A Valued Aid for Burgeoning Professionals

By Amanda Castro-Crist

Before a potential employee even introduces themselves to an interviewer, they have already started a conversation – with their appearance.

“You’ve got to be dressed well, otherwise they’re going to see this slacker that has their shirt untucked, just not looking good,” said Mateo Leos, a freshman architecture major from San Antonio. “But if you walk in wearing a suit, it automatically gives off a great impression.”

But what if a student cannot afford to suit-up before a big interview? Thanks to a new resource in the Texas Tech University Career Center, they will not have to stress about the cost of looking like a professional.

This past summer, director Jay Killough and his staff began soliciting faculty, staff and alumni for gently used suits, shirts, skirts, dresses and all of the other pieces that make up an outfit suitable for an interview. With the donations, they created the Career Closet, where students can “shop” for an outfit they like that fits well and promotes professionalism.

“We benchmark with other universities. There were a few other Big 12 schools that also had career closets,” Killough said. “We were at university and got to tour their facility and look at their clothes and we thought, ‘We’ve been talking about it for a few years and now is a good time.’”

A nice suit is not always something a student thinks to pack when they head off to a university, especially if they are just starting college. That is what happened to Leos.

“If you didn’t bring it, you can’t wear it,” Leos said. “I went to a job interview a couple of weeks back and all I had to wear was a button-down and jeans. I didn’t think I would need it here.”

He said the Career Closet is a smart idea and an important resource on campus. Killough said he has gotten the same feedback from many of the students who have already taken advantage of the closet.

“They’re so thankful that this exists,” Killough said. “They say that they otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to wear a suit.”

Formal interviews are not the only time a student needs to worry about making a good impression, Killough said. Career Center events like job fairs, networking, etiquette dinners and mocktail parties are all opportunities for students to show potential employers that they mean business.

Wesley Bahn, a junior communications studies major, said he plans to attend the campus career fair and thinks it is important to treat it like a job interview.

“They say first impressions are a huge deal and if your first impression with a potential employer is you dressed in sweats, a beanie and a ugly 18-year-old sweater, you’re probably not going to look like a professional,” Bahn said. “You’re also not taken seriously like a professional should.”

Allison Matherly, coordinator of digital engagement in the university’s Office of Communications and Marketing, has attended university career fairs on behalf of the office for the past five years and has seen hundreds of students in various states of professional dress.  She said those first impressions are everything.

“When someone approaches you and it doesn’t look like they made an attempt, it doesn’t leave a strong impression,” Matherly said. “Without a strong first impression, a student may not ever get to an interview. Appearances aren’t just for career fairs; they are considered throughout the entire hiring process.”

Wearing the right outfit to an event or an interview doesn’t just make you look good, said Killough. It also can affect the way the wearer feels, which can impact how successful an interaction is.

“A nice suit is psychological. It does provide a confidence boost,” Killough said. “We tell students who are doing phone interviews to suit up because they can hear it in their voice, they just feel more confident and they feel sharper.”

Bahn said he thinks it’s important to “dress for success” and “dress for the job you want,” no matter how clichéd it may sound. He added that dressing up doesn’t always have to mean a three-piece suit, but students should make some sort of effort to show employers they’re not messing around. Matherly agrees.

“Dressing neatly and cleanly should be your first priority,” she said. “After that, it’s dressing business casual, meaning slacks and a collared shirt that are both wrinkle-free, maybe a tie, or a dress that fits well and is of appropriate length, and doesn’t show too much skin.”

Matherly said it’s also a good idea to wear dress shoes that are comfortable enough to walk around in. That’s another area where the Career Closet can help.

“Suit jackets, pants, shoes, socks,” Killough said. “Basically, whatever the student needs.”

Killough said the center checks all the donations that come in and makes sure they’re wearable. While they are not picky about brands, they are particular about the state of what gets put on the racks in the closet.

“These are gently used suits. We’ve turned down suits that are ripped or not necessarily in wearable condition,” Killough said. “We’re picky with what we accept in the way that we want the student to look good.”

For now, the clothes hang on two rolling wardrobe racks. Killough said he would like to soon secure a permanent space for the Career Closet, which he hopes continues to grow with donations.

Students who are in need of professional attire can contact the Career Center for an initial appointment. Killough said they’ll get an overview of the other services the center offers and afterwards, can pick out an outfit, if needed. Because outfits are given to the students, there is a constant need for more suits, shoes and other clothing of all sizes.

“If you have gently worn suits that you no longer wear or want,” Killough said. “Instead of taking them to a consignment store or selling them in a garage sale, please consider donating to the University Career Center Career Closet.”

About JOUR 4350

JOUR 4350 is the multiplatform news delivery class, which is the capstone class for journalism majors within the College of Media & Communication.