Dress for the job you want, NOT the job you have
We have all heard this famous quote before, and although it may be overplayed or even a bit cliché now, this saying holds a lot of meaning, and not just in a literal sense.
The saying does emphasize the importance of dressing for the job you want. And that is not saying that your current job isn’t worth dressing well for also. I hear my friends often say, “I can get up and look my best and not see anyone I know all day, and then I throw on sweats and go out and see everyone in town.” What I get from this is, dress and look your best every single day, because you never know what kind of impression you will need to make that day. Look at it this way, if you want to advance in your current position, or want to move up to a different company or a better job, you should always be prepared to sell yourself at any time of day (away from home, of course) and at any location. You are your own personal representative. Would you rather your future boss and co-workers see you wearing sweat pants at Wal-Mart or see you nicely put together and prepared for the day? The point is you should always dress for success. This doesn’t mean wearing a business suit to grocery shop, but it does mean to be prepared to give off a good first impression.
Dressing for the job you do want shows the world that you are prepared to take on responsibility, and you are serious about being successful, and it shows your true potential. I have worked for an employer before who says that they often glance in the vehicle of someone they are wishing to hire, to see how they “keep” their things and how put together they really are. So, whether you like it or not, your appearance does carry an impact. You may think, “Why should I be judged on my appearance when I have so much to offer?” The answer is you really don’t have a choice. In a competitive world, you must come to a job (old or new) with your “A” game and be ready to take on the world. This includes dressing the part. I think when you look better, you feel better. When you feel better, the people around you feel better. Attitudes are contagious, and having a good one is a great thing!
