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Dress For Success

Dress For Success


Dress Your Best
Interviewers love to tell stories about the outlandish and inappropriate ways people dress when they come to an interview. Some wear torn jeans, sloppy sweat suits, spiked heels and dirty sneakers. Others are proud to show pierced body parts and spiked hair. Some chew gum or smoke. Others wear pants that are falling down. It’s safe to say that in most of these cases, the way these people were dressed cost them the job.


Go Conservative
If you are not sure about what you should wear to an interview, it’s best to go the conservative route. A good idea is to dress one or two levels above the job you are going for. While you don't have to spend a lot of money on your wardrobe, putting in a little extra effort will pay off in the long run. Here are some ideas for women and men on how to put together an appropriate interview outfit:

Women's Interview Attire
Solid color, conservative suit
Coordinated blouse
Moderate shoes
Limited jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Tan or light hosiery
Sparse make-up & perfume
Manicured nails
Portfolio or briefcase

 

Men's Interview Attire
Solid color, conservative suit
White long sleeve shirt
Conservative tie
Dark socks, professional shoes
Very limited jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Go easy on the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase

 

What not to wear-Women
Bright, daring colors
Short hemlines
Clothes that are skin-tight
Too much perfume or cologne
Heavy makeup
Wild nail polish
Outdated clothes or shoes
Low-cut blouses
Shorts, tank tops or sundresses
Short skirts, capris or leggings
Too many accessories and noisy jewelry
Dirty, beaten up shoes
Open-toe or backless shoes
Leather jackets
Bright, printed or trendy bag or briefcase

 

What Not to Wear-Men
Bold pinstripe suit
Wrinkled clothes
Tie with a wild pattern
Too much jewelry
Anything that is too casual
A collarless shirt of any style
Out of date suits or blazer
Turtlenecks
Leather jackets


Whatever you wear should accent the fact that you're a professional who's ready to get to work at a new job. Let common sense guide you, and it should be easy to avoid fashion blunders that could damage your chances of getting to the next step in the process. In this market, it is essential that you look good and your appearance is right for the job.