This document provides guidelines for dressing professionally for a job interview. It recommends wearing a conservative suit in a solid color with dress shoes that match. For women, it suggests wearing skirts at the knee or longer with pantyhose and minimal makeup. For men, it recommends a navy, black or gray suit with a white or blue dress shirt and coordinating tie. Both should have clean hair and hygiene with no visible tattoos or piercings.

1. Dress to Impress Gregory Victory Director Center for Leadership & Student Involvement Colgate University

2. The Basics The traditional rules of interview dress are still the best rules: Simple and Conservative Apparel should be clean and pressed. Apparel should fit well and remain in place when sitting or walking. Your interviewing wardrobe should consist of the basics: A solid color. Conservative suit with a coordinated shirt or blouse. Moderate shoes. A portfolio or briefcase.

3. The Basics Hygiene Clean hair Fresh breathe Men (clean shaved) Controlled body odor Body Decorations No visible tattoos No visible body piercing

4. Guidelines for Women

5. Women’s Suits When interviewing for a professional position, a classic suit is a must have. Choose a solid color so you'll be properly attired, regardless of where you're interviewing.

6. Women’s Suits High End Suit Makers Ann Taylor Ann Taylor Loft Jones New York Casual Corner Kasper Talbots Banana Republic Worthington

7. Women’s Suits Petite Sizes Ann Taylor Ann Taylor Loft Petite Sophisticate Talbots

8. Women’s Suits Plus Sizes Worthington (JC Penny) Lane Bryant Talbots Just My Size (on-line)

9. Women’s Blouses Fitted or loose fit. Consider a cotton or silk collared shirt or a blouse. The color or pattern should coordinate with your suit. Absolutely no cleavage.

10. Skirt and Hosiery Skirt is knee length. Buy skin-matching panty hose. No Prints Consider support hose if you're going to be on your feet all day.

11. Women’s Shoes Flats or shoes with a low/moderate heel will comfortably dress-up your interview attire. Make sure your shoes match or coordinate with your suit. No open-toed shoes.

12. Hygiene Hair Clean Neat Conservative Don’t play with hair Make-Up Sparse Light perfume Manicured nails Conservative and natural colors.

13. Accessories Small “ Natural” Pearls Silver/diamond Gem stones No jingling bracelets Cell phone OFF

14. Carrying Cases Briefcase or purse, but not both. Also consider a simple portfolio as an effective substitute.

15. Professional Over Trendy

16. Guidelines for Men

17. Men’s Suits The Suit Wear a matching suit in navy, black or gray (pinstripe or solid). Wear a navy blazer and gray dress slacks. The Shirt Wear white or blue dress shirt that contrasts with the jacket and/or tie. And iron them if they are new!!

18. The Tie A (silk or silk-like) tie should coordinate with the jacket and pant. Choose a tie that strongly contrasts with the color of your shirt. Select subtle or simple patterns to enhance credibility.

19. Shoes Shoes Wear conservative, clean, and polished shoes. Select lace-up, not slip-on dress shoes. The color should be dark or blend with pant. Belt Select a leather belt that visually blends or matches your shoes.

20. Socks Socks should be calf-length or above the calf. Choose natural-fiber blends that allow a flow of air and do not hold in perspiration and heat. NO WHITE SOCKS!!!!

21. Hygiene A short hair cut and no facial hair is expected Cologne should never be strong. A fragrance can cause an allergic reaction or offend the interviewer.

22. Carrying Cases Your briefcase is part of visual effect. Also consider a simple portfolio as an effective substitute. No commercial logos.

23. QUIZ

31. Dressing on Budget Plan ahead…and Don’t Pay Full Price!!! Invest in impressive, classic, well-made separates that can be combined for a 'professional' or 'casual Friday' look Purchase matching components. Having options such as wearing a skirt or pant with jacket or vest multiplies possible combinations. Use shirts/blouses/sweaters to create variety of visual effects. Select ties/scarves and jewelry that add to possible visual variety.

32. Do Your Research Ask about the dress code at the company Some fields have stricter guidelines than others: finance/law/accounting Dress for the position 2 levels higher than what you are interviewing for When in doubt, dress conservatively!

33. Questions and Answers