Looks Matter
If you think that your skills and abilities will speak for themselves when it comes to getting hired, you are wrong. First impressions are extremely important, and the first thing an interviewer will notice about you is how you look. Although it may sound superficial, your prospective employer gathers information about you based on how you look. If your appearance is neat and clean, you will give the impression of being someone who is organized and pays attention to detail. You must also look the part of the person who will fill the position for which you are interviewing.
Attire
How important is proper attire for a job interview? Buying a complete wardrobe, donning new shoes, and having your hair styled every morning aren't enough to guarantee you a career position as an investment banker. On the other hand, if you can't find a clean, conservative suit or won't take the time to wash your hair, you're wasting your time by interviewing at all.
Men applying for any professional position should wear a suit, preferably in a conservative color like navy or charcoal gray. It's easy to get away with wearing the same dark suit to consecutive interviews at the same company; just wear a different shirt and tie for each interview.
Women should also wear a business suit — a skirt or pants are appropriate. The suit should be in a dark color like black, charcoal gray, or navy. Wear a conservative shirt under the suit and a simple necklace or scarf.
When choosing your clothes for a job interview, the way employees dress at that company should guide you. Plant yourself in the company parking lot one day, or hang out near the building, to see what employees are wearing when they arrive for work. Avoid Fridays, which are “dress-down days” in many offices. Always dress a little more formally than the employees you see — after all, an interview is a special occasion.
The final selection of candidates for a job opening won't be determined by dress, but inappropriate dress can quickly eliminate a first-round candidate. So while you shouldn't spend a fortune on a new wardrobe, be sure your clothes are adequate. The key is to dress at least as formally and conservatively as the position requires, or slightly more so.
Women should avoid wearing skirts that are too short or blouses with plunging necklines. If you are a student or recent graduate, you may be accustomed to wearing low-cut pants and short tops that reveal your bellybutton. This is inappropriate for a job interview — and for work, for that matter.
Both men and women should make sure their clothing fits well. You certainly don't want to feel like your pants are falling down or are too tight. Your shoes should be comfortable, too. You want your mind to be on the interview and not on your aching feet.
Personal Grooming
Personal grooming is as important as finding appropriate clothes for a job interview. Careful grooming indicates both a sense of thoroughness and self-confidence. Women should not wear excessive makeup. Both men and women should refrain from wearing perfume or cologne — it only takes a small spritz to leave an allergic interviewer with a fit of sneezing and a bad impression of your meeting. Men should be freshly shaven, even if the interview is late in the day.
Your hair should be clean and neat. Your nails should be nicely manicured. Ladies — excessively long nails are not a good idea. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Don't wear large earrings, bulky bracelets, or big rings.
