A few years ago, a client of mine told me about an error in judgment he made when going on an interview. Art had worked as a mid-level manager for a mortgage rating company and was laid off when the mortgage industry crashed. He tried for months to secure employment and finally, in desperation, he decided to apply to any job he thought he could get. He applied for a sales position with the Apple Store even though it wasn’t really the job he wanted. He was thrilled when he was called in for an interview, but unfortunately, he didn’t bother to do any research on the company beforehand. He arrived for the group interview at the appointed time wearing his best suit and tie; his usual interview attire. I’m sure you can imagine his surprise when he arrived to find everyone dressed in casual Dockers and polo shirts! Art stood out like a sore thumb and didn’t appear to fit in with the corporate culture.
First impressions can make or break you.
To avoid making that mistake in the future, I advised Art to find out what the acceptable dress is for the company you’re interviewing with by talking to an insider; an actual employee of the company. If that’s not possible, then watch employees as they enter the building in the morning as they go to work to see how they dress to determine whether the company dress code is traditional and professional or more on the casual side – of course, avoid going on “dress down” Fridays. Once you figure that out, then follow these general guidelines for dressing for the interview:
Guidelines for Men
For professional organizations:
- Conservative suit in dark gray, blue or black. Steer clear of brown; it’s not a power color
- White long sleeve shirt
- Conservative ties; no loud prints or colors
- Make sure your shoes are polished
- Dark socks
For semi-professional or casual organizations:
- A pair of dark casual slacks
- Sports shirt
- Loafer-style dress shoes with dark socks
- Optional: Dark Blazer in gray, blue, or black
Guidelines for Women
- Solid color classic suit
- Coordinated blouse in conservative prints
- Closed-toe shoes with a medium height heel
- Light hosiery
For semi-professional or casual organizations:
- A simple dress or trousers with a jacket
- For a more casual company, a jacket may not be necessary
Additional tips:
- Wear a limited amount of jewelry
- Don’t over-do your cologne
- Make sure your hair style is neat, professional-looking, and current
- Be impeccably groomed; nails clipped, etc.
- Carry your resume and other career documents in a portfolio or briefcase
To make the very best first impression, make sure you look the part by following these guidelines.
