Personal Branding for Career Success

by Wendy Lee and Caitlyn Teoh

Wendy Lee

Caitlyn Teoh

Wendy Lee (Director) & Caitlyn Teoh are Professional Image Consultants from Chapter One Asia, Malaysia’s leading image consultancy firm. To date, Chapter One Asia has trained more than 30,000 individuals in corporations, large and small, in the areas of image, etiquette, communication and protocol skills. In addition to being a regular guests on various radio and TV shows, both Wendy and Caitlyn have also been featured in The New Straits Times, The Star, Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malay Mail, etc. If you have any burning questions pertaining to Image & Etiquette, please forward your emails to wendy@chap-one.com

Question 1:

I need to attend an interview for the position of an Assistant Manager in a large corporation, and I have no idea on what to wear! Is a shirt & tie sufficient? Most guys will be are wearing similar outfit.  How can I stand out yet not be seen to be over the top?

Mohd Ashraf

Caitlyn says:

In an interview, your attire, albeit playing a supporting role, is nonetheless an important one. Other elements like your conduct, your interpersonal skills, your ability to articulate intelligently, are also important factors for your future employer to decide if you are a good fit to the organisation.

Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry in which you are trying to become employed. 

Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, being over-dressed is always better than being under-dressed. Even if you are aware that employees of the organization dress casually, dress up for the interview unless you are told otherwise by the employer.

A two piece matching suit is always the best and safest choice. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. This will take you further in your career whenever the occasion calls for it, for example during corporate meetings, formal function & dinner events.

But what if the job is in a non-suit-wearing work environment? Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, wearing a suit to the interview shows you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting.

What about colour choices? Navy, dark gray and black are safe. Other colour trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids (the kind that look solid across a room) are safest. Match it with a crisp white shirt and matching tie. This will instantly jack your professionalism up a notch or two!

So there you have it. All the best for your interview!

A word from Wendy:

Question 2:

I am a fresh graduate and am now working as a Management Trainee in the FMCG industry. I am in a dilemma as I do not know what is appropriate for work and what is not. My limited budget for work attire does not help either, so I am just making use of whatever I have in my wardrobe. Is there a proper professional dress code that I should adhere to? What should I wear to work?

Mindy Chia

Caitlyn says:

Most fresh graduates do not have a work-ready wardrobe, and with limited budgets it can be hard to decide what items of clothing are worth investing in. Complicating the matter further is when companies allow more casual attire.

So, what then do you wear so as not to cross the line from being too casual to sloppy?

Here are 10 versatile items every young woman should have in her closet.

1.      Black skirt: Sometimes, if you know it is going to be an important day at work, dressing-up can be a nice touch. A black skirt is a good blank canvas for whatever top is in store for the day. It's simple, elegant, and works for pretty much everyone.

2.      Khaki pants: These should be a staple in every woman’s closet regardless of their position at work. This versatile pant can be dressed up and dressed down, with enough class to wear into a business meeting and enough comfort to wear at work all day and into the night for whatever evening plans may be in store.

3.      Dress: A classic dress is a good thing to have hanging in the closet. When the alarm doesn’t go off and the work day starts in thirty minutes, it’s nice to have one simple garment to pull on without having to try and match pieces.

4.      Dark Cardigan: Get a button-up long-sleeve cardigan in a colour like dark grey or black. Keep it in the bottom of a purse or tote, just in case. It’s a respectable way to keep warm when the office gets chilly.

5.      Dark Suit Jacket: This piece comes in handy when you have a formal meeting or function to attend. It looks very professional paired with a skirt or pants and a matching top.

6.      White Blouse: There are two reasons why this is an awesome top. First, pair it with any dress pant or skirt for a clean look. Even better, it looks amazing with a pair of jeans on the weekend!

7.       Bright Colour Tank Top: Pick a few tank tops in red, blue & white. Wear it under your cardigan and jacket to mix and match into different styles. Do it correctly and you can brighten up any dull outfits!

8.      Black Heels: Don’t go for sparkly heels, details, or pretty much any heel that would be found on the foot of a girl at homecoming or prom. A classic back pump is ideal, but if the look is too old for the young wardrobe, a peep-toe heel can work as well.

9.      Black Handbag: Invest in a handbag with quality material and structured shape. Pick a bigger style that can hold a notebook or folder, as to be versatile in the work environment. Bags with cleverly designed inside compartments is even better so you can easily find your belongings.

10.   Accessories: A set of quality accessories adds more interest to your attire. Get it in more chunky size and basic colours such as silver, black and white. So if you are wearing a black outfit, match it with a silver long necklace to an interesting look.

A word from Wendy: