Interviewing: Dress for Success

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InterviewingDress for Success

• By Sarah C. Jones
• CI 350 TR
• February 22, 2005

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First thing first

• The manner in which you present yourself.
• There are some considerations that must be
  reviewed.

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Considerations

• Culture
• Location
• Experience
• For the ladies
• For the gentlemen

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Culture

• Consider the culture of the company and the
  industry that you are searching in.

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Location

• The location of a company can impact the dress of
  an employee.

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Experience

• Your experience and the level of the job you are
  applying for will also affect your ideal mode of
  dress.
• Entry-level candidate
• Mid-career candidate

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Interviewing Attire

• Your attire should play a supporting role during
  an interview.
• Your interpersonal skills vs. what you are
  wearing.
• Taking the interview process seriously.
• Dress better than you might need to.

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For the Ladies

• Conservative companies
• a tasteful pantsuit
• Business suits are considered the standard
  uniform for interviews
• Minimal makeup and non-flashy jewelry
• Wear low-healed, closed-toe shoes in neutral
  colors.
• Go with conservative and neutral colors

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• Avoid extremes for nail length and polish color.
• If you wear a scarf it can be more colorful and
  patterned than the rest of your clothes.
• Hosiery should be plain (no patterns), sheer (not
  opaque) and neutral in color to match your suit.
• Handbags should be in good shape and look
  professional but briefcases are better.

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For the Gents

• Business suits, of course, are the norm.
• Shirts should be long sleeved, pressed, and fit
  well.
• Stick to natural fabrics, like wool and cotton.
• Use the 2-pattern rule.

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• Shoes should be recently polished.
• Socks should be dark and neutral
• Never white!
• Bow ties are not appropriate for interviews.
• Earrings dont wear it for the interview.
• Always wear a belt or suspenders.
• Cologne should be used sparingly or not at all.

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Rules for Everyone

• Make sure your hair is well groomed.
• Keep hands and nails well groomed.
• Never chew gum!
• If you wear an overcoat it must be longer than
  your suit coat.
• Don't be too trendy, unless you are interviewing
  in the fashion industry.

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Last but not least

• Be yourself.
• The objective is to put your best foot forward.

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• In general, you want to wear your best. Save your
  perfume and cologne for dates, but don't leave
  home without deodorant.
• If this is too much to remember, at a minimum,
  recruiters say kempt hair and clean hands are
  absolutely requisite.

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Credits

• Wetfeet
• www.wetfeet.com
• The Carlson School
• www.csom.edu