Look around your organization. What does
everyone else do? Perhaps ask your manager for guidance. Check out the company
policy on the matter. And respect it. Ignoring the policy will not help your
cause.
In our case, 30 years ago, we tended to
dress like our clients: fairly conservatively, leaning towards smart casual.
Over the years, we loosened our policy. Now
we have a fairly flexible guideline: if clients are coming into our offices, we
expect our team to “up the ante.” If no clients are expected and it’s snowy
outside, we don’t mind your wearing jeans. Still, don’t turn up as if you’re
coming to work in a car wash!!
Companies expect professional standards and
evidence that staff care about their appearance.
You don’t have to spend oodles of money. You
don’t have to represent the latest in fashion. You just need to look
presentable.
If you care about your appearance, it
communicates a powerful message: You care about your job.
