Dressing for an Job Interview

Dress for success when seeking a new job! There are two valid reasons for getting dressed up for your interview. One, you’ll look like a professional and will be taken seriously. Two, you’ll feel like a professional and be more inclined to behave as such. You want your appearance to compliment the professionalism of your resume and cover letter so be equally attentive in this regard.

Women's Interview Attire
• Conservative suit
o Skirt suit:
- Make sure skirt is long enough for you to sit comfortably without being too revealing
- Make sure skirt is loose enough so that it doesn’t ride up while walking or sitting
- Make sure waistband isn’t so tight that you have “muffin top” syndrome (i.e. excess skin hanging over the top of the waistband).
- Wear solid-color tan or black hosiery (no funky prints, patterns or colors)
o Pant suit:
- Make sure pants aren’t so tight you have wrinkles in the groin or on the back of the legs
- Make sure waistband isn’t so tight that you have “muffin top” syndrome (i.e. excess skin hanging over the top of the waistband).
- Make sure pants reach 1 inch short of the floor given the shoes you are wearing (longer and you will trip, shorter and you will look like your pants shrunk in the dryer)
• Blouse or top (modest neckline, not too revealing)
• Moderate shoes (nothing overly sparkly, shiny or might resemble something worn in a nightclub, stilettos NOT recommended)
• Limited jewelry (none is preferred to cheap-looking ones)
• Neat, professional hairstyle (keep your hair clean and dandruff-free)
• Sparse make-up in natural hues (no neon-colored or sparkly makeup or excessive eyeliner/mascara)
• Little to no perfume (note: if your hair products or shower products already have fragrance, you may want to skip perfume entirely. Also, your recruiter may be allergic to your perfume)
• Manicured nails (no need for anything fancy, just make sure they are clean and smooth-edged)
• Portfolio or briefcase (don’t bring an additional purse, it will make you look like a bag lady)

Men's Interview Attire
• Conservative suit (solid color preferred, but a subtle pinstripe is ok too, nothing too flashy unless you are applying for a media or entertainment type job)
• Conservative colored long sleeve shirt (white preferred but a gentle hue that matches your suit is fine)
• Conservative tie (avoid loud prints here)
• Dark socks, dark professional shoes (do not attempt to fake professional shoes with black running shoes)
• Very limited or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle (if you have long hair, either cut it short or tie it back neatly)
• Go easy on the aftershave (note: if your hair products or shower products already have fragrance, you may want to use a fragrance-free aftershave. Also, your recruiter may be allergic to your aftershave if too strongly fragranced)
• Neatly trimmed, cleaned nails
• Portfolio or briefcase