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First Job Fundamentals - First Day Attire

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14

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On your first day, you'll want to wear your interview suit. Don't worry about being overdressed. It's a sign of enthusiasm. Everyone knows the rule 'if in doubt, wear a suit' and they'll understand why you're wearing one.

On your first day look around and see what everyone else is wearing, particularly your boss. If it's a t-shirt and jeans kind of place, your boss probably has nicer jeans and a nicer shirt than everyone else - and perhaps topsiders instead of flip-flops. Work towards building a wardrobe at the same level as your boss if you want his chair someday.

Somewhere else, your peers may be wearing a suit and your boss wears something custom made. You're not going to be able to afford a custom made suit in your first few years at work. However, you can aim to purchase suits which are as nice as your best dressed colleagues.

Again, you're not going to be able to afford to buy a whole new wardrobe in your first months at work, especially if you have to move cities, start paying off student loans and pay utility bills. It's important though, to fit in at first, and to build your work wardrobe as you go, perhaps one item a month until you have a wardrobe in which you feel comfortable and confident.

We'll be back next week with more practical guidance. If you can't wait, you can find all the follow-up emails here.

The Career Tools Team