Dressing the part: Women. Part 1 of a 2-part series
Dressing the part: Women. Part 1 of a 2-part series
An interview’s purpose is to make a good first impression. Forget your high school prom, wedding day or graduation. Dress for your job interview as if it is the most important event of your life, because it just may be.
So, what do you wear?
“You don’t want color choice or style to overwhelm your words,” says Joyce Richman, a career coach and columnist for Triad Careers. “If you don’t know the personality of the person that is interviewing you, you want to go for muted rather than bold.”
In other words, let your answers, demeanor and capabilities be the starring roles at your interview. Allow your wardrobe to serve as key supporting backdrop. Today we are featuring the best looks for women. Next Sunday we’ll tackle interview apparel for men.
Dress or suit
Look dazzling in vivid purple or rich red? Richman advises more neutral color choices when selecting that perfect dress or suit for interviewing. Save your bold (but not provocative) outfits for the second week on the job. Go conservative, and stay away from vibrant colors or arresting stripes. As for necklines, plunging blouses that reveal any hint of cleavage are inappropriate. Keep hems at knee length. Make sure everything is crisp and clean to demonstrate you put thought and time into your appearance.
Shoes
Stilettos and very high-heeled shoes carry a negative connotation. Fair or not, interviewers can pass judgments based on heel height alone, Richman says. Go no higher than a 2-inch heel. Shoes should be conservative both in style and in color. Brown, navy and black that complement similarly colored clothing work best. Richman warns against choosing a style that is dowdy, old or boring. Instead, strike a good midpoint that is both stylish and professional. Never wear flip-flops or any shoe that resembles a pair.
For the young job seeker, a black sling back-meets-Mary Jane pump with two buckles is a popular choice. But Kimberly Lee, a Gibsonville-based image consultant and owner of All About Image, warns against shoes with too much embellishment. In cold weather, ankle boots can be worn well with a pant suit. However, while ankle boots with skirts may make trendy news in fashion magazines, that look is risky for an interview.
Lee says to leave flats at home for the job interview. Their comfort may be tempting, but they are too casual for a job interview. “If you dress down, you may not be seen as capable,” she says.
Hose
In the spring and summer go without hose if you wish, Richman says. During the cooler months, opt to cover dry or goose-bumped skin with hose. Choose a neutral tone closest to your skin color.
Makeup and hair
Neutral is key, Richman says. Overdo it and it will distract. Visit a makeup professional at any department store to take advantage of their knowledge, even if you need to admit from the beginning that you cannot afford to purchase any new products right now.
Hair should be clean and styled neatly. Lee says that hair grown past shoulder-length may not look professional, nor will hair that has wild streaks of color running through it.
“It’s sad but true that women with long hair are not taken as seriously in the work force. Shorter hair, meaning shoulder-length or shorter, gives a more youthful appearance for older women,” Lee says.
Jewelry
If your jewelry makes noise, then you are wearing the wrong kind to an interview. Stay on the simple side. If it bangs, clangs, jingles, jangles, bounces or sways, then you need to take it down a notch or two. Simple pearl studs or a pearl strand are safe, conservative choices.
Bag
Pack mules are great for traversing the Grand Canyon, not a job interview. Simplify by taking along only what you need in one slender folio, Richman says. Heavy briefcases can be bulky and difficult to maneuver. It’s better to do away with a purse and have one small briefcase with only the essentials, including a cell phone that has been turned on silent before entering the interview.
What colors convey
Color choices speak volumes, so let your clothing enhance your image, not dull it, says image consultant Kimberly Lee of Gibsonville. Here are her guidelines for how certain colors can be perceived, generally:
■ Brown: Demonstrates that the job candidate is friendly, open and at ease with people.
■ Black or dark navy blue: Shows that you mean business, that you are in control, especially for men when paired with a red tie. The higher the position, the darker the suit, Lee recommends.
■ Charcoal gray: Comes across as passive but still professional.
■ Hunter green or other colored suits: Not taken seriously.
