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- When in doubt, err on the conservative side of
attire. The interview, regardless of the
customary on-the-job clothes you can expect
to wear (see below), is a formal, serious
occasion, and you should dress accordingly.
- Fabrics should be appropriate to the season: wool in
the fall, winter, and spring; cotton, rayon,
and linen blends in the summer.
Season-spanning lightweight wools are a
practical choice if you are on a tight
budget.
- Be neat and clean in appearance. Take a second look
the night before the interview to make sure
that everything is in place and that your
clothes are tidy, with no stray threads or
spots. Make sure your shoes are polished.
- Don’t take a lot of extras into the interview. A
briefcase is a handy, professional way to
carry extra copies of your résumé and
other materials you may want to take with
you to the interview. Women should tuck a
small purse into the briefcase, or select a
shoulder bag if you do not have a briefcase.
- Keep cosmetics, perfumes, and aftershaves light or
nonexistent.
The
basic rule of dressing for success once you’re
on the job is to dress in ways that reflect the
lifestyle, values, and priorities—the image—
of the industry in which you hope to work. Each
employment sector has its own rules for
appropriate dress, from the traditional and
conservative to the creative and trendy. Here
are suggestions for how to dress in a number of
occupations:
Advertising
and Public Relations
Dynamic,
client-oriented occupations call for clothing
that projects energy, imagination, and insight.
This can be achieved by using bright colors,
trendy styles, and accessories that display your
uniqueness. If you’re involved in the business
end of these occupations. dress as if you’re a
banker or lawyer.
Banking,
Accounting, and Law
Conservative
and traditional are the by-words for these
industries. People want to be able to trust
someone with their resources; black, navy, and
grey spell reliability. Women or men should
select conservative styles: suits in solid or
pinstriped wool. The point is to look neutral in
your dress—neutral but prosperous!
Science,
High-Technology and Education
If
your daily activities include performing
laboratory work or sitting in front of a
computer terminal, it makes little sense to wear
a suit and tie. These careers place a premium on
intellectual creativity. and therefore dress is
individual and casual. For the interview;
however, a suit is still best for men, while
women can choose a dress-and-blazer combination
or separates.
Retail and Sales
It
is essential to be fashion conscious if you are
entering the retail trade. It is important to
know current trends of professional dress and to
show that knowledge. Fashion magazines can give
you some ideas. The idea is show customers how
to dress fashionably; and retail companies want
you to spend money on clothes. For sales careers
in other industries, you are also encouraged to
be fashionable and in step with the times.
However, keep in mind that in some sales jobs,
such as sales for major corporations,
conservative dress is appropriate.
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