Dress for Success

Why Appearance Matters in an Interview and on the Job

Your job interview attire can make or break your first impression. Appearance matters and can communicate your motivation, judgment, professionalism, and cultural fit within the organization. To maximize your chances of success, dress appropriately and show respect for the company’s values. For an interview, you want to communicate respect, so you should dress a little more conservatively and formally than employees typically dress at that organization.

How to Dress for Success

You can check the company website or it’s perfectly appropriate to ask the person scheduling your interview for information on the company dress code. Rule of thumb: When in doubt, ask!

General Dress for Success Guidelines

• Different companies and industries have different norms in regard to business dress, so it’s important to research a company and its culture to learn more about its dress code. The standard protocol is professional dress, which means a conservative, well-tailored suit. While a business suit is not always the everyday work attire for an organization, recruiters expect candidates to look their most professional during a job interview.
• The primary goal of dressing for your interview is to feel good and look professional. If you feel uncomfortable in an outfit – even if it fits and people say you look great – don’t wear it.
• Whether it’s business professional, business casual or smart casual, there are certain things you should always avoid. These include wearing dirty or wrinkled clothes, scuffed shoes, chipped nails, athletic clothing, sneakers, hiking boots, flip-flops, athletic sandals, and any shorts, skirts or tops that are too short or tight for the office.
• When preparing for a virtual interview, it is important to follow the same dress code guidelines as you would for an in-person interview. Avoid taking a virtual interview lightly, and ensure that you dress professionally and appropriately for the occasion, even if you’re interviewing from the comfort of your own home.

We understand that your culture, gender, and religious identity may influence your choice of attire. Therefore, we encourage you to incorporate those elements into your dress for success wardrobe. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable and confident in their professional attire, while also honoring their personal identity and culture.

Non-Dress Considerations Before a Job Interview:

• Turn off your phone completely: Even the vibration setting can be distracting and interrupt your conversation flow with the interviewer.
• Iron your clothes: Employers notice wrinkled clothes, so make sure to iron them before the interview.
• Avoid distracting accessories: Accessories are great, but they should not draw attention away from you or your prospective employer.
• Be mindful of personal expression: Visible tattoos, facial piercings, brightly colored hair, etc. may not be within the cultural norms of the office/organization. Wait until you’ve landed the job to showcase your personal expression.
• Avoid wearing hats or ball caps: Unless religious exceptions apply, do not wear hats or ball caps to an interview.
• Maintain personal hygiene: Employers expect a certain level of personal hygiene from interviewees, including bathing, using deodorant, and having clean hair, neatly trimmed facial hair (religious exceptions apply), and clean and trimmed nails. Avoid excessive perfumes/cologne.
• Freshen up your breath: Brush your teeth right before the interview and carry breath mints for last-minute emergencies. However, do not chew gum or candy during the interview.
• Keep your interview clothes smoke-free: If you smoke, keep your interview clothes somewhere smoke-free.
• Wear subtle makeup and avoid any distractions by emptying your pockets: Remove any coins or anything else that could be a distraction.

Remember, the goal of the interview is to get the job offer! Pay attention to both your dress and personal grooming to ensure that your potential employer is paying attention to your accomplishments and professionalism. If you have any specific concerns or questions, reach out to the our staff for guidance.