suit should be an instant go-to first suit, what’s more versatile than black right? Well it’s actually surprising how many shirts and ties won’t fit well with a black suit. You are also tied to a black shoe, which might be a problem for some. Keep in mind though, to go with what you’re confident and comfortable in. Do you feel better in black? By all means choose that over other colour options. A very light pinstripe is okay, so that you can’t really see the stripes from a few feet away. Pin stripes will definitely limit your options when it comes to shirt and tie combos, and is harder to match well. Your ultimate goal when choosing a suit - especially you first one, is to choose something that will be versatile, and that will match multiple shirts and ties. You want to be able to get as much wear out of it as you can. A dark coloured suit can still be worn in summer months. All you have to do is pair it with a lighter coloured shirt and tie. A navy suit can stretch between summer and winter with a lighter shirt, like pink, blue or white.
TIPS Need a Good Tailor? Need to have alterations done? Don’t go to a chain company, those small mom and pop stores charge about half the price, and do a better job in my opinion.
Don’t Over Dry Clean Since suits can be over dry cleaned, buy a clothing steamer. They are generally inexpensive and can be used in between dry-cleanings to freshen up your suit and remove wrinkles. No clothing steamer? Put your suit in the bathroom while you run the shower, the steam will help loosen the wrinkles.
For Lint Emergencies: Keep a sticky roller in your car at all times, you never know when you might need to get rid of some lint.
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Fit It’s important that your suit fits well. Many aspects of your suit can be tailored, but not everything can be changed. Shoulders must fit properly, as this cannot be altered. The shoulder seam should run along the point where your upper arm and shoulder meet, or where your shoulder curves. Put on the jacket and see where the seam is, do your shoulders look like a football players? Then it’s too big. Does the seam run before your shoulder ends? Then it’s too small. Sales associates who work in men’s clothing stores will be able to measure you, and will know what looks right, so trust their judgment. Just remember, don’t allow yourself to be pressured by staff, always choose what you feel best in, and what reflects your personal style. The length of the arms and body can be altered, so if those don’t fit properly you can take them to a tailor to have them adjusted to your size. For your first suit, don’t choose anything overly tailored or trendy. for example, a very fitted suit or heavy stitching might be in one year, but won’t be in style the next. If you only have one or two suits, you’ll want them to last through trend changes. So go for a standard, nice fitting suit.
Fabric
There are several fabric choices, but the two most common are wool and polyester. Wool will be more expensive, however will last longer than the latter. If 100% wool is out of your price range, I would suggest a blend. This won’t be as durable as the wool option, but will still be much better than 100% synthetic.
Dry Cleaning Dry cleaning is something that has to be paid for when you own a suit, since it is the only way to clean it. However you don’t have to- and shouldn’t- dry clean after every wear. There is such thing as over dry-cleaning, and it will wear out your suit faster than it should. Once every 4-5 wears is reasonable for your suit to be cleaned, unless of course it is visibly dirty.
All Together You have your suit, now you need to put it all together: suit, tie, shoes, belt, socks.
Top button is done up if you’re wearing a tie.
Don’t be afraid to add a little personality with a colourful shirt or tie.
Sleeve length: Just below the wrist, not covering any fingers.
Your tie should hit the center area of your belt. Belt and shoe colours match. Pant length should be relaxed, but never dragging on the ground. You might not be able to see them most of the time, but socks should match your pant and/or shoes. In this case, black or gray are acceptable.
Clean and polished shoes are a must.
Casual Friday
54
Introduction
Many offices will have casual Fridays every week, sometimes known as ‘jean day’. However, some businesses will never have these days, it depends on what type of business you’re working for. The guidelines for casual Fridays do vary, and in this chapter I have set out some general guidelines for these days. You should always follow each individual company’s rules. My number one suggestion for casual Fridays is to observe and copy. On your first casual day in your new workplace, stick to the safe side, meaning dress business casual for that day. Wear dress pants, a dress shirt, and nice shoes, better safe than sorry. Take notice of what your boss is wearing. That’s right, your boss, not your co-worker, or someone in another department. You want to see what the person in charge is wearing, and that’s how you should dress for future casual Fridays. If your co-worker is wearing jeans, running shoes, and a t-shirt, but your boss is in a nice button up dress shirt, wear a dress shirt. It’s always best to stay on the safe side on casual Friday, In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a trend; better safe than sorry. So, it’s best to stick to something that could come close to passing for business casual.
Tops Men have many possibilities when it comes to shirts for Casual Friday: The best thing to wear on casual Friday, is a button up dress shirt. Dress shirts look great with jeans, and you can still tuck it in. Wear a nice belt, and keep the top button undone with no tie to keep it casual. Similar to page 40 in the business casual chapter, on colder days, consider putting a sweater, cardigan, or vest over your dress shirt. But since it’s more casual, you can leave your dress shirt un-tucked, and let it hang out the bottom. This gives you a more modern, and sophisticated everyday look.
Bottoms You can wear jeans to work, but keep them professional: The jeans you choose should be dark in colour, and make sure they are clean. I know it’s trendy to wear ripped jeans, but save those for the evenings or weekends with your friends. Jeans worn to the office should never be ripped or frayed. Wear something that is well fitted and doesn’t look out of place with a dress shirt. It’s best to wear a dress shoe with your jeans to the office. Slip on shoes are great, as long as they are office appropriate, but stay away from anything that could be considered a running or skate shoe. As always, your shoes and belt should match in colour, and wear a dark coloured dress sock. Here is a great example of jeans that are appropriate for casual Friday (left):
Shoes
58
Introduction
When dressing for your career, many think guys don’t have much choice when it comes to shoes. But there are so many choices out there. There are some general rules when it comes to choosing shoes for the office, but a lot of the decision should be your personal preference.
Style Have you ever walked into a shoe store and wanted to run and hide when you saw how many different styles of men’s shoes there are? Well you’re not alone. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Round toe: Round toe dress shoes are the classic shape. They look good with any type of suit, and can be worn for a variety of occasions.
Squared toe: This is the round toe’s cool brother. It’s more modern, and typically a younger look. The squared toe is most popular among recent grads, and business men in their 20’s and 30’s. This shoe is very versatile and can be worn with a variety of suits.
Pointed toe: Pointed toe men’s shoes can look great, if you wear them right. The suit you wear them with should be fitted, and sleek. This is definitely a daring look, and should be used with caution.
Colour A general rule for which colour shoe to pair with your suit or pant is this: go with your preference. A lot of suits can go with either black or brown dress shoes, however certain colours should go with certain colours. Stick with what you think looks best.
Always Remember Black Shoes with Black Belt Brown Shoes with Brown Belt
INTERVIEW
& RESUME Tips and Tricks
62
For a Killer Resume... So, you’re graduating, getting yourself out there, and stepping into the ‘real world’. So what’s your first step? Preparing your resume, and attending interviews. There are so many Internet sites and resources to help you build your resume, just do a quick online search. Here’s a few tips to get you started on yours:
Resume Tips: Keep your resume looking clean and simple. Use only professional looking fonts, and make sure it’s easy to read. Include your non-professional interests. If you play on a sports team, or belong to a book club, include it. Keep it under two pages.
I’ve created a sample resume (opposite) for your reference. Keep in mind that this is just one style of many possibilities, and an online search will show you many options.
{
List the categories in the order you think is most important to get the job you’re applying for. At the beginning of your career, your education will probably be the most important experience you have. However, as you get further into your career, your job experience might outweigh your education, at that point you can put ‘experience’ before ‘education’ on your resume.
}
NAME (First and Last)
Address, City, Province, Postal Code Email, Phone Number
OBJECTIVE The objective explains what you’re planning to accomplish by applying for this job. For example: ‘to obtain a full time position where I can build on my skills as a marketing major’. The objective is optional, some like to include it, and others think it’s irrelevant; why would you be applying for the job anyways right? So it’s up to you if you’d like to include it.
EDUCATION - in reverse chronological order (most recent first) date - date
University or college name, city and province attended Degree/diploma/certificate obtained - What you achieved or what was significant about your time here educationally. - Were you part of a school group or on the honour roll? This is where you include it.
EXPERIENCE - in reverse chronological order (most recent first) date - date
Workplace name, city and province Position - What you achieved or what was significant about your time here from a professional point of view. - Don’t focus on what tasks you did, but what you achieved by doing those tasks. - A problem you solved is a good thing to include.
AWARDS - Award 1 - Award 2
INTERESTS - Example: enjoy team sports like hockey, volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
64
Ace the Interview
Interviews are scary, and I don’t think there’s a single person out there who doesn’t think so. There are however, some things you can do to ease the stress leading up to the interview. Being relaxed before an interview will clear your head, make you feel better overall, and in the end, help you ace that interview.
Here are my top tips and tricks for acing any interview: Before the Interview: Research, Research, Research: Learn as much as you possibly can about the company you’re interviewing at. Do an online search and check out any social media. Look up the person who will be interviewing you and their position.
Prepare Questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewer, having a couple questions ready will show your preparedness.
Be What They’re Looking For: Read the job requirements, and prepare a reason why you’re the best candidate to fulfill those requirements.
Strengths and Weaknesses: In my experience, every interviewer has asked what my three greatest strengths and weaknesses are. Prepare a few for yourself. It’s also helpful to have a list of strengths with examples of how you’ve used those strengths.
Practice Your Skills: Consider practicing your interview skills with a friend or family member. Practice your greeting, handshake, and answering questions about your work and school experiences. A good alternative to practicing with a friend is to practice in front of the mirror. I know, it sounds really awkward, but it helps.
Take a Drive: If you have time, drive or take the bus to your interview location the day before your scheduled meeting around the same time as your appointment. Time how long it takes you to get there, and then add 20-30 minutes on top of that for the actual day. This will allow time for any problems like construction, a sudden break down, or a car accident. You might end up at your interview site a half an hour early, but this will give you plenty of time to relax in your car, or somewhere near the building to gather your thoughts.
Before the Interview: Dress Conservatively: When choosing your outfit, dress as conservatively as possible. Try to feel out the company culture from their website, and prepare your wardrobe accordingly. If you can’t tell how casual or professional the employees dress, keep it safe, and dress business professional. In my opinion, you can’t be overdressed for an interview (look back to page 18 for more on business professional wardrobe options).
No Fragrances: Never wear cologne or perfume to a job interview. Your interviewer might be sensitive or allergic to fragrances, and you don’t want to give anyone an allergic reaction.
Be Well Groomed: Men: make sure your hair looks neat, and consider getting a fresh haircut before your interview. Also, be cleanly shaved or trimmed. Ladies, do your hair and makeup, but keep things understated and natural looking.
Don’t Forget Your Hands: Clean under your nails and make sure they’re freshly cut and/or filed. Long or dirty nails are not appreciated when shaking hands. Also, try to have your hands moisturized if it’s winter or if you have naturally dry hands.
Minty Fresh: Make sure you have fresh breath. Sucking on a mint five minutes before the interview is good. If you chew gum, make sure to throw it out before going inside for the interview.
No Wrinkles Allowed! Never wear anything that’s stained, wrinkled, or fraying.
66
Ace the Interview Continued:
At the Interview: Turn off Your Cell Phone: Turn your phone off or on silent, NOT on vibrate. In a quiet room you will hear the phone vibrating in your pocket or purse.
The Ten Minute Rule: Walk into the interview ten minutes before your scheduled time.
Smile, and be Confident: Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, smile, and introduce yourself proudly. Be confident!
Don’t Sweat it: A lot of people get sweaty palms when they’re nervous, it’s completely normal. My advice is to keep a tissue or small piece of fabric in your right jacket or pant pocket. You can quickly wipe your right hand of sweat before shaking your interviewer’s hand.
Congratulations! You are now prepared and well on your way to landing a great job. Take what you’ve learned from this book and make it your own. Add some of your personal style to your business attire so people get to know the real you. Just remember - keep it professional! I hope this book helped you un-puzzle business dress codes, it can definitely take some getting used to.
When in doubt just remember: Dress conservatively It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed Always dress for the position you WANT, not the position you HAVE.
Acknowledgments Thank you to everyone who helped with the creation of this book, without you, this would not have been possible.
Models: Jackie Doming Meagan Poulsen Lisa Padalko Josh Alao Tyler Esquivel Evan Martin
Industry Professionals: Linda Beaudry: Senior Manager, Professional Recruitment Rick Jansen: Realtor James Fahr: Business Development
Impressions Young professionals sometimes have a hard time being taken seriously in the business industry. That’s why we need to up our game and make a lasting first impression that counts. Being dressed well is half the battle, if you look good, you feel good, and people will take notice. Through research and interviews with industry professionals, this book was written as a guide to teach up and coming business men and women how to look the part.