Joan responds to 2 reader letters
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Dear Joan,
I read your article on “
Dress Codes for the Dress Shop” and thought you were right on with your comments. But, let’s not stop there. In many business offices, I think that so called business casual has gone too far.
Perhaps, I’m old school, but when I began working in an office, we were expected to dress appropriately. We wore hosiery, skirts, dresses and pant suits. What I see now are flip flops worn to work (now they are manufacturing fancy flip flops but I still think they are inappropriate) and super mini dresses, spandex clothing and bare legs, not to mention the look of having one’s lace camisole or bra worn under their jackets.
Not a single young woman in our office wears hosiery any more. They tell me I’m not “with it.” What, I ask myself, is this: Are they coming to work or going to the beach? I even see pants that look like pajama bottoms.
And, if that weren’t enough, the office still has casual Fridays! Aren’t they already casual enough? Am I wrong in wanting people to go back to dressing up for work at least part of the time? I think it gives people a sense of pride and creates a more professional work environment.
Perhaps your current article will get others to think about dress codes again. Thank you for reading my rant.
Answer:
Remember the flap that was caused a few years ago, when a group wore flip flops to the White House? That’s when I realized we slid from business casual to business sloppy.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to reverse the trend and have a “Dress Up Day?” Years ago, high schools would have a “dress up day” and everyone wore something special. We looked forward to it and we all behaved better that day. What a shock!
If your workplace is putting up with flip flops and exposed bras they have let their guidelines slip too an unacceptable level. There is nothing preventing your organization from pulling in the reins. A re-write of the dress code is in order…along with a new set of expectations. There is no reason why the employees should be able to dictate what they choose to wear. You run a place of business and the dress should reflect the business you are in.
In particular, if employees have a good reason for a more professional appearance (customer interface, for example) you have even more cause for tightening up the code. As it is rolled out, every manager should sit people down and explain why it is important. There are some employees who don’t have a clue.
Dear Joan,
I am an unemployed older MBA candidate. I have a bankruptcy in my past --the result of a business failure. It won't be gone from my record for another three years.
I have had several interviews over the last few months, but none have led to an offer. In four cases I have not heard back from the organization I interviewed with. In one case I learned through an Internet article that the job had been offered to another person. In the other three cases, the job wouldn't have been public news, but I assume that someone else received an offer. In each case I told the organization of my bankruptcy at the interview stage.
I have had other interviews and told the organizations of the bankruptcy. And, I have had other interviews where I did not mention it.
Any thoughts on how to handle this? I am baffled by not hearing anything from an organization after an interview.
Answer:
Don’t take it personally. It’s the biggest complaint I hear from job hunters. Unfortunately, the common courtesy of letting a candidate know the outcome seems to have fallen to the wayside. One reason is that HR Departments are short staffed and they can barely manage the hiring process, given the other tasks heaped upon them. Another reason is that many HR departments now outsource their hiring process and not all vendors are professional. That said, it’s not a professional way to run the business; it doesn’t put the company in a very good light.
On the other topic…why do you feel the need to confess your bankruptcy? If the jobs you are going after are going to require a credit check, it makes some sense but not if there is no direct link.
If you feel a credit check will be done, mention your business and emphasize all the good things you accomplished with it…the fact that you were an entrepreneur, the ideas that worked, what you learned from it… If the bankruptcy resulted from deteriorating market conditions, or other factors beyond your control, emphasize that. Tell the story in a way that emphasizes the positive. Remember, most entrepreneurs have multiple failures before they have a success. It’s no small feat to start a business. It shows moxie—not weakness. Position it that way.
Do you need answers to tough job hunting questions? Are you looking for some added punch to help you stand out from the crowd? Joan Lloyd’s has developed job hunting tools that can help you to maximize your job search:
Joan Lloyd is a Milwaukee based executive coach and organizational & leadership development strategist. She is known for her ability to help leaders and their teams achieve measurable, lasting improvements. Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding, providing: executive coaching, CEO coaching & team coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized training (leadership skills, presentation skills, internal consulting skills & facilitation skills), team conflict resolution and retreat facilitation.
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