Landing a job interview is exciting, but when you’re already facing economic hardship, it can be nerve-racking, stressful, or even disheartening. How do you put your best foot forward when you can’t afford a decent outfit to wear to the interview? Dress for Success (DFS) was founded to solve this problem that confronts many women trying to enter the workforce by providing professional clothing to help give them the confidence they need to ace the interview and secure the job.
In celebration of Women’s Equality Day, Nevada State Bank’s (NSB) Women’s Leadership group is teaming up with DFS affiliates in Northern and Southern Nevada to support the essential services they provide to help make sure their clients are “Going Places. Going Strong.”
From Thursday Aug. 1 through Friday, Aug. 30, all NSB branches are collecting much needed items, including new and unopened makeup/cosmetics (e.g. foundation, eye shadow, blush, lipstick, eye liner, mascara, etc.) and toiletries (e.g. deodorant, body spray/perfume, hand sanitizer, tissues, mints, etc.), as well as items from the Dress for Success Southern Nevada Client Wish List on Amazon. Donations can also be made online to Dress for Success of Northern Nevada and Dress for Success of Southern Nevada.
“Part of the Women’s Leadership mission is to empower women and what better way to do that than to partner with Dress for Success, whose mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence,” said NSB Vice President and Women’s Leadership Chair Nicole Shelton.
The Suiting Program
A core program for DFS is The Suiting Program, in which job-ready women come to DFS by referral from a range of agencies and nonprofit organizations. These women are then scheduled for an initial suiting appointment, where they are provided a personal shopper to help them select their interview attire and offer support and encouragement. They are also provided cosmetics, footwear, accessories, and most importantly, positive reinforcement and a boost of confidence.
Once a client secures a job, she can return for an employment suiting appointment, where she is provided a full week’s worth of professional attire geared toward the industry in which she will be working.
Employment Retention
Dressing clients for the interview and their first week on the job is just the beginning for DFS clients, many of whom are career novices. These newly employed women can encounter unfamiliar circumstances and challenges, such as understanding corporate culture or managing personal finances. That’s where the DFS Professional Women’s Group steps in, helping new hires navigate these situations by offering a network of support, practical information, and inspiration to remain employed, so they can succeed in their new roles.
“Dress for Success has long been known to provide professional attire to women for job interviews, however many of us were unaware of all the other resources the organization provides,” said Shelton. “It then became our goal to raise awareness for all that Dress for Success offers to women from all walks of life, not just to those underprivileged. Their services and resources wouldn’t be possible without the partnerships, donations, and volunteerism from our local communities.”