| Most of us in the career development profession, | | | | going the whole day without a back back as a |
| have watched, feeling helpless, as we see hopeful | | | | catch all. |
| job seekers get disqualified for less than | | | | Take your cue from the recruiters you see at a |
| appropriate interview dress. | | | | career fair - if they are dressed above business |
| All of us at one point or another have made silly | | | | casual and you are not - avoid approaching them. |
| interview dress choices or have been caught | | | | Also avoid approaching them if you are dressed |
| unprepared in the interview. Many might be all too | | | | appropriately, but the friend that gave you a ride, |
| familiar with the convenience store pit stop to get | | | | who chose not to wait in the car is "hanging" out |
| anything from new stockings, to new deodorant | | | | with you and is not. |
| or even mouthwash on the way to the interview. | | | | Make sure you always have a suit that is dry |
| How many of us have had to run into the | | | | cleaned and ready for interviews on short notice - |
| bathroom of a nearby fast food restaurant just | | | | If you do not, try very hard to reschedule in a |
| before the interview? How many of us have | | | | professional manner. Do not just "throw |
| gone into the interview, at the peak of allergy | | | | something on" and come in to explain that your |
| season, without tissues? I have. | | | | suit is at the cleaners. |
| My most embarrassing interview moment came | | | | Safe attire for men typically means button-down |
| as I glanced down to open my portfolio and | | | | shirt, polished shoes and a blue, black or gray suit |
| realize that my blouse was inside out. I remember | | | | with a conservative tie. This is not the time for |
| wishing that the ground would open up and just | | | | holiday ties or for the suit you wore to your |
| swallow me. Unfortunately, I wasn't savvy enough | | | | eighth grade graduation. |
| to comment on it myself and keep moving. | | | | Conservative dress for women typically include a |
| Instead, I tried to close my jacket and hugged | | | | skirt at least knee length, slacks or pantsuits and |
| my portfolio to my chest. I lost my focus and the | | | | clean flats or moderate heels. Bulky jewelry, |
| most important thing to me then, was not to do | | | | chipped nail polish and a peeling "pearl" necklace do |
| well in the interview, but just to get out of there | | | | not make a good first impression and by no |
| as fast as I could. | | | | means try-on a new hairdo before an interview. |
| The following list of things to watch for - speak | | | | A leather or leather look portfolio finishes off your |
| more about often over-looked little details rather | | | | look and keeps you organized with note paper, a |
| than general tips on grooming for interview dress. | | | | pen, copy of your resume and a place to put |
| They are things that can cause a great deal of | | | | business cards you collected in the interview. |
| personal discomfort for candidates, once they | | | | Recruiters always remember the candidate who |
| realize they overlooked a detail they should have | | | | pulled a folded resume from a coat pocket, in a |
| caught with a little bit of extra preparation. | | | | less than positive way. |
| Wear layered season-appropriate attire. This way | | | | Avoid taking unnecessary items into the interview. |
| you can remove pieces to make yourself more | | | | For example, putting your resume inside of a Law |
| comfortable just in case the HVAC system might | | | | School test prep guide, might indicate you are |
| not be set to your comfort level. If you are | | | | more interested in law school than you are in |
| already nervous, sweating profusely won't make | | | | working for this company. |
| you stand out for the right reason. | | | | There are definite trends towards acceptance of |
| Don't overlook neighborhood consignment shops | | | | some things once considered taboo in the |
| as a great place to find suitable bargains, but | | | | interview. For example in a 2006 study published |
| make sure to check garments thoroughly for | | | | by the National Association of Colleges and |
| holes, small rips, pulled hems, and lingering odors. | | | | Employers ([ 88% of the employers said that |
| Seam construction becomes awfully important | | | | earrings on male candidates had none or only |
| here also. | | | | slight influence on their decisions. In the same |
| Make sure accessories like shirts and blouses have | | | | survey, however, personal grooming continued to |
| the appropriate number of the all the same types | | | | be an important factor as 73% of employers said |
| of buttons. Be sure that ties, handkerchiefs (if still | | | | it had strong influence on their view of applicants. |
| used) and scarves are not stained or unraveling. | | | | With a few well-selected pieces, job seekers need |
| Watch for ring-around-the collar from too much | | | | not break the bank to make the right impression |
| wear or too much make-up. Also watch for rings | | | | from the first meeting with the potential |
| under the arms. | | | | employer at a career fair or networking event, |
| Practice walking, sitting and standing in new | | | | through the interview to the first day on the job |
| interview attire before the interviews. College | | | | and well beyond. |
| students should also try to become comfortable | | | | |