Dress Appropriately!

Depending on where your work and what your role is there is a certain expectation for you to dress accordingly.  The first thing one should do is take a look around at their peers.  Are they dressed very casually such as in jeans, t-shirts and sneakers?  Are they dressed business casual such as dress pants or skirt and dress shirt?  Or are they dressed formally in ties and jackets?  The chances are, you are expected by your superiors to dress in a similar manner to your peers.  Also, observe the culture in your office.  What is appropriate for one environment may not be for another.

Top job site Monster.ca states that "it would be nice to think that the outside package should be irrelivent to hireability but the reality of the work place is this:  without a makeover some very qualified employees may not get the promotions they deserve.  Others may not get hired at all."

One mistake that can be made is dressing too casually.  You may appear sloppy or as though you do not care enough to dress up.  Another mistake that could me made by women is dressing in a manner that is too revealing for the office such as short skirts or low cut tops which can be very distracting and cause one not to be taken seriously.  Finally there is over dressing.  If it is casual friday, don't show up in your suit and tie.  Know your environment and you will maintain your professional image.

Please see below for some appropriate office attire for both men and women.