Dress for Success

Dress for Success Brochure

Business Professional:

When attending professional events such as career fairs or interviews, making a first impression is vital. For these events, wearing business professional dress is the most appropriate form of attire. Professional dress, for men, simply means a dark business suit, conservative dress shirt worn with a tie, and shined dress shoes. For women, professional dress means a dark skirted or pants suit, conservative dress shirt, hosiery and pumps (closed toe with a heel).

Note: No matter what the recruiter wears for your interview or what the attire is in the work environment for the job you are interviewing for, the appropriate attire for you as a student and interviewee (unless otherwise indicated) is business professional. Remember, the recruiter already works for the company --YOU are the one being evaluated. Wearing business professional attire shows that you take the interview or event seriously.

Business Casual:

For less formal events, like employer information sessions, students may choose to wear business casual dress. Business casual means neat and appropriate dress that is classic rather than trendy. For men, business casual means suit pants or khaki type pants, typically a button-down collared or polo shirt (tie is optional and a jacket can also be appropriate), and traditional black or brown shoes. Business casual for women means classic dress pants, a well-pressed dress shirt or blouse (traditional buttondown, collared is often appropriate), and a coordinating dress shoe. Also acceptable is a skirt and blouse or dress.

Student Attire:

For events such as our Business Basics Seminar Series, students may wear their normal everyday attire (unless otherwise indicated). However, this still means looking neat and put-together. Wearing jeans is acceptable, but leave your sweatpants at home.

Note: Asking the recruiter on appropriate attire for an event is always a good safeguard against dressing too formally or too casually.

Important at Any Level: Your clothes must always be clean, pressed and in good condition. Proper fit is the key to any look you choose.