Business Professional Dress For College Budget

[OnlySunshine]

I'm planning to attend a career fair next week at school that has specifically requested attendance from Health Administration majors (my major).  I'm hoping to find at least a part-time position and I have to prepare at least 15 resumes to hand out.  There is one big snafu in all of this: the career fair requires that all students who are attending wear business professional dress or you will be turned away at the door.  The problem is, I'm an unemployed college student and I have never had a need (up until now) for business professional attire.  The only clothing I have are dresses for Church and some sweaters or a shirt with a sweater vest and some dressy pants.  I looked online for what professional dress entails and everything points to wearing a business suit.  I cannot afford to buy one.  What do I do?  HELP!!!

[Nihil Obstat]

Check your church clothes. A classy blouse with sweater vest and dressy pants could constitute business professional. Or a muted, classy looking skirt and blouse. Business professional for women is a bit broader than for men.

[Anastasia13]

Simple dark/neutral skirt or nice black slacks, nice top, knit is fine,

[Lilllabettt]

You don't need a suit.

You need a skirt that hits somewhere around the knee in a dark color.

You need a dressy shirt of some kind in a color that won't clash with your skirt. It needs to have sleeves.

Stay away from dresses, sleeveless tops, longer skirts, and patterns (harder to make them look professional)

[arfink]

I've had success with dark dress pants, a nice shirt and tie, and a vest. But then again, I haven't interviewed for places that would throw me out for not having a suit, because I'm fairly sure those places would also throw me out for my outrageously awesome sideburns. ;)

[Anastasia13]

Simple dark/neutral skirt or nice black slacks, nice top, knit is fine,

 

Focus on simple clothing, not loud colors or prints.  Avoid overly frilly. Lace details won't kill you if that's what you have. Sweaters are sometimes worn. If this is through the college, the best thing you can do is the best you can and show up. Don't give up if it's not a perfect match. You'll get a sense of how to do it as you go to these events, and maybe talk to people to find out where they get inexpensive clothing like that if you need more.

[Golden Years]

Second hand and consignment stores are a girl's best friend.  I'm a regular at Sally's (Salvation Army) and Vinnie's (St. Vincent de Paul), where you can pick up a gently worn pair of dress flats or low heels for under five bucks, ditto for a jacket that goes with your dress pants. Maybe some classy looking costume jewelry (nothing too flashy).  Smile and walk tall!!! Good luck!!! 

[tinytherese]

Thrift stores and Good Will are also good places to look for inexpensive clothing.

[Spem in alium]

Just echoing what's already been said, I would probably steer away from loud patterns, big jewellry or frilly stuff.

You could wear a dress (a knee-length one is probably best). If I decide to wear a dress to professional events, I usually choose one that is not patterned (generally white, black or dark blue) and jazz it up a little with some simple jewellry or a little scarf.  

 

If you choose to wear a skirt or dressy pants, my advice would be to go for one in a dark colour (black, grey, dark blue) and find a shirt in a different, complementary colour. 

 

As for shoes, either heels or flats are fine. Ultimately, you want to feel comfortable in whatever you wear :)

 

Good luck!

 

[OnlySunshine]

Thanks everyone.  You all have given me some great ideas.  I'll probably stop by the mall and some consignment shops tomorrow after class.  Hopefully, I'll be able to find something suitable that isn't too expensive.  Fortunately, we have H&M and Forever21 here and they usually have some nice separates at a bargain price.  :)

[Just a Skosh]

Not super helpful since I'm a guy, but I was able to find a 100% really nice Italian wool suit at a thrift store for $10, got it tailored and it fits magnificently now... 

[OnlySunshine]

I must not have been the only one with questions about professional attire because the college gave a more detailed explanation saying that business suits were preferred but button down shirts, ties, and dress slacks were acceptable.  Makes me feel better.  ;)

[AnneLine]

You can also go with a nice blazer or jacket and a coordinated skirt in a subdued pattern with a nice blouse.   Be sure your shoes are shined.  

 

If you have a small briefcase or portfolio of some sort (as opposed to a backpack) use it to carry your resumes and some comfortable shoes that you can use to get to and from the site, but wear nice flats or subdued heels in the actual job fair... trust me, the employers will notice that.  

 

Ideally match bag and shoes, but it isn't required.  

 

Simple jewelry, minimal perfume if any.  

 

Bottom line - You want to send the message that you know how to dress for clients and if you were going to visit a customer.   Think about what you would wear to Church on a sunday that is a fairly significant feast day, and use that as a gauge of how 'formal' to get.   ;) a little bit above 'Ordinary Time' ;)

 

Be sure to have your hands well-manicured.... nails trimmed, clear or subdued polish if you wear it.  You'll be handing stuff to them, and shaking hands.   When you shake, do so firmly and make eye contact -- don't give them the 'limp fish' handshake as one counselor put it, and I love the image!

 

You'll do fine, Mater!!!!!   You are smart and I am sure you present VERY well!!!!!

 

One other suggestion that we used to give when I was prepping people for job fairs at our university -- take the cards that each employer has there, and send a follow-up email or better yet a short hand-written card to the ones that interest you.  In all the years I did this kind of work, I only got a few cards, and I remember those clients.   In a VERY positive way.....

 

Let us know when the fair is, and we will pray for you!!!!!

[OnlySunshine]

You can also go with a nice blazer or jacket and a coordinated skirt in a subdued pattern with a nice blouse.   Be sure your shoes are shined.  

 

If you have a small briefcase or portfolio of some sort (as opposed to a backpack) use it to carry your resumes and some comfortable shoes that you can use to get to and from the site, but wear nice flats or subdued heels in the actual job fair... trust me, the employers will notice that.  

 

Ideally match bag and shoes, but it isn't required.  

 

Simple jewelry, minimal perfume if any.  

 

Bottom line - You want to send the message that you know how to dress for clients and if you were going to visit a customer.   Think about what you would wear to Church on a sunday that is a fairly significant feast day, and use that as a gauge of how 'formal' to get.   ;) a little bit above 'Ordinary Time' ;)

 

Be sure to have your hands well-manicured.... nails trimmed, clear or subdued polish if you wear it.  You'll be handing stuff to them, and shaking hands.   When you shake, do so firmly and make eye contact -- don't give them the 'limp fish' handshake as one counselor put it, and I love the image!

 

You'll do fine, Mater!!!!!   You are smart and I am sure you present VERY well!!!!!

 

One other suggestion that we used to give when I was prepping people for job fairs at our university -- take the cards that each employer has there, and send a follow-up email or better yet a short hand-written card to the ones that interest you.  In all the years I did this kind of work, I only got a few cards, and I remember those clients.   In a VERY positive way.....

 

Let us know when the fair is, and we will pray for you!!!!!

 

Thank you!  I took Professional Skills in the Workplace last summer before I transferred and it gave great ideas for career fairs and interviews.  I have school before the job fair so I'll probably have to bring a change of clothes for the job fair.  The good thing is that I don't have to do a lot of prep for my resumes since we also went over resumes and I just have to change my school and major.  ;)
 

[AnneLine]

You're very welcome!   

 

If you can find one, Mater, look for a soft-sided 'portfolio bag' (sometimes you can find a good one that is a laptop case?) that you can use as a way to carry the resumes AND your non-interview clothes.   Something like this:

 

 

(DO NOT wear that outfit, however!!!!)

 

I had one that was a little larger, and it was roomy enough that literally I was able to put a back pillow in one at one point when I had a long bus trip before and after an interview and needed to wear athletic shoes until the VERY moment I went in for the interview.

 

With one of these, no one was the wiser!!!!

 

You may be able to find one at a consignment shop or almost certainly at an office supply store or mall.  You don't have to pay a ton for it... but you'll keep this in the back of the closet for YEARS and it will pay for itself.  It's a classic that will NEVER go out of style.  And, if you get one that will hold your laptop, you may be using it for MANY years AT work!