Interview ready: Offering virtual suitings during the pandemic

Virtual suiting volunteers Maureen (L) and Anita (R) select professional outfits for training participants

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we took our services online to continue helping people build career skills and gain employment. We started hosting our Personal and Professional Development Trainings (PPD) over Zoom and launched virtual suiting services with the help of dedicated volunteers to provide interview-ready outfits for PPD participants.

How do virtual suitings work?

PPD participants fill out a questionnaire about their clothing sizes and preferred styles. Volunteers use the information to pick out a professional outfit for them from our men’s boutiques and our Dress for Success Midwest / Kansas City women’s boutiques. Then the outfit is packaged for pick-up/delivery.

Thanks to our suiting volunteers and supporters, we’ve “virtually suited” 80 people in the St. Louis, Mid-Missouri and Kansas City areas so far!

Adapting to meet community needs

Anita and Maureen, two of our Dress for Success Midwest volunteers, shared that suiting someone without seeing them in person presents a new challenge. Some individuals have never worn a suit before and don’t know the sizes they need. To help with sizing, each PPD participant receives a measuring tape with their PPD materials to take measurements if needed.

From left: Kody, Jeffery and Cole, 2020 PPD Alumni

Though the suiting process has changed, Maureen and Anita emphasized the importance of providing free interview attire, especially now. “At this time, the need is even greater,” said Anita. “As much as we’ve had to adapt, I think we’re at the best point we can be at – we can always improve – but to still furnish an outfit for their interview is very important because I think there’s a large demand right now.”

“Even in these trying times,” said Maureen, “we’re still able to very successfully dress and suit men and women so that they can continue on with their lives, find a job and become successful.”

Thank you to the volunteers and supporters who make this service possible for members of our community as they prepare for interviews and advance their careers!