Dressing for the Job Interview
Dress for Success
Dressing for the Job Interview
Good news! Your resume worked and now you have an appointment for a job interview. You’ve done your homework, learned about the organization and are confident that you can answer anything that the interviewer asks. Now you have to decide what to wear.
Remember – you have only one chance to make a good first impression and how you look has everything to do with the first impression you make Usually the first impression is made in as little as the first 25 seconds of the time someone meets you. If you’re too formal in your appearance you might give the impression of being too rigid and stuffy. If you’re too casual, you might give the impression of being lazy and not taking the interview or the job seriously enough.
The following hints are important to keep in mind for the interview:
- Look clean and neat. Make sure that your hair is done appropriately. Women – do not wear wild hairdo’s. Men get a trim of both head and facial hair.
- Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne as many people are allergic.
- Cover any tattoos and avoid gaudy jewelry. Limit pierced jewelry to ears only..remove any other body piercings.
Suggested clothing for the job interview
Men
- For those in the regiment Dress Blues are best
- Non-regiment students should wear a suit or sport jacket with color coordinated trousers in neutral or dark colors - navy blue, grey or black is best.
- Wear a collared shirt and a tie – even if you’d never wear a tie after you get the job.
- Shoes should be leather and clean and polished – black is best – no sneakers.
- Make sure that your nails are trimmed and clean.
Women
- For those in the regiment Dress Blues are best
- Non-regiment students should wear a classic suit or a simple dress with a jacket. Some appropriate colors are black, navy blue, grey, dark green or burgundy. This is not the time to be provocative or sexy.
- Dress in a “higher” style than the position calls for – but don’t try to outdress everyone there.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are tight, revealing or trendy even though they might be the latest fashion. They won’t impress the interviewer in a positive way.
- Have your fingernails trimmed to a length that doesn’t leave anyone wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself. A light neutral color polish is best.
Even after you get the job you should continue to pay attention to your wardrobe and appearance since the interview is only the first step in the role clothing will play in your career. Plan to add new pieces of clothing from time to time so that you’ll continue to make a good impression on an employer who might consider you for advancement and promotion.
The impression you leave on the job each day will be added to your performance when the boss looks around for someone to promote.
