Career Services
FALL 2014
FALL
2014
STUDENT
NEWSLETTER
The Impor tance of Professional Attire at Job Fair s
Distracting to Employers:

Too much perfume or cologne

Jewelry or accessories that make
noise

The odor of smoke on you and
your clothing

Gum chewing

Cell phone alert tones or vibration

Clothing that is too tight or
too revealing (for both women
and men)
Your appearance makes a first
impression before you speak a
single word to an employer.
During those 10 to 15 seconds it
takes you to approach the table,
an employer at a job fair has
already formed an opinion.
on appearance, but fairness is
not the issue. Recruiters are
human and do form impressions
within those first few seconds.
Even with the best qualifications, a bad first impression is
difficult to overcome.
In an informal survey, recruiters
said that simply based on seeing
the candidates (even before
speaking to them or reading
their resume), prospects dressed
in very casual clothing seemed
unprepared, irresponsible, less
capable, less educated, less qualified, and having poor work
habits.
Keep your image updated and
professional. If you don’t, your
image may send a message that
your skills and ideas are neither
updated nor professional.
On the other hand, employers
viewed professionally dressed
candidates as well-educated,
intelligent, trustworthy, responsible, and capable—the type of
people they wanted to hire.
Inside this issue:
It may be unfair to judge based
Looking Professional on
a Budget
Dressing professionally for job
fairs is as important as dressing
for an interview.
A survey from the National
Association of Colleges and
Employers determined that 75%
of employers surveyed said that
a job candidate’s appearance
would have a strong influence
on their opinion of that candidate.
Professional appearance creates
a good first impression. And
first impressions are lasting.
Your professional attire will
2
Business Casual—What 2
It Means
Finishing Touches
Dress in a way that shows you
are capable and smart. If an employer is distracted by the way
you are dressed, it’s unlikely
they will pay full attention to
your qualifications. Eliminate
wardrobe distractions of any
kind.
show respect for an employer
and respect for yourself as a
capable and prepared candidate.
This applies to any career
related situation—informational
interviewing, job and internship
interviews, and career fairs.
3
Appropriate Dress for
Your Industry
3
Calendar of Events
4
Contact Information/
About Career Services
4
Good Grades Are Not
Enough
4
* * * N ew D r e s s C o d e f o r Jo b F a i r s * * *
When you attend a job fair, a
job is your ultimate goal. And
during initial contact with employers, your immediate goal is
to appear professional and capable, create a favorable impression, and gain an interview.
With that in mind, Career Services staff will be available to
educate, inform, and provide
resources to help you create a
professional image.
Beginning this Fall 2014, the
Career Services Office will
enforce a dress code for job
fairs. If you are not professionally dressed, you will not be
admitted to the job fair.
More information on professional attire will be provided
during this and every semester.
We will remind you of the
dress code through social
media, print and online media,
and information tables.
Without appropriate professional attire, employers may
not see you as a serious candidate. That’s a lost opportunity.
CAREER SERVICES
Looking Professional on a Budget
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of
money to look professional.
“First Impressions
at NCC is a clothing
shop where students can
find professional attire
for a career fair or an
interview. Clothing is
available free of
charge to students.”
When looking for your first
professional job, you may not
have money to dress appropriately for an interview or a career
fair. Your appearance must still
be professional for an employer
to consider you as a viable candidate for employment.
What do you do? Perhaps you
can borrow suitable clothing
from friends or family. Barter
some of your labor and talents
for the use of their clothing. The
only cost is your time and effort.
First Impressions at NCC is a
clothing shop where students
can find professional attire for a
career fair or an interview.
Clothing is available free of
charge to students. Changes are
coming to First Impressions in
the near future and will be announced when completed. Contact Career Services (info is on
the last page of this newsletter)
if you need professional attire in
the meantime.
Thrift stores like Goodwill or
Salvation Army and local consignment shops sometimes have
inexpensive good quality professional wear. You can often find
new or gently worn clothing at a
good price. And shopping at
these stores also helps the local
community.
Remember to try the sale racks
in stores you frequent. It’s possible to combine sale items with
what you have at home and create a professional look.
Shop for fit, not for size. Look
in the mirror and buy the clothing that fits well and looks good
on you, even if it’s a size you
don’t usually wear. Your clothing should not be too large, too
small, or too short.
Start with pieces that will mix
and match with other pieces you
already have—and what you
will buy in the immediate future. Buy conservative clothing
because you will build your
wardrobe on these beginning
pieces.
Conservative does not mean
boring. Accessorize with touches of color. Scarves and simple
jewelry for women, ties for
men. Remember, you want to
add a just a touch of color. That
neon yellow blouse or tie is not
a good choice.
A good way to spend limited
money is to buy well made
clothes (new or gently worn)
that fit you and are appropriate
for the workplace.
If you have any questions about
what is appropriate, contact
Career Services for answers.
Business Casual —What It Means
Business casual attire can cause
confusion. Typically it means
that suits are not required for
men and women. It does not
mean you can wear anything you
like.
You still need to look professional. Clothes should be well
pressed and neat. It should not
look like you’re going to a party
or a picnic. Aim for conservative
and classic. Look in a mirror. If
you are wondering if it’s too
casual, choose something else.
PAGE 2
Women can wear slacks or a
skirt with a button up top or a
professional looking blouse. In
cooler weather, a classic sweater
is a good addition.
Men can wear khakis and a shirt
with a collar (polo or button).
Shirts are tucked in, belts match
the outfit. A sweater or coordinating suit jacket can be added
in cold weather.
Clothing should fit well—not
too loose or too tight. Pant legs
a bit above the heel (no dragging
on the ground). Skirts come to
the knee while standing and
cover the thighs when seated.
Never appropriate—flip flops,
shorts, sheer clothing, strapless dresses, athletic wear,
tank tops, excessively ruffled
blouses, T-shirts, or jeans.
If you’ll be working in an industry where business casual is
the norm, be conservative with
your business casual at first.
The dress code differs slightly
at each company, but even if
jeans and t-shirts are common
in the workplace, wear business casual to a job fair or
interview.
FALL 2014
Finishing Touc hes
Employers generate their first
impression of you not only
based on what you wear, but
how you wear it. A job fair is as
important as an interview.
Show employers you understand the importance of looking
professional.
Is your clothing clean and
pressed—and does it fit properly? Are you shoes shined—and
are they suitable for a work
environment?
A day or two before the big
event, inspect your attire for
visible tags, dangling threads,
missing buttons, and lint. Remove tacking stitches from
jackets or skirt pleats. When
you sit, do your clothes fit
comfortably and look good?
Check your pant length or skirt
length. Your pant legs (for both
men and women) should not
drag on the floor or be so short
they don’t cover the tops of
your shoes. This creates a more
conservative appearance.
shave, either. Better to avoid
scents completely and not risk
an employer’s allergic reaction.
Well manicured and clean fingernails (again, for both men
and women) may not make you
stand out. But unkempt, dirty
nails will— in an unfavorable
way.
Do a last minute check of your
appearance before entering the
job fair or employer’s workplace. Stow away your Bluetooth headset or ear buds, your
sunglasses, and your car keys.
And get rid of the chewing
gum. Carrying a small portfolio
will help you look professional
and organized while keeping
your items safe. And will leave
you ready to freely shake hands
with employers.
Any facial hair needs to be well
trimmed, on the shorter side.
(ok, this one’s just for men).
Avoid smoking before talking
with an employer. Employers
may be put off by a candidate
who smells of smoke. Don’t
overdose on cologne or after-
Leave your cell phone in your
car or turn it off. Even a vibrating cell phone is disruptive to
an interview.
Do a last minute check of your
overall appearance before you need
to make that good first impression.
“Employers generate
their first
impression of you
not only based on
what you wear, but
how you wear it.“
Appropr iate Dress for Your Industry
Business and Finance. A
conservative industry. A suit in
darker colors like gray, navy
blue, or black is appropriate for
men and women. Shirts and
blouses are lighter in color
(white, beige). Men’s conservative ties complement the suit
color. Women can wear a skirt
or dress with a jacket. Hemline
should fall just below the knee.
Sales and Marketing.
Conservative, but with some
flexibility. Jacket can be coordinating or matching. Shirts and
blouses with more color, but
still conservative. Consider the
client base of the company.
Creative (Design, Advertising, Fashion). This industry
has the most flexibility. Attire is
expected to reflect that of your
clients, so consider your industry/company. Let a bit of your
creativity and personality show,
while remaining within an industry appropriate range.
Professional (Medical,
Legal, Education, Social
Work). Conservative. A suit
with either matching or coordinating blazer in darker colors is
best for the more conservative
fields in this industry. Closed
toe shoes convey a more profes-
sional appearance.
Technical, Physical
Science, Computer
Information Technology.
Business suits are not required.
Trousers or skirts with coordinating jackets or conservative
sweaters are appropriate.
Adjust for your specific company or industry. For some fields
in this category, business casual
may be appropriate. (See related article on p.2) In many
technical and scientific fields,
open toed shoes are not
advised.
Employers want candidates who
are prepared. That includes
knowing how to look and behave
like a professional.
PAGE 3
Career Services Events—Fall 2014
Career Services Kick Off,
Monroe, Tues, Sept. 9,
10 AM to 2 PM. Look for our
table in Pocono Hall and learn
how we can help you prepare
for a job or career.
Career Services Kick Off,
Bethlehem, Wed, Sept. 10,
10 AM to 1 PM in Laub
Lounge, College Center.
Discover what Career Services
is doing this semester and what
we can do to help you prepare
for your future.
Fall Job Fair, Monroe Campus, Tues, Oct. 7, 10 AM to
2 PM, Pocono Hall Community
Room, Pocono Hall, room 108.
Professional attire and a
copy of your resume required for entry.
Center, Gym C. Professional
attire and a copy of your
resume is required for entry.
Dining Etiquette Luncheons,
Bethlehem, Oct.30 & Nov. 6,
11 AM to 12:30 PM. Learn
how to make a good impression
at a business dinner. (Tickets
must be purchased in advance from
Career Services.)
Career Services Open
House, Wed, Nov. 12,
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Career
Services Suite, College Center
348.
Connect with us on social
media for news about other
events and workshops
throughout the semester.
Fall Job Fair, Bethlehem
Campus, Wed, Oct. 22,
10 AM to 2 PM. Spartan
Good Grades Are Not Enough
Potential employers may find
your GPA impressive. And
they may hire you over another candidate based on your
grades.
But that GPA is not enough.
Employers must believe that
you are prepared to begin
your career.
How do employers decide
who is prepared to meet the
challenges of the position?
Based on what they consider
to be professional appearance
and behavior.
Professional Appearance.
The first impression an employer develops will come
from the way you look. This
includes appropriate attire for
their workplace environment.
From the job fair to each contact you make with an em-
ployer, your attire can
demonstrate your professional attitude.
Professional Behavior.
Arrive on time for your
appointments. When at a
job fair, apply your best
professional behavior the
moment you arrive in the
general area of the event.
Employers who notice candidates behaving rudely or
demonstrating any type of
unprofessional behavior at a
job fair will not forget. It’s
difficult to undo that first
impression.
Employers will quickly
form a first impression.
Demonstrate by your actions
and appearance that you are
a serious candidate and
ready for employment.
About Career Ser vices
Contact Us
Our services are available in
our offices, around campus,
and online.
your responses to employer
questions and increase your
success.
Bethlehem Campus—College Center, 348
610-861-5344
Career Exploration
Explore career options and
find a career that fits your
future.
Job Search Resources
Learn how to organize your job
search and find current opportunities.
Career Assessment
Check out how a combination of your interests, skills,
values, and personality fit
into potential careers.
Internships and
Experiential Learning
Gain experience and increase
your career potential.
Resume Review
Create a dynamic resume to
increase employer interest.
Interview Preparation
Understand how to improve
Workshops/Events/Career
Fairs Look for a schedule of
additional events on our web
page. Connect with us on social
media for the details and information on additional job fairs.
Monroe Campus—Keystone Hall, 109
570-369-1871
Online—www.northampton.edu/careers
careers@northampton.edu
Karen Veres, Director
Jennifer Napierkowski, Assistant Director
Nina Rehrig, Career Development Specialist
Rosaan Barker, Perkins Placement Support Specialist
Janice Kenyatta, Internship Manager
Lynn Fischer, Office Manager
Fran Maiatico, Secretary