General Guidelines
• Your appearance should be conservative
• You should feel comfortable and confident
in what you are wearing
• In an interview especially, the interviewer
should remember you for your
qualifications,
not for what you wore
• Visit your potential employer to see
how the employees dress (make sure it is not
a
casual day) and dress a
little better for the interview
• When purchasing interview attire, talk
to an "experienced" salesperson in
a reputable, conservative
clothing store
General
Guidelines for Men and Women |
Specific
Guidelines for Women |
Specific
Guidelines for Men |
Hair
• Have an industry- appropriate
hairstyle
|
•
Consider pulling your hair back if it
is distracting to you or others
• Make sure your hair is out of your
face, so your expressions are
not hidden
|
•
Trim sideburns to an appropriate
length for your industry
• Determine whether or not facial
hair is appropriate for your
industry
|
Blouse/Shirt
• Have a simple, understated
style
• Pressed
|
•
Understated colors
• A basic shell is appropriate
|
•
White or blue are the most commonly
used colors for men
• Choose an appropriate collar style
|
Dress/Suit
• Avoid red, orange, green, or
other trendy/bold colors
• Never wear a suit you bought
last night – buy it early
• Make sure it is a tailored fit
• Coordinated top and bottom
• Purchase wool or wool blends;
also, some of the newer
microfibers wear well
and are durable
|
• Gray, navy and
black are always appropriate
• Almost any style is acceptable
• No short skirts (no more than two
inches above knee when sitting)
• Pants suits may be appropriate for
some industries
|
• Gray, navy and
small pinstripes are always
appropriate
• Choose either a traditional 2- button,
double-breasted, or 3-button
suit
• Make sure the lapel width is appropriate
|
Jewelry
• Simple watch with metallic or
leather band (no sports
watches)
|
• No more than one
ring on each hand
• No dangle bracelets
• Simple earrings (diamond, gold,
silver or pearl stud)
that do not move after
nodding head
|
• No more than one
ring
• No earrings
|
Makeup |
• Minimal/subtle
usage
• Conservative or clear nail polish
• Fingernails not excessively long
|
• None
• Clean and clipped/filed fingernails
|
Hose/Socks |
• Neutral colored
hose
• No runs (carry an extra pair with
you)
|
• Coordinated with
your suit and shoes
• Try over-the-calf dress socks
|
Shoes
• Darker than your suit
• Cleaned and polished
|
• No high heels,
as you may be standing
or walking a fair amount
• Low pumps are preferable
|
• Wing tips
• Loafers
• Lace-up shoes are best
|
Briefcase/attaché/purse
• Leather
• Lightweight
• Coordinating portfolio case
|
• Purse should be
small, simple, and ideally
match attaché, briefcase,
and/or shoes
• Carry a portfolio or attaché
to hold copies of resume,
references, etc.
|
• Carry a briefcase,
attaché, or portfolio
to hold copies of resume,
references, etc. |
Belts
• Dark colors are preferable
|
• Coordinated with
suit/dress |
• Leather/understated
buckle |
Scarves/Ties
• Silk
• Coordinating with your outfit
|
• Scarf coordinated
with suit/dress |
• The bottom of
your tie
should reach
your belt
buckle |
Cologne/Perfume |
• Either none or
very minimal |
• Either none or
very minimal |
Misc.
• Empty pockets (no dangling
noises)
• No chewing gum, but carry
breath mints instead
• No visible tattoos or body piercing
|
|
|
