Interview Attire

H,

Help!  Everyone knows the state of the economy these days is anything but good, which means a lot of people are finding themselves jobless.  That being said, all those people are on the hunt for a new job and going on countless interviews.  Aside from having a standout resume and sparkling personality, how can I dress to impress new potential employers. 

Signed,

For Hire

 

For Hire,

Just because we are in a recession economy does not mean you can get away with Dust Bowl attire in your interviews.

John Vachon, “Unemployed men who ride the freight trains from Omaha to Kansas City and St. Louis and back,” 1938

 

For the men:

Times may change, but proper interview attire does not:  a suit, tie, and starched and iron shirt are the keys to success.  There are styles and trends that come and go in suiting (two buttons versus four, thin versus thick lapels), but I am a believer in wearing whichever suit makes you look, and feel, confident.  This confidence will radiate during your interviews.

Though the suit is non-negotiable, there are ways you can express yourself and provide a conversation starter.  Vineyard Vines has made expressive ties popular while still being tasteful, and other brands are picking up on this trend.  As long it is not too loud of a pattern, your tie is a great way for your interviewer to pick up on your favorite sport, vacation spot, or alma mater, and makes for a relaxed way to break the ice.

If you are a French cuff guy, you can use cufflinks to express yourself also, and many department stores now carry unique designs, such as these poker chips below.

Poker Chip Cufflinks, by Juicy Couture, on sale for $61.90

 

For the ladies:

The rule of thumb, especially for banking interviews, used to be a conservative skirt suit for interviews.  Well I say you can throw a banking job out the window in this economy, and your skirt suit along with it.

Pant suits are significantly more comfortable to wear (at least for me) and make for a longer, leaner, more powerful look, especially in a male-dominated business world.  In fact, finish the look with your highest heel possible.  Height is key in conveying a powerful and confident first impression.  (Tip: with high heels, you still need to ensure your pant hemline grazes the ground, so bring the pumps with you when you get the pants hemmed.)

Unless the culture of the company for which you are interviewing is quite conservative, a fashionable and slightly more daring woman can feel free to throw the suit away all together.  We can thank power-women like our first lady, Michelle Obama, for pushing the envelope of daytime style yet making shifts and cardigans just as classy as traditional suits.  You rarely see Mrs. Obama in a matching suit, and today’s women should feel free to follow this trend in their  interviews and the workplace.

First Lady Michelle Obama in Vogue magazine

 

But remember, ladies and gentlemen, unless you want to break into modeling, looks are only a small part of acing your interview. 

 

Good luck!

H*

Readers, how do you stand out during interviews? Leave a comment.

*Ask A Question Now*

Email ask.h.blog@gmail.com