Skip to Main Content
No alt text provided.

‘Hire Attire’ Program Offers Insight into Making a Good First Impression

Career Services
Competition Highlights Useful Knowledge as Students Prepare for Interviews The mantra that “you have only one chance to make a good first impression” rings especially true in the interview setting. (PICTURED) MacKenzie Shuey, a member of Delta Omega Theta sorority's team, struts along the runway in presenting appropriate attire for a job interview. Wilmington College students learned some of the “dos and don'ts” when dressing to impress at a program, titled “Hire Attire,” sponsored by Career Services Thursday (Nov. 10) evening. It featured a runway-style fashion show in which teams modeled interview attire, business casual outfits and — to the delight of the audience — what not to wear. Alumni judges with connections to the fashion industry evaluated the student models on such criteria as looking professional, appropriate accessories, presenting a well-groomed look and, of course, what is considered as appropriate for job interviews and what fits into the seemingly ever-expanding definition of business casual attire. Females looked sharp in tasteful skirts and blouses and pantsuits as they strutted the runway, and a male in that category wowed the judges with a contemporary cut black suit. Business casual appeared defined as from dark jeans and khakis to dark slacks with non-flashy tops and a button-up shirt with conservative sweater. Humorously, the criteria for the what-not-to-wear category included distasteful grooming and attire that is inappropriate for any form of employment. Contestants in that category ranged from wearing beachwear and clubbing attire to clothing that might be worn when interviewing for a scarecrow position. A male sported flip-flops, unmatched socks, shorts and a “wife-beater” undershirt with prominent, three-day-old spaghetti sauce stains. Delta Omega Theta sorority’s team of Mackenzie Shuey, Kylie Walker, Alyssa Reule and Ana Hosler won the competition with Sigma Zeta’s Mitchell Pfaltzgraf, Daniel Kappelin, Gage Bley and Michael Smith taking second. A team from Kappa Delta sorority placed third. Judges were WC alumni Murphy Bean, Class of ’15, who works at Brooks Brothers Clothing; Karli Harris, ’13, owner of Everyday Chic Boutique in Wilmington; and Tyler McGee ’13, formerly with J. Crew and now with State Farm Insurance.