Dress For Success
Dress Your Best
Interviewers love to tell stories about the outlandish and inappropriate ways people dress when they come to an interview. Some wear torn jeans, sloppy sweat suits, spiked heels and dirty sneakers. Others are proud to show pierced body parts and spiked hair. Some chew gum or smoke. Others wear pants that are falling down. It’s safe to say that in most of these cases, the way these people were dressed cost them the job.
Go Conservative
If you are not sure about what you should wear to an interview, it’s best to go the conservative route. A good idea is to dress one or two levels above the job you are going for. While you don't have to spend a lot of money on your wardrobe, putting in a little extra effort will pay off in the long run. Here are some ideas for women and men on how to put together an appropriate interview outfit:
| Women's Interview Attire |
|---|
| Solid color, conservative suit |
| Coordinated blouse |
| Moderate shoes |
| Limited jewelry |
| Neat, professional hairstyle |
| Tan or light hosiery |
| Sparse make-up & perfume |
| Manicured nails |
| Portfolio or briefcase |
| Men's Interview Attire |
|---|
| Solid color, conservative suit |
| White long sleeve shirt |
| Conservative tie |
| Dark socks, professional shoes |
| Very limited jewelry |
| Neat, professional hairstyle |
| Go easy on the aftershave |
| Neatly trimmed nails |
| Portfolio or briefcase |
| What not to wear-Women |
|---|
| Bright, daring colors |
| Short hemlines |
| Clothes that are skin-tight |
| Too much perfume or cologne |
| Heavy makeup |
| Wild nail polish |
| Outdated clothes or shoes |
| Low-cut blouses |
| Shorts, tank tops or sundresses |
| Short skirts, capris or leggings |
| Too many accessories and noisy jewelry |
| Dirty, beaten up shoes |
| Open-toe or backless shoes |
| Leather jackets |
| Bright, printed or trendy bag or briefcase |
| What Not to Wear-Men |
|---|
| Bold pinstripe suit |
| Wrinkled clothes |
| Tie with a wild pattern |
| Too much jewelry |
| Anything that is too casual |
| A collarless shirt of any style |
| Out of date suits or blazer |
| Turtlenecks |
| Leather jackets |
Whatever you wear should accent the fact that you're a professional who's ready to get to work at a new job. Let common sense guide you, and it should be easy to avoid fashion blunders that could damage your chances of getting to the next step in the process. In this market, it is essential that you look good and your appearance is right for the job.
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