Outfitting: Dress for success
For
Women:
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Shoes-
Don’t wear shoes that have heels over two inches tall. Don’t wear hosiery and
shoes that are darker than your outfit. Wear skin-colored hosiery when you’re wearing
short sleeves in the summer.
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Outfit– You can’t go wrong with a dark two- piece suit, but
professional-looking dresses are also acceptable. Choose dark, solid colors and avoid pastels
or printed fabrics. Invest in good-quality fabrics that hang well and don’t choose
material that would be too clingy or sheer. Avoid blouses that are too low-cut. A skirt
should not be shorter than two inches above your knees.
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Jewelry- This is a time to show restraint and use real jewelry if you have it. The amount
of jewelry you wear should not exceed one ring per hand, small earrings, a watch, a bracelet,
and a single-strand necklace. A pin is acceptable if it’s simple and not flashy or
romantic-looking.
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Makeup- Make sure to go light on the make-up and wear neutral tones. No blue eye shadow
or eyeliner. You want to look conservative, so don’t wear the same amount of makeup
you’d wear for a weekend out with friends.
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Piercings and tattoos- Make sure that you don’t have any visible tattoos. Remove
any jewelry from piercings except for an earring in each
ear.
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Accessories- Your handbag should match your shoes and belt if you’re wearing one.
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Fingernails- Make sure your fingernails are immaculately clean and not too long. Nail
polish should be very subtle and match the rest of your outfit.
For
Men:
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Suits-
Wear a professionally pressed, two-piece suit in a dark color, with a long-sleeved,
buttoned-down shirt that’s been dry-cleaned. Add a conservative silk tie with a small
pattern or stripes. Always wear an undershirt under your dress shirts.
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Shoes- Wear all-leather dress shoes that match your belt. Casual loafers or boots are not
dressy enough. Wear dark socks that cover your calves.
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Limit yourself to a watch and a wedding band or single ring. Do not wear any earrings or
bracelets. Make sure to adjust the settings on your watch if it chimes or makes
noise.
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Piercings and tattoos- Nothing in this category should be visible.
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Fingernails- Make sure your fingernails are immaculately clean and trimmed.
Rules for
Everyone:
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Invest
in a good haircut. For men this means short and neat. For women, something out of your face
and neat.
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Remember that blue is the favorite color of the majority of Americans.
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Polish your shoes. Make sure there are no scuffs and that shoes look as if they are
new.
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Go
easy on the scents. Wear very light perfume or cologne or none at
all.
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Make sure to turn off your cell phone before entering the interview
site.
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Bring paper and a pen to take notes. Consider investing in a portfolio to carry
items.
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Dress for the job you want, not the job you’re applying for. Even if you’re
too dressed up, you’ll show the interviewer that you take them
seriously.