Students who attended Wednesday’s fashion
show at the University Student Commons had more
than couture on their minds – they were looking
for ways to dress for success.
Joseph Lyons, assistant director of the Career
Center, told students to repeat, “I need to dress
as if I want the job.”
With help from student ambassadors, Lyons
gave students a lesson on proper attire for meeting
with employers. The fall career fair is next week,
and the fashion show aimed to help students who
might be thinking about meeting with companies’
representatives.
The show began with examples of how not to
dress for a job interview or meeting. This segment
showcased students in jeans, holey clothing, ripped
shorts and tennis shoes.
If you’re not dressed properly, Lyons said, do
not come directly from class. He said it only takes
seconds for prospective employers to judge, so
students should look and dress appropriately.
The second group to walk the runway wore
business-casual attire. Although many students
feel that this is appropriate for a career fair, Lyons
said it is not.
“This attire is reserved for after you get the
job,” Lyons said.
This style of dress looks nice, but it is not the
best presentation, he said. Business-casual includes
polo shirts, skirts above the knee and open-toed
shoes.
The third category was labeled “almost ready.”
The models wore business attire with flashy accessories
and too-low necklines. These touches
might distract the people who are interviewing
you, Lyons said.
The fourth and final category showcased a woman
and man in dark, matching suits with minimal
accessories and polished shoes.
“Make sure everything is well coordinated,”
Lyons said.
Females should wear dark colors, run-free
pantyhose, skirts no shorter than the knee and
minimal makeup, Lyons said, while men should
wear correctly tied ties, nice shirts and proper
business shoes. Men should also keep long hair
tied back, he said.
Dressing well can prepare students to put their
best face forward, Lyons said.
“It’s almost psychological,” he said. “When you
put on the suit that you always go to interviews
in, you slip into business mode.”