Always wear a suit, preferably three-piece. Do not wear a sport coat, leisure suit, or just a shirt and pants. No matter how informal the ultimate working environment, it is better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed. Wearing anything other than a suit to an interview implies that you have a low opinion of either yourself or the interviewer. Some interviewers are severely offended if you apparently think so lightly of an interview with them that you did not believe it was necessary to dress up. Finally, not only do employer surveys show a preference for the three-piece suit, but it generally conveys the most authoritative and successful image.
Always wear very conservative, traditional styles. Styles vary by region and industry, but traditional, conservative suits are always acceptable and usually the most effective for a job interview anywhere. Any other styles, such as Western or high fashion, or in formal, have a much higher risk of producing a less effective or even negative image. The leaders of business and government dress in a very conservative, if not dull, manner by fashion standards. However, their manner of dress is the image of success. Therefore, it is always effective to emulate them.
Always wear suits in medium to dark shades of blue and gray, Darker shades are more formal and authoritative than lighter shades. Most successful businessmen's wardrobes are comprised primarily of shades of blue and gray, from medium to dark. The dark-colored suits are reserved for the most important occasions because they look the most impressive. For interviewing, which certainly qualifies as an important event, you should select one or more of the following suits: dark blue, dark gray (but not black), dark blue with pinstripes, or dark gray with pinstripes, all preferably with a vest. Pinstripes and a vest each add even more authority to a suit. Accordingly, if you know you will be going through a series of interviews with the same company, wear your dark blue or dark gray pinstripe suit to your most important interview. However, if you have a very severe personality or physical presence that needs to be made less intimidating, which is rare, then avoid pinstripes and dark colors.
Always wear suits made of wool or woolblends. Wool suits and woolblend suits are relatively expensive, $200 to $300, but they are a good investment. These suits fit better, last longer, and look better than suits made of any other materials. Such suits imply above average capabilities. Do not appear to an interview under any circumstances suits made of pure polyester, double knit, corduroy, or denim material. Such suits mark you as an entry-level job hunter, or of marginal competence, or both.
Always have your best suit(s) fitted by a custom tailor rather than the clothing store clerk. No matter how expensive and high quality the suit, it will be worthless if it does not fit properly. Although any suit that needs major alterations should not be purchased in the first place, proper fit is extremely important, and dl alterations should be marked and performed by a custom tailor. General guidelines for proper fit are that the trousers should break slightly on the shoe, the shirt sleeves should extend slightly longer than &e jacket sleeves, the jacket should be smooth across the back of the neck and shoulders with the shirt collar visible from the back, the jacket lapels should be of medium width, and the suit jacket should cover the rear end.
Always wear long sleeve shirts in white or pale blue. Executives wear long sleeve shirts. Mail room clerks wear short sleeve shirts. The most ludicrous combination I have ever seen is a dark three-piece suit with a short sleeve shirt. As soon as you remove your coat (which you should never do in an interview) or the inter viewer notices no cuffs below your suit coat sleeves (which most will), the entire powerful effect of your suit is sabotaged. Solid shirts in white or pale blue are best. Shirts in subtle pinstripes or plaids can be acceptable but are harder to coordinate with the suit and tie and are therefore best avoided. Select shirts made of cotton or cotton blends.
Always wear neckties that feature small, evenly spaced, regularly repeating patterns or a solid color. Solid-color ties are acceptable but are usually the exception. Neckties should be conservative and feature only one repeating pattern like small polka dots or stripes or an insignia or a geometric figure. Examples of the latter two are Ivy League and Club ties. The smaller the pattern, the more formal, sophisticated, and powerful the effect. The colors in the tie should be selected so that one color matches or contrasts (but not clashes) with the suit and the other color matches or blends with the shirt. Ties should be silk. Do not ever wear a bow tie to a job interview. No one in recent history has ever been taken seriously while wearing a bow tie.
Keep hair length short and facial hair to a minimum. The longer your- hair, the lower your probability of getting a job offer in any given job interview. The same can be said for the amount of facial hair. No matter how society fashion changes, business tends to remain the same, old line conservative if not stuffy. Some companies still ask salesmen to be clean shaven after they are hired, if they are hired.
Do not choose inexpensive looking or gaudy accessories. A usage can be destroyed entirely by one minor incongruous detail. Your image is not only the sum of its parts, it is all or nothing. If one part is not perfect, the whole image is destroyed. If you carry a folder or briefcase, it should look like or be leather. Pen and pencil sets should be matched, thin, and appear to be silver or gold or fancy wood. Shoes should be wingtips or plain in either black or brown. Watches should be simple and of either gold or silver with matching band or leather. Wear black over-the-calf socks that will not droop at the ankles. Other than a watch and a wedding band, the less personal jewelry worn the better.
Always be neat and clean. Although this guideline should seem obvious, I have known it to be violated often, if only unknowingly. I have seen individuals arrive at an interview with grease under the fingernails, and blown hair, and traces of lunch on the sleeve. An accidental spot on a tie, if unnoticed and uncorrected before the interview, can nagging overshadow all your positive points in an interviewer s mind and result in the offer being extended to someone else. Thus, before entering the reception area of the company with which you are interviewing, your last stop should be the rest-room for a final check of your personal appearance.
