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Dress for Success:Your Guide to Looking

Sharp

Professional Dress Standards

What is appropriate attire for the workplace

Professional image

Applies to all office employees

Uniformly enforced

Professional Dress StandardsStaff should have an appropriate

well-groomed appearance

Make reasonable accommodation when

situation requires exception (e.g., pregnancy,

medical excuse)

Since opinions of appropriate attire

can differ, administration reserves the right to

serve as final authority

Appropriate Apparel for Appropriate Apparel for the Gentlemen…the Gentlemen…

Business Professional - Men• Invest in your Suit; SPEND SOME MONEY

– Quality is cheap in the long run– Get it tailored, make sure it fits (sleeves not too

long, pants not too high or too long)

• Nothing Flashy (Try Dark Navy or Charcoal)– Don’t try to send a fashion statement

• 2 or 3 buttons (always leave bottom button unbuttoned)

Business Attire

• A mix between business casual and business professional

• Wear slacks and a blazer/sport coat

• Nice collared shirt underneath but no tie is required

• Dress Shoes

Inappropriate Apparel Inappropriate Apparel for the Gentlemen…for the Gentlemen…

For the Gentlemen…No T-Shirts

Tank Tops

Polo shirts with designs (except office logo)

Shorts

Cargo Pants Jeans

For the Gentlemen…No

Appropriate Apparel for the Women…

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL FOR WOMEN

• Matching suit jacket and knee length (or longer) skirt or pants

• Conservative colors, (i.e. navy, black, gray)

• Long sleeve or short sleeve blouses

• Dress shoes or dress boots with long skirts or pants only

BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR WOMEN

• Business knee-length dresses with suit jacket

• Suit jacket and pressed pants (do not have to be of the same set)

• Blouses

• Third piece

• Dress shoes or dress boots with long skirts or pants only

Appropriate Apparel for Women

Knit tops & skirts

Jackets Slacks/skirts

Inappropriate Apparel for the

Women…

Inappropriate Tops for the Office

Off-the-shoulderSpaghetti string or camisole styleTube topsKey-hole or cutoutsBackless or cutaway backsHaltersNo Midriff’s

NO excessively NO excessively open or low-cut open or low-cut

or short garmentsor short garmentsand absolutely and absolutely NO midriff’sNO midriff’s..

Other Inappropriate Items Short skirts and dresses

Skorts (shorts with skirt flap)

Skin-tight clothing (dresses, pants or tops)

Overalls

Culottes/split skirts

Leggings

Tennis shoes/athletic shoesTennis shoe mulesHeel or platform soles 3 inches or more Thongs Bare feetBirkenstock-like sandals

Inappropriate Footwear

Appropriate Apparel for Business Casual Day

Only...

Business Casual Day Dress Policy

Business Casual Day is designated the last working Friday of each month

The following examples would be appropriate options for those employees choosing to participate in Business Casual Day

Options for Women on Casual Day Only

+ +or oror

PressedNon-faded

Jeans

Skirts/Chinos/Floods

Sandals

Loafers

Polo Shirts

Top

Options for Gentlemen on Casual Day Only

+ +or oror

Without Logo

CCCC

With Office Approved Logo

PressedNon-faded

Jeans

Chinos/Slacks Boots

Loafers

Interview Tips

• Wear your suit and jacket unless specified otherwise

• Wear dress shoes• Conservative tie

Remember we represent the county Superintendent

and should always be dressed appropriately

and professionally.

ETIQUETTE & MANNERS:

Social rules for the professional

No matter what the situation, social etiquette rules should be followed.

When should you be particularly aware of

your manners?

EVERY SITUATION!

Consider some of the benefits of etiquette…

• Gives professionals the tools to impress clients and colleagues.

• It puts others at ease so that business can be conducted.

and…

• Helps to establish rapport with others more easily.

• Builds confidence and helps create a winning style.

•Gives the organization an overall polished, professional image.

andPossessing a high level of etiquette

knowledge and skills builds confidence and instills the

perception of trustworthiness in others.

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When making an introduction…

• Give a piece of information about the person—it can be a conversation starter.

“This is Sue, she just opened a new store in town.”

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What?

• LISTEN to and concentrate on conversations—don’t just wait for your turn to talk!

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Don’t Jump!

• Resist the urge to jump into a conversation when someone pauses in thought. Wait a second or two, then respond.

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Just a peck will do.

• A kiss on the cheek as a greeting is okay at a holiday gathering or a convention when you haven’t seen the person in awhile.

• Resist the smooch in a purely business setting.

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Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!

• Be an active listener—smile, nod, make eye contact and agree when appropriate.

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My Space

• Respect a person’s personal space—don’t get too close! If you can smell lunch on their breath—you may be too close!

• Give them a breath mint!

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Build your vocabulary!

• Avoid vulgar references and swear words.

• Poor language IS NOT professional and offends some.

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NetworkingBased on the success of your first

impression, the other person will determine whether or not you are

worthy enough for them to continue investing themselves in

developing a relationship with you and your company.

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Meeting Seating

• Generally the chairperson sits at the end of the table farthest from the entrance.

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Does anyone know what time it is?

• If you are attending the meeting—be on time!

• On time means arriving a few minutes BEFORE the meeting begins.

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Who’s in charge of this meeting?

• If you are leading a meeting ARRIVE EARLY! Check the room’s temperature, lighting, and arrangement.

• Get yourself organized. • Greet the participants

as they arrive.

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Keep your Word.

• Do what you promised you would do!

Make that phone call!Write that note!Make the arrangements!

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Placing a telephone call…

• If you’re making a call, identify yourself first, then ask to speak to the person you’re trying to reach.

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When you finally reach the person…

• Before you jump into a deep conversation, ask if they have time to talk.

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If you’re on the phone and another call comes in…

• Always ask if it’s alright to put them on hold.

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Sign Language?

• Do not interrupt someone on the telephone by gesturing, speaking or writing them notes!

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What about voicemail?

• If you must leave a message, state your name (spell if they don’t know you), phone number, date and reason for the call.

• Repeat your phone number at the end—SLOWLY.

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You’re Ringing

• When you are in ANY meeting, turn off your cell phone ringer—accept voicemail and text messaging only!

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Can you hear me now?

• If you MUST take a call in a public place—try to move to a more private space.

• Hearing one-sided conversations alienates the person NOT in the conversation!

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I can’t talk now, but…

• If you must talk in a public place (bus, elevator, airplane etc.) keep it short and discreet.

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Rapid Response

• Forget junk mail and forwards, but ALWAYS respond to a real message on your e-mail.

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watch wat u say

• While our Internet culture is full of shorthand, check your e-mail for grammatical, capitalization and spelling errors! In business—no shorthand!

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Moving?

• Close your e-mail address at an old job and have them forwarded to an appropriate person.

• Let everyone know your new e-mail address.

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No eating with your fingers!

• During the first course of the meal, use the utensils on the outside.

• For example, the salad arrived, use the fork on the far left. Entrée arrives, the next fork.

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I want to eat my dessert!

• When wanting to eat your dessert, use the utensils that were placed above the plate.

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Put the napkin where?

• Open the napkin, refold in half and place in onto your lap with the fold away from you.

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How did that get on the floor?

• If your utensils or napkin fall, DO NOT crawl around on the floor to retrieve—flag down a waiter and ask for another.

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I can’t eat another thing.

• Finally done eating?

Place all of your utensils on the plate with the tip of the fork and knife across the plate, pointing at 11 o’clock.

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Chop sticks or Chop Suey?

• Eat your Chop Suey (or any other food) with chop sticks ONLY if you already know how to use them—learning in front of someone can be ugly!

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What’s in my Mouth?

• Great meal when— all of a sudden you realize something in your mouth needs to come out!

• Cover your mouth with a napkin and get it out—discreetly!

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Doing lunch?

• Whoever invites a colleague or client to a business lunch pays for it—that includes the tip, coat check and parking if necessary.

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Where to Lunch

• Select a restaurant that is conducive to conducting business.

• The restaurant should be centrally located for both, or close to the guests’ office.

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Mirror, mirror on the wall…

• Don’t primp at a restaurant table or in public.

• Use the restroom to groom!

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Party time!

• Have fun, but maintain control!

DO NOTget drunkhit on a co-workerstay at the buffet

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Warning: DO NOT PICK

• at your teeth.

• at your face.

• your nose.

• on your friends.

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Never, Never, Never…

• Burp• Snort

In general:DO NOT make ANY

bodily noises that are rude and disgusting!

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Allergies and colds happen, but…

• DO NOT blow your nose at a table. It’s alright to pat your nose with a tissue. Otherwise, excuse yourself and find a place away from others.

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Finally…• Take time to say “please” and

“thank you” more often.

• Don’t forget to say “Hello” rather than “Hi”.

• Say “you’re welcome” rather than “no problem.”

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and always…

S M I L E

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Questions?

Ask Now or Regret it Later