Interviewing Dress for Success

BASICS

1. It is important to project a professional image.
2. Employers may assume that this is the best you will ever look.
3. Unfortunately, making your way into the world-of-work means that you may be judged on the way you look and how you present yourself. This may not always be fair. There are a number of things you can do to feel confident about yourself in an interviewing situation. Because, as you know, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
4. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. You’re trying to sell yourself.

MUSTS

1. ALWAYS wear a suit to an interview, even if the people who work at the organization are not wearing suits and the job for which you are interviewing doesn’t require it. Remember, the people there already have the job…you don’t!

HYGIENE

1. Always have fresh breath and clean body hygiene.  This may seem obvious but take a shower, use deodorant, and brush your teeth.
2. Wear perfume, cologne, or aftershave that is subtle, some people may be allergic.  Your scent should leave the room when you do.
3. Cover visible tattoos with makeup.
4. Have clean, short nails without ragged edges.  Women have unpolished nails or use clear polish or a neutral tone.
5. Take out any piercings (nose, eyebrows, tongue, etc).  They can be put back in when you are not interviewing or at work.

Women’s Attire

Do wear:

1. A conservative suit (navy, gray, black). Pants suits are acceptable with many companies. Check out the office culture to find out for sure. When in doubt, wear a skirt suit.
2. Clothing that fits your body correctly. Clothing is too tight when it is pulling horizontally across your body or has gaping buttons. Clothing is too big when tops are falling off the shoulders or pins are used to hold waist bands.
3. Appropriate undergarments at all times.
4. A slip, if your skirt is unlined. It should be light or dark according to the color of the skirt and length should extend to hemline.
5. Accessories (necklaces, earrings, and bracelets) in keeping with the fashion trends of the season.  Wear only one ring per hand.
6. An ironed blouse or shell.
7. Clothing that is appropriate for the current season.
8. Neat, pressed, clean clothing without tears, rips, hanging threads or pills. All buttons, snaps, or hooks should be on the garment and hems sewn in place.
9. Polished shoes with matching belt (if appropriate).
10. Sleeve length for suit would fall between your wrists and the top knuckle of your thumb.
11. Don’t wear:
12. A dress, even with a jacket.
13. Deep scoop necklines or deep V-necklines without a scarf or camisole.
14. Casual clothing (denim, casual twill, knit t-shirts).
15. Flashy, trendy, chunky shoes or accessories.
16. Shoes that are not polished or are in need of repair.
17. Large accessories around the head and neck, large hair bows, large drop/hoop earrings, or three or more earrings per ear.
18. More than one ring on each hand.

Hair and nails

1. Neat, clean, free of oil and dandruff.
2. Keep color-treated hair updated and without obvious root-growth.
3. Wear only discreet hair accessories.
4. Underarms and legs must always be shaved if visible.
5. Fingernails should be well-groomed and an appropriate length. Generally, an acceptable nail length is to have nails no longer than ½ the length of your nail bed.
6. Chipped nail polish is unacceptable.
7. Decorated nails and nail jewelry are unacceptable.

Makeup

1. Makeup should be neat and refined.  Color application should be subtle and blended (less is more), avoid too bright or frosted colors.
2. Makeup colors should compliment skin tone.
3. Avoid line of demarcation at the jaw line, blend foundation into neck.
4. Eyeliner should be smudged slightly, avoid color other than brown or black.
5. Mascara should be brown or black, avoid colors.
6. Eye shadow should be soft and blended, avoid bright colors or glitter.

Men’s Attire

Do wear:

1. A conservative suit (navy, black, gray).
2. Sleeve length for suit should fall between your wrists and the top knuckle of your thumb.
3. A matching tie that extends below the belt line.
4. An ironed long-sleeve cotton shirt.
5. A white undershirt beneath your dress shirt.
6. Clothing that is appropriate for the current season.
7. Neat, pressed, clean clothing without tears, rips, hanging threads, or pills. All buttons, snaps, or hooks should be on the garment and hems sewn in place.
8. Polished shoes with matching belt.

Don’t wear:

1. Casual clothing (denim, casual twill, knit t-shirts).
2. Flashy, trendy, cartoony tie.
3. Casual suede or unpolished shoes.
4. Earrings of any kind (ear, nose, or otherwise).
5. Sports (tube) socks, your socks should match your pants.
6. Distracting jewelry.

Hair

1. Neat, clean, free of oil and dandruff. Combed, styled.
2. Length should be no longer than below the collar in the back or below the eyebrows in the front.
3. Beards and mustaches are really the only acceptable facial hair. These must be neat, trimmed, and complimentary to face. Some professionals would argue a beard is not acceptable - if you are not attached to it, go ahead and shave it off.  You can always grow it back.