This week, in Business Etiquette in Brief, we’ll be taking a look at some professional image tips for the ladies.  That being said, there is a saying that says you should always strive to dress for the job that you want, not for the job you already have.  Now, in this day and age that could be good or bad.  Let’s take a look at what Ann Sabath suggests:

Suits- Typically, safe suit colors include navy, grey, taupe and black.  While brighter colors function a bit differently and aren’t disallowed, you still have to be careful with what your company will and will not allow.

Skirts- Skirts should be no shorter than slightly above the knee and fall no lower than just below mid-calf.  Mini-skirts or short skirts have no place in the professional environment. EVER.

Blouses- According to Sabath, the color of your blouse has a definite impact on your overall look.  Solid colors always work best and are typically the better investment.  Choose colors that won’t wash you out and which will look nice with whatever suit you’re wearing.

Hosiery- As a good rule of thumb, it is typically better to stick with skin-toned stockings or hosiery.

Shoes- If you can stand them, heels are always an acceptable (and preferred option) in the business/corporate world.  If you absolutely cannot withstand all that is involved in wearing high heels, a low heel or flat dress shoe is fine.  A solid color in leather will always look more professional, and the heel shouldn’t measure more than 2-3 inches in height.

Handbags/Briefcases- Again, it is always best to invest in leather accessories and try to stick to solid colors. If you’re going to carry a handbag as well as a briefcase, then you need to make sure that your handbag is significantly smaller than your  briefcase

Jewelry- Your choice in jewelry is a direct reflection of who you are as a person.  Whenever possible, try to match up your jewlery items. (i.e. whit gold on white gold).  As for earrings, long dangling earrings are not advised for a businesss setting nor are giant hooped earrings or anything else that may seem gaudy.  Remember that simple is always better!

Who

According to a recent article published in Yahoo News, the following is a list of 10 ways that you can increase the likelihood of being liked during a job interview.  For the full article, please click here.

10 Ways to Be Liked in Your Job Interview [originally posted by Yahoo Hot Jobs]

1. Don’t be a “smiley face.”Excessive smiling in a job interview is seen for what it is — nervousness and a lack of confidence.
2. Don’t be a small-talker.Your job is to be knowledgeable about the company for which you’re interviewing.
3. Don’t sweat.You can lose a job by wearing an undershirt or simply a little too much clothing. Sweaty palms or beads on your forehead will not impress.
4. Don’t be a road block.Interviewers are seeking candidates eager to take on challenging projects and jobs. Hesitance and a nay-saying mentality will be as visible as a red tie — and seen as a negative.
5. Don’t be petty.Asking the location of the lunchroom or meeting room will clue the interviewer into your lack of preparation and initiative. Prepare. 
   
6. Don’t be a liar.Studies show that employees lie frequently in the workplace. Lying won’t get you a job. In a job interview even a slight exaggeration is lying. Don’t.
7. Don’t be a bad comedian.Humor tends to be very subjective, and while it may be tempting to lead your interview with a joke you’ve got to be careful about your material.
8. Don’t be high-maintenance.Nobody hiring today is going to be looking for someone who’s going to be finicky about their workspace.
9. Don’t be a time-waster.At every job interview, the prospective hire is given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point, and watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you’ve asked enough.
10. Don’t be a switchblade. Normally the switchblade is thought of a backstabber, often taking credit for someone else’s work. In an interview setting, the switchblade can’t help but “trash talk” his former employer. If you make it seem like your former workplace was hell on Earth, it won’t bode well for the rest of the interview.

In this week’s reading of Business Etiquette in Brief, chapter 2 discusses ways that men can look professional during a job interview or at the workplace.  Let’s take a look:

8 Common Fashion Faux Pas

1. Always wear a long-sleeved shirt with a suit.
2. Make sure that your shirt gives the appearance of having been professionally pressed.
3. Be sure that the tip of your tie touches the top of your belt buckle.
4. Wear socks that reach mid-calf to avoid showing a flash of leg.
5. When wearing an American-cut jacket (single-breasted), button up when standing or walking.  If your jacket has two buttons, button the top one.  If it has three, button the center one.
6. When wearing a European-cut jacket (double-breasted), button all the buttons when standing or walking.
7. Resole shoes with badly worn heels.
8. Choose leather or metal watch bands.

Other Items in Question

Fabric- When choosing a men’s suit, it should go without saying that 100% wool blends are usually a good choice.  To double check the quality of the suite, gently squeeze the material between your hands.  If it wrinkles when you let it go, you should probably think twice about purchasing it, since it may require more  maintenance than you’re willing to commit to.  Remember; suits should always look crisp!

Shirts- Long-sleeved shirts are the way to go when it comes to business with white shirts portraying the most formal look.  And although many men do not wear undershirts, they should.  Three reasons for this include:

• Keeps a dress shirt from feeling itchy against the skin.
• Preserves the shirt from perspiration.
• Gives added body to a dress shirt.

Ties- Ties should be anywhere from 2 3/4 and 3 1/2 inches wide.

Jewelry- Jewelry should be kept to an absolute minimum.  A wedding band, class ring or other non-gaudy ring may be worn on the ring finger typically.  Additionally, a watch that blends best with business suits is one with a basic black leather or metal band.  Plastic or velcro should NEVER be worn unless you’re competing in a sport outside of the workplace.

Jackets- Business etiquette dictates that a jacket should only be removed when the person who has arranged the business meeting invites others to do so.

Pens- Believe it or not, a pen can speak volumes about your confidence and ability and are often viewed as an accessory to your outfit.  Therefore, you may want to invest in a high quality pen to complete your image.