How to Dress for an Interview

Are you in need of a job? Follow these tips on how you can dress for success and achieve that
goal.

[edit] Steps

1. Pick out a professional looking suit from your wardrobe. If you don't have one, you
can buy one. Keep in mind that you don't have to burn a hole in your pocket for a suit. Make
sure the suit is chic and fits you well. Your clothing is the base for a first opinion.

2. Make two copies of your application. One for practice, one to submit.
3. Smile. But be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly.
4. Offer to shake hands. It's good to keep in mind that no one wants to shake hands with a
fish. Keep a firm and direct handshake. This is like saying without words "I'm a sophisticated
and business-like person."
5. Keep good posture and maintain eye contact, this is critical body language that says "I
know what I'm doing and I'm confident in myself. It also is not a good idea to cross your arms.
This is body language for, "I don't care about what you are saying."

[edit] Video

[edit] Men

1. Be formal (no matter what the regular dress code is at the job). The only exceptions to
this are if you are interviewing somewhere that they tell you specifically what to wear for your
own safety (such as at a factory). For most interviews, a suit is the appropriate attire. A blue
suit works the best and it gives you a lot of versatility in terms of shirt and tie choice. Light or
dark grey are also good conservative choices. A three button suit will look good on almost
anyone, while a 2 button will give a slightly taller/slimmer appearance.
2. Choose a solid white or blue shirt. You don't want to look too flashy with a brightly
colored shirt, and striped (and especially patterned) shirts are a little less formal. A straight
collar is also more formal than a button down. Choose one with a medium spread. (If you have
a particularly large neck, a wider collar may look better.)
3. Wear a tie in a dark, conservative color (never pink). Stick to solids, rep (diagonal
striped) or small patterned ties. A red tie will give the friendly politician look, while blue ties
give a more serious FBI agent look. Both are acceptable.
4. Wear a belt or suspenders, but never both at the same time. It’s redundant. If you're a
suspenders kind of guy, get buttons sewed into your trousers and wear suspenders that
button on, not the cheap clip-on kind. They will make you look cheap.
5. Show off your shoes. A pair of black oxfords or cap-toed oxfords is the best choice. Get
ones that don't have super thick soles so they won’t look like boots.
6. Wear solid, vertically ribbed socks in black or grey. Get socks that are long enough
to cover your legs when you sit down in your suit. Socks should always match the color of
your trousers.
7. Don't pile on the cologne. There is such a thing as overpowering it.

[edit] Women

1. Go out for an manicure and pedicure.

2. Choose nice accessories.
3. Try to find a pencil skirt and a pointed toe pump.