MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — When they walk into the office, they tend to be a bit hesitant, a little shy. They really don’t know what to expect, and for some, it’s hard to believe there’s download comedy really someone out there who wants to give them free business suits and other interview essentials.
Sonia Jacobson helps Ernslyne Verdiu try a scarf with her new suit.
Sonia Jacobson, the executive director for the Miami branch of Dress for Success, sees this a lot. But she also sees these same people transformed by their new clothes.
"Their demeanor changes immediately," she said. "You can see the look on their face, when they put that suit on and they look in the mirror."
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Dress for Success is a worldwide charitable organization that helps those who can’t afford professional clothes get ready for a job interview.
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The organization gives those in need a complete business suit — including shoes, handbags and accessories, and then another outfit once they land a job. Clients must be referred by an agency.
Jacobson greets the four ladies with the Homestead, Florida, Job Corps, who are in her waiting room. A meeting always starts with a handshake.
"Squeeze it! Harder! Harder!" Jacobson tells one of the ladies. "Like that! Don’t be afraid to squeeze it. The handshake is the most important thing you can do on a job interview … because it shows that you are feeling confident, you’re secure."
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But things in the job market are anything but secure. Because of widespread job cuts and layoffs, Dress for download horror movie Success is seeing staggering increases in business all over the country.
Business is up at the Miami, Florida, office about 100 percent over 2007. Denver, Colorado’s, office has seen increases of 68 percent, and Portland, Oregon, has seen business jump 144 percent.
Ernslyne Verdiu is trying to re-enter the workforce. She’s been out of work for several years because of an illness.
Today, Jacobson has found a pinstriped gray pants suit in Verdiu’s size and then finds a scarf to complete the look.
Helping her tie the scarf, Jacobson has some more business etiquette to share.
"Immediately when that interviewer sees you, they’re making an assessment based on how you dress, how you look, your grooming."
This organization is feeling the economic downturn just like everyone else. In Miami, they’ve been forced to move into a smaller
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