Tag Archives: style

Dress Up Your Work Wardrobe This Fall

stk325045rknNow that fall is officially here, it’s time to think about what to wear as the weather cools down. If you work in an office or other workplace that doesn’t have required uniforms, dressing for a new season while also watching your wallet can be a challenge. Since looking your best at work or in a job interview is important, consider taking your existing wardrobe and adding a few elements to help transition into fall.

Women’s Style Tips
Go with the flow this fall and break out your loose, flowy blouses and dresses. Since bright scarves are a year-round staple that can go from summer style to fall favorite without any extra work, add a scarf to your sweater dress for the perfect accessory. If your workplace has a casual dress code, go for dark jeans this fall.

Shoes, like ankle boots, that are neutral in color are another great addition to your fall wardrobe and a quick way to dress up an outfit.

For a look that’s both dressed-up and easy, layer a light sweater or cardigan over a button-up shirt. Or, add a blazer over blouses and dresses to stay warm on those chilly days. Fall is also a great time to invest in a durable leather jacket – a classic staple of any wardrobe.

Traditional fall colors include navy, burgundy, taupe, and cobalt blue. Try pairing colored blouses with neutral skirts or jackets for color that pops.

Statement necklaces remain a timeless addition to your wardrobe, so don’t be afraid to add an Art Deco-style necklace or other chunky piece of jewelry to your outfit. Top it off with a handbag or purse in a jewel tone and you’re sure to be both professional and fashionable in the workplace.

Mixing fabrics and creating block patterns are hit trends this season. Try combining fabric like wool with embellished trim or mix typical fall colors into your outfit.

Men’s Style Tips
If you can, now’s the time to invest in tailored clothing. Not only is the tailored look trendy, it’s also professional. Custom-cut work shirts make you appear more put together than ill-fitting shirts when you show up to an interview or the workplace.

Knit ties are a staple for fall, so if your workplace allows them, try adding one to your outfit. Leather accessories are still classic, and a leather messenger bag can add an extra touch of class to your wardrobe.

Always Follow the Dress Code
Don’t forget to follow the guidelines set by your office or workplace. If the dress code is more traditional, you may want to stick with neutrals and classic cuts. As with every season, your workplace dictates what you can and cannot wear to remain professional. Regardless of the season, always strive to look your best and represent your workplace in the greatest way possible.

Do you have any tips for transitioning into a fall wardrobe? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Resume Tips To Help You Get Lucky

Lucky_Resume_March2014When you’re trying to catch a potential employer’s eye, your resume has to stand out from the crowd. It has to have something extra, a little bit of magic that no other resume has. But, sometimes magic is hard to come by, and it can be difficult to find ways to make your resume distinct. So, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are seven tactics to add some luck to your job search.

Give Your Resume a Pinch
Less is more, so cut unnecessary content, eliminate meaningless phrases, and shape it to fit each job opening in order to get noticed.

Find the Pot o’ Gold with the Right Style
What you bring to the job is unique, which means you need to pick the resume style that best matches your work history, skills, and qualifications.

Show What You Have to Offer
Apply some eloquence to that meaningless objective statement and shift the focus to what you’ll bring to the job.

Make Your Competition Green With Envy
Your work history is the core of your resume, so make sure it’s strong and sculpted for the most attractive resume possible.

Treat Your References Like 4-Leaf Clovers
If you say “references available upon request” in your resume, make sure you have great references prepped and ready to vouch for you.

Follow the Rainbow to the Perfect Format
Do your research to ensure you know which electronic resume format – Word or PDF – works best for you and the job opening.

Check for Overlooked Shamrocks
Hiring managers expect a resume to contain certain elements, so give it one final look to ensure nothing’s missing.

Getting lucky in your job search starts with taking the time to fix up your resume so it can work it’s magic. After all, employers will never know what an amazing job candidate you are if your resume doesn’t grab their attention.

What have you done to make your resume stand out?  Share your own tips for building a golden resume in the comments section below.

Dress For Success: What to Wear for an Interview

EntryLevelLifeButton_D When searching for a job, it’s important to look the part. You want to dress like you’re professional, prepared, and capable – not like you just rolled out of bed. But, there are many different dress code policies in the business world, so how do you know whether or not to show up in the latest trends or go for the classic look? Follow these tips to pick out the best interview look that will get you noticed in a positive way.

Call the company first. To find out what the company’s dress code is, contact the company before your interview to find out how you should dress for the occasion. Speak with the receptionist or your company contact who helped set up your interview to get insight into what the company’s culture is like and ask what employees typically wear to work. They might be able to share some insight to help you get started.

Flex your style level. When you find out what the company’s dress code is, kick your wardrobe up a notch. For instance, if the company dress code is business casual, make it a point to dress professional. Not sure what the difference is between these two? Find out here. For example in a professional environment, men and women interviewing for the job could wear a nice pant suit. Just be observant of the company’s everyday dress code. If employees typically wear jeans and a polo, the executive look for your interview would be too much. Instead, go for slacks and nice shirt. 

Choose classics over trends. It’s a great thing to express your personality through your clothing choices, but for a job interview it’s better to err on the side of caution. Stick to basic colors like white, blue, navy, grey, or black instead of bright neon colors. And it’s still OK to reflect your personal style, but do it in a subtle, tasteful way. Choose one element of your wardrobe to play up. Some examples are a bright tie, a hip handbag, or shoes with a modern cut. If your interview outfit is classic with a little punch of color, you still look very polished and professional. In addition, women should choose simple jewelry like diamond stud earrings and a nice necklace instead of wearing large hoop earrings or several attention-grabbing necklaces.

An interview is a time for an employer to get to know about you, your skills, and your personality. You want to stand out from the competition, but not in a negative way. Have you ever had an interview gone bad because of something you wore? Share your thoughts on what not to wear here.