Interview attire: Do's and Don'ts
Dressing for the interview
Head to Toe Dressing Do’s and Don’ts for Interviews and other good stuff to know
General Information:
Wash and dry your hair. If you have long hair, wear it back and out of your face. If you have short hair, do it so that it is tailored and professional.
Shower the day of your interview. Avoid heavy perfume, but DO wear deodorant.
Do NOT drink coffee after you have brushed your teeth. If that means that you need to leave a few minutes early and brush your teeth in the bathroom before your interview, that’s OK. The same protocol with eating. Avoid smoking before your interview.
Face:
Women – Make-up should enhance your natural coloring and features. Don’t overdo the make-up, but do cover dark circles, and wear lipstick.
Men – Shave the day of your interview. If you cut yourself, remember to remove the paper from your cuts. If you have a mustache or beard, be sure that it is neatly trimmed or shaved off, if necessary.
Hands:
Be sure your nails are neatly trimmed and clean. If you are wearing nail polish, be sure that it is not bright red or chartreuse. If your nails are long, trim them, as you might have to do a typing test.
Suits:
Try to buy suits that are lined. They last longer and hang better.
a. When buying pants, remember that you may have to have them hemmed, so that they only break at your ankle once.
b. Hems should not hit at the widest part of your calf. Lengthening or shortening skirts by even ¼ to ½ inch can make all the difference.
c. Have all your skirts pegged to look 10 pounds thinner, instantly. Pegging your skirts simply means tapering the side seams of the skirt to follow the outline of your body.
Jackets: Hemlines should never stop at the widest part of your hips or thighs. Jackets should hang straight from the shoulder to hem and not get hung up on, or pull across the bust line, back or hips.
a. Check the shoulder seam, it should extend ¼ to ½ inch over the natural shoulder line unless the garment is cut with raglan sleeves or an intentional dropped sleeve.
b. Sleeves should just cover the wrist bone.
c. Make sure there is ample room in the shoulders, back and sleeves, move your arms and bend them.
d. Button the front. If it gaps, it’s too tight.
e. Slight shoulder pads make your clothes look more expensive and help you present a more polished image. Make sure your shoulder pads are rounded and not cut straight across.
Shirts and blouses: If they have stains of any kind, don’t wear them, even if you think your jacket is covering the stain. Men – be sure to wear an undershirt. Women – be sure that your bra cannot be seen under your shirt.
**Wear a white shirt if your hair coloring is dark; wear off white if your hair coloring is lighter.
Accessories: Accessories give you a more put-together look. When choosing accessories, it’s important to consider the scale, or size of the items in relation to your body. If you are tall or full-figured, your accessories should be larger than those worn by someone who is an average height or petite. Petite women need to scale down the size of their accessories so they don’t overpower the outfit.
Men: Ties should hit the middle of your belt and not shorter or longer. The color of the tie should have a coordinating color with your suit.
Women: The same for you if you choose to wear scarves with your suit.
Glasses: If you wear glasses, but also contacts, wear contacts to your interview. If your eyeglass frames are out of date, try to only wear them to and from the interview or while you’re testing.
Jewelry: Don’t wear more than one ring per hand, one bracelet per wrist, or more than one necklace on your neck.
a. If you have more than one hole per ear, only wear one earring per ear. The earring should hang no longer than the middle of your chin. If you are petite, they should be no bigger than a quarter, no bigger than a fifty-cent piece of you are of average build, and want extra impact.
b. If you have other facial piercing, take it out. Understanding that tongue rings are harder to remove since the holes close quickly, wait until the last minute before your interview to remove it.
c. Wear either a scarf or a necklace, but not both
d. Don’t mix your jewelry colors, either gold or silver but not some of each. Pearls are an exception. They can be worn with one or the other, but again, not both.
Don’t let your accessories compete for attention. Choose one focal point.
Hosiery:
Women: coordinate your hosiery. Stockings should match either the hem of your dress/skirt/pant, or your shoes. Never wear white hosiery with your outfit. If it’s spring and you choose to wear lighter color hosiery, choose off white. Never wear hosiery darker than your shoes, and avoid “nude” colored hosiery.
Men: NEVER wear white socks with dark slacks to an interview. Match either the hem of your pants, or your shoes. Tennis shoes are never appropriate foot attire, even if the interview is casual.
Shoes and Handbags:
a. Do not wear white shoes to your interview. Your shoes should be neutral, black, brown or navy is best.
b. Don’t bring an oversized handbag to your interview. Aside from your wallet, bring either a small handbag or a portfolio for your interview, but don’t bring that and a handbag. It would be best to leave the handbag at home.
c. Don’t wear shoes that are lighter color than the predominant color in your dress/suit.
d. Never wear two or three colored shoes to an interview. Spectators (two-toned) or multicolored shoes should stay in the closet.
e. If your shoes are even remotely scuffed, polish them. If the heels are worn, or ripped, have them repaired or replaced.
Extra tips –
1. If your hands sweat, put a cloth napkin in the pocket of your jacket. Just before you shake hands with your interviewer, dry your hand.
2. If your hands are cold, go to the bathroom and warm them in warm water before you head into your interview.
3. Get to the interview 15minutes early. If you know you are filling out an application, get there 30 minutes early. This gives you a head start.
a. Be prepared in care you have to fill out an application. Bring the appropriate materials to do so, including your ID, passport or social security card. This is necessary for the I-9.
4. Women, be sure to reapply your lipstick before the interview, in case you’ve eaten it off. Men, be sure that your tie is straight.
5. If your eyes have watered, check your make-up in the bathroom, and bring an extra tissue, in case you need to wipe the mascara from under your eyes.
6. DO NOT chew gum at your interview or in the waiting room.
7. If you smoke, do NOT smoke before your interview nor while wearing your interview attire.
8. Remember that the secretary is also interviewing you by viewing the way you act in the reception area. If you are kind to her, and contentious, he/she will likely put in a good word for you. If you drift off to sleep, he/she will notice.
9. Do not cross your legs at the knees, cross them at the ankles.
10. Do not sit back in the chair; sit with your rear about 5 inches from the back of the chair and straight.
11. Shake hands with the interview both before and after your interview. If the interviewer does not initiate the handshake, you do it. Be sure that the handshake is firm and confident.
12. While shaking hands, make eye contact and continue with it during your interview. It’s OK to look away for a moment while thinking of an answer, but be sure to connect it as you answer.
13. Do not lean on the armrests, use one or the other, if necessary but not both.
14. Don’t tap your fingers on the armrests, or make other nervous gestures i.e. Picking cuticles, fidgeting, etc.
15. Be sure to thank the employer for the interview, both verbally and with a thank you note. Go back out to your car and IMMEDIATELY write a thank you note. Hand deliver it if possible.
Head to Toe Dressing Do’s and Don’ts for Interviews and other good stuff to know
General Information:
Wash and dry your hair. If you have long hair, wear it back and out of your face. If you have short hair, do it so that it is tailored and professional.
Shower the day of your interview. Avoid heavy perfume, but DO wear deodorant.
Do NOT drink coffee after you have brushed your teeth. If that means that you need to leave a few minutes early and brush your teeth in the bathroom before your interview, that’s OK. The same protocol with eating. Avoid smoking before your interview.
Face:
Women – Make-up should enhance your natural coloring and features. Don’t overdo the make-up, but do cover dark circles, and wear lipstick.
Men – Shave the day of your interview. If you cut yourself, remember to remove the paper from your cuts. If you have a mustache or beard, be sure that it is neatly trimmed or shaved off, if necessary.
Hands:
Be sure your nails are neatly trimmed and clean. If you are wearing nail polish, be sure that it is not bright red or chartreuse. If your nails are long, trim them, as you might have to do a typing test.
Suits:
Try to buy suits that are lined. They last longer and hang better.
a. When buying pants, remember that you may have to have them hemmed, so that they only break at your ankle once.
b. Hems should not hit at the widest part of your calf. Lengthening or shortening skirts by even ¼ to ½ inch can make all the difference.
c. Have all your skirts pegged to look 10 pounds thinner, instantly. Pegging your skirts simply means tapering the side seams of the skirt to follow the outline of your body.
Jackets: Hemlines should never stop at the widest part of your hips or thighs. Jackets should hang straight from the shoulder to hem and not get hung up on, or pull across the bust line, back or hips.
a. Check the shoulder seam, it should extend ¼ to ½ inch over the natural shoulder line unless the garment is cut with raglan sleeves or an intentional dropped sleeve.
b. Sleeves should just cover the wrist bone.
c. Make sure there is ample room in the shoulders, back and sleeves, move your arms and bend them.
d. Button the front. If it gaps, it’s too tight.
e. Slight shoulder pads make your clothes look more expensive and help you present a more polished image. Make sure your shoulder pads are rounded and not cut straight across.
Shirts and blouses: If they have stains of any kind, don’t wear them, even if you think your jacket is covering the stain. Men – be sure to wear an undershirt. Women – be sure that your bra cannot be seen under your shirt.
**Wear a white shirt if your hair coloring is dark; wear off white if your hair coloring is lighter.
Accessories: Accessories give you a more put-together look. When choosing accessories, it’s important to consider the scale, or size of the items in relation to your body. If you are tall or full-figured, your accessories should be larger than those worn by someone who is an average height or petite. Petite women need to scale down the size of their accessories so they don’t overpower the outfit.
Men: Ties should hit the middle of your belt and not shorter or longer. The color of the tie should have a coordinating color with your suit.
Women: The same for you if you choose to wear scarves with your suit.
Glasses: If you wear glasses, but also contacts, wear contacts to your interview. If your eyeglass frames are out of date, try to only wear them to and from the interview or while you’re testing.
Jewelry: Don’t wear more than one ring per hand, one bracelet per wrist, or more than one necklace on your neck.
a. If you have more than one hole per ear, only wear one earring per ear. The earring should hang no longer than the middle of your chin. If you are petite, they should be no bigger than a quarter, no bigger than a fifty-cent piece of you are of average build, and want extra impact.
b. If you have other facial piercing, take it out. Understanding that tongue rings are harder to remove since the holes close quickly, wait until the last minute before your interview to remove it.
c. Wear either a scarf or a necklace, but not both
d. Don’t mix your jewelry colors, either gold or silver but not some of each. Pearls are an exception. They can be worn with one or the other, but again, not both.
Don’t let your accessories compete for attention. Choose one focal point.
Hosiery:
Women: coordinate your hosiery. Stockings should match either the hem of your dress/skirt/pant, or your shoes. Never wear white hosiery with your outfit. If it’s spring and you choose to wear lighter color hosiery, choose off white. Never wear hosiery darker than your shoes, and avoid “nude” colored hosiery.
Men: NEVER wear white socks with dark slacks to an interview. Match either the hem of your pants, or your shoes. Tennis shoes are never appropriate foot attire, even if the interview is casual.
Shoes and Handbags:
a. Do not wear white shoes to your interview. Your shoes should be neutral, black, brown or navy is best.
b. Don’t bring an oversized handbag to your interview. Aside from your wallet, bring either a small handbag or a portfolio for your interview, but don’t bring that and a handbag. It would be best to leave the handbag at home.
c. Don’t wear shoes that are lighter color than the predominant color in your dress/suit.
d. Never wear two or three colored shoes to an interview. Spectators (two-toned) or multicolored shoes should stay in the closet.
e. If your shoes are even remotely scuffed, polish them. If the heels are worn, or ripped, have them repaired or replaced.
Extra tips –
1. If your hands sweat, put a cloth napkin in the pocket of your jacket. Just before you shake hands with your interviewer, dry your hand.
2. If your hands are cold, go to the bathroom and warm them in warm water before you head into your interview.
3. Get to the interview 15minutes early. If you know you are filling out an application, get there 30 minutes early. This gives you a head start.
a. Be prepared in care you have to fill out an application. Bring the appropriate materials to do so, including your ID, passport or social security card. This is necessary for the I-9.
4. Women, be sure to reapply your lipstick before the interview, in case you’ve eaten it off. Men, be sure that your tie is straight.
5. If your eyes have watered, check your make-up in the bathroom, and bring an extra tissue, in case you need to wipe the mascara from under your eyes.
6. DO NOT chew gum at your interview or in the waiting room.
7. If you smoke, do NOT smoke before your interview nor while wearing your interview attire.
8. Remember that the secretary is also interviewing you by viewing the way you act in the reception area. If you are kind to her, and contentious, he/she will likely put in a good word for you. If you drift off to sleep, he/she will notice.
9. Do not cross your legs at the knees, cross them at the ankles.
10. Do not sit back in the chair; sit with your rear about 5 inches from the back of the chair and straight.
11. Shake hands with the interview both before and after your interview. If the interviewer does not initiate the handshake, you do it. Be sure that the handshake is firm and confident.
12. While shaking hands, make eye contact and continue with it during your interview. It’s OK to look away for a moment while thinking of an answer, but be sure to connect it as you answer.
13. Do not lean on the armrests, use one or the other, if necessary but not both.
14. Don’t tap your fingers on the armrests, or make other nervous gestures i.e. Picking cuticles, fidgeting, etc.
15. Be sure to thank the employer for the interview, both verbally and with a thank you note. Go back out to your car and IMMEDIATELY write a thank you note. Hand deliver it if possible.