Last month I assisted with a Job Fair. For those who may be unfamiliar with job fairs it is a sponsored event that brings together both employers and job seekers for the day. Invited employers set up their booths to provide information about their business and speak directly with participants. Participants may have the opportunity to fill out applications for employment, provide and discuss their resume, become informed about the business/industry or obtain a future contact. This kind of networking can be very advantageous; providing you make a positive first impression.

As co-sponsors of this event it allowed us to work with a small group of participants from our local employment programs, prior to doors opening. We gave some last minute tips on approach and how to answer questions. Later, we got the opportunity to observe from our booth as people made their way around the room. As it was open to the public to take advantage of this opportunity, I was astounded to see just how unprofessional 80% (if not more) of the people were dressed. Jeans, running shoes, flip flops all parading in the doors. Shirts that had clearly never seen an iron and one woman who showed so much cleavage I’m not sure anyone was really listening to a word she was saying.

Mini skirts, young women with low waist pants advertising the “pre-crack stamp” as they bent over to fill in the applications. Young men who still insist that a belt is best worn around the thighs. You can’t help but watch to see if the jeans can hold on any longer or whether we are going to have scream “Bombs Away!”

To accompany the bad fashion was the blah faces; most seemingly forgetting to amp it up a notch. We observed several actually texting or taking a call right in the middle of their discussions with employers. It is clear many were uninformed about the importance of personal appearance, etiquette and body language when job hunting and interviewing.

When a person came in the room with their case of prepared materials, wearing a suit or any type of real business attire, you couldn’t help but notice. They were the minority and employers eyes (and ours) went directly to them. Given there were some high profile businesses in the public, private and not for profit sectors, whom you rarely get to see unless called for an interview, it was quite an eye opener for us. As career consultants we speak about the do’s and don’t's of fashion when applying for jobs but who knew this many people outside of our programs didn’t get the message.

What do you wear and where do you find those clothes?

* Women: Wear properly fitting dress pants and business shirt. Skirts and blouses are preferred by some companies, business suits are also acceptable in most settings. It is important to feel comfortable in your outfit and shoes. Since you may be sitting down to talk, try seeing how that looks and feels.

* Men: Wear properly fitting pants, shirt (tie may be optional in some settings). Depending on the target job you may wear a suit and tie.

* Business casual is often accepted but casual doesn’t mean what you would wear out to the store…lean more to business.

* Bring a folder, briefcase/carrier for extra resumes, references, certifications, your own pen, business or calling cards and anything else you feel is relevant for these employers to see.

* Sometimes both men and women may be attending a fair that is heavily trades based. If jeans are what you are going to wear then at least pick ones that are clean and fit! No T-shirt, no ball caps or ratty weather beaten sport jackets.

It is not hard to find clothing for work, thrift stores and consignment stores are full of great deals. One pair of black pants or a skirt can be a great investment; worn with multiple different shirts or blouses it’s completely interchangeable.

Dress for success offers eligible women entering or re-entering the workforce their first business suit and additional apparel after securing a job. Dress for success has multiple affiliates worldwide.  Career Gear for men also provides help with interview clothing in addition to interview preparation services with affiliates in major cities across the US.  SYMS Dress to Achieve very informative site intended to help college seniors put their best shoes forward but certainly transferable to all job seekers and interviewees.

It is essential that job seekers see the value in going just that little bit further in their research of prospective companies, including how to dress. We market ourselves on paper and we market ourselves in person, whether we like it or not our appearance counts. An opportunity to meet employers in a job fair setting is rare, take advantage of that and help them remember you! Stand out from the crowd for the right reasons!

Once on the job you get to fully see the culture and dress code but until then leave the jeans and flip flops in the closet.