It's probably one of the most overused phrases in job-hunting, but also one of the most underutilized by job seekers: dress for success. In job-hunting, first impressions are critical. Remember, you are marketing a product -- yourself -- to potential employers, and the first thing employers see when greeting you is your attire and appearance. So, you must make every effort to have the proper attire for the type of job you are seeking. Will dressing properly alone get you the job? Of course not, but it will give you a competitive edge and make a positive first impression.

Should you be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but the reality is that you are judged.

Throughout the entire job-seeking process employers use short-cuts to save time. With cover letters, it's the opening paragraph and a quick scan of your qualifications. With resumes, it is a quick scan of your accomplishments. With the job interview, it is how you're dressed that sets the tone of the interview.

How should you dress? Dressing conservatively is always the safest route, but you should also try and do a little investigating of your prospective employer so that what you wear to the interview makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. If you overdress (which is rare but can happen) or under dress (the more likely scenario), the potential employer may feel that you don't care enough about the job.

How do you determine what is the proper dress for a given job/company/industry? Download our Professional/Business Attire handout or schedule an appointment with a CCS career advisor by calling 512-471-9421. Career advising is available to CCS registrants only.