What to Wear for a Job Interview

Showing up for an interview for a warehouse position in a three piece suit can lead to an uncomfortable first impression. On the same note, applying for a sophisticated law firm in your casual wear will most likely not help your chances of landing a job. In today's competitive market, the importance of a first impression cannot be underestimated. Here are a few tips on what to wear for a job interview to make a good first impression . . . or at least help you avoid too much interview embarrassment.

Be clean and well groomed. Make sure your hair is neat, clean, and styled. Avoid using too much product. Ladies should wear subtle, natural looking makeup. Nails should be clean and nicely manicured.

Dress for the company you are applying for. With the internet, it is easy to run a web search on the company you are applying to. Even if the company does not have a website, you can look for photos in newspaper articles, industry reports, and general information on what is expected at other companies. If you know someone who works at the company or in the industry, simply ask them for advice. Figure out what the standard is. If the office environment is fairly casual, take your ensemble up a notch. If it is very formal, pull out that classy suit.

Avoid statement ensembles. Low-cut shirts, mini-skirts, plaid shorts, man-capris, floral dresses, heavy make-up, clunky jewelry, too many designer labels, huge handbags, political emblems, and anything obscure can be deal breakers. I am not trying to suppress your freedom of expression, but since you are unsure of the environment you will be walking into, it is best to play it safe and scope out the environment before making any statements.

For ladies, subtle jewelry is a safe bet. Gentlemen may want to avoid wearing jewelry depending on the company where they are applying. Watches are good accessories for both genders.

If you are not applying for a company where suits are the standard, it is still a good idea to dress up for an interview. Nice slacks paired with an oxford shirt work nicely for both sexes in a wide range of industries. Once again, it is important to research the standard of the company. Skirts are nice for the ladies, but avoid frilly cuts and floral prints. A nice a-line or straight skirt at a modest length will leave a neat impression. If you are applying for a formal office position, by all means, wear a suit. Even if you end up being overdressed, you can simply remove your jacket to feel more at ease.

When deciding what shoes to wear for a job interview, try to pick something practical and professional. For the ladies, low heals with closed toes are best. For gentlemen, simple dress shoes are a good bet. Try to avoid tassels and statement making shoes. On the subject, make sure your slacks cover your ankles. High waters will definitely leave an impression, but not the one that you want to. Socks should be neutral dress socks. . . no white athletic socks, please. Ladies, if you are wearing slacks, then wear trouser socks. If you are wearing a skirt, wear neutral hose.

By dressing conservatively and slightly dressier for an interview, you will avoid being too embarrassed either from being under-dressed or over-dressed.

There are exceptions to every rule, and you will have to use your common sense in assessing what to wear to a job interview. If you are applying for a job in an artistic or fashion industry, you may want to be a little more creative in your attire. If you are applying for a job in a specialized field, you may want to wear industry appropriate attire. If you are unsure, it is best to stick with more conservative attire.

Dressing nicely for an interview shows your prospective employer your interest in the position. Care in your personal presentation gives people the impression that you take care in other areas of your life. Once you land the job, you will figure out how to dress for it on a daily basis, but initially, you want to avoid sending the wrong message. Best of luck with choosing the perfect outfit to wear to your job interview, and all of your career aspirations.