The Green Suit

The resumes have been reviewed, preliminary zoom first round meeting have been had and now it’s time to meet, in person, the candidates who has been chosen as the finalist. Thus week, we started on campus interviews. I walk into the room where the first presentation will be given and I am greeted by a women who confidently greets all who enter with a hello and a smile and asks if we are comfortable shaking hands or if we prefer a fist bump (Covid is still a thing yall). Her disposition is warm and her smile is welcoming but that is not what has my attention. It is her emerald green pant suit paired with a mustard yellow top that has my attention and my interest peaked. Who is this woman? So bold and confident a woman to make such a statement on her interview day. Now, let me be clear. It doesn’t have my attention because she has done anything wrong, this was all right and this suit was everything. As a matter of fact, I had to keep reminding myself to stay focused because my mind kept drifting to questions like I wonder where she got it and how could I get one of my very own.

Her suit grabbed my attention for a couple of reasons; 1. This may sound strange but her outfit choice, matched the energy and confidence she exuded. It was like getting to know who her from another perspective. We got to learn about her work experience from the presentation she gave but also about her as a person from what she chose to wear 2. This is a perfect example of how the term “professional attire” is shifting in a new direction. She rebelled against the traditional uniform of a black, navy or grey suit. Why can’t our outfit choices, even in a professional setting, match our energy and reflect who we are as people? When done in the right way, it helps to give a more well rounded picture of a person. 3. It was bright, it was bold and it demanded your attention. She established that she was confident. Only someone with confidence would step into a interview in such a color and suit choice outside the parameters of what has been deemed as acceptable, professional wear for so long. The mold is being broken and I for one am loving it! I don’t know what will happen and who will get this job but I do know I won’t soon forget her suit and what it means for the shift (to me at least) in the "what's professional" debate.

Since this was a professional setting, I didn't think it was a good idea to pull out my camera to document this experience. The examples I included below don't do it justice but you will just have to use your imagination on this one!