As Will Rogers said, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Your interview image must be buffed and polished until you have mastered a flawless presentation of yourself. Your personal image extends well beyond the interview. Every contact with the interviewer (résumé, cover letter, telephone calls, information sessions, etc.) must reflect your professional image.
Your appearance tells people how you feel about yourself as an applicant, as well as how you feel about the interviewer(s), the company, and the process of interviewing itself. The correct image at an interview will give you a real edge over your competition, and will add to your own sense of self-esteem and confidence.
Interview Appearance Tips
Within the first five seconds of meeting someone, you are generally evaluated on your appearance. It is important that your appearance match the culture of the company. One way to do this is to visit the company to see how people who work there are dressed or ask people that you know in the professional workplace. For example, in most public and private accounting firms women wear skirted suits. Therefore, interviewing in a pantsuit would most likely be unacceptable for such accounting positions. Many companies do have business casual dress one or more days a week. Business casual dress is still inappropriate for interviewing.
Invest in your interviews as you have invested into your education. If you need a book for a class, you buy it. If you need a suit for interviewing, buy it. Buy the highest quality suit you can afford. We recommend a lined, all-season wool suit. It will pay off in the long run.
General Tip
You can never go wrong if you dress conservatively
Clothes should be wrinkle-free and clean
All tags should be removed from clothing
Make sure your clothes are lint-free
Shirt cuffs should extend ½ inch below the jacket sleeve
Jewelry should be kept to a minimum; wear only gold or silver
Wear a dress watch, not a plastic band watch
Always have fresh breath, but do not keep gum or mints in your mouth
Avoid having smoker’s breath or smoker’s clothing
Do not wear perfume or cologne
Wear deodorant
Refrain from bringing backpacks into the interview
Men
Wear a navy or dark gray suit for the first interview
The jacket should match the pants
Wear a pressed and starched white or ivory long-sleeved shirt; 100 percent cotton is recommended
The tie should be conservative; avoid a distracting eye-catching tie
Do not wear a lot of jewelry, such as, earrings, necklaces and bracelets
The tie should reach right above your belt buckle
Always wear a belt if the pant has belt loops; a black leather belt is recommended
Wear black shoes (wing tips) that do not have scuff marks or a worn heel
Wear black calf length socks
Always button your jacket; it’s o.k. to unbutton when you sit down
Shave before the interview
Women
Wear a navy or other dark colored skirted suit for the first interview
In most first interviews, pantsuits are unacceptable
The jacket and skirt should match, and the same color is recommended
The skirt length should be at least to the knee
Wear a non-wrinkled blouse that complements your suit; cotton or silk is recommended
Wear closed-toe leather classic pumps with heels no higher than 3" and no scuff marks
If you bring a purse, it should be compact and match the color of your shoes
No more than six pieces of jewelry (2 rings, 2 earrings, 1 watch, and 1 bracelet) should be worn; earrings should be small
Get a haircut one month before interviewing to make sure you are comfortable with the cut. Short hair is recommended for business; however, if your hair is longer pull it back or put it up. If you dye your hair, make sure that your roots are not showing. Makeup should be minimal and in neutral colors
Hands should be manicured; clear or neutral nail polish is recommended
Wear skin-tone hosiery (your hosiery should not be darker than your shoes); patterned hosiery is not appropriate
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