How To

How to Dress for a Job Interview - Women

Dress for job success
Dress for job success
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(129 Ratings)

Perfect grooming is your first assignment when you interview for a job, whether you want to be a CEO or an entry-level factory worker. To a prospective employer, how you dress says a great deal about you.

From Quick Guide: A Guide to Interviewing
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Call the receptionist or secretary at the prospective employer's office for tips on what employees there wear.

  2. Step 2

    Consider the job's location. If it's a library in a strip mall, you can wear a sweater and slacks. At a corporate office, wear a conservative business suit. A pantsuit with a sweater or blouse is appropriate for an informal office.

  3. Step 3

    Choose between closed-toe shoes, pumps and loafers. If you are wearing a skirt, nylons are a must.

  4. Step 4

    Avoid miniskirts, tight sweaters, sloppy overalls and sandals with straps.

  5. Step 5

    Check your outfit for holes, tears, stains, scuffs or wrinkles.

  6. Step 6

    Tone down the use of makeup, hair spray, perfume and jewelry. One nose ring is one too many and may cost you the job of your dreams.

  7. Step 7

    Inspect your hair, nails, hems and the shine on your shoes.

  8. Step 8

    Wear a silk scarf and carry a nice briefcase or portfolio. Leave the oversized, disorganized handbag at home.

Tips & Warnings
  • You have one chance to make a first impression; it's better to dress too formally than to dress too casually.
  • Trendy is fine, as long as you keep your style subtle. Clothes make a strong statement about you. What do you want to say?

Comments  

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toking said

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on 6/25/2009 Great advice! You would not believe how many people do not dress appropriately for job interviews.

willowman1 said

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on 4/15/2009 great advice i like that

tsimmons said

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on 4/12/2009 I conduct interviews and cannot believe how poorly prepared people are. They actually wear jeans to the inteview!! Not a good first impression!!

paritulika said

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on 4/6/2009 Hey thanks, the advice was cool....!!Well, how should I dress up if i want to go for a BPO/Call center interview?

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