DOES THE WAY WE DRESS GIVE A GOOD OR BAD IMPRESSION

Your final semester of school seems to be racing past and the demands of campus and on-site job interviews are upon you. You're armed with the knowledge of your chosen discipline and you're ready to take on the world. You're still a little fuzzy on how to dress for your upcoming interviews. Will jeans work with a blazer? Should you sport your dreadlocks? Are expensive sneakers or loafers appropriate dress shoes? What can one buy on a student's budget? How important are the clothes anyway? It is very important that you not only "know your stuff" but that you present a professional image as well. It has often been said that more than 50% of what we believe about others is based on what we observe and the message we believe is trying to be conveyed. It goes without saying, the adages are true, "Seeing is believing," and "The first impression is a lasting impression." Busy recruiters/interviewers/human resources staff are thoroughly trained to look for reasons to eliminate potential candidates. Those reasons can be based on visual impact and/or what was perceived to be communicated. Inappropriate attire is one of the major reasons candidates are eliminated. Every outfit you put on sends a message. What message do you want to send?