Appropriate Dress for the Interview

INDEX:
Business Dress-General List
Business Dress-Specific List
General Rules for Both Men and Women
Business Casual
What to Wear When?
What NOT to Wear to an Interview
Powerpoint presentation-Professional Dressing for the Interview
 

There is something to be said for first impressions. Appearance is the first thing you communicate to others. Before you have a chance to speak, others notice how you dress and draw conclusions about you accordingly. Appropriate dress is one of the most important factors in your job search. Your dress creates an impression that can complement your credentials and give you an extra edge over a field of other qualified competent individuals.

There are standards of professional dress in all career fields. Some industries are more traditional, such as banking, consulting and business. Let the dress standards in the field(s) in which you are interviewing be a guide to what you wear for your interview. Attire in fields such as advertising, the arts, fashion, communications and entertainment is generally less conservative, so the rules are a bit more relaxed.  Their dress code may be one of  Business Casual Dress.

Business Dress (Interviews/Job Fairs)-Back to Top
GENERAL LIST:
Men's Interview Attire
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

Women's Interview Attire
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 to the Interview
Gum
Cell phone
Ipod
Coffee or soda

A suit for both women and men is almost always appropriate for all types of interviews. Buy the best quality business suit you can afford. Make sure it fits well, is comfortable, and is pressed before you wear it.

Business Dress (Interviews/Job Fairs)-Back to Top
SPECIFIC LIST:
For Men:

Colors: The best colors of business dress for men are charcoal gray and dark blue. Pin stripes are acceptable, as are muted plaids and chalk stripes.
Shoes and Socks: Shoes and socks should be in a color that complements the suit and that are not too casual. Leather lace-up shoes are best for men.
Shirt and Tie: A white shirt is safest, with sleeves that extend one-quarter inch beyond the jacket sleeve. There is room for some variation in ties, but conservative patterns and colors are most appropriate.

For Women:

For women, business dress has relaxed somewhat. However, there are several rules which still apply:

Hose: Always wear hose
Shoes: Do not wear shoes that are open (e.g. open toe pumps, sandals). The most appropriate shoe to wear with a business suit is a classic pump with closed mid-height heel and toe with little or no decoration.
Tops, Dresses, Suits: Do not wear sleeveless tops or sleeveless dresses. A skirted business suit (same color jacket and skirt) is the best choice for most interviews for women. A classic suit style is best, and your suit should be well-styled and well-fitting. Avoid a trendy look unless appropriate for your field of interest.
Colors: The best colors for women's business suits are gray, medium or dark blue, burgundy, camel or black. A very small conservative check or plaid is also acceptable.
Jewelry and Make-Up: Make sure your jewelry is not too casual or flashy, your wristwatch included. Earrings should be business-like, not long or dangling. Low-key make-up is advised; go easy on the eye make-up, and nail polish should be light or neutral.
Handbags and Attaché Cases: You may choose to carry a purse or attaché case, but not both at the same time.

General Rules (both men and women)-Back to Top
Err on the side of formality rather than informality, and keep your outfit simple instead of showy.

Fragrance: Go easy on your fragrance - do not let too much perfume, cologne, or aftershave be overwhelming

Semi-casual attire for women is a dress or a skirt and blouse with or without a jacket. For men it is a sport coat and dress slacks, with a tie. A navy blue blazer is a good addition to your wardrobe for both men and women.

Business Casual-(What is it??)-Back to Top

Business Casual dress in a business setting may be khakis or similarly styled pants and a collared sport shirt or sweater for men. For women, a dress or a skirt and blouse or sweater is acceptable. In some business settings, pants are acceptable (although pants are not advised for interviews). Casual dress shoes (e.g., small heels or flats for women; loafers for men) may be worn.   Click here for more information on Business Casual Dress.

What to Wear When??-Back to Top
For most interviews, business dress is the best choice. Remember that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression! Even the best clothes in the perfect color will not look good if they are wrinkled or dirty. Make sure your suit and shirt/blouse are freshly pressed and your shoes are polished.

Traveling to an On-Site Interview
While traveling to an on-site interview, semi-casual attire or business dress (see above), is best. You may meet someone when traveling or be met upon arrival by someone who will have a part in the hiring process.

Evening Events
If you are attending an evening reception or dinner as part of your interview process, business dress is most suitable unless otherwise specified in the invitation.

Employer Presentation/Receptions
For employer presentations/receptions on-campus, semi-casual or casual dress is acceptable, while business dress is most appropriate for presentations or receptions off-campus unless otherwise stated by the employer.

Career Fairs
For career fairs, business dress is best if you are prospecting for job leads. If you are looking for internship leads, semi-casual or casual attire is suitable.

Picking Up / Dropping Off Resumes/Applications
For picking up or dropping off a resume or application at an employer's office, it is suggested that you wear semi-casual dress.

What NOT to Wear in an Interview-Top Twenty Wardrobe Malfunctions
-Back to Top
1. Carrying a backpack or fannypack instead of a briefcase or portfolio: Some image consultants suggest women ditch their purse, too!

2. Sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck: Be sure to remove all your "transit gear" and tuck it in your briefcase before entering the lobby.

3. Too-short skirts: Forget what some of those gals on 'The Apprentice' are wearing. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.

4. The wrong tie: Ties should be made of silk, no less than three and a quarter inches wide with a conservative pattern. Image consultants say the best colors are red or burgundy.

5. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing: With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray.

6. Heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man)

7. Earrings on men: In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.

8. More than one set of earrings on women

9. Facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos

10. Ill-fitting clothes. Few people can wear things straight off the rack. Spending a little extra to have your garments tailored is a worthwhile investment.

11. Long fingernails, especially with bright or specialty polishes. Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself.

12. Unnatural hair colors or styles. Remember, Donald Trump was a billionaire well before he began wearing a comb-over. If you're balding, try a close-cropped cut like Bruce Willis or Matt Lauer.

13. Short-sleeved shirts, even worse when worn with a tie

14. Fishnets, patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit.

15. Men whose socks don't match their shoes, or whose socks are too short and leave a gap of flesh when they are seated

16. Rumpled or stained clothing: If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand.

17. Scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals

18. Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes: Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap.


19. Belts and shoes that don't match: Shoes and belts should be made of leather or leather-like materials and the best colors for men are black or cordovan.

20. Telltale signs that your wearing a new suit. Remove all tags and extra buttons -- and remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed!