Dressing for the Job You Want

Back in high school civics class, a teacher once said something about the topic of workplace attire that really stuck with me.  She said, "Dress for the job you WANT, not for the job you HAVE."


This is a good guideline to stick to, especially if you are new to your career and intend on moving up in the company.  The idea is that you should always be more dressed up than dress down, in order for superiors to notice you as a potential candidate for growth.  If you already act and look like you should be in that position, your managers are more likely to recommend you as the right person for the job if the opportunity should arise.

Of course, this is easier to do in jobs where you can choose for yourself what to wear, such as business formal and business casual settings.  In jobs where there is a set uniform, it is still doable, just a little more tricky.  Let's say you are a cashier at Tim Hortons and would like to be a supervisor.  You all wear a uniform, but there are little things you can do to make yourself look more professional and more committed than any other cashier.  Some examples are: making sure your grooming, hair and makeup is always professional and well done but still subtle, smiling more often, looking happy to be there, uniform and shoes always pressed and shined before every shift.  These little details really DO make all the difference.

What do YOU do to dress for the job you want? Do you think this theory works? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!