How to Dress for a Job Interview

The job interview is upon you. You've spent a lifetime preparing for this moment. A lifetime worth of education is under your belt and you've spent the last several weeks sending out resumes where, most of which, have gone unanswered. Now, you got a call from a company wanting to do an interview and you just spent five hours preparing for it. You know the company inside and out and your answers are polished. Don't blow everything you've done up until now by not dressing properly! The first impression the employer will get is from the clothes you're wearing and how neatly you're groomed.

When you're going for an interview, keep in mind that you're marketing yourself as a product. Needless to say, you want to have the best image possible just as a product on the shelves does. Before you go out and spend money on a new outfit, do a little research first. Use the following guidelines to help determine whether or not your attire is fitting for the interview:

Overdress. Never underdress.
No matter what type of job interview you're going on you'll want to look professional. Even though fields like IT have a more casual dress code, keep in mind that you're only as professional as the clothes on your body. A conservative attire may kill your chances at the job the moment you walk through the door. While many work environments have shifted to a casual attire, the suit is still interview attire.

Dress smart.
Like most new college graduates, I was on a very tight budget and could only afford to buy one suit. Don't feel the need to buy several suits for interviews at one company. They don't expect for you to be rich, just professional. In many instances, you can keep the same suit but mix up your shoes, shirt, tie, belt, and other accessories. The same goes for women. If a woman buys a nice black pantsuit, but by simply changing out the shirt and jewelry it appears to be a new outfit. Save yourself the money by coordinating your suit with different clothes.

Quality doesn't reflect price.
Again, this is a budget saver. It's a great idea to visit higher end stores to get a feel for what the suits look like, but when it comes to purchasing I recommend spending less at the local outlet center. Some of the trendy, expensive cuts are made of poor fabric and won't last that long. You'll want something you can wear in the future. If it means getting something that's less trendy, but not outdated either, and being moderately priced then go that route. Remember, at this point you don't have a job. Save your money!

Pressed and shined.
So you found the perfect suit and you're absolutely sure it will look great for your job interview. I had to break it, but you still have more work ahead of you. Make sure your suit is neatly pressed. I recommend taking it to a drycleaner to get professionally pressed and steamed. Walking in with a wrinkled suit sends signals to the employer that you're disorganized and sloppy, which could translate to your work habits. Even spending just a few minutes on shining your leather shoes or brushing your suede shoes shows the interviewer that you are detail oriented and very polished.

Grooming.
Besides your clothing, your grooming habits need to be at the top of their game. Find a hairstyle that is very conservative. I recommend getting your haircut if you know you have the interview several days in advance. Be cleanly shaven and if you have a beard or mustache then I suggest shaving it. Take this chance to trim your fingernails and take out all of your visible piercings, women included. Do not chew gum, tobacco, or any other substance prior to your interview. As for cologne or perfume, the opinions vary tremendously. Personally, I've heard horror stories where the interviewer was allergic to the ingredients in the cologne that a prospective interviewee was wearing and broke out in hives. If you're to wear cologne or perfume, be sure that it's a small amount.

Men.
Here are the standards for the way men should dress during an interview:
-Dark shoes
-Dark socks
-Necktie with a conservative pattern
-Dark suits (Dark suits tend to frame you in a more solid, powerful appearance.)
-No rings, with the exception of your wedding ring.

Women.
Here are the standards for the way women should dress during an interview:
-Pantsuits only. No dresses.
-Shoes with a low heel.
-Minimal makeup. Don't make it too noticeable.
-Only wear a minimum of one set of earrings.
-All nail polish should be a clear color. Not too bold.
-The purse should be replaced with a small briefcase or carry nothing at all.