A Career-Appropriate Wardrobe Is Worth a Thousand Words July 25, 2008 Philadelphia charity prepares disadvantaged women for corporate careers by providing interview-appropriate outfits.
By Nathan Adkisson
It began with an episode of Oprah.
A group of Philadelphia women started the Career Wardrobe when they saw a segment on the show about providing disadvantaged women with one of the essential tools for success—the right interview outfit.
Since 1995, the Philadelphia-based organization has provided 'gently used' clothing to job seekers. This year, over 6,000 women in the Delaware River Valley are expected to benefit from the charity.
Each woman who comes into the facility meets with a personal shopper and is given an interview-appropriate outfit, including shoes, accessories, pocketbook, and a basket of personal hygiene samples. Most women visit the Career Wardrobe twice. "We give her one outfit when she is ready to go out to interviews," says executive director Sheri Cole. "Once she gets the job and shows proof of employment, we give her two additional sets of clothing."
In addition to providing skirts and blouses, the Career Wardrobe has a business skills department that organizes half-day seminars with topics like budgeting, interview etiquette, and goal setting. They also set up peer networking breakfasts so “alumnae” can answer job-related questions from women who are starting the program.
Other than the paid staff of six, all work done for the organization is volunteer. Cole says working for the couture part of the organization appeals to women who have an interest in fashion and like working in retail without the pressure of having to constantly sell items. In the skills department, many of the volunteers are retired teachers.
The organization sometimes has trouble stocking clothes in all sizes, so they hold fundraising events to buy new outfits from stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's. "Nearly every corporation in the Philadelphia area has done a clothing drive for us," Cole says. Philadelphia-headquartered chemical company Rohm and Haas has a "Dollars for Doers" program in which it gives a donation for every employee who volunteers. This year they gave $5,000 in grants. In an annual fashion show, Philadelphia newscasters model and donate suits they have worn on air. Clothing store Eileen Fisher has a one-day sale and donates 10 percent of the proceeds to the organization. Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton signed handbags that were auctioned off to benefit the charity.
"Every woman who comes through our doors wishes she was making her own money rather than relying on someone else," Cole says. "There's nothing like having your first paycheck and knowing you did it and you are a role model for your children."
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