By Virginia Lascara
virginia.lascara@insidebiz.com
Old Dominion University students in the Society for Human Resource Management often hear about the importance of making a good first impression during an interview.
Professors have taught students to make eye contact, give a firm handshake and dress to impress.
Together, students in the organization gather to hear speeches, participate in workshops, network with local human resources professionals, and learn interviewing and negotiating tips, among other activities.
Because each on-campus student club must support a philanthropy, ODU's Society for Human Resource Management thought it would be fitting to help community members prepare for job interviews.
For the month of March, the organization is holding a business clothing drive to gather gently used business attire to donate to local charities such as Samaritan House and Dress for Success. Collection bins are located at more than 30 Albano Cleaners locations in Hampton Roads as well as in ODU's Strome College of Business.
Rachel Frieder, assistant professor of management and co-adviser for the SHRM, thought of the idea as she was lining up professionals to speak to the group. One speaker was chosen to coach students on their professional attire for a career fair.
Many students can barely afford a nice interview suit. What about those who can't afford one at all?
Together the students brainstormed how to best help get professional attire to those who need it most.
"The dry cleaners just seemed like a natural location for the collection bins," Frieder said. "Business people already go there to have their professional clothing cleaned."
The clothing drive, called "Clothes the Gap," hopes to help end the cycle of unemployment for capable yet underprivileged Hampton Roads residents.
"Good clothes open all doors," Frieder said. "If you can't afford professional clothing, then you can't get a job. So we're hoping to close the gap for qualified people who aren't hired because they can't afford professional clothing."
According to Ryan Klinger, assistant professor of management and co-adviser for the SHRM, studies show that - even unknowingly - interviewers make judgments based on appearance.
"We would like to think that interviews are purely objective, but the research shows that there are unconscious and subjective biases, which include what we are wearing," Klinger said.
Showing up well dressed to an interview will not only impress a potential employer, but it will instill confidence in an applicant, Frieder said.
"When you have a good outfit on, you're likely to perform better," she said. "When you're put together and wearing a suit, you will walk in with added confidence, and you don't feel like you're immediately at a disadvantage."
So as you embark on your spring cleaning, don't hesitate to get rid of that pants suit you haven't worn in years. It could help someone land their dream job.