Last Thursday was the semi-annual career fair in my college. Every semester about a 100+ restaurant, hotel, event planning, catering, travel, sales, tourism, etc. companies come to recruit students from our top hospitality school. It’s a great time to stand out and show off your skills. In the weeks leading up to I joked with a fellow classmate, “Omg, what if I wore a pink suit to career fair.” She looked at me with such disdain and replied, “You can’t do that…that’s not professional. No one will hire you.” Chile, so y’all know I took that as a challenge, and went on a hunt to find the perfect pink suit. And as you can see I did!
Since, I’ve started college, I’ve attended several different professional development workshop seminars, where I’ve constantly been told, you have to wear black. That your resume has to be black and white. That’s so boring…so traditional…so NOT ME. I was told that women have to wear these outrageously long skirts or opt for a manly conservative suit. Have y’all seen me? There is nothing manly about all this here! That was never going to work. I’ve been following the rules for the past 4 semesters, opting for wearing the same black business dress with stockings and and cute Mary Jane heels. Don’t get me wrong I was cute! I put a little color on my resume too, but I never really loved my outfit or felt like me. I’m confident in my professional skills and I know that despite what I have on I can perform and produce results. Wearing a pink suit, was just an extra boost of confidence for me and a signal to recruiters that I’m a creative risk taker.
Although, this whole thing started as a way for me to prove a point, it’s actually way bigger than that. I am the CEO of Me, President and Creative Director of Taylor Brione Inc. Before I can represent any other company or brand, I represent myself. I am my own brand. My brand is bold, creative, and strategic. My brand also happens to be feminine and pink. If a company liked me, but wanted me to be less feminine, then they don’t want me. My creativity and boldness stems from me being who I am. How could I perform the work, bringing in my creativity, when my creativity is stifled before I even walk in the door? No amount of money, is worth me changing who I am, to represent the brand of someone else. If you want me to work for your company, you have to want me, just as I am: bold, creative, strategic, and most likely wearing pink.
How do you keep your identity in the workplace?
34 thoughts on “It’s Deeper Than You Think, Why I Wore a Pink Suit To Career Fair”
I love this! I think it was a great choice to wear pink and be who you really are!
xo Megan, LushtoBlush.com
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thanks Megan!!
absolutely adorable, you look….. 😀
Twitter: taylorbrione
*Blushes* Thank you!!
Girl yes be you! This was definitely a BOLD statement, but just inquiring – how did the people at the job fair receive you? Any interesting feedback?
I love the post definitely be the CEO of you!
Love Kiwi, kiwithebeauty.com
Twitter: taylorbrione
I actually got really positive feedback! Both from other students, faculty, and even some recruiters. The company I’m really interested in invited me to sit with them at the luncheon and I have an interview scheduled as well. Thanks for reading girl!
You look great! I love it and I love that it shows your personality!
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you! 🙂
I love the message behind the pink! it’s really awesome to see a girl confident enough to defy the norm. i would love to see the colorful resume too!
-Erin, pov3.weebly.com
Twitter: taylorbrione
My resume isn’t necessarily colorful…but there is some color on it! Lol I don’t want to push the envelope to far…just yet! 🙂
Twitter: cgacad
it’s a beautiful suit and totally perfect for you! i wouldn’t have any problems wearing this to an interview or meeting.
LOVE how you said you are the CEO of you! Your self-confidence is amazing and I love that you took a risk and wore a pink suit! I, too, hate the boringness of a black suit and from the above comments, it sounds like you were successful! Congrats on securing a few interviews and good luck!!
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you! You too are the CEO of you!! 🙂
Twitter: tiffanykhyla
What an awesome way to stand out! I love that you did that! I think companies nowadays are actually looking for people who stand out rather than fit the mold. I also wear bright colors to work all the time. My favorite is actually a lace dress that’s the same color pink as your suit! I am a new follower from Her Campus. I’m so happy I discovered your blog!
Twitter: taylorbrione
You are so right! And if an employer is looking for a boring person—then they can keep looking! Lol
You look fantastic! Fun, creative, and confident…nothing wrong with that. I’m not currently in the workforce (SAHM), but in the past, I always tried to pair my suits or sweaters with bright, fun jewelry.
I think you look amazing. This suit goes with your personality!!!
Wow! I love it! It looks great on you. I agree with you 100%. There is nothing unprofessional about it and it totally “suits” you, so why not! I telecommute, so I’m usually in workout pants and a t-shirt or tank top, unless I’m going out somewhere.
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you so much! 🙂
Ok…first of all WOW to the pink suit! The color is a perfect shade of pinkness! And second…do you notice how very few people even wear suits anymore, although it is obviously the most professional career choice! You conformed, yet you didn’t! Still a rebel in your pink!
I agree with everything you said! Good luck to you with the career efforts!
Twitter: taylorbrione
You are so right! At the career fair a ton of other students wore these outfits that were…umm… less than professional. Alot of the recruiters complimented me on a polished look. I always find a loophole to make sure I’m following the rules, but still being myself. Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting! 🙂
Your suit is fantastic, and your logic is totally sound. Unless it’s do or die, it’s better to find an employer who appreciates and even celebrates who you are!
Wonderful color pink I would wear it to. Thank you,Jerri Davis
Too cute! You are brave, my darling!
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you! 🙂
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you! A pink suit ain’t never hurt nobody!
You look stunning! Pink is a great color!
Love that you choose pink!!! No use looking like a man ehen your a woman! Just my thought!
Twitter: taylorbrione
Yeppp! You are a woman after my own heart! Femininity should show through all things!
I love this article!!! Good for you!!!
Twitter: taylorbrione
Thank you!
Can you be anymore vapid? I saw this post in a Comment Luv from another site and I had to see the “deep” reason someone would be so stupid as to wear pink to a career fair. You don’t want a career, obviously, or else you’d show up in proper clothing. Now I get to your site and you have pink everywhere. It’s hard to look it and it gives me a headache. Get a black suit if you want a job. All this pink is actually nauseating.
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Twitter: underpriv
This is great! Women have to be able to be themselves and feel comfortable in their careers.
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