This year’s career recruitment season has finally hit campus, and every junior and senior looking to land that dream job or internship is scrambling to prepare for the next month full of career fairs, networking dinners, and company events. While you are revising your resumé, brushing up on your elevator pitch, and practicing interview answers, consider these five professional styling tips to help you feel and look more confident on important days.
- Invest in Classy, But reliable Shoes
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Everyone knows that the perfect pair of shoes can really tie an outfit together and are regularly the statement piece of a look. While those eye-catching Steve Madden stilettos may be the first pair you reach for to stand out, a comfortable, classic pair of simple black heels are probably your best choice. At the height of recruitment season, you’ll be spending long hours walking back and forth from table to table at Career Fairs and standing in front of interviewers with little to no breaks for your feet. On these days where you want to look and feel you’re most confident, it’s probably best not to look like a baby giraffe learning to walk. A comfortable, simple black heel will match practically any outfit, and your feet will thank you.
- Blazers are a girl’s best friend
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It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the different dress codes during this whirlwind of networking dinners, company panels, one-on-one interviews, and recruitment events. (What even is business casual, anyway?) A blazer is a must-have style item to help you navigate the world of professional fashion. Blazers take your simple blouse and pencil skirt from that business casual dinner to the follow-up business professional interview. They are also the perfect piece to help combat this ever-changing Georgia weather!
- Try a french tuck
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Ever notice how shapeless work blouses are? Pairing one of these blouses with a simple pair of slacks, or even worse, straight-leg pants can lead to a silhouette disaster. Thankfully, the “French tuck” exists. For those of you who haven’t seen Netflix’s Queer Eye (I highly recommend it), a French tuck is simply the act of neatly tucking in the front of your shirt while leaving the back portion untucked. This tiny alteration can ultimately elevate your look by adding that little bit of dimension needed to separate your torso from your legs. Pair it with a nice belt, and you’ll be Career Fair-ready!
- Accessories: Less is More
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Courtesy of GLDN I don’t know about you, but I have been OBSESSED with the new trend of jewelry-stacking, or “jewelry maximalism.” On any given day, I’m wearing at least two sets of earrings and two or three necklaces, matched with a dozen rings and bracelets. However, it is likely best for the professional environment to follow the idea of “less is more.” A simple necklace, elegant earrings, and a watch are the perfect accessories to dress up your look without overshadowing your personality and what you convey to the recruiter. Add a classy purse to hold your belongings, and you will be good to go!
- Smile!
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We know it’s a cliché, but a smile is an essential accessory you can wear when trying to land a job. Every recruiter I have spoken to thus far agrees, smiling makes you feel more friendly, approachable, and confident. These are all essential qualities that recruiters are looking for in a potential coworker, so definitely remember to smile during your interview! The best part is that smiling can help you trick yourself into feeling more confident, guaranteeing you success in your job search.
Hopefully these tips help you dominate recruitment season.