Joseph Robichaud Photography Maria Tendencia, left, is program coordinator for Dress for Success, while Gwen MacPherson is president.

Dressing for success in workplace

By Carol Dobson / Special Features Writer

There's enough stress involved with a job interview without having to worry about what to wear.

That's where Dress for Success comes into play. Women going to a job interview are given the wardrobe they need to help them land a job - a suit, blouse, jewelry, coat, and shoes.

But, Gwen MacPherson, the chair of the board of directors of Dress for Success, says the program is much more than providing a suit of clothes.

There are a number of associated programs including a monthly networking session where a wide range of topics, from financial management to stress to office politics are discussed; free coaching provided by volunteers from the Canadian Coaching Association, and a career corner where clients can discuss their plans and goals with a career counselor.

"It all starts with the suit, but our goal is for clients to become self sufficient," MacPherson says. "Clients are referred from a number of organizations including the YM and YWCA, Adsum House, the Military Resource Centre, Women's Employment Outreach, and the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association. You can't be self-referred."

Once a client knows she has a job interview, she meets with a .personal shopper. who takes her around Dress for Success. wardrobe, helping her to pull together the perfect outfit. As not all of the jobs clients are competing for are office jobs requiring a suit, the organization is always looking for slacks and other items of clothing appropriate for interviewing for a wide variety of job situations.

Anyone wanting to donate items of gently used clothing, shoes, and jewelery, can drop them off at any of the Sameday Drycleaners outlets in Metro.

Funding comes from the organization's annual fundraisers - a tea in June and a new event to be held every December - as well as the United Way. MacPherson says that the organization has a number of partners, which have provided an enormous amount of assistance. Sameday Drycleaners is one of these.

In addition, Bristol Communications has assisted with marketing advice and CTV's public service announcement has been seen as far west as British Columbia via satellite and has even brought in donations to the program from other parts of the country.