Personal Advancement

Dress for the job you want

It's common knowledge among first-time job hunters to show up to an interview in a basic, understated suit, but not everyone knows what to wear when looking for a promotion or a higher-level position within a company.

SAMANTHA CRITCHELL
[ 2004-09-01 ]

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"After you get your entry-level job with that paycheck, take some of that money and invest in your No. 2 interview suit and then No. 3," advises Carolyn Kepcher, executive vice-president of The Trump Organization and one of Donald Trump's advisers on The Apprentice.

"Always try to dress a step ahead. The better you look, the more confident you are," she says.

Kepcher, who is featured in the new issue of Cosmopolitan Style wearing sexy-yet-tasteful eveningwear by Tufi Duek and Dolce & Gabbana, says it's important to always look classy, no matter what the occasion is.

"Everything has to be appropriate but throw in a little colour and a little personality. Me, personally, I'd walk in wearing a red dress with a red blazer and a higher-heel shoe," she says in a phone interview. "A little flair shows confidence. It shows a little experience."


It also pays to pay attention to detail.

"If someone walks in with a Louis Vuitton 'set' with a wallet and a bag, it sort of sets her apart. It says you've made it," says the chief operating officer of Trump National Golf Clubs. But again, she stresses the appropriateness of a look. "If that same girl had walked in at 18, you'd know that that Louis Vuitton was a gift!"

Cotton Incorporated, an industry research and marketing company, put together the following list of staples for a working woman's wardrobe:

  • Black skirt that hits just above the knee.
  • Twin set which has elements that can be worn together or separately.
  • Classic white shirt.
  • Pantsuit in a seasonless fabric that won't wrinkle easily.
  • The "right" jacket that can be worn with jeans, slacks or a skirt.
  • Black pants that can be worn with a tailored button-down shirt or a sheer blouse.
  • Feminine blouse, an easy way to show off personal style.
  • Little black dress that can be dressed up or down.
  • Black turtleneck, particularly a formfitting version that can be worn alone or under a sweater.
  • High-quality pumps and loafers for shoes, and simple and subtle jewelry. A slim black belt in a smooth or textured leather also is a necessity.

    • Interview outfits are very important, Kepcher says, because besides the initial "hello," clothing is what forms a first impression. It's also important, though, not to let your style slide after winning a job, especially if you want to move up that company's ladder.

    She says at casting calls for The Apprentice, candidates have shown up in T-shirts with goofy faces and sayings while others go the more traditional route. The T-shirt wearers get attention but then she wonders, "How seriously can I take this guy?" A man in a tie, however, is showing respect to a potential employer.

    Kepcher suggests taking this "appropriateness test" before walking out the door for an interview or an important meeting with your boss:

    "If you look in the mirror and your conscience at first says 'maybe,' don't stand there trying to justify it. Change, otherwise you'll regret it."



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