“Hey, you got a job interview today?”
“You must have an important presentation today.”
“Oooooh, lookin’ sharp!”
By simply adding a sportcoat to my usual button-down shirt and dress pants, I got these reactions from co-workers yesterday. But why?
The correct response was #2, a presentation, which I made more important by dressing up a notch. It was a simple, non-verbal communication act that said “I care about this presentation” when I walked in the room.
Sometime in the late 80’s or early 90’s, Silicon Valley business culture went very casual for men – from suits and ties down to polo shirt and khakis, degenerating to Greenday t-shirts and jeans. You even saw Hawaiian shirts on start-up CEOs, like it was a badge of honor to rebel against The Man and his stuffy dress code.
I’ll never forget the early advice I got from college campus recruiters. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. For men, that can mean adding a simple sportcoat. For women… well, I gave up on solving the mysteries of women’s clothing a long time ago… but whatever is equivalent to a sportcoat, do that.
Isn’t it one way to stand out when everyone else is standing around?
Clap Clap Clap…So how should I dress if I want YOUR job? 🙂
Sound Advice!
So where do parachute pants or Members Only jackets fit in the equation? How about Capazio shoes? What is their message?
Very funny Jeff G! I suggest you may want to fire your stylist if he or she is suggesting you wear those things 🙂
Solid advice, Mr. G! Now that I am aggressively promoting ‘Brand Me’, I am conscious to always dress at least business casual whenever I’m out & about. I have run into ‘important’ people in the strangest places, and I’m glad that I wasn’t wearing a t-shirt & sandals.
Is Jeff G the elder brother?