 What your clothes say about you |
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In an interview your attire plays a supporting role. |
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Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your ability to articulate intelligent and well-thought-out responses to questions are the most important elements. |
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Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry in which you are trying to become employed. |
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Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and image presented to the customer are critical. In such industries, your attire will be judged more critically. |
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Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage. |
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If you are primarily remembered for your interview attire, this is probably because you made an error in judgment! |
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Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing to a higher standard than you might need to. |
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Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress more formally for the interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer. The interview is a professional meeting and thus a more formal occasion than daily work. |
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Never confuse an interview or business function with a social event. Don’t dress for a party or a date. |
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Not every contact with an employer requires interview attire. For some occasions business casual is appropriate. |
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Changes in fashion may change some things, like the width of lapels, the cut of pants, or the colors of blouses, shirts and ties available in the stores. Basic professional attire does not change with the whims of fashion. A good suit should last five to ten years, depending on its quality, how hard you wear it, how well you care for it, and if it continues to fit you well. You can express fashion’s whims in your off-the-job clothes, and to some extent in your accessories. |
Interview attire guidelines for men and women |
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Suit:
A two-piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice. |
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What if the JOB is in a NON-SUIT-wearing WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Even if you would or could wear jeans on the job, or the work environment is outdoors and a very non-suit environment, wearing a suit to the interview shows you take the interview seriously as a professional meeting. Dressing well is a compliment to the person(s) with whom you meet. If you think the industry in which you’re interviewing would frown on a suit, or the interview will involve going to a work site where a suit would be inappropriate, look for advice through professional organizations, your professors who have been employed in that industry, and/or by asking the employer directly and politely. One alternative is to wear pressed pants (like khakis) and a dark jacket; less formal than a suit, but still business-appropriate for both men and women. |
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Conservative colors / fabric:
Navy, dark gray (and black for women) — are safe.
Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes.
Solids or very subtle weave patterns or plaids (the type that look solid across a room) are safest.
Wool, wool blends, or other good quality natural and synthetic fibers, are generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid lower quality acetate / rayon blends. |
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Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job. One good-quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt/blouse and tie/accessories. |
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Clean / loose threads / tacking stitches / tags:
Everything should be clean and well pressed. Allow time to take your suit to the dry cleaner if needed. Hold it up to bright light to check for stains you might not see in your closet. Carefully inspect clothes for tags, dangling threads, etc. Cut away the tacking threads that hold jacket and skirt vents closed (these are for the garment to stay neat at the retailer, not for permanent use). |
Additional interview attire specifics for men |
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Suit:
A two-piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice. Don’t combine a suit jacket with pants that don’t match.
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Conservative colors / fabric:
Navy and dark gray are safe and are the most conservative for men. Black for men was once considered severe or overly formal, and may still be considered so in very conservative industries, although it is commonly worn by many. Other color trends may come and go; avoid the extremes. Choose a solid or very subtle weave pattern or plaid (the kind that look solid across a room). Wool, wool blends, or very high-quality natural and synthetic fiber blends are acceptable fabrics for a conservative men’s suit. |
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Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. Do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job. One good quality suit is sufficient for a job search if that is all your budget allows. You can vary your shirt and tie. |
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Ties:
Tie styles come and go. Select good quality silk ties.
Avoid fashion extremes, like character ties, in interviews.
Notice what men in your industry wear on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, when they meet with clients. |
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Shirts:
Long-sleeved shirts, even in summer. Choose white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes. A dark shirt might be acceptable in a non-conservative industry. Avoid being trendy. |
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Socks:
Dark socks; color should match pants.
Mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down. |
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Shoes:
Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes, preferably black or cordovan (match your belt color). Invest in a good pair; even if you don’t wear them daily at work, you’ll need them for other occasions; good shoes should last years if not frequently worn. |
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Belt:
Black or cordovan leather, to match your shoes. |
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Facial hair:
If worn, should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are unsure what’s appropriate or are considering changing your look. |
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Jewelry:
Wear a conservative watch. If you choose to wear other jewelry, be conservative. Removing earrings is safest. For conservative industries, don’t wear earrings. Observe other men in your industry to see what is acceptable. |
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Details:
Everything should be clean and well pressed. Suits typically have tacking stitches to hold vents — on the jacket back and on sleeves — in place before the garment is purchased. Cut them off if your retailer / tailor doesn’t. And that tag stitched on the outside of your sleeve is not meant to stay there for show — cut it off! Carefully inspect clothes dangling threads, etc.
-career.vt.edu |
[email protected] 
(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)