By Dr. Laura Hills, President, Blue Pencil Institute (www.bluepencilinstitute.com)
Here are five signs that what you wear to work may be hurting your career:
- Your boss has told you explicitly that you need to wear more professional attire.
- Someone in your office feels compelled to remind you to “dress nicely” for important meetings and special events.
- A coworker with equal or lesser skills but a nicer wardrobe was promoted over you.
- On those odd days when you do take a little extra time with your professional attire, your coworkers want to know if you’re going on a job interview or if something else is happening to you.
- You keep asking to be considered for a more visible role in your organization but you are not offered those opportunities.
Does any of this sound familiar? If so, your attire may be having a negative effect on your career. Whether you like it or not, you may have to make some wardrobe changes in order to achieve your career goals.
Tip: Notice what the most successful people in your organization wear to work and emulate them. Dress for the job or level of position you want, not the one you have now.