Appearance
Dress according to the job you are applying for. The higher the job grade the more "professional"; you should dress. The rule of thumb is to dress one step up from the way you would be required to dress on the job. If you are applying for a position that deals with the public, the dress on the job would be business casual (for men collared shirt and slacks or for women slacks/skirt/dress and dress blouse), so for the interview adding a jacket would take the dress up one step. You will be judged in some respects by what you wear. When in doubt, dress conservatively (no wild colors, jewelry, funky shoes, etc).
Interview Grooming Tips for Men
- A clean, ironed shirt and conservative tie are appropriate.
- A simple jacket or business suit is a possibility as well.
- Have a friend check for lint, hair, or dandruff. Check to see if the clothing needs to be pressed. Wrinkles caused by sitting or caused in transit are acceptable but obvious wrinkles from lack of ironing are not.
- Shoes should be polished.
- Face should be clean-shaven; facial hair should be neatly trimmed.
- Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed. Nails should be trimmed to about the same length and clean. Hair freshly washed and neatly trimmed. Dirty hair and unkempt nails may indicate to the interviewers that either taking the interview is not taken seriously or that the applicant is not able to handle details.
- Use cologne or after-shave sparingly.
Interview Grooming Tips for Women
- Depending on the job applied for, a straight-forward business suit is good. For summer interviews a dress and jacket would be appropriate.
- Remember the general rule of dressing for an interview: One step up from the normal day to day dress for the job.
- Have someone check for lint, hair, or dandruff. Check to see if the clothing needs to be pressed or mended. Wrinkles caused by sitting or caused in transit are acceptable but obvious wrinkles from lack of ironing are not.
- Wear sensible shoes with hosiery if wearing a skirt or dress. Sandals are not appropriate for the interview, though may be appropriate for the job.
- Be moderate with make-up and perfume.
- Wear simple jewelry.
- Hair and fingernails should be well-groomed. This is very important. Nails must be trimmed to approximately the same length and clean.
- Nail polish must not have chips or smears and should match the outfit worn. Orange nail polish with a pink suit would not be coordinated.
- Dirty hair and unkempt nails may indicate to the interviewers that either the interview is not being taken seriously or that the applicant is not able to handle details.
