Blog Post: Dressing for Success…Even When You’re First Starting Out!

Today I had the great opportunity to participate in a Job Fair for Tempe Union High School District .  This Job Fair was put on by the Business Advisory Council which is comprised of local businesses that have a vested interest in the Tempe community.  It was an awesome event!

Along with the great employers and Sponsors who attended (over 40, including Safeway, Wal-Mart, Papa Johns, Sonic, Macys, The Gap, JC Penny’s),  Wal-Mart stood out and provided a fashion show for the students.  It was a site and almost made me cry tears of JOY!  After spending several years of being frustrated with applicants interviewing in Flip Flops and Mini-Skirts it was a refreshing change to see these ideas being expressed to our future workforce.

Wal-Mart wanted to show these students the importance of Dressing for Success even if you were going to be applying for a part-time position in food service or your very first job.  They stressed the importance of “Your first impression being your last impression” and they did an outstanding job of helping all of the students look professional, stylish and confident and provided great tips along the way.  When I spoke to a couple of students who had the pleasure of participating in the fashion show they told me that they had more confidence to walk up to employers at the event and ask for an interview! They even said that they would wear what they had found at Wal-Mart everyday.  They had never thought they could look so great in Wal-Mart Fashions.  Have I mentioned how affordable the outfits were?!?!  Great thing to think about when you are unemployed or on a budget or BOTH! 

There were about 10 students of every shape and size that participated in the event.  They all looked awesome and had smiles on their faces that were simply priceless.  Another very cool part of the event was that after the Fashion Show, Wal-Mart donated the clothes to all of the students who participated!  Way to go TUHSD, the BAC and Wal-Mart!!!

For more great “Budget” fashion tips check out your local Wal-Mart today and check out Jobing Video for Highlights of the event.