FROM THE PUBLISHER: Dress for the Job, Put Down the Phone, and Show Some Professionalism

There was a time when preparing for a job interview meant putting on your best clothes, making sure your appearance was neat and clean, and walking into a potential employer's business determined to make a good first impression.

Apparently, somewhere along the way, we've lost sight of that.

Recently, I witnessed a young woman arrive for a job interview wearing oversized, extremely baggy jeans, a revealing top, and flip-flops.

A few years earlier, while dining at a Huddle House, I watched another young woman arrive for a job interview wearing pajamas and flip-flops.

Yes, pajamas.

Now, I'm certainly not suggesting that someone applying for an entry-level position at a retail store or restaurant needs to show up wearing a three-piece suit. That's ridiculous.

But there is a substantial difference between dressing casually and dressing inappropriately.

And when you're asking someone to hire you, that difference matters.

Whether we like it or not, first impressions matter.

Before you've answered the first interview question, shaken someone's hand, or explained your qualifications, your appearance has already communicated something about you.

It tells a potential employer whether you took the interview seriously enough to prepare for it.

You don't have to wear expensive clothing. A clean pair of jeans, a modest shirt, and appropriate, clean shoes can be perfectly acceptable for an interview at many retail establishments, restaurants, and other businesses. A good rule of thumb is dress for the role for which you are applying.

What matters is that you look presentable.

And let's talk about footwear for a moment.

Flip-flops might be perfectly acceptable for a trip to the beach, an afternoon at the swimming pool, or lounging around the house.

But a job interview?

They're generally not appropriate, particularly when you're seeking employment in a business where employees spend hours on their feet, handle merchandise, work around equipment, and must follow workplace safety standards. Besides, no one wants to see (or smell) your nasty feet.

There is also something to be said for basic personal hygiene. Clean clothing, proper bathing, grooming, and appropriate footwear are reasonable expectations.

An employer shouldn't have to explain these things to someone old enough to enter the workforce.

When someone grants you a job interview, they're giving you an opportunity.

They are taking time away from their own responsibilities to determine whether you might be a good fit for their business.

The least you can do is demonstrate that you respect that opportunity.

Showing up looking like you just rolled out of bed sends the wrong message.

And before someone argues that employers should judge applicants solely on their abilities rather than their clothing, let me acknowledge something important.

Someone who cannot afford expensive interview clothing should never be considered less deserving of employment.

Some of the hardest-working people I've known didn't have much money or fancy clothes.

Professionalism is not about wealth.

It's about effort, judgment, and respect.

Unfortunately, inappropriate interview attire isn't the only problem I've witnessed.

Recently, I observed a newly hired employee participating in mandatory training.

The training consisted of instructional videos on a company computer, designed to teach the employee important information about the job and workplace procedures.

And what was this employee doing while those videos played?

Using a personal electronic device.

Instead of paying attention to the training, the employee was occupied with something else.

Think about that for a moment.

Here was someone who had just been given an opportunity for employment, and before even completing the required training, they were already demonstrating a lack of attention to their responsibilities.

What kind of message does that send to management?

More importantly, what kind of message does it send about the employee's work ethic?

Training isn't something employers provide merely to pass the time. It costs businesses money, and it serves a purpose.

Employees are expected to learn procedures, safety requirements, customer service expectations, and the responsibilities associated with their positions.

If someone cannot put away a personal device long enough to complete their initial training, how can an employer reasonably expect that person to remain focused during an eight-hour shift?

Let me be clear about something.

I have nothing against cellphones, tablets, or other personal electronic devices.

They're useful. They've become part of our everyday lives.

But they've also become a tremendous distraction in the workplace.

Walk into almost any business today, and there's a reasonable chance you'll eventually encounter an employee more interested in a cellphone than in the work they're being paid to perform.

Customers shouldn't have to compete with TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, or text messages for an employee's attention.

And coworkers shouldn't have to pick up the slack because someone else is absorbed in a personal device.

My position is simple: Unless an employer specifically authorizes it or there is a legitimate necessity, personal electronic devices should be left at home, secured in a vehicle, or stored away during working hours.

There are reasonable exceptions, of course. Employees may need to remain reachable because of children, medical concerns, or family emergencies. Some jobs even require the use of mobile devices.

Those situations can and should be addressed through reasonable workplace policies.

But spending company time scrolling through social media, sending personal messages, watching videos, or playing games?

Absolutely not.

When you're on the clock, you're being paid to work.

And that should mean something.

Another misconception seems to be that once someone gets the job, appearance and conduct no longer matter.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Employers have every right to establish reasonable dress codes, grooming standards, safety requirements, and expectations for employee behavior.

An employee represents the business every time they interact with a customer.

Whether you're working behind a cash register, stocking shelves, serving food, answering telephones, or managing an office, your appearance and attitude reflect not only on you but also on your employer.

That doesn't mean every workplace needs to be overly formal.

It means employees should understand the expectations of their particular workplace and conduct themselves accordingly.

And employers must be willing to enforce those expectations consistently.

A dress code that exists only on paper serves little purpose. Neither does a cellphone policy that management routinely ignores.

It's tempting to look at these situations and conclude that younger generations simply don't understand workplace professionalism.

And perhaps some younger workers genuinely haven't been taught what employers expect.

But I don't believe every young person deserves to be painted with the same brush.

I've encountered young employees who are punctual, courteous, appropriately dressed, hardworking, and eager to learn.

I've also encountered older employees who demonstrate very little professionalism.

The problem isn't necessarily age.

It's a lack of understanding about what employment requires.

Parents, educators, and employers all have a role in preparing young people for the workforce.

Somewhere between teaching students how to complete algebra equations and preparing them to enter adulthood, perhaps we should devote a little more attention to teaching them how to dress for an interview, communicate with an employer, accept supervision, and behave professionally on the job.

Those are life skills.

And they're important ones.

Employment is a two-way relationship.

Employees deserve fair wages, safe working conditions, reasonable treatment, and respect from their employers.

But employers deserve something in return.

They deserve employees who show up on time, dress appropriately, pay attention during training, follow workplace policies, and actually perform the work they're being paid to do.

Those aren't unreasonable expectations.

They're the foundation of a successful workplace.

So, if you're preparing for a job interview, take a few extra minutes to consider the impression you're about to make.

Put on clean, appropriate clothing. Wear suitable shoes. Present yourself professionally.

And if you're fortunate enough to get the job, put the cellphone away, pay attention to your training, and give your employer an honest day's work.

You don't need a college degree to understand these things.

You don't need expensive clothes.

And you certainly don't need the latest smartphone.

You just need a little common sense, some personal responsibility, and enough respect for the opportunity to take it seriously.

Because getting hired is only the beginning.

Keeping the job requires something more.

— From the Publisher

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the publisher.