Tips for Dressing for a Job Interview
Leave a good first impression by dressing appropriately for your job interview. Ask the personnel department what to wear for your interview. The University of Illinois Extension states that 55 percent of an employer's first impression is based on the appearance and body language of the prospective employee.
Other People Are Reading
-
Tips for Men
-
Three clothing styles exist for men: formal business, informal business and casual wear. If the dress code of the company is formal business, a suit is preferred. A suit jacket with matching slacks will also pass as formal dress. Wool or wool-blend fabrics in neutral, conservative colors, such as navy, gray and black, are recommended. Wear a quality silk tie against a white, solid-colored or conservatively striped shirt. Your tie should not be flashy or have characters on it. Match dark mid-calf length socks, leather slip-on or laced shoes and a leather belt to complement your suit. Eliminate all jewelry except a watch. Informal business wear includes a sports jacket with matching slacks. Slacks with a shirt and tie are also acceptable. For companies where casual wear is worn, such as maintenance or constructions jobs, wear a collared shirt with khakis. Never wear jeans or sport shoes for a job interview.
Tips for Women
-
Dress conservatively in traditional-style clothing, such as tailored suits, skirts and dresses. Two clothing styles exist for women in the workplace: formal professional and informal professional. The preferred outfit for formal professional is a good quality suit. A skirt with a matching jacket and complementary blouse are also acceptable. For interviews in less formal work environments, such as factory or maintenance jobs, informal wear is recommended. Wear clothing that is nicer than you might wear in the workplace. Conservative choices of informal wear are dresses, skirts or slacks with a blouse. Preferred colors for women are black, gray, navy or blue with neutral colors for the blouse or shirt. Skirt length should be at the knee or calf. Avoid trendy or revealing apparel and limit jewelry to a watch. Avoid bold colors or styles of jewelry for the interview. Use minimal makeup and conservative nail colors. Choose leather or fabric close-toed shoes in neutral colors. Heel size should be comfortable for a professional appearance. Coordinate your purse color to your shoes. Your purse should be small or medium in size and not overpower your outfit.
-
Grooming Tips
-
Don't forget the details. Clean, neat hair and manicured fingernails are essential. Clothing should fit well and be clean and pressed. Odors in clothing, such are perfume, cologne or smoke, may be disagreeable to the interviewer. Limit their use. Cover tattoos with clothing and remove piercings. Avoid unnatural hair colors or a hairstyle that falls into your face. Polish your shoes and check clothing for missing buttons or tags before the day of your interview.
Dress Well on a Budget
-
Project the proper image at your interview even on a tight budget. Focus your wardrobe on quality. A few basic neutral pieces, such as a suit that contains both a skirt and slacks for women mixed with two shirt styles, can yield several different looks for formal and informal interviews. Complement your dress clothes with one or two pieces of quality jewelry for a more polished look. Cameron Huddleston, writing on the Kiplinger website, suggests looking at consignment shops for lightly used designer clothing if your funds are limited.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit suit image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
