How to Dress for a Job Interview (for women)

Are you a woman who needs to learn how to dress for a job interview successfully? There are a few things you will need to do in order to make a good first impression on a potential employer. It can be challenging to balance looking attractive with looking work-appropriate. So if you'd like to know how to dress for an interview in such a way that it helps you to get a job, read on.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Consider the position you are applying for, and choose an outfit that is a step up from what you'll wear from day to day. If you are applying for an executive position, you should obviously dress to the nines in slacks or knee length skirt, blouse, and suit jacket. However, if you are interviewing to be a lifeguard, this same look is inappropriate. If you are applying for an outdoors, very casual, or physical type job, slacks and a button down blouse is a better choice.

2. Choose quality fabrics that are appropriate for the season and weather. Once you have decided on the type of outfit that would be appropriate for this job, look for fabrics that will keep you warm enough for an air conditioned office, but cool enough to account for the fact that you may start to perspire from nerves! Linen is a quality fabric for summer, and silk is a warm but breathable fabric for the winter. Cotton, in varying weights, is great year round.

3. Cover up. If you are wearing a skirt it needs to be no higher than the middle of your knee. Your collar should not dip down lower than 2 inches below your throat. This means a traditional button up blouse should have the top button only unbuttoned. Sleeveless tops are not appropriate. Your shirt and skirt/slacks should have one inch of "give" in the material, so it does not appear to be tight or form fitting. You can still look feminine in a darted blouse that gives you an attractive hour glass figure.

4. Select modest accessories. Unless you are applying for a job in the fashion industry, your jewelry should not be the first thing a potential employer focuses on. Stick with small earrings that are the size of a quarter or smaller. One bracelet and one necklace will show that you pay attention to details like how you look, without trying to be distracting.

5. Prepare your clothes the night before. Iron your clothes unless they just came off the store racks. If they aren't new, double check for pilling, loose threads, small holes under the arms, missing buttons, and hems that are coming undone. Set out your outfit in the evening to help you sleep better knowing your clothing is one thing you will not have to worry about. And that's all you need to know about how to dress for a job interview if you're a woman! Good luck.

Tips & Warnings

• The right makeup is also important in your overall look. Like your accessories, keep this understated. Your normal daytime look is appropriate; an evening look is not. Choose neutral shades of lipstick and eye shadow. Typically liquid eyeliner is not right for a daytime look, although a little mascara is fine.

Resources

• Photo courtesy of eman_winston

[alltrails]

on 9/18/2009 Good article. Lots of good information on dressing for success. 5 stars - thanks!

[jenng]

on 6/10/2009 Great article on how to dress for a job interview 5*