Blog Post: What to Wear to an Interview

What makes you look professional to someone you’ve just met for the first time?  What are you wearing right now that you would change if you had an interview in a half hour?  I did some research this week on what to wear to an interview.  I read a little over 20 articles on the subject – and most of them agree on some pretty basic rules.  To save you time, here are the most frequent given tips:

1.  Be conservative.  When you have a choice - less is better, regardless of what the clothing item or accessory.  In choices of jewelry wear little to none – understated.  When choosing; a color to wear (dark grey and navy are really safe, black for women), type of clothes (suits are safe), cologne (little to none), and what you carry in to the interview (padfolio or briefcase, for women briefcase or purse – not both).

2.  Be clean and neat.  Remember to shower and groom yourself well (nails, hair, facial hair).  Also make sure everything you are wearing is neat (dry clean or press clothes, shine shoes). 

3.  Leave these items out of your interview:  cell phone (leave at home or in the car), change in your pockets (empty pockets are neater looking), tattoos and body piercings (leave the jewelry out and cover any visible tattoos if possible), extra skin (keep skirt length, sleeve lengths modest). 

Do you have something you would add to this list?  Do you know of someone who always seems put-together and give off that great first impression?   Share your best practices and let us know how it goes in your next interview!