Suit up! Edmonton man helps dress the unemployed for success

Sometimes all you need is a boost of confidence — and a new suit.

Doug Stacey, a manager at the non-profit job training group EmployAbilities in Edmonton, is giving away free suits to unemployed men who hope to nail their next job interview.

"We've got guys walking through the doors with great qualifications, great potential, but they didn't have the look to match," Stacey told CBC News. "By us putting the suit first, that hurdle is overcome."

"What I'm starting to see is that by throwing some nice clothes on them, letting them take another look at themselves in the mirror and they see themselves as, you know, dressed up, cleaned up, ready to go – they start thinking that way," he said.

[ More Good News: Wheelchair bound since childhood, British man walks 20 metres for good cause ]

Stacey's suit strategy, which he admits was inspired by the suit drive at Moore's, has already been proven successful for many.

Brian Blumenschein, who had been laid off months before, had been upgrading his computer skills at EmployAbilities when he was offered new interview attire. Stacey fitted him with two used suits and helped Blumenschein land a job at an educational magazine.

"It's a huge boost for your confidence," Blumenschein said.

While Stacey currently has plenty of quality used suits to donate to earnest job-seekers, he is in need of shoes to complete the outfits. If you live in the Edmonton area and have shoes to spare, contact Stacey at dougs@employabilities.ab.ca.