This document provides tips for dressing appropriately for a job interview. It recommends wearing a conservative dark suit with solid colored shirt and tie for men, and a skirt suit or pantsuit in dark colors for women. Hair, makeup, jewelry, and other accessories should be simple and conservative. Shoes should be professional, comfortable dress shoes that are polished. Proper dress and grooming make a good first impression within the first 12 seconds of meeting the potential employer.

1. Dress for Success
…Tips on appropriate interview
attire
•A potential employer has developed a
perception of you within the first 12 seconds.
•Each item of clothing, grooming, and
accessories makes a statement about who you
are.

2. The Top
• When entering an
interview, a person
should walk in
confidently, make eye
contact, and
immediately shake the
potential employer’s
hand.
• Therefore, the head is
where most people
make their initial
impression.

3. Your Hair…
• Have a well groomed, conservative haircut
• For women, this means no large,
unusually colored, or teased styles
• For men, this means no tails, braids, or
unusual colors. Make sure facial hair is
neatly groomed as well.
• Keep hair away from your face.
• During the interview, you do not want the
employer to be distracted if you have to
continually be pushing your hair away
from your face.

4. Your Face…
• Women should wear a
conservative amount of
make up that accentuates
their features.
• No bright lipstick, blushes,
or too much eye makeup.
• Practice good oral hygiene.

5. The Middle
• “Good clothes open all
doors.” – The right
clothes do make a
statement to a potential
employer.
• Having the proper style of
clothing, in the right color,
is essential when
interviewing.

6. Attire for Professional Jobs…
• Men and women should be in a dark
colored suit, (navy blue, dark brown or
charcoal), with a solid colored white,
cream, or light blue.
• For men, a tie should compliment the
entire outfit, not be too bright or loud and
extend to the trouser belt.
• If women choose to wear a skirt suit, the
skirt should be no more than two inches
above the knee.

7. The Bottom (Your Feet)
• Make sure shoes are comfortable.
• If they are brand new, wear them around
the house to break them in.
• They should look new, not worn.
• Make sure they are well polished.

8. The Bottom (Your Feet)
• Men should wear black or brown leather
dress shoes.
• Women should be in dress shoes with no
more than a 1-2 inch heel that matches
their outfit, usually in black, brown, or
navy.
• Open toed and sling back shoes are not
acceptable.

9. Everything In Between
• Jewelry
– The jewelry should be very
conservative and simple.
– All facial piercings should be
removed (ex; lip, chin,
eyebrow, tongue, etc.)
– Men should not wear
earrings.
– If a women wears rings, only
one per hand.

10. Everything in Between
• Cologne/Perfume
– Little, if any. You don’t want
people to smell you coming
before they see you.
– You never know if the
interviewer is sensitive to
certain smells an would end
up focusing on how you
smell instead of hearing what
you are saying.

11. Everything in Between
• Socks/Panty Hose
– Men should wear dress socks that match their
slacks and shoes.
– Make sure that the dress socks are long
enough that skin does not show when the
candidate is seated.
– Women should wear a basic color that
matches their shoes.
– This is often brown, off-black, taupe, or flesh
tone.

12. Everything in Between
• Fingernails
– Fingernails should be
clean and neatly
trimmed.
– Women should have a
moderate length, with
no designs and
conservative polish.
– Clear is the best color.

13. Everything in Between
• Belts
– The belt should match the
shoes.
• Notebook
– Individuals should carry a
leather notebook that has
copies of their resume,
cover letter, letters of
recommendation, and
paper and pen for note
taking.