Professional Attire Key To Job Interview Success

Donate to the Canadian Suit Drive to help unemployed men get back to work

TORONTO, July 21, 2015 /CNW/ -- First impressions count in a job interview. Interviews with Canadian human resources managers and recruiters revealed a candidate's fate is decided within five minutes or less of an interview*. The majority says unprofessional clothing can hurt a candidate's chances of being hired, and that candidates who are not professionally dressed have been passed over for a position, despite having the required credentials and qualifications.

"In job interviews, we look for a variety of criteria when selecting applicants. A large part of this is skills, education and relevant experience. However, regardless of the position, we also look for professionalism in all our candidates, and that they will be an effective and contributing team member in their position," said one HR manager. "Professional attire plays a very important role in communicating this during an interview."

For many of the 742,100** unemployed Canadian men, a good suit could be the only thing standing in the way of securing a full-time position and establishing a career. This is why, for the sixth year running, Moores Clothing For Men, Canada's leading menswear retailer, is seeking donations for the 2015 Canadian Suit Drive. The campaign collects donations of lightly used professional attire to help unemployed Canadians get back into the workforce.

Since it began five years ago, The Moores Canadian Suit Drive has collected 231,470 clothing donations working in partnership with over 60 recipient organizations to help distribute donated clothing items as well as provide job-ready skills, training and seminars to disadvantaged men and women entering or re-entering the work force. Every donation makes a difference in thousands of people's lives who in turn, pay it forward and keep the cycle going.

Eric Martinen, a 2014 recipient who benefited from a suit donation, is now helping others. "The suit I received from last year's Suit Drive with Moores was perfect for what I needed. It really helped to build my confidence because it was exactly what I was looking for at the time. That helped prepare me for a great interview that I had with the school that ultimately hired me," says Martinen, now a secondary school teacher. "I really believe, if not for the Moores campaign, I would not have had the same outcomes in my interview."

Canadians can donate to any Moores Clothing location from now until July 31^st.

DONATE TO #SUITDRIVE AND GET SOCIAL

To help spread the word about this year's Canadian Suit Drive, Moores is encouraging people to share the #SuitDrive post found on their Facebook page. For every share, the company will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to the local non-profits they have partnered with. Consumers can follow the Canadian Suit Drive conversation by following Moores Clothing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MooresClothing.

For more information, visit the Moores Canadian Suit Drive website at www.canadiansuitdrive.com.

*Targeted survey of Canadian hiring professionals
** Statistics Canada

About Moores Clothing For Men

Launched in 1980, Moores Clothing For Men is the leading national retailer of men's business attire in Canada with over 120 stores.  Moores' stores carry a full selection of suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories in exclusive and non-exclusive merchandise brands. Moores is also the largest provider of tuxedo rentals in Canada. For additional information on Moores Clothing for Men, please visit www.mooresclothing.com or follow us on Facebook and @MooresClothing on Twitter.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150720/238652

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150720/238651-INFO

SOURCE Moores