2008 Woodie Awards
Staff gives tips for job interview attire
Mia Walters
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
Mia Walters
Staff writer
In the business world, you should not have a beard unless you are applying to be a lumberjack Career Services Specialist Marlo Rhodes advises.
There are several basic conventions to the art of business attire, Rhodes said, and Murray State Career Services takes them seriously.
"Employers joke and call us the fashion police," she said. "But they know that we understand just how important the first impression is."
While business attire has relaxed over the past decade, some traditions remain the same.
"Women used to not even wear pantsuits to work and men only wore blue and black suits, but now it's really common to see a polo shirt and some khaki pants in the business world," Brooke Wiles, cooperative education/internship coordinator, said. "But flip-flops, short skirts, sagging pants and shorts are still no-no's."
Career Services offers a "what not to wear" presentation with photos depicting those exact mistakes, Wiles said. They use pictures of students taken at the Murray State career fair, with the faces blocked out, as examples.
Goofy ties, excess eye shadow, untucked shirts and guys wearing untailored suits are a few other examples in this presentation, Wiles said.
"Employers know that you are college student, and you don't have the money to go out and get an Armani suit," Rhodes said.
Regina Hudspeth, career counselor, said she agrees breaking the bank is not necessary when shopping for business clothing.
"You can go to a thrift shop or an outlet and find something that is appropriate," she said. "Get something you can mix and match with something you already have and increase your wardrobe versatility."
Wesly Newmaster, an elementary education major from Evansville, Ind., has some of her own rules when it comes to business attire.
"It really bothers me when people wear white socks with black pants, and I think it's important to not have an 'equator,' or a midriff showing," she said. "Guys need their shirts pressed and tucked in. Also, mixing black and blue is a definite 'no,' just don't do it."
Newmaster, who adorns business attire up to three times a week to visit schools for her major, thinks the way you look can represent how serious you actually are about a position.
Hudspeth shares that sentiment.
"Students need to be aware that your attire and appearance enhance your credibility," she said. "You have to remember who you are representing - you're representing Murray State, your employer and yourself."
Mia Walters can be reached at mia.walters@
murraystate.edu.
Staff writer
In the business world, you should not have a beard unless you are applying to be a lumberjack Career Services Specialist Marlo Rhodes advises.
There are several basic conventions to the art of business attire, Rhodes said, and Murray State Career Services takes them seriously.
"Employers joke and call us the fashion police," she said. "But they know that we understand just how important the first impression is."
While business attire has relaxed over the past decade, some traditions remain the same.
"Women used to not even wear pantsuits to work and men only wore blue and black suits, but now it's really common to see a polo shirt and some khaki pants in the business world," Brooke Wiles, cooperative education/internship coordinator, said. "But flip-flops, short skirts, sagging pants and shorts are still no-no's."
Career Services offers a "what not to wear" presentation with photos depicting those exact mistakes, Wiles said. They use pictures of students taken at the Murray State career fair, with the faces blocked out, as examples.
Goofy ties, excess eye shadow, untucked shirts and guys wearing untailored suits are a few other examples in this presentation, Wiles said.
"Employers know that you are college student, and you don't have the money to go out and get an Armani suit," Rhodes said.
Regina Hudspeth, career counselor, said she agrees breaking the bank is not necessary when shopping for business clothing.
"You can go to a thrift shop or an outlet and find something that is appropriate," she said. "Get something you can mix and match with something you already have and increase your wardrobe versatility."
Wesly Newmaster, an elementary education major from Evansville, Ind., has some of her own rules when it comes to business attire.
"It really bothers me when people wear white socks with black pants, and I think it's important to not have an 'equator,' or a midriff showing," she said. "Guys need their shirts pressed and tucked in. Also, mixing black and blue is a definite 'no,' just don't do it."
Newmaster, who adorns business attire up to three times a week to visit schools for her major, thinks the way you look can represent how serious you actually are about a position.
Hudspeth shares that sentiment.
"Students need to be aware that your attire and appearance enhance your credibility," she said. "You have to remember who you are representing - you're representing Murray State, your employer and yourself."
Mia Walters can be reached at mia.walters@
murraystate.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story