DRESS TO SUCCESS

Whoever coined the phrase “you can’t judge a book by its cover” was certainly out of touch. Although the intent of the phrase holds true, the reality of it is that we all make judgments of one another based on presentation. In fact, we make statements all the time without uttering a single word, and rest assured, others will certainly take note of what we have to say. You want to be sure that your look is making the right statement about you.

Women usually have a greater range of fashion choices for interviews than do men, but they should keep in mind the following wardrobe rules:
DO's
1) Consider the suit as the major mode of dress for interviews.
2) Solids, pinstripes and muted plaids are acceptable colors.
3) Cotton-polyester, wool, and natural synthetic blends work well.
4) Err on the conservative side when choosing skirt length.
5) Choose a blouse with long sleeves that will allow the cuff to show about a quarter or half-inch beyond the jacket sleeve. Colors such as white, gray, or blue are most acceptable. Stick with natural fibers.
6) Wear conservative shoes with a closed toe. The heel should be about 1 ½ inches high. Black, brown or navy are standard colors that should compliment most suits.
7) Hose should also be neutral or skin tone.

DONT'S
1) Wear a shirt and blouse or casual dress.
2) Choose attire that will cause undue attention such as fluorescents or animal prints.
3) Wear natural fibers that wrinkle easily. You may arrive at the interview looking as if you just rolled out of bed!
4) Choose a skirt length that may be uncomfortable to you as well as those around you. A short skirt may send the wrong message and be a distraction during the interview.
5) Pair a suit with a sleeveless blouse. You never know when you may need to remove your jacket and bare arms are not appropriate for an interview.
6) Wear those three-inch heels you wear to the club. They’re not considered conservative and may not be comfortable for walking should you be asked to visit other offices during your interview.
7) Even think about wearing hose that incorporate wild patterns or colors.


Now, let’s not forget the Men. What types of things should a guy consider when dressing for an interview?

DO's
1) Consider a two-piece suit for your interview.
2) Choose suits made of wool or polyester-wool blends. 100% wool, however, is always the best bet for men.
3) Most clothing consultants agree that conservative is best: shades of blue, gray, beige and brown. Solid colors are most appropriate, however pinstripes, herringbone, tweed and some plaids are acceptable.
4) Stick to standard colors when choosing a shirt: white or blue. Other hues are acceptable, but it is a good rule of thumb to make sure that your shirt is lighter than your suit and your tie is darker than your shirt. Preferably, the shirt should be long-sleeve. Ties should come to your belt buckle.
5) Select either black or brown shoes for the interview. Socks should also compliment your shoe color. Make sure your shoes are polished well.

DONT's
Show up for the interview in your dad’s old leisure suit or a three-piece borrowed from a friend. These looks are dated and can lead one to believe you don’t have an eye for detail.
1) Bet on a synthetic suit to exude success. Synthetics have a tendency to shine and look cheap. Linen or cotton may be acceptable in hotter climates, but beware of the wrinkle factor!
2) Even consider the electric blue number. It’s strictly for fun and should not be worn in a conservative business setting.
3) Wear shirts that are busy and incorporate loud colors or patterns. It may cause the interviewer to focus more on your shirt instead of you.
4) Pull out the alligator or snakeskin shoes for the interview. Also, avoid colors for both shoes and socks that may take away from the appearance of your suit.

Men and women should also consider minimizing their jewelry during the interview. Current styles in jewelry incorporate thumb and toe rings, along with multiple bracelets and ringlets worn not only in the ears, but various other places on the body. Although appropriate outside of work, it should not be part of your corporate interview wardrobe. If you have an opportunity, visit a corporation near you and note how the employees dress. You’re likely not to see many nose rings or other piercings on display. Shaved heads, dreads and other non-traditional hairstyles are not advised in a corporate setting.These styles may send a message about you that may not be accurate, but will be based on the interviewer’s perception of you .

Here're some other words of advice as you begin the interview process:
1) Contact the company in advance of the interview to get information on dress code and try to have the most conservative version of that.
2) Stick to that train of thought and once you’ve gotten a job and established yourself, you can be a bit more liberal with your clothing choices.
3) Get to the interview early and duck into a restroom to spruce yourself up. It’s easy to become slightly disshelved as you travel to the interview site. If you are carrying an overcoat, check with the receptionist for a place to hang it. Better yet, try not to take it to the interview. Go to the waiting area and be polite, even if the interviewer is late.
4) Check out Mark Dorio’s book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting the Job You Want. It has a very informative section on “cracking the corporate dress codes and looking your best.”
5) Don’t hesitate to get advice from experienced sales associates, whose job it is to dress corporate professionals and executives. They can help you choose a conservative look that works well for you.