Dress for Business Success

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  1

  Milerd

  07/30/08 | Report as spam

  Not at my office

  These choices are waaay too trendy. The first guy's jacket and shirt don't even fit him. Leaders should wear structure pieces and layers to increase formality and a sense of competence. They should do this regardless of dress level from casual to formal. In our office none of these folks would be percieved as professional. Too bad. I was looking for something to show my young upwardly mobiles how to dress. This is definitely a "don't" video.

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  2

  tech_ed@...

  07/30/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  The entry level guy looks like a dork in that pseudo monkey suit!
  With that stupid blue tie, he looks like he's a Yakusa wanna-be!
  The "stylist" looks stiff and lifeless. I wouldn't even bother to check her pulse.
  The polka-dots on the girl look very 70's and is beyond her age.
  The middle manager woman looks like a stewardess.
  
  "His shoes match his belt"...WTF? Who gives a F***? Look, if I go to an interview and I don't get a job because my shoes don't match my belt, then I don't want the job!
  
  In my estimation, a "stylist" is a made up job that people have because they can't get a real job...
  Ed

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  3

  Michael.Mattis@...

  07/30/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  Well, Ed, maybe stylists do "make up" their jobs. But don't you wish you could, too?

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  4

  toddlloyddc@...

  07/30/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  Ed,
  
  Shoes matching the belt is very fundamental to what you wear.

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  5

  Fungus

  09/04/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  I played the video for a relaxing moment after work. I expected something entertaining, but after the blue tie, I started browsing the page and actually read some of the ads... I better go home. Good night all.

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  6

  donv69

  09/05/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  Belt and shoes should always match. Just like your socks and shoes should match.
  
  I think she did a good job with the last guy and the casual outfit with the brown shoes. I hate dressing up.

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  7

  orsi

  09/05/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  this is awsome!!! u guys really have the package to one through.it's un beilievable but true.
  nice work

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  8

  gmoeller1

  09/15/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  Good basic guidelines for a business-ready wardrobe - BUT as a professional with a globally branded company I must add a word or two of caution:
  
  Keep in mind that a "stylist" is not a business representative, and not 100% about your employment goal. She's also about keeping her merchant & fashion contacts happy, which means nudging you to keep buying stuff. If what you're after is a job or a promotion, take her guidance about avoiding "boring" looks with a few tons of salt.
  
  Managers take on risk whenever they select a new hire. They want safe, solid, dependable people who can work successfully with the team they've already got. If you insist on wearing quirky, flashy, eccentric, top-dollar rags carefully mass-marketed to broadcast your "unique personality" - you'll just remind them of their adolescent & preteen kids. And believe me, they don't want to hire their kids. So keep the look & colors soothingly traditional and yes, BORING.
  
  If you're after a promotion, check out what people at the target level are wearing & go a half step up. If you are a tad "eccentric" or "colorful" in your everyday wear, tone it down til you've cinched the deal.
  
  VIDEO COMMENTS:
  
  1. The first guy needs a haircut. Once he's employed & has established himself as an excellent performer, maybe he can get by with that Florence-Henderson-shag look. Or maybe not.
  
  2. "Perfect for job interview" outfit - NOT. Lose the white pants (NEVER wear white pants to a job interview unless it's on a yacht) as well as the pointy-toe, overly high heels & weird droopy-hem top & puffy business going on at the neck. Good lord.
  
  3. Dark suit is a good choice, buttons perhaps a bit too fanciful, but on target for an unabashedly upscale/wannabe company (e.g. sales, real estate, law). Otherwise go with standard details & accessories. Some hiring managers are consciously traditional in taste and will rate you a lightweight if you're too fashion-forward.
  
  
  GENERAL COMMENTS:
  
  Like the lady says, definitely no jeans for a job interview, not even in a warehouse unless you're applying to move pallets & nothing else.
  
  Yes guys, your shoes & belt have to match.
  
  High heels shouldn't be too high, especially for an interview. Two inches or less is safe. No "witch shoe" points on the toes, round 'em off a bit, & as the stylist says no open toes. No sandals either. Don't go by the video, most of the footwear shown is inappropriately frivolous.
  
  LADIES: You can get more adventurous once you're established (6 months - 1 year) but keep the necklines up, the skirt hems down, the sleeves in, the bra straps hidden, the sizing appropriate, the dramatic jewelry limited to one piece + watch + ring, and don't ever "shimmer," "glitter," or "gleam" unless it's an after-five, off-site occassion.
  
  And for gosh sakes people, don't get sloshed at your first grown-up company-sponsored open bar event.

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  ejhonda

  10/16/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  While there are a few rules that apply anywhere, a lot is going to depend on the region you're working in and the norm at the work place. What you'd wear in NYC might not necessarily work in Albany.

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  BoBandy

  12/04/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Dress for Business Success

  Loved the "gmoeller1" comment.
  
  I was a bit confused as to what the lady in the video (the "stylist" i suppose) was going for. The only outfit I really liked was the one she was wearing. I didn't like what she put those models in. The first guy with the long hair...yeah, probably should cut it, but man, his suits were very nice, especially working in an industry like mine (IT/Computer Maintenance/Tech Support). A lot of people in that industry aren't even up during business hours, due to maintenance needing to be done overnight so it doesn't interfere with day workers. But even if it was a day job he got, I'd say the first guy, with a trim of the hair or a ponytail would even work, was the best dressed of all. I'd hire him...if he show me that he was able to install/set up an MS2008 server and maintain 40 user machines on his own without any errors! Muahahaha. I'd be such an evil boss...jk.