How to Dress for Seeking Jobs in Your 20s

Look stylish while dressing professionally for job seeking.

First impressions count, especially if you're looking for your first job. Many employers believe what you wear says a lot about you. Dress carefully for interviews, or even when just visiting a company where you may want to work. How you dress gives an employer a message about your impression of the job and the company. Sloppy or casual dress tells an interviewer that you don't care what kind of impression you make. Neat, clean, appropriate clothing says you are serious and respect the interviewer.

Things You'll Need

• Professional business outfit
• Conservative shoes

Instructions

1. Research the company. Find out what the dress code is before you interview. Check the company's website, or call and ask a human resources person about company dress requirements. If it's business casual, dress one step up from that – perhaps with a shirt and tie, or shirt and sport coat for men, and a pants suit or skirt and jacket for women. A better impression is made if you are slightly overdressed rather than underdressed.

2. Leave the casual clothing home. Jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, short skirts, flip-flops, caps, sneakers and other casual clothing should not be worn for interviews, no matter what the job is.

3. Be conservative. Dress down from fashion trends. Avoid loud clothing, bulky jewelry and messy hair styles. Cover tattoos and multiple piercings. Limit yourself to one pair of conservative pierced earrings. Fingernails should be clean and trimmed, with neutral nail polish if you wear it.

4. Cleanliness counts. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Shower, brush your teeth and wash your hair. Shave facial hair so you are clean-shaven, with mustaches and sideburns trimmed neatly. Avoid strong perfume or after-shave. Don't chew gum. Women should keep makeup natural, avoiding bright lipsticks and eyeshadow.

5. 

   Dress for the job you want to get.

   Invest in two professional outfits for interviews, and keep them clean. Include conservative shoes. Women should not wear stiletto heels or open sandals; closed shoes, flats or slingbacks are best. Men should have a pair of good leather shoes for job hunting. Wear no more than five accessories including scarves, watches and earrings for women.

Tips & Warnings

• Try on your interview outfit the day before the appointment. Check how you look head to toe in a mirror. Make sure everything fits and presents the appearance you want.

References

• Dressing to Impress: The Secrets of Proper Attire - The Career Center; Myrna Hoover
• Qunitessential Careers; When Job Hunting: Dress for Success; Randall S. Hansen, PhD