The job market is a tough place for everyone and especially for women already with a low income.  However, there are times in which the opportunity arises for a woman to get a better position.  The last thing she needs is to miss out on the opportunity because she cannot afford the proper attire for an interview.  This is where the charity Dress for Success helps.

This charity uses trained stylists to not only find a smart and professional looking outfit for a job interview but also has a senior executive provide training on how to conduct the job interview.  In other words, women not only have a chance for the look that works best for them but also get the tools they need to perform confidently and adequately on their job interview to increase their chances.

The London charity’s primary goal is to empower women so that they are able to become financially independent.  More than 50 volunteers work with this organisation to help women get the job.  It relies on all kinds of contributions from monetary and volunteers time to, of course, clothing donations.  The London division is part of the global effort started in New York in 1997 and has gained attention from various entities including the Sunday Times Style magazine.

Women with low incomes are invited to make an appointment with friendly staff members who first find out style and colour preferences.  A trained stylist will then help find something that works best with a particular individual who can try on a variety of outfits, but the woman has the final say in what she wants to wear and can keep the clothes she chooses.

Once the woman has found an outfit, she will then undergo a half hour training session who will help prepare her for an interview.  This professional does not simply conduct a mock interview but gives women the chance to address concerns they may have about their interviewing skills and other worries she has.  Dress for Success aims to restore the confidence a woman needs when facing an opportunity to empower herself financially.