You never get a second chance to make a first
impression, and during your first week at a new job you’ll be making a
lot of first impressions. So it’s important that you pay very close
attention to the unstated dress code and carefully adapt your clothing
to it. Now don’t give up your individuality, but be sensitive to what
others are wearing and the reactions your clothing will draw. Because
even though the interview is over, the game of office politics and
perception has just begun.
My advice is start off slightly over-dressed your first week. This
may not be possible at a law firm where everyone is wearing a suit and
tie, but in a business casual environment you may want to opt for a
sports jacket, shirt, and tie vs. a shirt and tie only. When shaking
hands for the first time you want to project a professional image, as
most of our sensory input is visual, and numerous communication studies
have demonstrated appearances far outweigh what we actually say in a
first encounter.
With people making a decision about you in the first
few seconds, it’s easier to start at the top than to start low and try
to work yourself up.
