Ellen Gordon Reeves
Author
How to Shop for the Interview
When shopping for an interview outfit, it’s sometimes hard to tell if it looks good or fits right. Before you make a purchase, be sure that your new clothes meet Ellen’s expert standards.
Blouses: Don’t buy anything too tight. Look out for that telltale gap between the buttons at chest level. And it goes without saying: you must have adequate coverage—no cleavage at the interview. Also, make sure your look is seasonally appropriate—no wool in the spring or summer, or summery tops in the fall or winter.
Suits: If you’re buying a suit as a whole, both parts should fit and flatter. Many women are larger on the bottom than on top or vice versa. If that’s the case, shop for separates or have pieces altered to fit. Buy the suit far enough in advance to have things tailored if necessary. It shouldn’t cost very much to have a pair of pants shortened, but know that restructuring a jacket can be costly, especially if work on the shoulders is involved.
Shoes: Do not buy flip-flops, sneakers, noisy clogs, or overly high heels for your interview. You can wear a shoe that has a little bit of toe showing, but strappy sandals are not okay—your heels should be covered. Wear your new shoes around the house until they’re broken in. You don’t want to be limping into the interview room.
First Impression Dressing
September 2010
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Appearance is an enormous factor in an interviewer’s overall perception of you and the way you present yourself can determine your fate. Job hunting expert, Ellen Gordon Reeves offers some fool-proof advice on what to wear for the big day.
Err on the conservative side.
Lead with your competence, accomplishments, and personality, not with your outfit. Avoid dressing provocatively or eclectically. In certain creative fields, such as theater or fashion, you may be judged on your expressiveness—but unless that’s the case, it’s best to be more conservative. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, choose hemlines no shorter than just above the knee—steer clear of miniskirts or dresses with slits up the thigh.
When in doubt, wear a suit.
Interview attire is generally more formal than everyday office-wear. That means different things to different companies—small nonprofits may not be as formal as law firms—but you should be dressing for business. If the company has ‘casual Fridays’ and your interview happens to fall on one, do not dress casually. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you should wear what the company’s current employees wear to work every day—it’s always better to be too dressed-up than not dressed-up enough.
Avoid bright colors.
While you will certainly be remembered for your bold fashion statement, it may not be in the way you had hoped. The same goes for leather or any evening materials (shimmer, sequins, lace, velvet), busy patterns, or color combinations. Instead, opt for black or neutral pants or a skirt with a complementary jacket, or an appropriate, professional-looking dress. And, avoid bright colors on your fingers and toes—wear clear or neutral polish on your clean and well-groomed nails.”
Pay attention to the details.
What you are saying when you present yourself is, ‘This is the best me you will ever see. I can’t look or sound more professional than this.’ So, every little bit counts. If you have a stain on your clothes, a missing button or a wrinkled skirt, the interviewer might assume you’ll be a lazy or sloppy employee. Make sure your undergarments fit well-no visible bra straps or panty lines; and if you wear sunglasses to the interview, don’t push them up onto your head or clip them to your clothes.
Accessorize smartly.
Watch out for status-screaming high-end accessories, especially in non-profit or lower-paying industries, and avoid anything too busy or noisy. Stick with a minimal look, and maybe add one interesting piece that can be a conversation starter, like an unusual bracelet. Reexamine your everyday jewelry, especially anything on an old string, ribbon, or cord which does not scream professional. If you’re applying perfume, be sparing.
Rock a clean haircut.
Invest in a good haircut, but not too close to the interview; if you end up hating it, you don’t want to look uncomfortable or unhappy. Your hair should not hang in your face or eyes and if you dye your hair, make sure your roots aren’t showing. If you have long hair and tend to play with it, tie it back or up. No extreme hairdos, bobby pins sticking out, hats, bandannas, or other headgear unless for religious purposes.
Adapted from Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?, by Ellen Gordon Reeves, Workman Publishing, www.caniwearmynosering.com