Danielson's reaction: she sent the girl packing, with nary a question asked.
Danielson said the girl had clearly "wasted my time" by showing up in something so inappropriate for a well-established, conservative employer, whose reputation should have been researched by the applicant.
I can certainly appreciate Danielson's straightforward look at an ongoing problem. One of her problems with casual dress: "You never know when a client - who may never have casual day - might want to meet wih you."
I agree. It's a constant complaint I hear from bosses and co-workers, who are mystified why something so easy as dressing neatly and professionally seems to elude many workers. Why -- when so many things at work can be out of our control -- would anyone pass up the opportunity to convey a professional, capable image simply by dressing correctly? And why would anyone dress well four days a week, then throw the whole image out the window and dress like a casual slob on the fifth day?
So, here's my final word of advice for the truly clueless: If you can wear it to go clubbing, mow the back 40 in it or is comfortable enough to sleep in...DON'T WEAR IT TO WORK!

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2 comments:
Great advice. I have what I'd call an uber-professional dress code at work. Skirt suits every day, the whole shebang. And though that's a lot for new recruits to stomach, it never ceases to amaze me how well I am treated by peers in my market - it's so true that when you act and dress professionally, you get treated and respected as a professional. I don't really miss casual days at all.
Here's one of the smartest things I ever heard anyone advise: Black pants and a blue shirt. Looks good on both men and women and as long as it's ironed, can be casual or formal. And this advice came from a 20-year-old...much smarter than some of his older peers still wearing their 1982 pair of khaki pants with the stained t-shirt. Let's hear it for showing a little self-respect by dressing like grown-ups!!
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