“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” ~Mark Twain
And, of course, clothes make the woman too. It’s not that we all need the most expensive or the trendiest clothes. But what we wear does play a part in our personal – and professional – expression. Even in my home office, I feel different when I wear yoga clothes or business casual. It affects my focus and direction as I approach my work.
At Dress for Success (DFS), low-income women get a free suit for their job interviews, so that they can feel professional and poised from the outside in.
During my volunteer day at their office in New York, I learned more about how DFS’s programs inspire and prepare women for successful careers. Check out the video and read on to hear about my experience!
Dress for Success is not just about suits, although that’s an important first step towards making women feel more confident and have greater success in their interviews. DFS works with job-readiness programs throughout the city who refer women who already have interviews scheduled. To prepare for the interview, the job seekers are paired with a personal shopper to select an appropriate suit. They also work with a career counselor to prepare their resumes and review interview skills.
What’s fantastic about DFS is that they take the services a step further once a client has landed the job. Clients receive five mix-and-match outfits so that they have appropriate clothing for each work day. They also have the opportunity to join the Professional Women’s Group, which meets monthly and offers advanced training in career skills, financial management and more.
According to DFS, the approach works. Following one year of Professional Women’s Group (PWG) membership:
- Approximately 75% of PWG members remain employed.
- 62% have been promoted and/or received salary increases.
- 60% have improved their credit.
- 57% have furthered their education by enrolling in or completing a GED or college program.
DFS’s focus is on uplifting and empowering their clients. And volunteers are integral to this mission. As a volunteer for the day, I had so much fun learning about the DFS process and connecting with clients and other volunteers. It felt great to help women boost their self-esteem and become confident, successful professionals.
If you love fashion, or have experience as a business professional that you’d like to share, check out opportunities to volunteer at Dress for Success.
