Dressing the Young for Success

For the most part, the average work environment has become a casual arena of chinos, golf shirts, slacks and professionally-friendly baby-doll tops. (We won't address those who take the idea of dress-down to a whole different level. That's fodder for a whole different article.) Even those traditional bastions of Brooks Brother's suits go a little "crazy" once in a while and allow, dare I say it, a "jeans day". As the stress of the day to day work load seems to increase, pay doesn't, and the economy seems to be getting better for everyone but the average worker, employers have offered their employees a chance to be a tad more comfy as they labor away.

Where the idea of dress-down has backfired however, is in the approach young, newly graduated professionals, and even young teens, are using when heading into their first round of interviews for those exciting new jobs awaiting them. Whether it's a cubicle dweller in a glass-enclosed high rise or as a Gap greeter at the local mall, in many cases the only influence in how to dress for the working world these new pound-the-pavement champions has seen is watching their casual elders heading off in their chinos, rolled-up shirt sleeves or Capri pants.

True, the fashion influence of Gossip Girl and NY Prep may be creating a bit of buzz in the youngest of these stalwarts, and the embracing of blazers and sweater sets with heels may give hope that they have a better chance in making that all-too-important first impression. But not everyone embraces the look, and for every Chuck Bass wanna-be, there are dozens more who live in their torn jeans, flip-flops and many-layered tees with dozens of bead bracelets as the look of choice. All for a fun look while hitting the school-book scene, but when the prospect of earning cash looms, it's not always the smartest choice.

As a former retail manager, interviewing both younger and older staff, the all important first impression could be the deal breaker for me. Even now as I have to rely on the phone when interviewing my first round of prospects as I head up a multi-state team, when I finally get down to my final interviews, the manner of dress and presentation by the interviewee will be a major deciding factor in who gets the position. It has nothing to do with age or weight, but in how they carry themselves, their manners, and yes, their dress. I young girl who sounded dynamic on the phone, but who showed up in a skin-tight short skirt, four inch heels, a too-tight blouse and chewing gum has more than likely just gone to the bottom of my list.

Oh, and yes that does happen even in the world of the skyscrapers. Call it unfair and bemoan that I should be judging on skill set, but there is a professionalism and an attitude you want someone to bring to the job, whether it's 16 year old greeting customers at McDonald's or a consultant working with major clients. I want to know they are taking the job seriously, plan to listen to the rules and directions given them and will be reliable. Someone who looks like they want to head out to skateboard or hit the bars right after an interview isn't going to reinforce that impression.

The job market has gotten tough for everyone, but it is especially tight for those who use to be able to land the simplest of jobs for a little extra cash or grab those entry-level positions (which are quickly becoming not so entry level). They now are competing with older workers who have been laid off from much better jobs, but need to keep an income generating. These competitors for those minimum wage or lower paying jobs often are schooled in the dos and don'ts of interviewing and come to their meetings looking appropriate and serious.

As a parent of young adults heading off to interview for part-time jobs, I've experienced the frustration of the "but Mom" moments in sending them back into their rooms to put on a better pair of pants or even jeans with a more appropriate shirt. But as they compare themselves to others who appeared and looked more in the manner they originally thought of appearing, and then seeing the reaction of the manager or interviewer, they became quick converts to the idea that a little better dressing can go a long way.

As their first line of offense in heading out into that cold, cruel world of wage-earning, parents owe it to their teen offspring to give them that gentle nudge into deep-sixing the overly large hoop earrings, the teeny little midriff sweaters, board shorts and oversized tees. What to give to your newly graduated, soon-to-be young professional as a graduation gift? How about a gift certificate to a retailer specializing in business attire or what you can affectionately call "my gift towards your first real paycheck look". They'll thank you later. Promise.