You dressed up for your interview, probably planned your outfit out the night before, and maybe even got up a few minutes early to make sure every hair was in its place.
Though first impressions are undoubtedly important, particularly in the workplace, maintaining a good impression is even more important. Just because you got the job doesn’t mean that you now have a free pass to look like a slob. And even if your dress code at work is less than strict, showing up to your desk in anything with holes or drawstrings is never a good idea.
Like it or not, how you present yourself at work says a lot about you. You could be the hardest worker in the office, but that could very easily be overlooked by the fact that you can’t seem to take ten minutes to throw on a pair of real pants once in a while. Harsh? Maybe. But very much true. Shows like What Not to Wear are so popular because they are based on this exact premise. Episode after episode shows someone who loves their job and is itching to move up-but can’t. And the worst part is, a lot of the reasons (if not all, in some cases) are due to how he or she dresses and presents themselves on a daily basis. Unless you’re a personal trainer, gym shoes, oversized t-shirts and sweatpants are not work appropriate—ever.
Pretend you’re the boss of a large company, looking to hire someone. Would you hire the person who very clearly just rolled out of bed or someone in a tailored suit and fresh manicure? Exactly. You could have the best resume in the world, but it could be overlooked if you don’t look like the professional, hard-working person that you are. Don’t take away potential opportunities from yourself because you decided to hit the snooze button… again.
Get up, get dressed, and maybe even get promoted! Trust us, it’s worth it. Besides giving off an I’m-proud-that-I-work-here impression, being dressed well and put-together on a regular basis can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself. Surprise meetings, stop-ins from the head honchos, or even an unexpected run-in with your crush at the water cooler will all having you thankful that you took the time to change out of your ten year old high school sweatshirt, charmingly “worn-in” or not.
You’ve gotten yourself a “real” job, so don’t let a sloppy appearance hold you back—or worse, re-think why they hired you.
About the Author
Stephanie is currently an Intern at GenTwenty. She studied journalism, mass communications, and art at the University of Iowa. She enjoys attempting Pinterest crafts, catching up on her reading list, and trying out new restaurants. She hopes to one day find a position that allows her to be both financially sound and able to use her writing skills and creativity every day.
Website: www.stephaniekeltner.wordpress.com,