Have an upcoming interview or need to update your work wardrobe? The Career Closet offers free, gently used, professional clothing and styling services to St. John’s students.
The Career Closet is a free resource open to all students looking to obtain professional attire for any professional event (interview, career fair, networking event, etc.) The closet is located in Chiang Ching Kuo Hall (CCK) and has been made possible by the generous donations of our university community.
Students
In order to access the Career Closet, students can book an appointment on Handshake. For immediate needs only, stop by during drop-in hours, which are Common Hours on Mondays and Thursdays. Questions about this service can be sent to coalterj@stjohns.edu.
Drop-In hours are:
- Monday & Thursday – Common Hour (1:50pm – 3:15pm)
What you can expect:
- Appointments will last approximately 10-15 minutes and will include a quick discussion of your needs, an overview of the Closet and recommendations for appropriate attire that aligns with your upcoming event.
- You are then welcome to “shop” our closet and select items that you feel best fit your personal needs and style. You may try items on before checking out.
- You may return unused items within 3 days of acquiring them. After this period, items will no longer be accepted.
- All students are welcome to use the Career Closet three times per semester, but no more than three to four items to build an outfit, ie. tie, shirt, blazer and pant.
- If you cannot find your size, please let staff members know so we can make a note and try to acquire attire in this size.
Donation Guidelines for Alumni, Partners and Community Members
St. John’s University appreciates your generosity in supporting our students’ professional preparation. To ensure donated items meet students’ needs and align with current professional dress standards, please follow the guidelines below.
How to Donate
- Schedule a Drop Off: Email Jocelyn Coalter, Senior Director of Career and Leadership Development, at coalterj@stjohns.edu to arrange your appointment.
- Drop Off Process: All items will be reviewed during your appointment. Items that do not meet the guidelines will be returned to you at that time.
Donation Requirements – All donated items must:
- Be in good condition and appropriate for interviews, professional conferences, internships, or networking events.
- Be clean, pressed, and free of stains, odors, damage, or visible wear.
- Be delivered on hangers and ready to be placed directly into inventory.
Accepted Items – We welcome the following professional items:
- Full suits, blazers, dress pants, skirts, and dresses
- Blouses, shirts, cardigans, and sweaters
- Shoes and new, in-package dress socks
- Ties, belts, accessories
- Pocketbooks and laptop bags
Items Especially Appreciated
- Current styles that align with modern professional attire (e.g., slim-fit suits)
- Smaller and petite sizes
Items We Cannot Accept – The following items will not be accepted and will be returned during your appointment:
- Jeans, shorts, tank or crop tops, sundresses, formalwear, or athletic wear
- Out-of-date styles or items more than five years old
- Clothing that has not been cleaned or contains stains, rips, holes, tears, pet hair, wrinkles, or lint
