1. Prepare for the Career Fair Dress for Success Tips for presenting yourself in a professional manner at CPCC’s Career Fair

2. CPCC Career Services, 2007 less than one second Judgments can be made in as little as when meeting someone for the first time. SOURCE: CareerJournal.com (2006) Think Fast!

3. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Why does appearance matter?

4. CPCC Career Services, 2007 What does a professional appearance look like?

5. CPCC Career Services, 2007 But I don’t own a suit! It is fine to wear dress slacks or nice khaki pants That’s okay! ties (men) skirts (women) that do not have a matching jacket sports jackets (not part of a suit) (men) clean, polished conservative-looking dress shoes clean, pressed button-down shirts, collared shirts, or blouses to CPCC’s Career Fair

6. CPCC Career Services, 2007 But my industry does not require that I “dress up!” It is best to make a conservative, safe choice and dress up for the career fair

7. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Unprofessional Appearance

8. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Dress for Success! Professional Dress is REQUIRED at the Career Fair on March 21 st

9. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Unacceptable clothing and accessories for the Career Fair Hats, do-rags, bandanas, skull caps Shorts Ripped/torn jeans, excessively baggy pants Sneakers and flip- flops T-shirts with logos/pictures/text Suggestive clothing (low-cut tops, skintight clothing, short skirts) Clothing that is not clean-looking Sleeveless shirts, tank tops, camis

10. CPCC Career Services, 2007 How would you improve her appearance for the Career Fair? Lose the hat Smaller earrings would be more appropriate Jeans are a no-no! Sneakers do not say, “I’m a professional!” I see 4 things she needs to fix

11. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Beyond the Classroom This gentleman is dressed well for the Career Fair, But The backpack is bringing down his professional look

12. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Why Not Kick it Up a Notch? This person is dressed nicely and could certainly attend the Career Fair; but what could this person improve? Replace the sweater with a jacket or sports-coat Add a tie, even if he decides to keep the sweater The khaki pants are a little casual. Why not wear dress slacks instead? Polished dress shoes would kick things up a notch HINT: I see 4 points of improvement

13. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Fabulous! Congratulate her on her professional look! Great suit Conservative accessories Polished shoes Neat briefcase

14. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Perfection! What makes his look the ultimate in professionalism? He is sporting a great suit in a conservative color He is wearing a tie His clean-shaven face and haircut shows he is well-groomed It looks like his shoes are shiny He is carrying a briefcase, which is an appropriate accessory for a career fair.

15. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Remember Dressing professionally for the Career Fair shouldn’t break the bank!

16. CPCC Career Services, 2007 Got Questions? CPCC Career Services 704.330.6551 www.cpcc.edu/career career.services@cpcc.edu