How to Dress for a Job Fair

On a recent day, my internet at home wasn’t working so I sat at the library to use the Wi-Fi. As I sat at the edge of the parking lot, I watched several people walk across. The unemployment office across from me was holding a job fair. During the time I sat working on my laptop, about 100 people passed by, hoping to find leads for jobs.

I saw men and women that were a variety of ages. Some wore suits, while others wore jeans, ball caps, and sneakers. Many were well-groomed, but a surprising few had greasy and untrimmed hair. I realized that there are obviously many people who have no idea how to dress to impress at a job fair. The goal is to look professional and competent, not sloppy.

Tips

Look sharp — suits, business wear, slacks, skirts, hosiery, etc. Don’t dress too casual, avoid jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts. Men look good with a button-up shirt or at least polo. Women should opt for business style blouses and button-up shirts. Go for a conservative look, with neutral makeup and minimal jewelry.

Wear clothes that fit — most of us grow it ways we’d rather not, and sometimes finding a pair of pants in our closet that fit is challenging. Please keep in mind that tight pants and high-water pants don’t look good.

Be organized — bring your résumé in a leather or faux leather folder or portfolio. It doesn’t look impressive to carry around a worn folder or peechee or spiral notebook stuffed with papers.

Don’t forget to look at your shoes — we can’t all afford top of the line footwear, but keep in mind that your shoes to help define your overall look. Dirty sneakers don’t impress anyone. Don’t ruin your look with scruffy and worn shoes that don’t fit your look that you are trying to project. You may be doing a lot of walking to look at different displays, and I do know the importance of comfortable footwear. Look for shoes that are clean, comfortable, and that look nice.

Walk tall — Good posture makes a valuable statement. Walk tall & proud because it will help you look more confident.

I know it’s not nice to judge people by their appearance, but unfortunately that is what happens. If you are going to a job fair or interview, you need to put your best foot forward to present a good image of yourself. While sitting that morning, watching people come and go, I got a mental picture of those who were serious job seekers and professional, and those who were sloppy and had a bad attitude. The important issue here is the psychological aspect of creating a positive image, which your choice of attire can impact.

more job fair tips Tips for Success and How to Make Job Fairs Work for You