Dress for Interview Success

Dressing to impress at your job interview is the most important thing you can do.  Your potential employer will make a decision about you on that alone.  You have 60 seconds to make a good first impression.  What you wear is vitally important to your job search.

In this respect, is conservative always better?  No, not always.  When dressing to impress at your job interview, you must first decide what your industry’s standard is.  Is it a conservative standard or does using some current flair help you?  In most situations a business suit is the most appropriate choice.

Men’s and women’s business suits should be solid color for first interviews.  Both should use a coordinating color shirt or blouse and matching shoes.  The shoes should be in good condition without worn heels and scuff marks.

Depending on the industry the shirt or blouse should be current and fashionable.  You can go bolder in retail or fashion merchandising industries and understated in industries that are more conservative.

You must have a full understanding of what the industry standard is.  Most often if there is a casual day at your potential employer’s office on the day of your interview, they will tell you that.  That does not mean that you should wear jeans.

Always dress better than you think you need to.  Be cautious with bright colors and hems.  You want them to remember you for your talent, not your clothes.  You only have one chance at a first impression, don’t blow it by dressing inappropriately.

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