ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607290078
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Workplace
=;l Casual dress at work may be in, but the job candidate who showed up for
an interview at Hewlett-Packard Co. wearing cut-off jeans with ragged edges
and a sheer tank top went too far.
``Needless to say, she didn't get the job,'' said Elaine Yamani, a staffing
representative at H-P, who interviewed the woman for an engineering position.
``I wasn't really expecting someone to be dressed like that. She even
surprised my other engineers.''
SOURCE: SHERRI ENG KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
The rush to casual dress has been far from simple for a lot of employees. Even more confused are job applicants, who know that common sense dictates they pull out their blue suits, yet convention reveals engineers running around in shorts and sandals and executives dressed in khakis.
Career counselors, corporate hiring managers and fashion consultants agree that determining what to wear to a job interview is no easy task. You must take into consideration such variables as the position you're applying for, the culture of the company, even your own physical appearance and personality.
``I look at the way [job applicants] are dressed and figure that that's the best they're going to look,'' said Pat Mahony, human resources program manager at UB Networks in Santa Clara, Calif. ``If their clothes do not look good on the first day, then you know [their dress] will only be more relaxed once they come on board.''
The phrase ``dress for success'' has been part of America's workplace lexicon since 1973, when John T. Molloy wrote a book by the same title. For more than two decades, Molloy has been an expert on business and social attire, researching how people react to standard modes of dress.
Even though business dress has become increasingly casual over the years, Molloy still thinks formal is better. He recommends wearing the type of clothing associated with upper socioeconomic status - in the shades (typically blue or gray) and patterns associated with class in America.
Attention to detail is crucial. Buy clothing that fits perfectly, he said; never buy off the rack and expect it to be perfect. Keep your shoes polished. Buy watches and pens of high quality.
While following Molloy's recommendations might be good advice, a blue suit isn't always necessary or appropriate. Many career advisers say that to dress for interview success, you must wear the appropriate job uniform. A good rule of thumb is: The more supervisorial the position you're applying for, the more dressed up you should be for the interview.
For example, you should dress formally if you are seeking a position in sales, one that requires meeting with customers, or one that pays an annual salary of $75,000 or more.
If you are interviewing for a job as a machinist, you probably needn't wear a three-piece suit. Slacks and a sports jacket for men and slacks and a simple blouse for women may be acceptable.
``You don't need to overdo it, but you do want to show that you're earnest about the job,'' said Naomi Tickle, president of the Institute of Colour and Design, a Los Altos, Calif., image consulting firm.
A misguided assumption, however, can have disastrous results and even eliminate you from the candidate pool.
Perhaps the easiest way to solve the Dress Code Conundrum is to ask questions.
Call your interviewer and ask him or her what type of attire would be appropriate for the interview. But be aware that you might be passed on to another interviewer who might have a different opinion regarding dress.
Molloy, the ``Dress for Success'' guru, suggests that job candidates always dress formally.
What employers define as ``casual'' varies from company to company. For some, casual means wearing a sports jacket instead of a suit for men. For others, it may mean wearing jeans and sneakers. Trying to figure it out can be troublesome. Besides, Molloy said, people who dress formally effuse authority and competence.
Personal grooming also affects the way people view you. Make sure your hair is clean. Employers said they don't have preferences for men or women with short or long hair - as long as it is brushed and looks tidy.
``Grooming says a lot about a person,'' said Gene Plonka, director of staffing programs at Amdahl Corp. in Sunnyvale, Calif. ``If a person isn't well-groomed, it makes you wonder how conscientious that person is about their work.''
And no matter whether you decide to wear a striped or solid tie or a navy dress or gray suit to the interview, there's one piece of hokey-but-true advice that applies to all job applicants:
``Make sure you wear a smile,'' said Paulette Penner, a career counselor at Stanley, Barber and Associates in Cupertino, Calif.
WHAT YOU SHOULD, SHOULDN'T WEAR
For Men:
Don't wear loud ties. In general, stick with conservative neckwear. Ties with stripes, solids or a repeating diamond pattern are safe bets, said John T. Molloy, author of ``Dress for Success'' and the ``New Women's Dress for Success,'' due out in November. Engineers or artists, however, might be given more leeway on the creativity of their ties.
If you decide not to wear a blazer, wear a textured shirt of thicker material that will stand out without a coat. Such shirts give the wearer more authority, said Valerie Frederickson, a career counselor in Menlo Park, Calif.
Stick with solid-color or striped shirts. Don't wear plaid, Molloy said.
Don't wear too much aftershave or cologne.
Don't wear gum-soled shoes. Leather-soled shoes look more professional, said Paulette Penner, a career counselor at Stanley, Barber and Associates in Cupertino, Calif.
For Women:
Wear low-heeled shoes. ``Wearing spiked heels as if you're going to a cocktail party is not appropriate,'' said Claudia Lindquist, a high-tech recruiter for TechniQuest in San Jose.
Don't bring a big purse. Large handbags tend to be distracting and cumbersome. Instead, bring a thin leather portfolio or a daily planner. Put a tube of lipstick and your car keys in your pocket. Having fewer things to fumble with will make you look more professional.
Don't wear blouses or dresses with plunging necklines. ``Don't wear anything revealing - even if you have a good body,'' said Libby Pannwitt, a career counselor at the Career Action Center in Palo Alto, Calif.
Don't wear too much perfume, makeup or jewelry. Instead, wear a scarf or a pin to help liven up an outfit.
Don't wear big, dangling earrings. Stick with conservative pearl or gold stud earrings.
- KNIGHT-RIDDER/TRIBUNE
LENGTH: Long : 131 linesby CNB