TYLER — There are two basic principles drilled into the heads of professionals, "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have," and most importantly,"There's no second chance for a first impression."

Driedra Brelsford is a principal at Brelsford Personnel, where they specialize in job placements for candidates seeking employment in professional and administrative office staff positions.

Brelsford says, "They {employers} really make that decision consciously or unconsciously within the first few seconds."

After those few seconds pass, 55% of your first impression will be based solely on your presence, and whether you like that statistic or not, you have the power to use "appearance" as a tool to help you climb the corporate ladder.

Myth: To dress for success, you have to max out your credit card.

Working on a tight budget can be challenging, but if you shop at one of your local discount department stores, like Stein Mart, you can find some great deals. 

If you're a bargain hunter, you can easily walk away with a professional outfit for under $50.

However, clothing is just one aspect of your appearance.

Brelsford says, "We see everything from too big hair, too much make up, too much cologne."

Scent is vital.

Just ask Gail Johnson, an Adjunct Lecturer for the College of Business at University of Texas at Tyler. Johnson teaches a course dedicated to giving students a leg-up during the interview process and beyond.

Johnson tells her students, "No smoking. Don't think you can take a cigarette, have it in the parking lot... and no one can tell you've been smoking."

Johnson teaches her students, to be successful, you must first find your personal brand.

"Your brand is how you dress, how you talk, how you interview, how you negotiate," she says.

According to recent survey released by Payscale you want management to believe you are ready for a leadership position, giving your bosses a sense confidence to physically use you as a positive representation of the company.

Some industries require employees to "dress for success" from the very beginning:

     Primary school teacher: $33,400
     Bank teller: $26,400
     Front office supervisor: $30,100
     Assistant manager/ customer service: $30,800
     Sales associate: $31,000

When you start at an entry level position at the jobs listed above, you may start on the low end of the pay scale, but know that these jobs have some of the quickest pathways for more money.

Johnson says, "If you have a good professional brand, you are well respected by your organization, and your management, when they move, they may take you."

Interestingly enough, there are some jobs where your wardrobe doesn't reflect your paycheck, but that's mainly going to be in creative sectors like advertising, design, and engineering, such as the jobs listed below:

     Associate director, creative services: $71,700
     Advertising account supervisors: $67,000
     Advertising creative directors: $67,500
     Interaction designer: $70,800
     Engineering design supervisor: $71, 500

Other jobs where "dressing for success" means you can dress down are going to be in non-profit organizations and charitable mission groups.

James Crow is starting up his own business with a charitable cause, called Cure Soup.

He says "We don't want them {our employees} to come in scantily clad outfits, but at the same time, we want them to be comfortable in what they're wearing and not have to be doing this (tugging at collar) all day."

So, what if you have to wear a uniform for your line of work?

There are still ways to stand out among co-workers.

Corinna Homrighaus worked in a management position at Hastings, where employees were required to wear uniforms.

She says, "Make sure that it's ironed and clean. Make sure that it fits you properly, Not too tight, not too loose."

And here in East Texas  if you're not quite sure what the dress code is, Johnson says, "Err on the conservative side."

Brelsford adds, "Ladies, suits are still in style, and conservative dress is never out of style."

Lorin Cross is one of Johnson's students at UT Tyler.

Cross defines "dressing for success" like this, "It's like the saying 'if you do the things you've always done, you get what you've always gotten.' If you want something better, dress for something better."

Click here to find out more about Gail Johnson's book, "A New Brand You."