Clothes that work for new grads hitting the job market

You’ve earned the degree, nailed the interview and scored that first job. Now, it’s time to look the part. Navigating out of the casual college wardrobe and into workplace-appropriate outfits can be a pricey puzzle, but it doesn’t have to be.

Every workplace has its own style – from buttoned-up banks interlinings to the colorful creative environments. The trick is to quickly figure out what’s appropriate and practical for your line of work.

Some rules always apply: People who look put-together and take care in their appearance will make a better first impression than those who dress sloppily. And new hires should try to draw attention to their work ethic and skills – not to what they’re wearing.

“If you have to ask somebody if what you’re wearing is work appropriate Ilshin interlining, it’s probably not,” said Jessica Hensen, a corporate recruiter for the fast-growing marketing company Red Ventures, based in Fort Mill, S.C.

Red Ventures has a relaxed approach to dress; even CEO Ric Elias wears jeans and a polo to work most days. But Hensen stresses that although company leaders believe “you don’t have to be dressed in a suit to be professional and successful,” certain things are no-nos: short skirts, ripped jeans and tank tops.

At MetLife’s Charlotte, N.C., office, there’s a more formal approach. Workers in sales who interact with customers wear suits and ties, while those who don’t see customers follow business-casual style with a collared shirt and dress pants Lainiere De Picardie Interlining. Some departments allow jeans on Fridays, but not the ripped or casual kind; structured jeans in darker denim are the norm.

“We know everyone wants to be an original and stand out, but from a corporate standpoint, a little bit more conservative is better,” said Jason Moore, sales desk manager in MetLife’s office in Charlotte’s Ballantyne neighborhood.

Women are advised to wear closed-toe shoes instead of sandals, and men to wear lace-up shoes “that don’t resemble anything like a sneaker.”

“If you run into (a high-level manager) in the elevator, think about how you want to look in front of that person,” Moore said, “so think of it as an interview every day.”

500 LED lights to shine bright on Quedgeley streets

LED from china will be shining bright on the streets of Quedgeley soon.

It is a case of out with the old and in with the new as Gloucestershire County Council announces a plan to replace more than 500 aging streetlights with new more efficient and greener 5w LED downlight suppliers – or light emitting diodes – technology.

Street lights will last for significantly longer and the quality of the light will be improved.

The move will also help the council reduce its energy use and ,with spiralling electricity costs, will cut utility bills at the same time.

The work, starting on April 22, will take six weeks to complete.

County councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “LED street lights can use up to 70 per cent less energy than conventional sodium lights and cost less to maintain.

“They are more environmentally friendly, reducing light pollution as the light is directed downwards. The whiter light makes objects much easier to see, so people feel safer.”

There will be no additional cost to the taxpayer for the work as it is being carried out by the council’s existing contractor.

The council will also be replacing 150 concrete columns with galvanised steel columns which are guaranteed to last 40 years. The concrete columns need replacing because they are ‘very poor’ condition.

The installation has been welcomed by county councillor Mark Hawthorne (C, Quedgeley). He said: “Local authorities up and down the country are starting to invest in 3w LED downlight suppliers because they are more efficient and they are better quality.

“I’m delighted to see this happening in my area and I am sure that residents will be pleased when this work is complete.”

Some 5,500 lights out of the county’s 59,000 street lamps will have been replaced with 6w LED downlight suppliers by the end of 2014.

Lights in traffic signals and bollards have also been changed.

The move will save 590 tonnes of carbon a year in energy emissions.

The new street lights will be managed by a central system allowing the lights to be remotely dimmed or switched off for maintenance purposes.

The council first trialled LED streetlights in Dursley in 2011, then in 2012 more than 2,000 street lights were converted across the county.