Dress for Success

First impressions are everything, and what do you think an employer will notice first? Probably not your beautiful, blue eyes! They'll notice what you're wearing and how 'put-together' you seem. So, make sure you capitalize on your razor, blow dryer, and that JCPenny gift certificate you received from grandmother last month!

Basics pointers for dressing for success:

1. Being over-dressed is better than being under-dressed: In most cases, you will want to explore the culture of the organization you will be interviewing with. If they wear suits to work, you'll want to make sure you wear a suit. If it is a casual, laid back organization, nice dress pants and a clean, pressed shirt and tie or blouse would probably work. However, if you prefer to play it safe, it wouldn't hurt to wear a nice suit, shirt and tie or a nice pant suit and blouse.
2. Less is more: Avoid tons of makeup, facial hair and jewelry. Stick with natural makeup, trim those beard hairs, and choose 1-2 pieces of simple jewelry. In addition, avoid strong cologne and perfume as employers may be allergic.
3. More is more: In some cases, less is not more. Low cut tops, short skirts, and belly shirts are no-nos. Make sure to cover up and choose articles of clothing that are more formal and provide full coverage.
4. The finishing touch: Polish those shoes, trim those fingernails, brush those teeth, and purchase a nice portfolio to hold copies of your resume during the interview.

If you happen to be a visual learner, here are a couple of great sites that will give you an idea of proper interview/job fair attire:

1. http://amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/index.htm : Washington University has an excellent overview of professional attire. They provide sample outfits that have been critiqued by hiring managers and employers.
2. http://www.career.fsu.edu/employment/attire-guide.html : Florida state also has a great attire guide that brings you through the process in detail.