Jewelry to Wear to a Job Interview

A job interview is about you and what you can do for the prospective employer, it is not about how flashy you can be. You are not trying to hook a fish with the brightest lure. Flashy, showy, bangly jewelry is definitely out whether you are a man or a woman. You are not there to make a fashion statement and most interviewers do not appreciate you trying to do so, unless you are interviewing for a job as a sales girl at "The Gap." A bone through your nose is always a bad idea for personal adornment at a job interview.

Likewise jewelry which makes a personal statement about you should be left at home. Religious or secular affiliation pins, necklaces, rings and other items should, generally, not be worn into an interview.

"Service rings or ETS pins" which show prior military service and an honorable discharge are OK. These show past work history and pride in that work. A college ring is acceptable; it shows pride in your education. However, you probably should leave off any fraternity or sorority items. Like it or not, no matter how serious your fraternity or sorority may have been, these institutions have a "party" reputation which you may not wish to present to your perspective employer. If you were a member of such an organization, which did extracurricular, charitable work, during your college days, outline that in your resume and present it there.

Men, you are taking a chance wearing items, such as rings, from a fraternal organization to an interview. If you wear your Masonic ring into an interview it may do you some good. After all, the interviewer may turn out to be a brother Mason but what if your interviewer turns out to be a woman who is "tired of the good-old-boy attitude?" You may have just sunk yourself no matter how well qualified you really are for the job. Wearing such jewelry is a coin toss.

Religious items of jewelry to wear to a job interview are usually a no-no. There are a few exceptions though. If you are a pastor appearing before a church's pastoral search committee, then that cross lapel pin is entirely appropriate. Likewise a teacher, who is interviewing for a job at a Christian school can get away with wearing a cross necklace. However, right or wrong, these items would not suit if you were applying at a public school. Freedom of religion in this country has been slowly slipping away for years.

Anything, on men or women, which makes a political or social "statement" is a bad idea at an interview. Do not go into an interview wearing "peace emblems" and the like. No matter how noble you think your cause may be, the interviewer may not agree. They may be an idiot but they are the idiot that has the power to hire or not hire you. They have a job, a good job, you are the "idiot" who does not have a job.

What is ok? Wedding bands are ok. Stay with simple plain jewelry for the ladies, nothing too flashy. Men generally should wear nothing past a wedding band. Sorry guys, it may not be very PC these days when men were as much jewelry as women do but you must understand, you are trying to impress the interviewers and they may have old fashioned hang-ups. Even if they do not, you will probably not offend them by leaving off the jewelry for your job interview. If they do have hang-ups you will offend them by piling it on. Stick with nothing more than a wedding band and maybe a college or service ring.

Do not go into an interview trying to make a loud personal statement which has nothing to do with the primary reason you are there, to tell them, "I am the best person for this job." Stash the flash until you have the job. Good luck in your job hunt