One of the first issues of concern that I hear from new professionals is “What will I wear?” While this question may seem a bit frivolous to some, as a college student, you probably don’t own a wide (or any) selection of professional attire. You definitely want to dress appropriate to your field, without breaking the bank.

Ask around
Long before your first day of work, ask your supervisor what the expectations are for what you can and cannot wear to work. Typically, your line of work will dictate what type of attire you will need to buy. For example, if you work in the healthcare setting, you’ll likely need scrubs and comfortable footwear. If you’re working as a geology research assistant, you may be expected to own steel-toe shoes and protective outwear. If you’ll be working in certain labs, you may need to wear a hairnet. A job in finance will likely require you to own a number of suits.

There may also be some organizational or departmental policies about wearing jewelry (how and where it’s is worn), perfume, finger nail length, etc. Depending on your line of work and the organization, there may even be a manual or handbook that details this sort of information. Even if your employer tells you to wear “business attire” or “business casual”, these terms can mean different things to different employers. So, ask questions.

Continue reading Professional You – Building your wardrobe »