While the college campus may be the perfect forum
in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style,
the interview is not the place to do so. A necktie is still a
fact of life in interviewing. Even though many companies have
relaxed the internal company dress code, interviews still follow
the conservative standard.
Unfortunately, most of people are woefully underprepared
with proper interview dress. They feel they can "get
by" with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually
not. Dress for the world outside college is quite different
from the campus scene. Remember that stylish is not
conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your
clothes.
One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you
all the way to the first day on the job and beyond.
For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same
sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire
some variety within a limited budget, you might consider
varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple
way to change your look without breaking your wallet.
For those of you who need a quick review of the basics,
follow these guidelines for successful interview dress:
Men and Women
· Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark
blue or grey is best)
· Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white
is best, pastel is next best)
· Clean, polished conservative shoes
· Well-groomed hairstyle
· Clean, trimmed fingernails
· Minimal cologne or perfume
· Empty pockets--no bulges or tinkling coins
· No gum, candy or cigarettes
· Light briefcase or portfolio case
· No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow
rings, etc.)
Men
· Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern
· Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)
· Dark socks (black is best)
· Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in
interviews
· No beards
· Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you
must, make sure it is neat and trimmed
· No rings other than wedding ring or college ring
· No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it
out)
Women
· Always wear a suit with a jacket;
no dresses
· Shoes with conservative heels
· Conservative hosiery at or near
skin color
· No purses, small or large; carry
a briefcase instead
· If you wear nail polish (not
required), use clear or a conservative color
· Minimal use of makeup (it should
not be too noticeable)
· No more than one ring on each
hand
· One set of earrings only
If you are still not sure how to dress for the
interview, call them and ask! That's right--call the employer.
But this is one time when you do not want to call the Hiring Manager--instead,
ask to be put through to Human Resources and say:
"I have an interview with _____ in the _____
department for a position as an _____. Could you please tell me
what would be appropriate dress for this interview?"
Sure, you run the risk of someone in HR thinking
you are a social imbecile, but that's a lot better than having
the Hiring Manager distracted by inappropriate interview dress.
While many work environments have shifted to
business casual as the work standard, business suits are still
the interview standard. When in doubt, it is almost always better
to err on the side of conservatism.
One final note on interview dress: while it goes
without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and
clean, very few interviewees give the same time and attention
to their shoes. Shoes? Yes, shoes. Many have said that you can
judge a person by their shoes. You will find that many ex-military
officers (many of whom have found their way into management positions
in corporate America) are especially aware of a person's shoes.
It is not enough to be clean, pressed, and ironed. Make sure your
shoes are conservative, clean, and polished.
