What to Wear to a Job Interview
Special guest post by Melissa from Joe Button
As it is coming to the close of application season for 2013 graduate programs, we move closer to the graduate job interview season for those of you lucky enough to secure one. This month Melissa Lee from Joe Button has taken the time to provide some very helpful advice to those of you who will be attending interviews.
Melissa is a co-founder of Joe Button, an e-commerce startup that allows customers to design their own business shirts and have it tailored to their exact measurements for a perfect fit. Melissa and Joe Buttons other co-founder Modi have nearly ten years of experience in the professional services industry, having previously worked at KPMG Assurance & Advisory and Deloitte Corporate Finance. It was during this time that they identified a gap in the market for premium European cotton business shirts available at a fraction of the price of traditional retail outlets. Melissa and Modi have been kind enough to offer a special discount to our GradConnection blog readers for Joe Button tailored clothing services which can be found at the end of the article if you would like to add a professional touch to that first impression.
What to Wear to a Job Interview
Going in for a job interview is nerve racking enough as it is - the last thing you want to do is add to the worry by having an imperfect outfit! The key is to make a great impression overall.
The most important thing is to wear clothes fit like perfectly. Your interview clothes don't need to be expensive, but they do need to fit you perfectly - if your clothes are tailored to your body, they'll look expensive even if they're not.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure every detail of your outfit is perfect. If you can't be bothered ironing your clothes or are just bad at it, take them to the dry cleaners a few days before the interview to have them professionally cleaned and pressed. Even an expensive Armani suit will look completely unprofessional if haven't made the effort to keep it pressed.
Men
- Charcoal or navy coloured single breasted suit - Choose a suit in a textured wool fabric and make sure it fits you around the shoulders. Your jacket sleeves should not extend past the base of your thumb, to expose a half inch of your shirt cuff.
- White or blue solid colour shirt - Again, show your attention to detail through texture - a pale blue or white shirt with a subtle herringbone pattern always works well.
- Solid colour or conservatively patterned tie - No bright or flashy colours. Also avoid narrow ties - three-and-a-half inches wide at the widest point looks best.
- Always match your shoes to your belt - Don't stray from the most basic rule in men's dressing. Always ensure that your shoes share the same colour palette as your belt.
- Be well groomed - Get a haircut the week before a job interview so that it has had time to settle by the time you meet your potential employer. A clean shave is also a must.
Ladies
- Dark coloured skirt suit - Skirt suits are more conservative than pant suits, so if you're on a budget and want to be on the safe side, this is your best bet.
- White blouse or shirt - The goal is to create clean lines, so avoid a top with frills or ruffles. When choosing a shirt, go for a French cuff rather than a regular button cuff. This way, you can show off your new pair of sophisticated cuff links.
- Nude hosiery - Sheer hosiery is making a comeback, seen on international celebrities such as the Duchess of York. More conservative firms would expect you to wear pantyhose with your skirt suit.
- Heels - Your heels should be no more than three inches tall and close toed for work attire.
- Natural makeup and pulled back hair - You want to look natural but polished and professional, so wear natural makeup and tie your hair back if its length is below your shoulders.
If you need to order any custom made job interview or work attire, we have a special offer for you from Joe Button.
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