This document provides tips for military personnel transitioning into the corporate world on how to dress for interview success. It emphasizes the importance of dressing in business professional attire and outlines specific dos and don'ts. For men, it recommends a well-fitted dark suit with a conservative tie and leather accessories. For women, it suggests a tailored dark suit, skirt or dress with simple jewelry and low heels. Proper grooming such as being well-kempt and wearing minimal perfume is also advised. The overall message is that appearance makes a strong first impression so dressing professionally and conservatively is key to interview success.

1. How to Dress For
Interview Success
Tips for Military Men and Women Transitioning Into
Corporate America

2. Introduction
When transitioning out of the military, it is
important to adequately prepare for every
interview. Though researching the company and
preparing for behavioral/situational interview
questions is incredibly important, many military
members often underestimate the impact their
appearance can have on attaining a job offer. In
the following presentation, I will share the dos
and don’ts of interview attire.

3. Always Dress Like A
Business Professional
 Upon transitioning out of the military, and only having
experience wearing a uniform to work, it can be difficult
to know what is considered “business professional”. Here
are the most important areas of focus:
 Ensure clothes fit properly
 Pick business appropriate shoes
 Wear the right kind of accessories
 Have a kempt appearance

4. Proper Fitting Suit (Men)
1. Shoulder pads end with your shoulders.
2. Flat hand should slip easily into your suit under the lapels
when the top (or middle) button is fastened. If you put a fist
in, the suit should pull at the button.
3. Top button of two-button suit – or middle button of a three-
button suit- should not fall below your navel.
4. With your arms at your sides, your knuckles should be even
with bottom of your jacket.
5. Jacket sleeves should fall where the base of your thumb meets
your wrist.
6. Between a quarter and a half inch of shirt cuff should be
visible.
7. One inch break.
Original source for information/photo:
http://bit.ly/1jo7eLy

5. Business Appropriate
Shoes (Men)
 Simple: black, brown or
cordovan.
 Match to your belt and outfit.
 Clean and polished. Shoes
should not look damaged or
shabby.
Photo Source: http://bit.ly/1QwAwqF

6. Accessories (Men)
 Watch: Link or leather wristband.
 Belt: Leather with a plain buckle.
 Tie: Standard width and length.
Conservative, preferably silk, and
striped with an authoritative color
(i.e- red, blue, gray, or yellow).
 Socks: Dark, and covering the
calf. Match socks to pants.
Original Location of Information: http://huff.to/1CvOdeA
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1SYSDGP

7. Grooming (Men)
 Ensure clothes are freshly pressed.
 Cover tattoos.
 Only wear well-fit/tailored clothes.
 Never wear a tee-shirt under a sport coat to an interview.
 Clean shave, fresh haircut, and trimmed nails.
 Freshly brushed teeth (Use teeth whitening strips if you have
badly stained teeth).
 Only a small amount of cologne, or no cologne at all.
 Side note: Always pack an extra suit, shirt, and tie for
emergency situations (i.e- coffee or food stains).

8. Tie It All Together
 A dark, two-piece suit is your best option when
interviewing with a conservative company.
 A sport coat and trouser may be more
appropriate when the interviewer makes it a
point to tell you to “dress casual”.
 A white cotton shirt, worn with a dark suit and
tie, makes a powerful entrance (*The darker the
shirt, the less powerful the look. Steer clear from
colors such as deep purple, chocolate brown or
black.)
 Minimize jewelry and statement pieces. Simple is
best.
Original Source Of Information: http://huff.to/1CvOdeA

9. Great Looks (Men)
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1WzHtpw
Image Source: http://bit.ly/215TNVi

10. Proper Fitting Suit (Women)
1. Cropped Jackets: Should only be worn with a dress or skirt, and must fall
below the top of the skirt. Sleeves should fall below the elbow.
2. Regular length jackets: When your arms are at your sides, the bottom of your
jacket should rest anywhere between your hip bone and knuckles. Sleeves
should fall between your wrist and the top knuckle of your thumb.
3. Width: There should be enough room in the chest for you to give yourself a
hug (jacket should feel snug). It is too tight if, when buttoned, the fabric
pulls or puckers.
4. Shoulders: Shoulder pads should be thin and the same width of your
shoulder.
5. Buttons: Should never fall below navel (top button of 2-button suit, middle
button of 3-button suit).
6. Skirt Length: Skirts should be tailored to reach the middle/bottom of the
knee cap.
7. Pants: Your pants should reveal the front and back of your shoes. They
should not pool or bag at the bottom. Cropped pants should fall just above
the ankle.
Original source of information/photo:
http://bit.ly/1SIoLhp

11. Business Appropriate Shoes (Women)
 Polished and clean; shoes should not
look old and shabby.
 Do not wear highly fashionable or
colored shoes.
 Do wear flats or low to medium
heels. Shoe color should be in classic
colors (i.e.- black, brown, tan, navy,
or burgundy).
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1RUlvhK

12. Accessories(Women)
 Jewelry
 Watch: Link or leather wristband.
 Necklace: Single stone/charm
necklace, or pearls.
 Earrings: Simple studs or pearls.
 Belt: Simple with a plain buckle.
 Tights/hose: When wearing a skirt
or dress, nude colored tights or
pantyhose are a must.
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1Q8nDBu

13. Grooming (Women)
 Ensure clothes are freshly pressed.
 Brush your teeth right before an interview (Use whitening strips if you
have stained teeth)
 Hair should be kempt. If you have long hair, pull it back and minimize
“fly-away” hairs.
 Makeup should be simple and natural.
 Nails should be manicured, and polish should be natural in appearance.
 Wear a subtle amount of perfume, or none at all.
 Side note: If wearing nail polish, always bring nail polish remover in case
of chipping. Always pack an additional outfit with pantyhose in case of an
emergency situation (i.e- food or coffee stain, or a run in your hose).

14. Tie It All Together
 Ensure that your blouse is not too revealing
or sheer.
 When dressing for an interview, choose a
dark skirt, dress, or suit.
 Suit layers: wear a modest and plain silk shirt,
camisole, or button-down shirt underneath
your jacket.
 What to wear with a skirt: a plain, fitted
button down shirt, or a blouse with a simple
pattern. If wearing a skirt or dress, wear
opaque tights/hose.
 If you are wanting to make a statement, it is
best to only make one statement with a top
in an authoritative color (i.e- red, blue, or
yellow) or a simple pattern. “Less is more”,
when preparing for an interview.
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1Rf05cY

15. Great Looks (Women)
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1oBVpFd
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1TsGng1