Posted By: Staff Editor In: Fashion and Retail Whether you’ve just landed your first accounting position or you’re a seasoned professional, your attire at work matters. Clothing is part of presenting a polished image, and it can significantly affect your career advancement potential. Ninety-three percent of senior executives recently polled in a survey developed by our company said dress influences a professional’s chances of being promoted.
Whether you’ve just landed your first accounting position or you’re a seasoned professional, your attire at work matters. Clothing is part of presenting a polished image, and it can significantly affect your career advancement potential. Ninety-three percent of senior executives recently polled in a survey developed by our company said dress influences a professional’s chances of being promoted.
But the results of the survey don’t mean you need to spend a fortune or become a fashion slave to earn that promotion. Dressing well can be as simple as selecting flattering, non-distracting clothing that matches your company’s corporate culture. Here are some guidelines to help you dress smart at work:
• Why does attire matter? While your career trajectory is certainly based on your accomplishments, dressing appropriately can give you an extra leg up. A polished appearance helps establish instant credibility, and companies tend to promote those who make a positive impression. If you dress unprofessionally, it may be hard for others to take you seriously, and you may not receive the respect your achievements merit. Tasteful dress enables your supervisor to visualize you in that plum position you are seeking.
• What is appropriate? Dress codes vary by employer, and can range from suits-only to jeans on Fridays to business casual every day. If you’ve just started a new job and are unsure of the company standard, it’s wise to err on the conservative side rather than appear too casual. Remember, your clothing should present a professional image and not be flashy or distracting. For women, this means avoiding low-cut or see-through blouses, short skirts or high slits. Men should avoid wild prints on their shirts or ties. Clothing that is wrinkled, stained, or poorly fitting may give the impression that you lack attention to detail.
• What about business casual? Many workplaces have adopted a business casual policy in recent years, whether it is in place daily or reserved only for Fridays. If your workplace is casual, it’s important to remember that you must still appear professional. Some good options include shirts with collars, short- or long-sleeved blouses, long pants, loafers or casual flats. If jeans are allowed, wear a more formal pair rather than your comfy weekend favorites.
About Accountemps This article was provided by Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International. As the industry leader and expert in temporary financial staffing, the company provides an array of resources to job seekers, including salary data, job search tips, advice on which skills are in demand, and online courses providing continuing professional education credits. Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.
Comments
Posted by: Carol McCoun
This article was very helpful to me. I didn't know what business casual attire included until now. Thank you, I appreciate your help.
Posted by: Geetha Arveti
Very good article. Yes presentation always polishes image. I have always presented myself in the same way as the article presented. I am looking ahead to continue the same with my next job.
Posted by: Paul Larson
San Diego and Hawaii are the capitals of casual and the slide into slovenly is very easy around here. No one knows what it means. Business casual has come to mean lazy and it should be banned for that reason. Too often it means wearing your GOOD flipflops and hearing the thwapping of each step around your cubicle. Its maddening! Golf and polo shirts are an easy choice and pressed slack and shined shoes are a must. Do not fall below that standard! There are better color choices in dress shirts and button down collars are always good form. Also stay with darker colors to be more conservative. Dress better than your boss, but not too often. If you know when a suit can be too much, then hang up the coat and roll up your sleeves, its time to get busy.Ladies have more freedom but just be modest as a rule. Keep it classy and keep us guessing. Avoid wearing your hair like a horse (ponytail) unless it is that one day when you can't avoid being late, and then use a cute tie or scarf. Brushing it is always good. Tell your bosses you want logo wear for good company or department spirit. Its not very expensive and solves the whole "casual " dilemma with sharp results. Mandatory for front line staffs. Stay classy, San Diego!
Posted by: Jeff Fischer
Good post. I just came back from a job interview in Colordo where the HR Director showed up in jeans, a GAP V-cut T-shirt and 6" high heels. The atmosphere is described as business casual. In the walk about it looked more than unemployment city. Obscene remarks on T-shirts and very short skirts on women who could hardly talk a sentence because they were too busy texting about partying after work. The core issue-- quality customer service. When I asked about a dress code and enforcement, the HR Director said, it has been tried and never accomplished anything. Behind her was a box of resumes that I sorted through while she went to make a personal telephone call (during the interview) that included several doctoral degreed candidates willing to work flexible schedules, masters degrees and numerous bachelor degreed candidates. These were the rejects. The turnover in this company is over 300%. Their next closest competitor has a turnover rate of less than 38% and an enforced dress code and it has eliminated casual Fridays. Is there a message there to corporate America?
Posted by: Beverly Cantrell On: 6/4/2009 6:24:11 PM
Thank you, the article was very informative. I especially appreciate the paragraph on casual wear. I do always try to look my best but it is very helpful to see something written on it.
