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On
the morning of your big job interview, getting dressed will seem,
to say the least, a little more stressful than usual. You really
want the job, and you want to do it right.
 Looking
professional will give you confidence and help you make a positive
impression on the person with whom you will be interviewing. Fortunately,
a little forethought will go a long way when preparing for an
interview, and taking just a few minutes to plan what you will
wear and how you will present yourself can make a world of difference.
While today there are no clear cut rules about what is appropriate
for a job interview, there are some guidelines that you will probably
want to follow in order to look and feel your best.
What kind of job are you interviewing for?
The first thing you'll need to do is think about the kind of job
for which you are interviewing and what the expected dress code
for that job would be. Banks and law firms, for example, usually
expect people to dress very conservatively on a daily basis. Restaurants,
schools, advertising agencies and Internet companies, on the other
hand, usually allow a little more room for individual style. Think
about what your interviewer might be wearing, and ask any friends
who happen to be in the same industry what they think would be
appropriate. Beware, however-while many companies are adopting
a more casual dress code, management still may expect applicants
to look professional. According to Tina St. Amand, a human resources
consultant at the University of Massachusetts/Memorial Healthcare
System, "Anyone applying for any job should look professional.
It doesn't matter if they are a VP, a secretary, a nurse or a
housekeeper."
What should you wear to your interview?
Take a look at your wardrobe. A basic gray, navy-blue or black
suit is the most widely accepted outfit for an interview. If you
are planning on interviewing with a number of conservative companies,
you'll probably want to invest in a suit and a simple white blouse
to wear with it. Suits with straight (but not tight fitting) knee-length
skirts and tailored jackets are the most traditional types, but
longer-skirted suits and pants suits are also usually acceptable.
If you don't own a suit and if it doesn't seem practical for you
to buy one, try wearing a jacket over a very simple dress. You
could also pair a skirt or slacks with a simple blouse or sweater
in a solid color. You probably won't want to wear a skirt that
is more than two inches above the knee. It might send the wrong
message. Nor should you wear a skirt that is too long, full or
billowy; they generally look messier than more tailored skirts
do. Pants, likewise, should not be too tight or too short, and
you should steer clear of anything that resembles a pair of jeans.
When choosing a top, stay away from loud patterns, embroidery
and low necklines. If you don't have a jacket, try wearing a classic
cardigan in a subdued color over your ensemble.
Once you've chosen your clothing, you're half way there. Now,
take a look at your shoes. When going to an interview, you'll
probably want to leave all of your fun shoes-the open-toed, slinky
ones-in the closet. Loafers, low-heeled pumps or flats look right
with professional clothing. Make sure that the heels are in good
shape, and give your shoes a polishing, if they need it. You should
also wear appropriate hosiery. Depending on the season and what
kind of outfit you are wearing, nude, off-white, black or gray
will be your safest bets.
If you usually wear jewelry, you'll probably want to keep it to
a minimum, or at least a happy medium, for your interview. A wedding
ring and a watch, of course, are fine. Choose an understated pair
of earrings such as pearl studs or small hoops. Don't wear more
than one chain around your neck, or a sleeve of bangles that will
jingle during your interview. If you are in doubt about whether
a piece of jewelry is appropriate, take it off. Don't forget that
the look you are going for is professional, not glamorous. Keep
this in mind when you are doing your hair and makeup, too. Don't
overdo it because you're nervous. If you have long hair, pull
it back off your face, and if you have short hair, wear it neatly.
Never hide behind your bangs. Finally, remember to take one last
good look at yourself in the mirror before you leave and remind
yourself to smile! Your smile, after all, is your most important
accessory - it will help you feel radiant and confident throughout
your interview. Good luck!
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