The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important of all. It sets the tone for all relationships to follow and you cannot take back a first impression!

So, what contributes to the first impression you make?

One very important area is your appearance and how you dress. In the Australian business environment there are different dress codes that range from formal to business casual to casual.

A work dress code is often set by an organisation to give guidance to employees on what is appropriate to wear to work so that a certain standard can be maintained across the organisation.

Benefits of following a dress code include:

• Your reputation can be enhanced if you dress appropriately; people outside of your organisation are likely to see you as being serious about your work and image.
• It will help you make a good impression on your clients and customers. If your clients and customers see you dressed professionally, they are more likely to be impressed, trust you and continue to do business with you.
• It can help you perform better. Wearing smart business attire can make you more productive and make you feel more professional. It can help you boost your spirit and take pride in what you do.

Some companies have detailed, written policies on their dress code which is common for example in the Hospitality Industry.

Companies who have a more casual approach to their dress code may have very little detail or no strict guidelines. The amount of client interaction employees have with clients, organisational culture and the type of industry the organisation operates in can all impact on what the dress code entails.

As organisations have different dress codes you often will not know what the appropriate work attire is until after you have started working for the company and been able to observe how other employees dress or have been given some written guidelines. Therefore the rule of thumb is that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed!

When attending an interview with a prospective employer it is important to always wear formal business attire even if the company has business casual as a dress code. This will enable you to ensure a professional first impression and start the relationships on a positive note.

Studies have found that 55% of a person’s opinion is driven by physical appearance – therefore the importance of your dress code in creating a good first impression should not be underestimated. You want to be dressed for success!