Prepare for the Job Search ~ Interviewing ~ Interview Attire

INTERVIEW ATTIRE & BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

You don’t need a lot of clothes to dress well for an interview, but what you have should be of good quality, properly fitted, clean, well pressed, and in good taste.  When you open your closet to select what to wear, keep in mind that your objective is to look businesslike but fashionable, and above all, comfortable.  You do not want to overdress or under dress. The style, fit, and color of the clothes you wear contribute to the image you want to project.

Each company will have its own guidelines, so it is important to know your future or potential employer before you meet them.  How liberal or conservative is the dress code?  Don’t try to set any new standards, especially in the interview.  When in doubt, it is better to be conservative than to be too flashy or casual.

In addition to appropriate dress, business etiquette is also an important part of the interviewing process.  Many times, companies schedule luncheon interviews or social functions for potential hires.  Employers are concerned that their hires are able to work in harmony and will be a good match for their organization.  Knowing how to behave in social and business settings and making that right first impression with contacts and interviews is important for survival in the business world.

GUIDELINES FOR WHAT TO WEAR

What kind of suit is appropriate for the interview?
According to Julie King in The Smart Woman’s Guide, women should dress “stylish but conservative.”  Opt for a fashionable business suit in a low-key color such as navy, black or gray.  Patterns are acceptable if they are extremely subtle, such as a fine dress tweed or pin stripe.  The jacket should have long sleeves, with a straight or pleated skirt.  A coatdress, with clean, simple lines, is also acceptable attire.  Again, subtle colors.  Men should wear a two-piece, single-breasted suit in navy, black or charcoal, wool or wool blend, and solid or very thin pinstripes.  If at all possible, avoid the shiny polyester.

What about accessories?
Women should carry a small, simple purse.  Men, if you are not yet in the habit of carrying a wallet, now is the time to start, and the place for it is in one of the inner chest pockets of your suit.  A brief case is not necessary.  However, a leather portfolio or notebook holder is a good idea for on-site interviews; on campus, a notebook to hold a few extra resumes would be appropriate.  Now is the time to wean yourself from your faithful backpack.

What is the correct skirt length for business?
Whatever is the most flattering to both your legs and your profession.  Consider what happens when you sit down in a short skirt.  Would you be comfortable?

Try on skirts of various lengths, and then determine what your personal hemline should be for each style of skirt; slim, pleated and full.  Generally, slim skirts look better at the knee while pleated and full skirts look best considerably longer.

Does it matter what kind of tie I wear?

Yes.  You should wear a tie that matches your suit.  Bright yellow, pink and the “power tie” concept are no longer the vogue. Wear a conservative tie with a simple knot.

What do you mean when you say “conservative tie”?
Silk in a simple stripe or repeating pattern, with no more than three colors.  The background color should be neutral perhaps navy, dark gray or burgundy, a paisley tie, in muted dark colors, is modern yet conservative for young men.

Can I wear a pantsuit to the interview?
A pantsuit can be very smart and professional looking provided that the jacket is tailored to fit with matching slacks and is worn with a simple no frill, no tie blouse.  However, if you are unsure of a company’s policies regarding proper dress, call the personnel office for more information.  A woman in a pantsuit, by some organization’s standards, could be considered a “non-candidate.”

What are the appropriate shoes to wear?
For men, shoes should be leather, black or brown, and polished with no worn down heels.  The wing tip and other plain lace-up shoes are the traditional footwear.  Slip-ons work as well if they are dressy and in good taste.  Business socks should be over-the-calf, never ankle length or even slightly droopy, and should match your pants or shoes.  White gym socks - never!

For women, the best shoes are plain pumps with one to two inch heels.  You can go higher if you don’t feel tall enough, but make sure you can still walk quickly and steadily.  Shoes should be of high quality leather in black or the color of your suit.  Wear sheer stockings in a skin tone.  Never wear black or opaque stockings with light or white shoes.

I was told to dress casual for my interview - what is casual?
Never wear jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals or boots to an interview.  Appropriate business casual is usually a pair of slacks, shirt, and sports jacket.

I have only one suit.  How can I change my look?
Your suit should always be clean and professionally pressed, worn with an all-cotton, well-ironed white or possibly light blue, long sleeved dress shirt.  Wearing a different tie can dramatically change the look of your suit.  A woman may accent her basic outfit with a different blouse, or she may add a scarf or a simple small pin.

I do not own a suit and I do not have a lot of money to purchase one.  Where can I shop to find an inexpensive one?
You can find suits, dress shirts, blouses, and shoes that are very inexpensive and in good taste at thrift shops, Salvation Army, discount stores, consignment shops and outlet stores.  Remember that the key is a simple style in a conservative color.  If you find a dark suit with contrasting buttons, replace them with buttons the color of the suit, have it cleaned and professionally pressed, and you will look like a million!

Is it appropriate to wear perfume or cologne?
It is nearly impossible to tell how strong a fragrance your own perfume or cologne is emitting.  What seems like a pleasant whiff of scent to you may overpower someone else.  In addition, your interviewer may be allergic.  So, why risk it?  Don’t wear any scent at all, and no, a little dab is not OK.  The most attractive scent is your natural, fresh smell after a bath or shower with deodorant.  If unscented antiperspirant works for you, stop there!

If you smoke, avoid smoking in your interviewing outfit.  Cigarette odors cling to your clothes for several hours and smoking to most employers is an undesirable habit.

What kind of jewelry should I wear?

The less the better.  Too much jewelry or wrong jewelry can be considered distracting and can elicit negative responses.

Women should wear post or simple earrings, no dangles, and a plain bracelet, if any.  A dress rule that pays off:  never wear jewelry that is not functional and keep it simple.

I have worn an earring throughout my college years.  Is it okay, as a man, to wear it to my interview?

It is not in your best interest because it breaks the rule of executive dress.  This style of jewelry is all right when you are with your friends or even in some work environments, but it is out of place for the job interview.

Should I wear make-up?
If you choose to wear make-up, keep it understated.  Iridescent eye shadow, glossy red lipstick and inch long lashes (unless they are naturally long) should be avoided.  Opt for a healthy, natural look.  Your nails should be short with clear or pale polish.

Should I cut my hair to look more professional?
It is not necessary for you to cut your hair, but you should wear it in a groomed style, off your face.  It is distracting during an interview to constantly have to push your hair from your face.  Your hair should be neat and clean, as well as attractive.

Men should shave and trim their mustache.  Beards are probably best left to grow after you get the job.  You may want to call the personnel office for information regarding the company’s policy on facial hair.

Do these guidelines apply to all organizations, or just the corporate world?  What if I’m interviewing for a job with a less formal environment?
Every industry has its own requirements, and knowing what to wear on the day of the interview is vitally important.  Always think about the impression you want to make and what clothes will make that impression.

If you are interviewing for a job in a less formal environment, then it may be acceptable for men to wear slacks, a sports coat and a shirt and tie.  Women can wear a simple dress or matching skirt and blouse.  Whatever you decide should be clean, pressed, and help you look your best.

In the final analysis, creating a first impression is mostly a matter of common sense.  Pay attention to your appearance, your body language and manners, and you will go a long way towards convincing interviewers that you are the kind of professional they want to hire.

Next: Business Etiquette