Interview Attire

What is proper job interview attire? How should you dress?

A useful guideline is to dress as you would for an important day on the job, like a meeting with a supervisor or a presentation to a client.

Clothes should be clean, well fitting, and wrinkle free. Most employers expect job-seekers to wear a traditional two-piece suit, preferably in a conservative color such as navy blue, gray, or black. The object with your attire is to look reliable, not trendy. Many employers say that women's skirts should be knee-length or below. Polished, closed-toe shoes complete the professional image.

Avoid last-minute clothing disasters by trying on your suit a few days before the interview. And plan for the unexpected: if you will wear a skirt, buy an extra pair of stockings; if you have shoes that tie, get more shoelaces. Bring such extras along with you the day of the interview.

Keep hair neat by tying it back, putting it up, or cutting it short. Avoid cologne and perfume, large pieces of jewelry, and heavy or unnatural makeup. These distract the interviewer from your qualifications.

Consider carrying a briefcase to the interview. In addition to giving you a professional look, a briefcase serves a function: it gives portability to things you'll want at the interview. These include a pen and paper to record important information, such as the proper spelling of the interviewer's name and the time and date of followup interviews; copies of your resume or application and references; and examples of your work, such as writing samples.