Dress for Success

 

First impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. This judgment is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing.

That's why it's always important to dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual.

What's the appropriate dress code for an interview? You'll want your first impression to be not just a good one, but a great one.

The candidate dressed in a suit and tie is going to make a much better impression than the candidate dressed casually in scruffy jeans and a t-shirt.

Dressing for an Interview:

Attire for Men

  • Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
  • Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
  • Belt
  • Tie
  • Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
  • Little or no jewelry
  • Neat, professional hairstyle
  • Limit the aftershave
  • Neatly trimmed nails
  • Portfolio or briefcase

Attire for Women

  • Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
  • The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
  • Coordinated blouse
  • Conservative shoes
  • Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
  • No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
  • Professional hairstyle
  • Neutral pantyhose
  • Light make-up and perfume
  • Neatly manicured clean nails
  • Portfolio or briefcase

What Not to Bring

  • Gum
  • Cell phone
  • Ipod
  • Coffee or soda
  • If you have lots of piercings, leave some of your rings at home (earrings only, is a good rule)
  • Cover tattoos

More Attire Tips

  • Make sure you have appropriate interview attire and everything fits correctly.
  • Get your clothes ready the night before, so you don't have to spend time getting them ready on the day of the interview.
  • If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners after an interview, so they are ready for next time.
  • Polish your shoes.
  • Bring a breath mint and use it before you enter the building.

 

After you have a successful interview and accept your job offer, you may have the option to have a more relaxed dress code where you won't have to dress formally every day.  Many organizations have a  business casual dress code.

A business casual dress code differs for men and women.  More information on the common expectations of a business casual dress code is available at the links below:

Business Casual for the Office

Business Casual Specifics for Men

Business Casual Specifics for Women