Dress for Success San Jose

Dress for Success San Jose helps women achieve economic independence with professional attire, career development tools and a continuing network of support. Every program is free, and it serves any unemployed or underemployed woman in the Bay Area, using the term "woman" to include cis, trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and woman-identified people.

Career Wardrobe, held Thursdays at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, gives women preparing for an interview, starting a new job or returning to work a guided boutique visit with trained volunteer stylists and an optional 20-minute career coaching session. The clothing is free and theirs to keep. For the job search itself, the Going Places Network offers a virtual cohort with weekly training, one-on-one coaching and networking, alongside one-day bootcamps, job fairs, workshops (including an AI skills course in Spanish) and virtual career coaching for resumes, LinkedIn profiles, mock interviews and pay negotiation.

Once women are working, the Professional Women's Group meets monthly with guest speakers and peer networking, with an alumni group for longtime members. Financial literacy classes with Capital One cover credit, debt reduction and investing, and the Community Action Project guides members through an eight-month social change project.

Women can get started by completing the online interest form. Volunteers serve as personal shoppers, career coaches, speakers and committee members after a monthly virtual orientation, and the Women Who Inspire gala each October raises support for the work across the South Bay.