Dress for job success
We live in a day and age where casual office attire is the norm. In many workplaces, you'll see employees in shorts in the summer and jeans in the winter. The days of wearing a jacket and tie to the office are slowly becoming obsolete.
But don't wear cut offs and your favorite concert T-shirt to an interview. While casual may be the trend in office attire, when it comes to interviews, experts advise that you stick with more "formal" wear to make a strong first impression. Casual may be trendy, but business suits will always be accepted as standard interview attire. That's why it can't hurt to err on the side of conservativism when choosing what to wear to an interview.
Don't sweat at the thought of spending hundreds of dollars on new suits. You don't need to buy a new wardrobe just for interviewing. Invest in one or two quality suits in a muted shade, and get them tailored to flatter your body. It's okay to wear the same suit more than once to a company. You can always change the look with an alternate shirt or tie. It's better to own one good suit than wear ones that aren't so sharp.
Not sure where to start? Here are some dos and donts of proper interview attire.
Do: Men should wear a full-body, loose suit or coordinating sport jacket and trousers in solid colors like dark blue, gray or black. Underneath, wear a long-sleeved shirt in white or pastel. Women should wear a classic suit or simple dress with a jacket in colors like navy, black, dark green, dark red, burgundy or gray.
Don't: Men should not have lapels that are too wide (more than 3 inches) or too narrow (less than 1 inch). Men should avoid suits in bold prints or patterns. Women should not wear skirts more than 3 inches above the knee. Female suits should not be too tight, revealing or trendy.
Do: Accessories like purses, jewelry and shoes should be conservative. Wear only one earring per ear. Women can wear one or two rings on each hand, and men should only wear their wedding or college ring. Shoes should be polished and conservative.
Don't: If you have any body piercings such as on your nose or eyebrow, don't put jewelry in them. Cover any tatoos and avoid gaudy jewelry.
Do: Keep hair well-groomed. Nails should be trimmed and clean. If you wear nail polish, keep it a conservative color or clear.
