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The job market and the hiring practices today are significantly different than ten years ago, or even four years ago. There are factors and elements hidden behind the resume, the merit, and the connections a potential employee has that influence the outcome of the hiring process. Although there is no one specific formula that describes the best way to navigate the uncertainty and unpredictable challenges that come with starting and navigating a professional career, we do know of some specific tips and tricks that have consistently been successful and useful for people of different backgrounds.
Here are some strategies, tips, tricks, and ways of thinking about fashion as we navigate the uncertainty that the job markets and the workplaces face.
Trojan Horse
“You may be the first, but make sure you are not the last”. It is a phrase VP Kamala Harris repeatedly said during her campaign trail, talking about what her mother would tell her as she was pursuing the role of Attorney General in California, and later as Senator of California.
When you are entering a field or an industry that historically has not have individuals from your background, it can be challenging for others to see the potential that you have and that you know you have. Fashion is an extraordinary medium that allows us to present ourselves in a way that we want to be perceived. VP Harris wore pantsuits as a staple uniform during her tenure, and while she ran for president, her jackets became darker and the shoulders widened in a visual phenomenon that some would describe as “enmasculation” of fashion. The sweet colors, such as the pink and purple, were secondary while the navy, bottle green, burgundy, and black took a bigger role in her wardrobe.
Yes, it can be discouraging and disappointing to think that one has to “hide” their authentic self or even pretend to be someone they are not when you are looking for a job, starting a career, or starting a new chapter in your life of any kind. But sometimes, in order to succeed at this new chapter, the Trojan Horse technique is the way to go. Allegedly, the Greeks used a Trojan Horse to hide and enter the city of Troy and win the war. Metaphorically, the Trojan Horse refers to tips and tricks that cause a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or place. Sometimes, in order to enter into an industry, break a glass ceiling, and walk into a room for the first time, one most use the strategy in order to have the chance to walk into the room in the first place.
Optimism
In the first quarter of this year, executive orders by the current administration stated that diversity, equity, and inclusion practices shall be terminated. These practices allow people from historically underrepresented communities to be treated with justice, equity, and recognize the cultural barriers, language barriers, geographical barriers, and economic barriers that disproportionately make it more challenging for these communities to navigate their professional journey.
In the waves of the quick news cycle that expanded on one issue while overlooking others, it seemed as though it was the end of DEI completely. The truth is that only 12% of companies reportedly rolled back their DEI practices. Many others decided to continue their DEI practices but stopped being so public about it because of fear of retaliation.
Throughout the years, many employers and recruiters understood the benefits of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in ways including but not limited to standardized hiring practices with rubrics that allowed people from different backgrounds to be seen by their merits and have exposure to opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise. These practices have not only helped underrepresented communities, women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, but also white men. This means that while there was a significant loss of companies rolling back DEI practices, there is still a majority of corporations that have not scaled back their practices —they just decided to make these efforts less public in order to avoid retaliation.
A Smile
The timeless and most effective accessory that one can wear to practice optimism succesfully is a smile.
Amidst scary and uncertain times, words that feel vicious and quite often come from a place of ruthlessness, some times the best tool at our disposal is a smile wrapped with optimism that allow others to see how one is still in the game.
A great example of this strategy is Zohran Mamdani, who throughout his campaign received endless micro and macroagressions from deliberate mispronunciation and his name, to cruel stereotyped jokes. Rather than responding to each of these attacks individually, day by day, and falling into the bully's trap, Mamdani stayed on message with his key priorities. A smile at the beginning and end of a job interview might be the determining factor that moves you to the next round. A smile at the end of one of your TikTok videos might be the reason why people decide to follow you or share your work. A smile builds connection and can strengthen the community you are building.
Fight Against Cognitive Dissonance
A dentist with yellow teeth and visible cavities. A doctor wearing Lululemons while doing surgery in a hospital. A “sustainable” fashion brand wrapped in plastic bags.
There is a visual connection that allows us to give credibility to the role we are playing in society. There’s a certain magic that happens when we put on an apron that makes our brain feel even more ready to cook. Something can be said about almost every role and activity we do as humans. And so, when there is a disconnection between our appearance and the role that we are playing, it is hard for people to believe that we are actually playing this role. Think about what you can do to make sure that there is no cognitive dissonance within the fields that you are exploring. Look at people you admire within the field you are working in, from the past and the present. Do research on the companies you are applying for and the people working there, not just the reasons you want to work there and the salary they are paying, but what kind of clothes, colors, and attitudes are the employees from these companies adopting? Is there any way you can adopt any of these elements as well, so recruiters can more easily see you as a potential team member? This kind of research is important, especially with new firms and remote companies. The once standard suit and tie or tailored pantsuit has been replaced with formal casual dress codes, with some companies working with very casual clothes, where it might seem out of place to show up in a full black suit with dark tie and black leather briefcase. The superpowers that Google search possesses allows us to gather this information in a matter of minutes to make informed decisions about our clothing, our appearance, and make sure we don’t cause cognitive dissonance.
To recap
Navigating today's job market requires more than qualifications, ambition and discipline—it demands strategic awareness of how we present ourselves to the world. Fashion is not superficial. More than choosing between brands for the sake of reputation, we need to choose fashion that helps us elevate who we are and who we want to become. We need to use fashion as a powerful communication tool that can open doors, build credibility, and help us claim space in rooms where we might be the first, but will not be the last.
The current landscape changes day by day. Tariffs brought distress and instability to many American businesses who are now in debt and uncertain about the future. AI is opening an entire debate about what a job can be and what jobs need to still be done by humans. Additionally, the shifting approaches to DEI and rapidly changing workplace norms, makes these considerations more relevant than ever. Our fashion needs to illustrate that we can adapt to these changes and are ready to face these challenges on day one.
While the rollback of some diversity initiatives has created new challenges, the majority of companies continue to recognize the value of inclusive practices for every person in the workplace. Opportunities still exist for those who can strategically position themselves to seize them.
Ultimately, fashion as strategy is about control—taking control of the narrative, the first impression, and the path forward. It's about understanding that while we cannot always control the biases and barriers we face, we can control how we show up. We can dress for the job we want, smile through the struggle, and align our appearance with our aspirations.
As you embark on your professional journey, remember that these tools are temporary bridges, not permanent masks. Once you're in the room, your talent, expertise, and authentic self will speak volumes. But getting into that room? That's where strategic fashion can make all the difference.
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