Women dress for success at Walhalla auditorium program

At the call of the group Women in Action, several women came to a program last night at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center dressed in smart attire that would be sure to give the right impression in many of today’s workplaces. The night featured a “Dress for Success” fashion show, a “Women in the Workforce” panel discussion, as well as a keynote speaker. Moderator for the evening was Dr. Meghan Ketterman of Contract Construction who stressed the importance of neat, professional appearance and said it takes only seven seconds after meeting someone for the first time to make an impression. Molly Maple, a recruiter for the job service company HTI, believes in a firm handshake as a good starter. She warns job seekers to keep in mind that when they walk in the door, the recruiter’s eyes will be focused on them and a power suit is a good way to make a good first impression. Another panelist takes issue with the handshake. Maggie Johnson works in management for a Greenville hospital. In health care work, germs are a no-no, so handshakes are out. Johnson says a fist pump is a good substitute. The women who gathered last night were treated to a fashion show in which Lake Keowee Real Estate’s Reah Smith demonstrated various sets of smart attire available in local women’s clothes stores at reasonable prices. The dress for success event comes two weeks before the Oconee Chamber of Commerce and Tri-County Technical College stage a job fair that’s to feature more than 25 businesses offering in excess of 200 jobs. The key slogans going into the August 30 event at Seneca’s Shaver complex are bring your resume, dress for success, and be ready for interviews on the spot.