Fashion show focuses on dressing for job success

When Marquita McKenzie first stepped into a job readiness class four years ago, she was an example of what not to wear to an interview. Tall and slender, the Dothan resident admittedly loves to dress in crazy outfits in bold colors.

She quickly learned how she liked to dress wouldn’t necessarily impress a potential employer.

So, she learned to change — at least for the workplace. She also learned interview skills, how to sit during an interview and how to address someone when answering a question.

“If you put an effort into it and a little practice, you can get a job and do what you want to do,” McKenzie said.

Thursday, the Houston County Department of Human Resources hosted a special fashion show, “Dressing to Achieve.” Models, including McKenzie, and audience members included DHR consumers who have already transitioned back into the workforce or are trying to. DHR works closely with the Houston County JOBS Task Force to prepare consumers for employment.

Vickie Gordon, who works as a JOBS instructor and case aide for DHR, said everything from how someone dresses to how they carry themselves can have an impact on a potential employer.

“First impressions are everything,” she said. “That’s the first thing the employer thinks when they see you.”

Consumers often make the mistake of thinking jeans are appropriate interview wear, Gordon said. But many also simply have a fear of interviews. They don’t make eye contact. They stumble through their answers to questions. The classes develop those skills and help consumers build confidence. And learning how to dress, she said, builds confidence.

At Thursday’s fashion show, models wore clothing from D Ethridge, Sweet Repeats Boutique, Cato and Belk. The models strutted down a runway at The Grand on Foster in downtown Dothan, showing off interview attire, business attire and even suitable casual Friday attire.

Many of the fashions were ensembles put together from clothing donated to Threads of Hope, an organization created and operated through the D Ethridge Fashion Advisory Board.

David Ethridge, owner of D Ethridge, regularly talks to the job readiness classes at DHR on how someone should dress and conduct themselves during a job interview. Then, he invites the class to his store to shop through the clothing donated to Threads of Hope.

Tomorrow Bush already had an idea of how to dress for work before she took the job readiness class, but she had trouble with her interview skills. Her advice to others is to seize the opportunity to learn new skills and stay motivated when trying to find a job.

“I’ve learned when you interview, you should be yourself,” Bush said. “… Sell yourself as who you are.”