Did you know that over 90% of the decisions on who to bring back for a second interview is made in the first two minutes? This is why how you look is extremely important, after all there is never a second chance to make a good first impression. Dressing sharp and being well groomed helps to make the right first impression. Keep in mind that the interviewer is in charge of selecting people that he or she believes will represent the company well.
When interviewing it is important to dress conservatively. You want your personality, drive, commitment to the profession, understanding of the business world, etc. to make you stand out, NOT YOUR CLOTHES!!
Some general guidelines are:
Men's traditional business dress
* Suit: dark (suit means matching pants and coat)
* Shirt: white, long-sleeved, and pressed
* Tie: silk, color that coordinates with the suit, simple pattern, no flashy colors or cartoon characters
* Shoes: dark, clean, and polished
* Jewelry: none
* Hair: short, neatly combed
* Grooming:
o Nails should be short and clean.
o Facial hair: clean shaven or well kept beard, mustache, or goatee
Women's traditional business dress:
* Suit or dress: simple patterns, cool or dark colors, skirts not shorter than just above the knee-no thigh-high skirts or minis
* Accessories: no more than 13 at one time, nothing distracting
o Your earrings should be small.
o Wear no more than two rings on each hand.
o Make sure bracelets don't jingle when you move your arms.
o Your purse and belt should be the same color as your shoes.
o Wear skin-toned nylons.
* Shoes: dark, clean, and polished
* Hair: neatly styled up or down, natural-looking color
* Nails: clean, neat, painted with mild colors, and not too long
Casual Dress:
Some employers will suggest that you show up for the interview in casual clothing.
WARNING: This does not mean jeans and a T-shirt. Nor is this your time to show off your individuality. Casual dress for an interview means
* Men: Khakis or slacks, dress shirt and tie, (maybe a polo shirt)
* Women: Khakis, slacks, or knee-length skirt, professional-looking, knit shirt or twin set.
Men and women should also consider minimizing their jewelry during the interview. Current styles in jewelry incorporate thumb and toe rings, along with multiple bracelets and ringlets worn not only in the ears, but various other places on the body. Although appropriate outside of work, it should not be part of your corporate interview wardrobe. If you have an opportunity, visit a corporation near you and note how the employees dress. You?re likely not to see many nose rings or other piercings on display. Shaved heads, dreads and other non-traditional hairstyles are not advised in a corporate setting. These styles may send a message about you that may not be accurate, but will be based on the interviewer?s perception of you. It may not be fair, but it's the reality of corporate America.
Tips for Dressing on a Tight Budget
* Don't wait until you are pressed for time and have to make a hasty
decision or a choice that is not in your budget. Remember that
self-confidence is your primary goal when selecting your professional
interview attire. Purchase clothing with multi-use potential.
* Invest in impressive, classic, well-made separates that can be combined
for a 'professional' or 'casual Friday' look.
* Begin by selecting your best ?neutral? as a nucleus for a professional
wardrobe. Colors like black, dark gray, and navy are versatile, but
pearl gray, stone, steel blue, camel and celery are fashionable
options that lend new dimensions to any working wardrobe. Your best
neutral is dependent on personal coloring and personal style as well as
your best visual impact.
* Purchase matching components. Having options such as wearing a skirt or
pant with jacket or vest multiplies possible combinations.
* Use shirts/blouses/sweaters to create variety of visual effects.
* Select ties/scarves and jewelry that add to possible visual variety.
* Consider investing in season-less fabrics that drape and travel well,
such as lightweight stretch wool, washable matte jersey or a blend of
cotton and rayon.
It would also be a good idea to do your research. To fine-tune the process, find out what the dress code is for the industry that you are interested in. When you research the company you will often get an idea of the dress code for employees. Ask career counselors, faculty, and professionals in your field of interest if you are unsure. Fields such as law, banking and accounting frequently have a stricter set of guidelines than advertising, retail and sales, which allow more casual dress. Even though suggested guidelines of professional dress may seem more formal than you would have imagined, consider what some career consultants recommend:
The job seeker should dress for a position two levels higher than the one for which she/he is being interviewed. This may mean dressing more formally for the interview than you will once you are in the job.
The level of formality you project shows that you understand the importance of the situation and respect the person you are meeting. When in doubt, making a conservative clothing choice for your interview is usually the safest.
Once you?ve been hired, it?s a good idea to ask your boss or the human resources department for a copy of the organization?s dress code policy. Codes vary so don?t assume you can wear the same clothes you wore at your last job. Some companies allow blue jeans, sleeveless tops and open-toe sandals, but others don?t. Play it safe by adhering to the organization policy.
Sources and Helpful Links:
http://amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/
http://www.quintcareers.com/dress_for_success.html
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