This document provides guidelines for dressing professionally for job interviews and business settings. It recommends always wearing a suit for interviews that is dark in color, well-fitted, and made of wool fabric. Accessories like shirts, ties, shoes, and socks should be conservative and complement the suit. Proper grooming like being clean shaven with neatly trimmed hair and nails is also emphasized. Professionalism extends beyond clothing to also include good posture, eye contact, handshakes, and table manners.

1. Dress for Success
Embry-Riddle Career Services

2. Introduction
• The NAKED TRUTH: Appearance & conduct
matter – we are initially judged by how we
present ourselves; the business world is no
exception!
• Attention to detail makes a huge impact
• Professionalism is based on how you look
and act. It is not just a superficial
description of a person…professionalism is
an “attitude”

3. Dress Codes
• Business Casual
• Business Dress
• Formal Wear

4. Important to Note
• NEVER dress business casual for a job
interview…even if the recruiter says
that you can or should!

5. No Matter What
• Make sure that what you wear fits
you properly
• As for level of appropriateness: if you
are in doubt, either ask someone you
trust or wear something else

6. Image “Dos”
• Make eye-contact when speaking
• Keep a straight posture
• Make sure you have fresh breath &
clean teeth
• Give a firm handshake
• Use proper grammar
• Use good table manners (when
applicable)

7. Image “Don’ts”
• Speaking too softly or too quickly
• Wear scuffed up or scruffy shoes – polish
them
• Wear clothing with loose or missing buttons
• Wear clothing with hems in need of repair
• Wear stained, spotted, or perspiration-
stained clothing
• Talk with your mouth full

8. Dressing for Gentlemen

9. Business Casual and Formal
Wear
• Business Casual includes pressed
slacks, ironed shirts (button-up or
polo), or sweaters
• Sport Coats are considered business
casual
• Shoes should look nice – clean and
polished is best
• Formal wear = tuxedo; a black suit and
bow tie/formal tie are appropriate

10. The Interview Suit
• Acceptable colors include navy through
medium blue, black through charcoal
• Fabric should be 100% wool – it looks
great and wears well
• Pinstripes are acceptable as long as they
are narrow and subtle
• A two piece, well fitted suit is best!
• Make sure the suit fits - no pull at the
shoulders and no gape at the back; the
jacket should fall at your wrist

13. The Shirt
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt – no
exception to the rule
• Always wear a white, cream, or pale
blue shirt
• Again, make sure your shirt fits
properly especially in the neck; the cuff
of your shirt should fall at the wrist

14. The Tie
• Pure silk is the best fabric for a tie; it
makes a powerful impression
• When tied, the tie should cover the belt
buckle
• Most appropriate knots: Four-in-Hand,
Windsor, and Half-Windsor
• The print on your tie needs to be
conservative – no crazy prints or patterns
• Width of the tie should approximately be
the same as your lapel

15. The Shoes & Socks
• The shoes should either be black or
brown
• Lace-up wing tips are the most
conservative choice
• The socks should be blue, black,
gray, or brown; small subtle
patterns on the socks are ok
• Make sure your socks are long
enough for you to cross your legs
without showing skin

16. The Accessories
• Never wear any religious or political insignias
in the form of rings, ties, or pins
• Your watch should be plain and simple
• Belts should match or compliment the shoes
you wear
• Limit jewelry – leave your fraternity rings,
bracelets, neck chains, earrings, or
medallions at home
• Briefcases should be leather – brown or
burgundy; portfolios are appropriate to carry
as well

17. Helpful Hints
• Wear a dark colored suit because it
carries more authority
• Iron your shirt, have your suit pressed,
and polish your shoes
• The cuff v. plain hem on your slacks –
cuffs are recommended for your
interview suit

18. Grooming
• Make sure your hair is neat; if need be, get a hair cut
a few days before your interview
• Your nails should be clean and neatly trimmed
• Facial hair should be short and trimmed; if no facial
hair, your face should be clean shaven
• Fresh breath is best! Brush your teeth before you
interview and carry breath mints