Dressing For Success with Surprise Ending

We wear professional dress all the time - shirt and tie for W and a slacks or dress for me. We're not typical of the realtors in our office or in our neighborhood.

The last time I wore suits and ties was when I was an NAR RVP whioch was a requirement. My main purchases now is in swim trunks, sandals, shorts, and polo shirts with a few tees thrown in. I will wear a sport coat and a collored shirt when I speak at seminars. it has become a casual world and the more time I spend at our home in S Florida the more casual I become.

Decades ago, I applied for a job with Dreamworks and was very qualified. I wore a 3 piece knock em dead suit (the position was executive) only to enter into an office full of people all dressed casual and in tennis shoes which was their culture. While waiting to be final-interviewed (10-15 minutes), I was stared at by the many coming and going and I saw it wasn't a good fit as they did too...Since then, dress, body language and presentation matter 

Hello Anna --- so much of the world remains at a visual level today - like it or not.

If we were in a climate controlled office building all day long, we could dress differently, but we are not. We are in the trenches, in and out in the heat (or inclement weather) all day, and we have to dress for the weather. In my Mississippi, it's just too hot in the summertime to worry about a jacket, much less a suit!

Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 - As a Recruiter in my former world, I met some of the most well-dressed women in the interview. The best dressed didn't always get the job. What comes out of the mouth is what made the difference. Credentials, knowledge, and integrity wins and succeeds. Always be your authentic self and don't be a cheap imitation, even if you are wearing the most expensive suit or clothes you can buy. 

Congratulations on your feature!

I love your story. It’s true that the outfit is important but doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll get the job. I always dress professionally it’s just what I feel most comfortable in  

Mostly when working, I wear something comfortable, like a plain blouse and a pair of slacks. My "suit" is my namebadge, proudly representing C21!

I had tons of suits and wore hose and heels. Then the pantsuit came and slowly our dress code has gotten more casual. I know longer worry about it as I always dress neat and clean and wear what I like. It is pretty conservative.

The context definitely matters for your dress choice.  It is possible to dress for success without a suit for sure.  

Anna,  I dress for the occasion and what I feel "suits" me.  I did the suit thing for many years, nylons & heels too while working for Corporate America.  Show up clean, on time, know our craft, and be professional ... that is all it takes for me in my world.

Congratulations on your feature recognition. This is an important topic.

I have been thinking of listing agents to use when we sell our home and the broker who was dressed for success comes to mind. She looked good and made a lasting impression.

Good evening Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 ,

Love the topic and loved reading the comments. I'm with Debe Maxwell, CRS "a professional, knowledgeable agent is being sought after for just that, not their appearance. However, wrapping that package with nice attire is really the 'bow' on the package!" Congrats on the feature well deserved!

I do think that you can 'Dress for Success' more casually today, and do agree that where you live can dictate what is acceptable, above acceptable, or not even in the ballpark, Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886.  For me, knowledge and presentation (basically your style and personality) are so very important!  I've had 2 distinct career fields where I had to dress formally in one and that meant I 'blended in' (lived back East and was decades younger), and in the second I dressed the same as the guys did and that meant I totally 'blended in' (dressed in dark suits with loafers).     

First of all, love the  star on this post - and also the topic.  In  my opinion, it's more dress appropriately and have the right attitude of professionalism.  We are also rather casual around here, but I may wear a skirt one day, a dress another, and wear dressy jeans another day.  As for Dress one or two, I'll take two - looks more Christmasy. Lol. 

Love your post Anna. Very interesting outcome.  Snicker - maybe substitute happy for surprise!    Anyway, I like the 2nd dress for obvious reasons - looks more like the real deal vs. synthetic! 

Stopped by to check in with you! I should pick up the phone, huh?! 

I hope all is well and that you're just super busy with work, Anna - always a great thing! Sending hugs to you & Gary!

When I first came in the business we had a dress code, it got lost some where along the way...

When I first moved to Phoenix I wore a suit and tie to all meetings and events, until I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and they told to me to take off the tie or they'd cut it off.  I agree, the locale dictates the dress code. Good post Anna.  Best wishes to you.

Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 Can I admit I'm laughing so hard I'm crying? Dress for success means jeans with ripped knees & t-shirts for me. Scuffed-up sneakers and maybe a bandanna and I'm done! I make a living getting spiders in my hair and heaving broken-down boxes into recycle bins. It's all gloriously relative.