Polishing Your Professional Image Workshop

1. Polishing Your Professional Image Workshop Updated Fall 2005

2. Why should you be concerned with a professional image?

3. First Impressions In face-to-face, verbal encounters: • 7% of the message comes from spoken words • 38% comes from the vocal tone and inflection • 55% comes from appearance and body language.* *Albert Mehrabian, PhD,UCLA Professor Emeritus, from his communications research

4. Appearances Count! • According to The New Professional Image, one college career center surveyed 150 employers and found that the number one reason for rejecting an applicant after a first interview was a low rating on presence and impression. * The New Professional Image by Susan Bixler, 2005

5. Agenda • Professional Clothing: What’s expected for different professional situations • What should I wear? • What should I bring? • Professional Attire Examples

6. Interview • Job Interview n : an interview to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment

7. Interview • “What should I wear for an on-campus interview?” • First Year MBA, Class of 2007

8. Interview • What to Wear: • Normally expected: Tailored,dark-colored matched suit with a shirt-tie or blouse • Exceptions to the rule: More creative companies, like advertising agencies, allow for more colorful options • What to Bring: • Portfolio/pen with notes and questions • Several resumes on quality paper • Business cards • Transcript, if requested • What not to bring: • Water bottles • Backpacks

9. Interview • Recommended Attire:

10. Informational Interview • Informational Interview n: a meeting for purposes of obtaining advice, information, and possible referrals to an interview

11. Informational Interview • “I never know what to wear to informational interviews. Should I dress up or down”? • Second Year MA-HRIR, Class of 2006

12. Informational Interview • What to Wear: • Normally expected: Matched suit • Exceptions to the rule: Depends on the meeting location • What to Bring: • Portfolio/pen with notes and questions • Several resumes on quality paper • Business cards • What not to bring: • Backpacks

13. Informational Interview • Recommended Attire:

14. Information Sessions • Information Session n: Companies visit Carlson, providing an opportunity for companies and students to meet. They present information about themselves and possible career opportunities. 

15. Information Session • “At information sessions, some of my classmates wear full suits, whereas others show up in khakis and sweaters. What do you recommend?” • Second Year MA-HRIR, Class of 2006

16. Information Session • What to Wear: • Normally expected: Business Casual • Exceptions to the rule: If the dress code on CARS states otherwise • Your nametag, pinned on the right side • What to Bring: • Portfolio/pen • Several resumes on quality paper • Business cards • Your questions • What to do: • Introduce yourself and exchange business cards • Take Notes

17. Information Sessions • Recommended Attire:

18. Traveling for Interviews • Traveling for an Interview v: Taking an airplane to an interview

19. Traveling for Interviews • “What do I wear when an employer requests that I fly to their company directly to interview?” • MA-HRIR alumnus, Class of 2005

20. Traveling for Interviews • What to Wear: • Normally expected: Business Casual • Exceptions to the rule: If you’re flying in and going directly to the interview, wear your suit on the airplane. • What to Bring: • Carry on your interview attire (do not check with luggage) • Several resumes on quality paper • Business cards

21. Traveling for Interviews • Recommended Attire:

22. Business Casual • Business Casual n:attire that is acceptable for an office but casual; varies depending on the type of business and workplace

23. Business Casual • “Business Casual is such a vague description. What is really classified as ‘business casual’?” • MBA alum, Class of 2005

24. Business Casual • What to Wear: • Normally expected: Casual, but no jeans or sweats • Exceptions to the rule: Offices that permit jeans or sweats, or forbid all casual wear

25. Business Casual • Recommended Attire:

26. Miscellaneous • Blazer n : lightweight single-breasted jacket; [synonyms:sport jacket, sport coat]

27. Miscellaneous • “I had an interview at a conference, where I was invited to attend an evening event after the interview concluded. It was more social, yet still a recruiting event. What should I have worn?” • Second Year MBA, Class of 2006

28. Blazer/Separates • When to Wear: • Informational Interviews • Information Sessions • Employer Receptions • Commonly referred to as Business Informal

29. Blazer/Separates • Recommended Attire:

30. Image Tips: General • Properly tailored suit • Professional laundry and dry clean recommended • Style hair conservatively • Have your shoes shined

31. Image Tips: General • Limit your jewelry • Take out piercings (for women, a pair of earrings is acceptable) • Conceal tattoos • Avoid fragrance • Avoid smoking immediately prior

32. Image Tips: Men • Wear a belt & dark trouser socks • Proper tie length • Clean shaven or neatly groomed facial hair

33. Image Tips: Women • Shoes should be closed-toe • Wear hosiery (non-patterned) • Style hair neatly (recommend pulled back) • Conservative make-up • Avoid revealing tops (lacy camisoles are a NO for interviews)