Suitability = Recruit-ability
Local Retailer Les Richards Menswear Provides Free On-Campus Seminars and Tips for Job Applicants
Philadelphia, PA (January 23, 2012) – When it comes to interview clothing, suitability equals recruit-ability. To up the odds for success of local college students just entering the interview arena, retailer and men’s fashion expert Les Schwartzberg, owner of the Les Richards Menswear stores in the Shops at Liberty Place and the Cherry Hill Mall, has been providing wardrobe coaching and consulting seminars at area universities, including Penn, Temple and Drexel. Since the fall, Schwartzberg has joined forces with local managers from the Ann Taylor women’s stores to present free on-campus “dress for success” seminars, designed to provide undergrad and graduate men and women with best practices for intelligent presentation and affordable wardrobe building, covering both interview suits and appropriate business casual clothing.
According to JobBank USA, a leading online employment resource, “many job seekers under-estimate the importance of dressing well for an interview. It is an unfortunate fact that people are judged at first glance.” Though it has always been true in management circles, applicants recognize that stakes are higher in the current employment climate. Today, most job seekers are carefully prescreened via the internet, which ratchets up competition at the face-to-face interview stage.
Schwartzberg says: “These kids we’re meeting on campus love it. They really soak up this information, and stay afterward to ask individual questions. Then, they come into the store later, with a head start on how to make a great impression and feel confident, when they meet recruiters and potential employers.” Here are some of the tips Les Schwartzberg has been sharing on local campuses.
Les’s “Suitability = Recruit-ability” Tips /How to Dress to Impress for an Interview
Men’s Interview Attire
- Suit (solid color – navy or dark grey)
- Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
- Tie
- Leather Belt – same color as the leather shoes
- Dark socks, same color as the conservative leather shoes
- Little or no jewelry except a wristwatch (not bold or bulky, like a diver’s watch)
- Neat, professional hairstyle
- Limit the aftershave and use non-scented antiperspirant
- Neatly trimmed nails
- Portfolio or briefcase
Women’s Interview Attire
- Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
- The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
- Coordinated blouse, no cleavage whatsoever
- Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or noisy bracelets)
- No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
- Professional hairstyle
- Neutral pantyhose and leather shoes with closed toes
- Light make-up and perfume
- Neatly manicured clean nails
- Portfolio or briefcase
What Not to Bring to the Interview
- Gum
- Cell phone (silence it before you enter the building)
- IPod
- Coffee or soda
- If you piercings, leave your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)
- Cover tattoos
Additional Interview Attire Tips
- It’s a good idea to bring your interview shoes with you to the store when you try on interview suits.
- Before you even think about going on an interview, make sure you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits correctly.
- Get your clothes ready the night before, so you don’t have to spend time getting anything ready on the day of the interview.
- If your clothes are dry-clean-only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for next time.
- Polish your shoes.
- Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.
Les Schwartzberg is very interested in making similar free presentations for any business group or student group. For more information, contact Les Richards Menswear at the Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street. The phone number is 215-751-1155. Les Richards Menswear provides early notice of sales and discounts to their Facebook and Twitter and email followers.
Les Richards is a full line menswear store specializing in modern apparel from designers like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, BCBG and many more. They are known for their tailored suits and sport jackets in contemporary styling. Customer service goes beyond what’s expected with great value, professional wardrobe consultants and next-day alterations by Italian tailors. Clothes range from made-to-measure to tuxedos with discounts on wedding rentals. Free shipping available and free local delivery. Gift certificates make ideal presents. For more information about the Philadelphia story, located at the Shops of Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, call 215-751-1144. Hours are Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Cherry Hill, New Jersey store is located at Cherry Hill Mall, 2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, 856-662-6490. Hours are Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. And the store in New York is located at the Poughkeepsie Galleria, 2001 South Road, Poughkeepsie, 12601, 845-296-1200. www.LesRichards.com
CONTACT: Sharla Feldscher Public Relations Sharla Feldscher, 215-627-0801 #101 215-285-4868, cell; Sharla@sf-pr.com Liz Matt, 215-285-4867; liz@sf-pr.com
