During an alumni event earlier this month at my old high school, a classmate offered an amusing story. Charlie has had a rough time over the past few years, after one of his previous employers ceased operations. Dissatisfied with his current position, he took a flyer on applying to a major drugstore chain here in the New York area. This company was holding an employment open house at its headquarters location.

To his surprise, as he started filling out a stack of application papers, Charlie was pulled aside by one of the human resources staffers. "Stop writing," she told him. He sat around for a while more, then started writing again, not wanting to be idle. Then someone else came by and said, "Don't bother with that, just wait here."

In short order, he was ushered into the CEO's office. After a brief chat, the boss apparently was impressed by Charlie's poise and confidence (we had been teammates on our high school's speech and debate squad). Charlie was offered the position of manager of the chain's main distribution center.

What happened? Charlie never had met any of these people before, and had no contacts inside the company.

Quite simply, he was the only person who showed up in a suit (or equivalent business attire for the women)! This got him favorable notice immediately. Let this be an object lesson in the vital importance of looking professional at all times, even in this age of dressing down.

For detailed tips on dressing for success, see the About.com guide to interview attire.