Should you dress for the job you want and not the job you've got?

Question

Currently I work in a position where I wear jeans and polos to work everyday. Sometimes I mix it up once or twice a week and throw on the slacks. I work in the office but I do spend some time on the shop floor. Dress code has never been an issue, and has never even been hinted at by coworkers.

I previously worked on the shop floor so I definitely dress nicer than I used to but I'm wondering if I should take another step forward. I plan on having a meeting with my manager in a few months to sit down and talk about a potential promotion. Would this potentially help me look more fit for the role? Most of the office follow the business casual dress code.

Should I take the common advice of dress for the job you want and not the job you've got?

Additional info: I work in the U.S. in a manufacturing environment. I have the title of Materials Planner, but I would like to ask for Senior Materials Planner position.

Answer 1

Most of the office follow the business casual dress code

You should follow standard practice of the workplace.

I plan on having a meeting with my manager in a few months to sit down and talk about a potential promotion

Great start, that is exactly what you should do. During meeting, which I hope will go well, you should explicitly say something like:

I have the title of Materials Planner, but I would like to be Senior Materials Planner. What should I do? What will help me to get there?

Your manager, hopefully, will have few ideas, but I doubt that dress code will be one of them.

That is because people who say "dress for the job you want" don't mean the clothing itself. Authority is earned, not given. "Dress" here means "to behave" like you are capable of being responsible for more things, for bigger things, for more people, and more complex tasks. That includes:

1. Being on top of your current tasks
2. Show initiative and ask for more responsibility when appropriate

Answer 2

Earn a promotion by making it a no-brainer for the decision maker - not by wearing a suit!

What I mean by that is you don't want the decision maker thinking "I guess X might make a good Senior Something-Or-Other". Instead they should know you are more than capable of taking on the role because they see you are already operating at that level.

How do you do that?

• Identify what a Senior Something-Or-Other does and start looking for opportunities to do that. (Maybe this is where the conversation with your manager comes in)
• Take on extra responsibility, volunteer for additional tasks... and deliver! Or better yet, knock it out of the park.
• Go the extra mile - mentor juniors, help colleagues, work the extra hour to meet deadlines etc.

That's not to say dressing a little more conservatively - say a button down shirt and chinos rather than polo shirt and jeans - won't be beneficial. It looks smarter, and projects an image of competence and seniority. But, on it's own, it's unlikely to be enough to earn the promotion. Your behaviour and attitude on their own probably are.

Answer 3

Hugely depends on comapny culture and customer expectations (if applicable).

If there is a dresscode (even if informal) than that's a big hint that your employers company culture values being dressed properly and you should go along with it (meaning: dress for the position you want to have).

Answer 4

Should I take the common advice of dress for the job you want and not the job you've got?

Absolutely, look like your moving forwards and belong higher up the hierarchy.

Well groomed and well dressed is always an asset. Within common sense boundaries of course.