While what you wear doesn't play a major factor in the interviewer's decision to hire you, it can color an interview -- especially if you come in one of Cher’s or Jennifer Lopez's award show outfits and you're interviewing for a top professional position.
"Pride in your appearance equals pride in your work," said Scott Alcorn, Human Resources, Standard Process. If candidates can't get down the basics, the rest will be an uphill battle, he added.
A Human Resource Representative at United Parcel Service (UPS), agreed -- even for part-time manual/general labor and driver personnel. "Let's talk basics," she said, "a clean, professional look." No shorts or dirty t-shirts. A golf shirt and khaki pants are fine for general labor personnel. "A clean shirt and tie almost guarantees a hire for these types of jobs," she said. If people come un-showered and unshaven with uncombed hair or dirty hands, this gives the interviewer an impression of how they (candidates) feel about themselves, she said. "It makes a poor impression. And while you try not to consider these things, you can't help it." (Strong impressions are formed in the first 10 seconds.)
Since appearance is a "basic," you want to be sure you look your best. This doesn't always mean running out and buying a new Armani suit. It does mean, as our UPS contact states, being sure you have a neat, clean appearance. Combed hair. Freshly pressed clothes. Polished shoes.
She said a basic rule of thumb is "dress for the interview the way you would prepare or dress for the job. If it's a professional job, wear a suit and tie. (For) physical type jobs, be neat and clean -- not unprofessional or grubby. It's better to be over-prepared or overdressed rather than underdressed or under-prepared."
You can also help yourself decide what to wear by effectively researching the culture of the company you are interviewing with. Other ways to find out what to wear are by asking friends or relatives who work at the company or who know someone who works at the company. A former Human Resources Professional with Zenith suggests asking the interviewer, "What kind of dress code do you have so I may dress appropriately." Or, ask the operator/receptionist of the company a similar question.
All three human resource professionals agreed that the type of job you're going for and the type of company you're applying to should have an impact on what you decide to wear for an interview.
Alcorn suggests if it's an "old line" manufacturing company and you are applying for a professional position (not a general or skilled labor role), stay traditional and conservative. For men this means blue/navy or charcoal gray suits, white shirts and red or blue ties. For women, this means a well-tailored suit or pantsuit. Our Zenith contact said if you are targeting a finance-related position a dark blue suit and a white shirt are a must.
If the company is "high-tech," you can dress less conservatively, Alcorn said. "A high-tech company will have a more updated, hipper culture," he added. For more creative positions, our Zenith contact suggests men wear a dark suit with a blue shirt. Women can wear a skirt, blouse, and blazer combination.
No matter what position you are interviewing for, Alcorn says, "people still expect you to be business-like, look business-like and act business-like."
With that comment, we'll follow up with some of the major "Dos" and "Don’ts" supplied by all three human resource professionals:
DO appear neat, clean, crisp and sharp during the interview.
DO shower and shave before an interview.
DO trim mustaches and beards, or come to the interview clean-shaven.
DO polish your shoes! (It reflects on the "total package.")
DO wear socks. Over-the-calf dress socks with a suit (men). Crew socks are OK with casual pants for manual/general labor positions.
DO iron your interview clothes! (Or have them dry cleaned prior to the interview.)
DO knot your tie with a "dimple."
DO wear a shirt with a collar.
DO wear a belt.
DO cover your body parts.
DO have neatly cut, styled hair.
DO keep it simple. When in doubt, stay conservative.
DO avoid the extremes.
DON'T have “creatively-dyed” outrageously colored hair.
DON'T wear eyebrow rings, nose rings, or multiple earrings (i.e. nine in one ear is a bit much).
DON'T over-accessorize. This means don't wear rings on every finger or lots of necklaces.
DON'T wear halter-tops, tube-tops or mid-drift revealing tops. No plunging necklines either!
DON'T wear leggings for an interview (you may be able to wear this on the job, but never for an interview).
DON'T wear sandals or tennis shoes.
DON'T wear a suit if you are applying/interviewing for a general labor, skilled trade or mechanic position.
DON’T wear an ill-fitting suit (i.e. it’s been in your closet for years and somehow it shrunk).
DON'T wear the latest trend in clothes! (i.e. hip huggers, Brittany Spears cloning).
DON’T wear the latest trend in make-up (i.e. frosty or sparkly eye shadow, super glossy lips).
DON'T chew gum.
DON'T smoke right before the interview. Some interviewers don't like to smell smoke. (It's an odor thing, not a smoking thing.)
DON'T bring cell phones or pagers to the interview. (If you do, turn them OFF.) If you can't step away for 1/2 hour, the job is not important to you. People do understand emergencies, but constant interruptions are distracting to an interviewer.
DON'T bring your children to the interview. They can be very distracting to the interviewer.
DON'T be demanding during the interview. That means don't demand to be interviewed first or demand that you don't need to fill out the full application. Companies have guidelines and when you demand these types of things, it means you are on a different agenda than your interviewer, and the two are NOT compatible.