Dress for Success?

Just Be Yourself?

How should you dress for a job interview to look professional and still look like you?

Men have it fairly easy when deciding what to wear. A suit, dress shirt, tie, and polished shoes should work for interviews in a professional environment. Women have a few more choices, including skirt suits, pantsuits, and dresses. Any outfit you choose should be clean, ironed, and properly fitting. Darker colors like gray are both serious and flattering. You can express your individuality with a unique tie or jewelry, but nothing too loud or flashy. You are wearing your clothes, not the other way around! The interviewer wants to remember you and all of your great abilities, not how strange you looked. Remember that you have only seven seconds to make a first impression.

You can also do a bit of pre-interview research. Try contacting the company where you have an interview to ask about their dress code. If you know someone who works there, find out what they think about your interview outfit. Look at the company’s website to see if there are pictures of the staff and how they dress. Then choose an interview outfit that’s a little more formal than the company’s everyday dress. If all else fails, err on the side of caution. It’s better to be a little more formal and overdressed than sloppy and underdressed. Employers are always happy to see that you clean up well and know how to respect the company!

You don’t have to take my word for it, either. One of Philadelphia’s greatest resources is Career Wardrobe at 1822 Spring Garden Street. If you need an affordable interview suit and don’t know where to start, make a personal shopper appointment and let Career Wardrobe help you find your perfect look. Take advantage of the Open Access program for an interview outfit, plus three outfits to wear to your new job, plus discounts for a year. Don’t worry about selecting the wrong thing, because you have to try everything on to make sure it fits. Career Wardrobe is the place to find a good deal on everything from a suit to business casual wear.

If you are looking for a job, remember that how you present yourself is only one aspect of becoming a successful employee. For more tips and information, visit the Workplace in person at Parkway Central Library and subscribe to our monthly email newsletter!