DRESSING FOR SUCCESS - A Guide to Appropriate Job Interview Attire

By Wendy Oliveras on Sunday, October 25 2009

Regardless of your age, gender, or background, be certain to wear appropriate business attire to your job interview.  The key to looking professional is based on advanced planning.  As you may already know, things that are done in a rush or last minute tend to produce haphazard results.  My focus for this article is regarding corporate business attire and not informal job interviews, such as interviewing for a bartender position at a nightclub.  Generally, whatever you decide to wear to your job interview should pertain to the job you want.  I have taken the liberty to make the following suggestions for both women and men on how to prepare and dress to your interview, as well as provide a final check list.  Consider that your resume was the first thing that impressed the interviewer about you and now you have been asked to come in for an interview. 

Since all job interviews require that the interviewer make assessments about how you look, speak, and overall presentation, it is imperative for you to plan ahead.  My suggestions for women's preparation are a bit more than they are for males.  However, there is a clear distinction of what is considered appropriate business attire versus party clothes.

SUGGESTIONS FOR WOMEN

• Keep the make-up to a minimum.   

• Keep the hair neat and simple.  If you have long hair, try and keep it either pulled back neatly or keep it loose, but try not to have your hair cover your face.

• Do not wear bright colored nail polish.  If you color your nails, either a French manicure, a light subdued color, or clear nail polish is preferred.  Do not wear your favorite weekend nail polish that has decorative designs and multiple colors.  Be mindful of the length of your nails as well.  If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to type, be sure to trim down your nails, since two inch fingernails are frowned upon.  The general belief is that long nails get in the way of typing comfortably and accurately.

• Do not wear perfume.  Believe it or not, perfume can be offensive to others, even though you might think that you smell like a million bucks and own very expensive perfume.

• Regarding any accessories, do not over accessorize.  Simple is best.  Keep  name chains, lockets, and other outsized costume jewelry at home.       

• Wear simple earrings.  Pearls or diamond studs are suitable or any other small non-flashy earrings.  No large hoop earrings, please.

• Be careful about wearing visible piercing.  If you are entering the corporate world, do not wear any piercing on your nose, mouth, tongue, or eyebrow.

• With regard to large visible tattoos, try to cover them appropriately.  Your interviewer is not interested in your boyfriend’s or husband’s nick name.  If you have tattoos on your ankles, then  I recommend you wear an appropriate pant suit.  If you have a sizeable tattoo on your neck that you cannot cover, then there is not much you can do about it.  Perhaps a small silk scarf will help cover it up.  Use your discretion.

•  Carry a small purse and/or briefcase.  Try not to carry an oversized bright colored purse that contains everything, but the kitchen sink in it.  Do not carry plastic bags or any other bags that make loud noise, since this can be distracting to the interviewer.

•  Wear a black, navy, grey, beige, tan, or brown skirt suit (wear a normal length that you are comfortable with) or wear a basic dark pant suit.  The blouse or shirt should be either white, beige, or light grey, etc.  Try not to wear blouses that are too small for you and revealing.  No belly tops.   Be sure that your attire is clean and pressed.

• Wear shoes that make sense for you.  Do not wear stiletto heels that you could barely walk in, but do wear comfortable polished shoes.  Preferably black, brown, or navy.  If you are wearing a belt, be sure that it is simple and goes well with the outfit.  Huge buckles with fake diamond studs or skulls or very bright colors are not appropriate.  

• If the season calls for a coat, wear a basic one.  Do not wear your favorite ski jacket or fancy short jacket with large logos on it.  A solid color such as black, navy, grey, beige, or brown is good.  Make sure the coat is dry cleaned.  Also, keep in mind that if you have pets, try and remove the excess cat or dog hair from your coat and clothing.  Believe me, these little things mean something to someone.      

SUGGESTIONS FOR MEN

• Keep your hair neat.

• If you have a beard or any other facial hair, also keep it neat and trimmed.   

• Your suit can be black, navy, grey, tan, or brown (pin stripe or solid).  The shirt can be either a solid color, i.e., white, beige, tan, light blue, or striped.  If you wear a tie, be sure that it matches with what you are wearing.  No Mickey Mouse or Tanzanian Devil ties allowed.   Have your suit and shirt cleaned and pressed.  Oh, and please don’t forget to double check for food stains – just in case.  

• Depending on what color suit you wear, you can never go wrong with either black or brown shoes.  Please DO NOT wear white sweat socks with black shoes!  Also, no construction boots or sneakers are to be worn for a corporate interview – ever!

• Do not wear any type of hat during your interview.

• Note that the above suggestions regarding piercing and tattoos for women also apply to males.

• Note that the above suggestions regarding a coat for women also apply to males.

In planning ahead of your interview, the following checklist will also help to guide you in getting ready.

FINAL CHECK LIST

• Have a manila folder which contains a few extra copies of your resume.  You do not know if you will be asked to meet others.

• Have extra copies of any recommendation letters.  Only provide if requested during the interview.

• Have copies of any other documentation required of you prior to the interview, i.e., writing samples.

• Check for any weather problems, traffic, or train/bus delays the night before and on the morning of your interview.  Coordinate your travel time schedule in order not to be late to the interview.  Allot yourself ample time to get yourself ready.

• Go to bed early the night before, and try to get restful sleep.

• Prepare your purse or briefcase the night before.  Be sure to have an extra pen and perhaps a small writing pad in the event you need to write something down immediately afterwards.

• If you realize that you are going to be a few minutes late due to an unexpected delay or circumstance beyond your control, try and call the interviewer to explain your anticipated lateness.  It is acceptable to show up at least 15 minutes prior to the interview, but you do not win brownie points for being late.   

• Be sure to SHUT OFF your cell phone.  Nothing is more unprofessional than a cell phone ringing during a job interview.

• After the interview, don’t forget to write a brief thank you letter or send a thank you email note to the interviewer(s).  Anytime prior to one week from the date of the interview is acceptable.

I realize these above suggestions may be a bit overwhelming, but first impressions are crucial.  If you dress shoddy to an interview, you risk your prospective employer not hiring you based on your appearance alone.  You may even be viewed as a lazy person who does not care about your appearance.  How you dress for your job interview can either make you or break you.  Nevertheless, preparing in advance will help to alleviate anxiety you may have and is half the battle won.  By looking neat, polished, and professional, you simply show that you care about your appearance and presentation.  Once you have passed the first impression test, the rest is up to you!  Good luck!

Wendy Oliveras is a columnist, author, search consultant, and career planning and development advisor. She can be reached at either (201) 947-6662 or via email wo@oliverascoinc.com.  Please also visit her at http://www.twitter.com/wendyoliveras or http://www.linkedin/in/wendyoliveras.

To view Wendy’s previous articles, please visit http://www.examiner.com/x-22670-NY-Search-Consultant-Examiner.  Thanks.