Ask corporate bigwig Art Johnson when he would wear an earring into his executive suite at Lockheed's corporate headquarters, and he will quickly retort, "On the day that I retire."
Johnson's comment reflects some people's opinions on the recent blurring of appropriate work force appearance. As more job candidates show up to interviews with braids, piercings, and tattoos, many corporations are facing serious challenges to their appearance policies and their images.
For young professionals entering the work force, understanding the borders between traditional attire and self-expression can very well make or break their careers. "Men should refrain from wearing earrings into an interview," warns Charles Britt, a Northrop Grumman IT professional. "You never know what biases that person sitting across the table may have. And they may look at you and say 'hmm, oh no, they do not fit the mold.'"
Britt, who has worked on projects for some of the top government contractors in the U.S. and who interviews for Northrop Grumman, continues, "I personally do not like the idea of a man wearing an earring and it could affect you in the interview process. The problem is that you will not know that that was the reason why you did not get that job. But if you want to remove the barriers, remove the earring."
Denise E. Bolar, a technical excellence program manager with Boeing, believes knowing how to project a professional image is important. "A lot of people make mistakes long before they open up their mouths," he says. Bolar, whose career comprises more than 15 years of progressive responsibilities in the areas of training and education, personnel management, and human resources, including recruiting college and experienced professional employees, believes many young professionals need to go back to the basics of dress and conduct. "Perception is reality," he says, and understanding the appropriate business attire for an interview and recognizing how nonverbal communication affects your professional image are just two factors that can impact your success.
Jananda Hill graduated from Stanford two years ago with a master's degree in computer science, and she has spent a lot of time recruiting and interviewing since then. Hill says, "I have been doing recruiting for Northrop and previously when I worked at Lucent Technologies. You would be surprised how some people come in to an interview, and it looks like they are dressed for a date."
Can having the skills and grade point average compensate for a nontraditional corporate look? That's not always clear, according to Britt. "Corn rows have become more and more popular now with gentleman in the African-American community," he says, conceding that more employers are losing their definition of conventional work force appearance. "Some people are not going to cut off their corn rows to come to an interview. And [even if they do], you can also expect that once they get there, they may grow them back."
Still, Britt cautions interviewees, saying "I tell guys that are in my workshops: just make sure they are neat. That is the only problem I have. It is when they come in, and they look like you have not had them done in about two months. I have a problem with that. Make sure you have your beards or goatees and everything all shaped up and no rubber bands and seashells and all that stuff hanging on the back. Make sure you keep them conservative and neat."
Landing that perfect job may depend on how well you understand the corporate culture of that company and conform to it. So while more employers may be more sensitive to the evolving cultural changes regarding personal appearance, the traditional shirt and tie and other business wear isn't going away anytime soon.
Linda Gooden, President of Lockheed Information Technology and the 2006 Black Engineer of the Year, doesn't blink an eye at the notion of conforming to the culture of the company. She points out that many students have no problems conforming to the rules of their sororities and fraternities.
Another African American executive puts the appearance issue more bluntly, "When they [recruiters] see that [kind of appearance] it kind of throws you off. You are like, 'oh man, if they dress like that in the interview, I can imagine what they are going to wear to work.' So you want to make sure that you dress appropriately. That is important. ... some people are not aware of that, and your first impression is your last impression."
Interviewing Dos and Don'ts
Our team of industry experts offers tips on how to present yourself during an interview.
Do. Remember the recruiter is looking at you before you even say one word. Make sure your tie is straight. Females should button their shirts completely.
Don't. Ladies should not interview in silver evening shoes or the latest fashion trend. When you are trying to communicate to that organization that you can fit within their company, your message gets lost in what you look like. Dress conservatively.
Do. Your body language communicates a lot about you, so let it communicate your inner character, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Don't. Do not try to use impressive words. The more natural your conversation is, the more readily you will be understood and the more impact it will have on people. If your message is lost, it does not matter what you say.
Do. Show up on time to the interview. If you are late, you are communicating that you either do not care or were not prepared. If possible, go to the interview site the night before so you can be sure you won't get lost.
Don't. Fail to pay attention during the interview. Interviewers notice when people are not listening. Even if you do not understand what the person is saying, at least nod to show that you are taking note of what is being said.
Do. Be confident and enthusiastic during the interview. Recruiters may have interviewed a lot of other people before you for the same position, so you want to stand out. This is your time, so tell them why they should be hiring you.
Do. Smile and naturally connect those smiles to appropriate movements and gestures. You'll radiate a positive attitude.
Do. Have a good handshake. Smile, give a firm but not tight handshake and greeting, and make eye contact.
