Men
Shoes Hard-soled, hard-toed. The best colors are black or brown. No tennis shoes, sandals, or boots. I once heard that interviewers spend a lot of time looking at shoes! It would be a shame to go to the trouble of shaving and putting on your best black suit, only to find that the toes and heels of your shoes look scuffed and shabby. Take the time to have your shoes shined, or, if you're in the mood, do it yourself. It will help complete the picture for a knockout first impression!
Ties Conservative: black, brown, navy, or red. A solid color or a simple pattern is best. Avoid ties that are too wide or too narrow. No potentially distracting artsy or modern patterns. No pastels or flashy colors. No bow ties.
Suits Matching business suits are best. If you do not have a tai-lored, well-fitting business suit in gray, black, navy blue, or brown, you may, as a second choice, wear pants (other than jeans) with a shirt, tie, and complementary jacket.
Shirts The only type of shirt that is acceptable for men at a job interview, in my opinion, is a button-down shirt with a collar. White or light blue, or a shirt with very narrow and light pinstripes is best. Tshirts and turtlenecks are too casual, however tempting it may be to wear them.
Jewelry Avoid wearing more than one ring per hand. Don't wear a pinky ring. If you happen to express your own style by wearing piercings on your lips, tongue, ears, or any other place that would be visible to the interviewer, I suggest that, just for now, you take them out. Wait until after you have the job offer and have put in a few weeks at the job. Then, you can decide whether piercings seem to be acceptable in your workplace.
Scents Other than the soap from your shower and (preferably) unscented deodorant, do not wear any colognes or aftershaves. It's surprising what a strong reaction people have to scents! They either love them or hate them. Don't take the chance that you might be wearing the same cologne as her ex- husband!
Hair Again, the rule of thumb is conservative. No matter what the length or style of your hair, it's worth investing a few bucks for a haircut before stepping into the competitive world of interviewing. Do not wear a hat. If you have long hair, tie it back neatly, or consider, for now, having it cut. I'm not trying to tell you how to express your own personal sense of style. I am simply conveying what is true about hiring trends in the marketplace today. Interviewers prefer less rather than more hair on both your head and your face.
I had a client who had absolutely no job offers until he shaved off his shaggy beard. When he got a job (soon after shaving), he sure missed his beard, but he didn't complain about earning $80,000 a year!
Accessories Always bring a pad of paper and a pen or pencil for taking notes. Avoid bringing a cell phone, pager, or handheld device that may ring or sound off an alarm, which could send the whole meeting rather rudely off course. Even having a cell phone turned off and strapped to your belt, in my opinion, can make you appear to not be fully focused on the interview. Interviewers expect, and should get, your full and undivided attention.
By the way, whether or not you normally wear a wristwatch, wear one to the interview. It signals that you're conscious of time, and most interviewers want an employee who has that attribute.
Finally, I suggest that if you don't have a briefcase or masculine-looking leather portfolio, buy one. There are plenty of briefcases that look like real leather but are made from other materials and cost less than $25 at an office supply store. The same goes for portfolios. Maybe you have nothing better than a copy of the Sunday paper or the Wall Street Journal to put inside it. That's OK. Carrying a briefcase or handsome portfolio will make you look 100 percent prepared to do business!
Women
Shoes Wear pumps with a medium-sized heel. Do not wear high, excessively spiky heels or boots. Black, brown, taupe, or navy is fine. Avoid flashy shoes with bright colors like red or glittery gold. No tennis shoes, open toes, or sandals. Flats may be OK for an extremely casual workplace, but low pumps are preferred.
Dresses or Suits In the workshops I teach, I always have at least one woman who says, "I wore pants to the interview and I got the job!" That's good news, but she is the exception to the rule. It's fine if you wear pants to work if that fits the company culture, but an interview is another story.
I strongly suggest that you wear either a dress or woman's business suit. If you like, you may wear a skirt with a complementary jacket or blazer. Again, we're going for a conservative "business" look, so hems should be only slightly above the knee and necklines should not be revealing. The color of your jacket or blazer is not terribly important, but try to wear solid colors or very simple patterns so the interviewer's eyes are on your face rather than lost in the pattern of your clothing.
Of course, the most uncomfortable thing about wearing a dress or suit is dealing with those oh-so-fun pantyhose. Until sci- entists come up with a brand that doesn't run, you'd better be sure to bring an extra pair in your purse or briefcase just in case you get a snag on your car door or in the subway.
Jewelry Again, it's always better to err on the conservative side. Except for a wedding band and an engagement ring, stick to one ring per hand, one bracelet per wrist. Don't wear dangly or multiple earrings that may be distracting to the interviewer. Remove, just for now, any additional piercings you may have on your ears or face.
Hair and Makeup Keep it simple! Don't allow long or wavy hair to hide your face. Consider having a touch-up color, wave, or trim. Wear lighter or less makeup than usual. Do not apply too much foundation or eye makeup. If you use hair spray, you might consider an unscented brand. Any sort of perfumelike smell from hair spray, body lotions, cologne, or perfume can be disturbing to some interviewers.
Accessories Don't forget that your purse, briefcase, or portfolio needs to look good too. Remember to check them for scratches or tears, and remember to bring your business card. A pad and pencil to take notes shows that you're an attentive, interested listener.
These rules may seem stringent, but try to find ways to express your style as much as you can within these guidelines. Be sure to wear clothes you feel comfortable in and colors that compliment your skin tones. When you can look in the mirror and say, "Okay, I'm ready!" you'll know you've found a good combination of businesslike attire.