• Interview Dress Guide


    Interview Dress Guide“You only get once chance to make a first impression!”

    The quickest way to find the answer on how to dress for the job interview is to call the company reception desk. A quick and honest answer to your interview dressing questions are there for the asking. Even if you are told it is casual dress (business casual), make sure you still dress professionally.

    Casual dress doesn’t mean you should show up to the job interview in your sweat pants and tennis shoes!

    Dressing for interview success rely upon many factors:

    General Hygiene

    • Personal grooming is very important. Make sure you shower and wash your hair. Go Get a haircut!
    • Use a deodorant and take it easy on the perfume or cologne. While a little scent is nice, an overpowering fog of fragrance is not good!
    • AVOID eating strong foods and drinking coffee before the interview, have some Altoids available or mints.
    • DO NOT CHEW GUM!
    • Trim your nails: You too , guys! Clean under your nails and trim your cuticles. If you bite your nails, STOP for a week to let them heal
    • HOLD YOUR SHOULDERS BACK, walk straight and hold your head high. By slouching, it appears as if you have no self esteem.

    Men



    • Buy or borrow a Navy blue or black - Three button Suit! Try on the suit. If you already own one, Does it still fit? If it doesn’t, invest in a new or used suit to look your best.
    • Alterations - DO not wait to the last minute to get this done. Do not use "Stitch Witch" unless you are VERY proficient. Make sure your suit is clean and pressed; you don’t want to show up looking all wrinkled.
    • A dress shirt and tie is in order. Stick with a seasonal off white (winter) or crisp white (summer), or blue (spring) shirt. A navy three button blazer, white button down collared shirt, tie, belt and loafers is always the classic choice. It is also economically efficient as well. This is not the time to bring out the holiday ties that you got as gifts. Conservative is always best. A belt looks very smart and makes the suit complete. You might have occasion to remove your jacket and this will make you look put together.
    • Dark socks and dress shoes are the last two things to consider in pulling your outfit together. Make sure you have your shoes cleaned and polished. Nothing ruins a suit like a dusty or dirty pair of shoes.
    • Wear BLACK shoes with a dark suit, Brown shoes with Light colored suits

    Women

    • Wear a business suit or skirt and jacket. Make sure the pants are not too tight fitting.
    • Skirts: when you sit down in a chair, you aren’t showing too much skin. This is business NOT a nightclub.
    • Blouse: should not be tight fitting or too revealing. You might have to remove your jacket and you certainly don’t want to overexpose yourself and give the interviewer a reason to stare!
    • Stockings with sensible but stylish shoes will complete your outfit. This is not the time to wear platform or stiletto shoes.
    • Jewelry: Don’t wear lots of jewelry that dangle and make noise. This would be very distracting and could cause an irritation to the interviewer.
    • Manicured nails: This is not the time to break out the funky airbrush nails or extreme acrylics. Opt for the french manicure or a light clear polish

    Now that you have all the facts on how to dress for success, make sure you lay out all the items you will need the night before, so in the morning they are ready to go.