There are many obstacles to returning to work. What to wear is one of the biggest.
This is especially the case for women who may have been out of the workforce for some time. Workwear basics that we might take for granted are no longer in their wardrobe.
Getting a job interview outfit together can place to big a strain on a family budget but without the outfit, there is no chance at getting a job to help that family budget.
It’s this frustrating catch 22 situation that international charity organisation Dress for Success aims to break.
Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.
Since 1997, Dress for Success has served more than 650,000 women around the world. Each year we reach more than 65,000 women in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Ireland and the West Indies.
There are four affiliate Dress for Success locations in Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and Sydney.
Each of these locations relies on local donations of cash and good quality new and pre-loved workwear and accessories.
This Christmas, for Dress for Success’ annual appeal, they’ve got very clever – the aim is to raise enough money by December 12, 2012 to get the first 100 women dressed and through career support programs in 2013.
So how does the 12 12 12 work?
Simple really … have you got 12 friends who you can ask to each donate $12 dollars by December 12? As a group of 12 you’ll help directly support one woman in her quest to return to work in 2013.
The links to donate are below. I really hope that Styling You readers can support this cause.
What my aim is here on this blog is to play some small part in making people feel confident every day, no matter what the occasion.
And when that occasion is a job interview, well, that strikes me as something that we all should be helping our fellow woman with.
Don’t you think?
To support Sydney’s 12 12 12 Christmas Appeal, click here.
To support Melbourne’s 12 12 12 Christmas appeal, click here.
Can you help another woman dress for a job interview?
* All photos supplied by Dress for Success Sydney
