Dressing for the Job Interview
Well,
your resume worked and now you have an appointment for the all important job
interview. You have done your homework. You are confident that you can answer
anything the interviewer throws at you. Finally the big day arrives and the
final important choice must be made. What should you wear?
It is no secret that how you look has everything to do
with the first impression you make. A first impression is made in the first 27
seconds. If you are too formal in your appearance, you might give the
impression of being rigid and stuffy. If you are too casual, you may send the
signal that you do not take the interview or the job very seriously.
Begin by talking to employees of your potential new employer
and find out what the dress code is and how seriously management takes it. If
you can't find out this information, you should choose clothing that is
professional in the impression it gives.
If you do not already own
clothing that will work on an interview, you should go to a store where you can
get good advice from the sales person. Be prepared to have the clothes
tailored. No human being completely fits in clothes that are off the rack. To
make the best impression the clothes must be altered to fit and accent your
best features.
The following ideas can never
be neglected:
- Look clean and neat.
Make sure that your hair is done appropriately. Women - do not wear wild
hairdo's Men - get a trim of head and facial hair.
- Do not wear a perfume or
cologne as many people are allergic. Bathing with a good
quality bath soap will leave a light scent. You will be nervous and a
gentle scent can mask the perspiring you may be doing. An unscented
antiperspirant can be used.
- Cover any tattoos and
avoid gaudy jewelry. Definitely limit pierced jewelry to ears only. Do not
wear nose or tongue jewelry
MEN
- Wear a suit or sport
jacket with color coordinated trousers
- The color should be
neutral or dark - blue, black or gray is best
- Wear a tie - even if you
will never wear one after you get the job
- Shoes should be leather
- clean and polished - black is best
- Make sure your nails are
trimmed and that they are clean.
WOMEN
- Wear a classic suit or a
simple dress with a jacket. This is not a time to be provocative or sexy.
Some appropriate colors are navy blue, black, dark green, dark red,
burgundy, or gray.
- Dress in a higher style
that the position calls for but do not attempt to out dress everyone
there.
- Avoid wearing clothes
that are tight, revealing or trendy. It may be the very latest fashion but
it will not impress the interviewer
- Fingernails should be
trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep
from stabbing yourself. The polish should be closer to a color your mom
might wear than to a color that your kid sister would go for.
Even after you are successful in
getting the job, you should continue to pay attention to your wardrobe.
Interviewing for that first job is only the beginning in the role clothing will
play in your career.
You should regularly add pieces made of high quality,
long wearing fabrics. It is best to buy separates that you can mix and match
with the pieces that you already own. Each piece you buy adds to the variety of
looks you can achieve. You may ask why this is important?
The reason is that even after you have the job you sought, you might like to be
considered for advancement and promotion. The impression you leave on the job
every day will be added to your performance when the boss looks around for
someone to promote.
Jane Harvey is a Wardrobe
Consultant from Tucson, AZ. She is dedicated to assisting her clients to
maximize their wardrobe with high quality fashions that help them achieve their
goals. Jane can be reached at jharvey102@aol.com.
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