Working from home gives the workforce an appetite for professional on the top and chill on the bottom. Whether that be sweatpants, yoga pants, or straight up pajamas, remote work has allowed us to prioritize comfort over dressing to fit in at the office, five days a week.
It was recently reported that the Senate chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the official attire enforcers — will no longer police the dress code of attendees on the Senate floor.
The private and commercial sector, along with defense contractors in our industry, have already been hanging in this place, with previous data from Adzuna, the smarter job search engine, finding that 57% of employers they surveyed citing casual dress policies in their job postings.
Recruiters are the face of the organization when they connect with candidates. Should recruiters be evaluating what they are wearing as they are trying to sign cleared candidates?
ROCKING THE BLAZER OR A TEE AT JOB FAIRS & DURING INTERVIEWS
We encourage candidates to “dress to impress” when attending job fairs, but what does “dress to impress” really mean anymore? Should recruiters have a magic formula for doing the same?
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your next outfit before the workday.
1. Note the venue.
Some in-person events require a different kind of polish. Are you attending an event where military members will be in dress uniform? You should likely match their finesse. Will you be recruiting students onsite at a college campus? Jeans and a company graphic tee will do. How about speaking at a recruiting conference? Dress in your power clothing. Are you conducting an in-person interview at your HQ office where everyone is pretty casual? Dress to your comfortability (and what matches other office teammates) and let your candidate know the dress code but tell them dressing relaxed to their liking is key.
2. Note the audience.
Interviewing different levels of the workforce is something to evaluate whether you are screening a software engineer or leadership at the c-suite level. Likewise, attending a job fair of cyber professionals may look different from a group of active-duty military officers transitioning to the GovCon space. If you like to match the dress of the person you are interviewing, noting their experience level and field is key.
3. Note the vibe.
It’s not something you can describe, but you know it when you see it. If you are on an interviewing panel with someone in a decked-out suit, you’d meet the president in, a person in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and another in a sundress and leopard heels, you may be giving off an interesting vibe to the candidate across the table. The important thing is to set expectations with everyone involved, keep the line communication open and honest, and be on the same page.
THEÂ CLEARED RECRUITINGÂ CHRONICLES: YOUR WEEKLY DoD RECRUITING TIPS TO OUT COMPETE THE NEXT NATIONAL SECURITY STAFFER.
