First impressions count and Ashley Stahl* has advice on how to make the best one at a new job.
You have just graduated from university or received acceptance to start a brand new job.
Now that the excitement of your new venture has settled, it hits you: “What will you wear to work?”
The documentation you signed says nothing about your attire and your interview panel was filled with people wearing a mixed bag of outfits.
The terms business attire and business casual have taken on a whole new meaning in recent years.
This complication had made it more difficult to dress appropriately on your first day.
Here are three tips to get you started and keep you looking professional in your new role.
Err on the side of overdressing to start
I hate to say it but if you want to get ahead, what you wear does matter.
Not only will people perceive you differently, but studies have shown when you wear more formal attire your abstract thinking capabilities increase.
If you want to feel more powerful and confident, dress up.
On your first day at the office don’t jump straight into wearing jeans, dress as if you are coming in for a second interview.
This will show them you are serious about your role and give you the opportunity to get a lay of the land and understand what most people wear to work.
Pull out the sharp blazer and professional heels or the tailored suitcoat to get you started.
Build a wardrobe of quality over quantity, but don’t forget comfort matters
Whether your office is business casual or full-on business attire, opt for quality over quantity.
No, your colleagues are not fashion experts, but most people can recognise poorly-made clothes and will make conscious or unconscious judgments as a result.
If you show up to meetings with tattered or stained tops you will appear messy and not as adept in your role.
Although it might feel more costly to purchase the nicer top, consider the cost-per-use and life of a higher quality item.
If that feels outside of your budget, remember that fit comes first.
Find clothing that properly fits you or take clothes to a reasonable tailor for proper fitting.
On your first day, make sure what you have on is comfortable; you don’t know whether you are going to be walking all over campus or sitting outside under the sun at lunch.
Make sure you wear shoes that you can comfortably walk in and wear all day long.
Your first day also isn’t the time to break in that new pair of pumps.
Don’t forget to bring a sweater or jacket, since air conditioning can make most office buildings quite cool inside even if it is a hot summer day.
Your attire includes accessories
For most women, jewellery and accessories are a major part of an outfit.
However, before you decide to pull out the flashy bling, remember where you are going.
It doesn’t stop at looks, considers sounds.
We have all been in that meeting where dangling bracelets kept making noise.
It is distracting and pulls away from the focus of the meeting and what content or ideas are being shared.
Wear one jewellery item at a time, and if it is a statement piece, keep the rest of the outfit more subdued with simple colours.
Try it on before you walk out the door.
If you realise something is going to be a distraction or make a great deal of noise, save it for your happy hour after work or night out with friends.
Accessories go beyond jewellery and include bags, for both men and women.
Ditch the backpack you used at university and opt for a professional briefcase or tote in brown, grey or black.
Make sure your bag doesn’t weigh you down or lead to poor posture.
You want to walk into work standing tall and full of confidence.
Keep the attention on what you have to say, not what you are wearing.
Even after your first day, no matter where you are in your career journey, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
*Ashley Stahl is a career coach, keynote speaker, podcast host and author. In a previous life she was award-winning counter-terrorism professional. She can be contacted at ashleystahl.com.
This article first appeared at ashleystahl.com.
