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The Proper Attire For An Interview
Sure, you want to stand out in a job interview, but you want to be remembered for your abilities, not for the outfit you were wearing. When selecting appropriate attire for an interview, the watch word should always be anonymity.
This does not mean you can not look sharp and well groomed, but you do not want to be remembered for looking sloppy or inappropriate or being dressed in any way that could hurt your chances of landing the job. Some general guide lines you should follow include your suit should be navy or charcoal, dress shirt should be white or Oxford blue, tie should be a conservative print, shoes should be black lace-ups, and belt should match shoes.
Interview suits are either navy blue or charcoal gray. This is especially true in more conservative or traditional fields such as insurance, finance, banking, law, and government. As far as other colors are concerned, black is generally viewed as too fashion forward for most job seekers, while earth tones such as olive can seem a tad too casual.
Your suit jacket should be of either the two or three button variety. Four and five button suits are some times popular these days, and double breasted clothing seems poised for a comeback, but these suit styles do not project the tried and true image most interviewers are looking for. As far as the fabric pattern itself is concerned, solid suits are best, although subtle pin stripes are also acceptable.
Your shirt should generally be white, but Oxford blue is often acceptable as well. All cotton shirts with a spread or point collar, or even a traditional button down style, are best for job interviews. A spread collar can accommodate a larger tie knot. Hidden button and tab collar shirts are generally too informal for the interview, so save them for day to day wear.
Speaking of ties, your neck wear should coordinate with your suit and be conservative. This can mean neat repeating patterns or traditional striped ties. It also means no cartoon characters or sports themes, and no bow ties. The neck wear should always be one hundred percent silk.
Interview shoes should always be leather lace ups, but no loafers. Cap toes and wing tips are the predominant choices. Black is the preferred color, although burgundy or cordovan shoes can be worn in a pinch. Brown shoes are still a bit too fashion forward for an interview.
Your belt should match your shoe color. You may also opt for braces, but never suspenders. The difference is that braces button into your suit slacks, while suspenders clip onto the outside. Obviously you should be sure to have the anchor buttons sewn in when you have your suit tailored.
Finally, for traditional job interviews, you should try to minimize body art, remove all visible piercings and keep the jewelry to a minimum, which means no more than a wedding band and a watch.
You should bear in mind that the interview is a process, as opposed to a one off event. This is especially true in a professional environment, so you should be prepared with an equally appropriate additional ensemble for the second interview. If you pay attention to the mode of dress of those you see in the office at your first interview, this can serve as your guide for the second interview.
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