Office of Career Services

1) It’s ok to ask what to wear 

• Traditional Industries
  • Men: a conservative suit, shirt, and tie
  • Women: a conservative suit with personality shown through your shirt or jewelry
• Other Industries
  What to wear is much less clear so ask about the company’s general dress policies when you are contacted about an interview – It’s better to be over dressed than underdressed.

2) Shop Smart 

• Don’t need to buy several suits for different interviews at the same company.
• In many cases you can get by with one suit combined with varying what you wear with each suit each time. For example: use that one suit for interviews, but change the shirt, jewelry or scarf each time

3) Don’t need to spend a fortune 

• Start by looking at higher-end stores to look at interview wardrobe possibilities, but when you are ready to buy something and money is tight, head for the outlet stores.
• When considering you purchasing options don’t look so much at the specific price tags but at the “cost per wearing.”

4) Don’t neglect accessories 

• Make sure that your shoes are clean and everything is neat and in order.
• Use a portfolio or briefcase to bring your material to the interview. Not a backpack.
• Women: Wear clear nail polish, make sure your nails are clean, and wear light make – up. You don’t want the focus to be on the bright nails and make – up; you want the focus to be on you and what you have to offer
• Men: Make sure that you have clean nails and you are clean shaved.
• Image matters because it shows your attentiveness to detail and gives the recruiters an idea of how you will represent their company to clients, both internally and externally. The visual message you send makes a big difference in how you are perceived and, ultimately, whether or not you get the job.

(Adapted from Monstertrak.com)