Chances are, you already know the conventional wisdom when it comes to dressing
for interviews. Wear a suit, right? While following that advice is unlikely to get you
disqualified for any job, the more pre-interview research you do, the better your
chances of looking the part will be.
You'll want to consider not only the culture of the company and industry that you're
searching in, but also the prevailing norms of the department or division with which
you'll be interviewing. For instance, the business development or programming team
of an Internet start-up are bound to be more buttoned-up than its design or content
departments. To make things even more complicated, the location of the company
might also have an impact on employees' dress. Take the same Internet start-up: If it's
located in New York City's Silicon Alley, it might tend towards the more conservative
side of business casual, but if it's located in San Francisco's South Park, a tie and
sports coat might make you stick out like a sore thumb. Your experience and the level
of the job you are applying for will also affect your ideal mode of dress. For an
entry-level candidate, the objective is to come across as capable and mature. A
mid-career candidate, on the other hand, may want to accentuate his or her
adaptability to a new office culture by foregoing the generic corporate uniform.
Without further ado, here are the basic style guidelines for men and women (because
you need to know the "rules" before you can break 'em).
For Ladies
Many women swear by a navy skirt suit, pearls, and pumps, and recruiters of all
stripes seem to agree that a candidate can't go wrong with a well-tailored suit in a
neutral color (black, navy, or gray are your best bets). At more conservative
companies-such as investment banks and consulting firms-a skirt suit is de
rigueur, and anything other than non-textured nude hose and heels is pushing the
envelope of what's acceptable. Otherwise, a tasteful pantsuit with medium-heeled
leather loafers will look put-together and professional. If ironing stresses you out, a
silk or fine-gauge wool sweater shell can replace a button-down shirt and remain
wrinkle-free under a suit. Minimal makeup and non-flashy jewelry-if you're used to
wearing any at all-can also help you look and feel your best in an interview, but are
not required.
For Gents
For men, a suit in a dark, neutral color, a white or blue dress shirt, and a silk tie in a
conservative pattern should do just fine for most interviews. Stick to natural fabrics, like
wool and cotton. "Well-heeled" generally implies a pair of polished, not
ground-down-at-the-heels leather shoes in black. Beyond that, wingtips send a more
conservative signal, while shoes with lug or platform soles are more funky than
professional. Don't fall victim to the white-socks-with-dress shoes syndrome that
plagues many unfortunate men, and be sure that your trouser socks pass the
elasticity test, so that they don't sag around your ankles midway through your interview
(along with your chances of landing the job).
Breaking the Rules With Style
A common piece of advice that's given to job seekers on the issue of dress is to scope
out the company before your interview by actually dropping by the office unannounced
(for instance, you could go disguised as a bike messenger). Although we at
WetFeet.com wholeheartedly stand by this advice, it's our pleasure (and our job) to
use our schmoozing capabilities to save you the effort. To spare you from looking the
fool, we tapped our sources in an array of industries to find out what they had to say on
the topic. Here's what we found:
While you'll certainly offend no one by wearing a mild-mannered suit, it's also true that
you're not likely to make a distinctive impression on your interviewer with such a
conservative costume. Consider the case of Pam, who felt her previous career as an
insurance defense attorney put her at a disadvantage as a candidate for a creative
position at a start-up publishing house. "In order to prove that I wasn't square," says
Pam, "I wore purple Hush Puppies to my interview. They were a great icebreaker and a
huge hit. They're now a part of company lore and even made it into the summer
barbecue trivia contest."
Depending on what kind of position you're seeking, the industry you're searching in,
and the personality statement you want to make, you'll have to decide how to best
express yourself through your clothes. Melissa Weiss, director of human resources for
an Internet start-up with seven years of experience as a recruiter in the
telecommunications and advertising industries, declares that "the day of the standard
navy blue suit is over," and insists that black is a more contemporary choice. For those
looking on the creative side of advertising, she suggests something more stylish,
perhaps "a snappy pantsuit"-"because you're advertising yourself and you aim to be
remembered."
Amy, a recent college grad and an assistant to a literary agent, advises: "If you're
looking for something in the entertainment industry (publishing, film, arts, design, and
more liberal PR and advertising agencies), then you should really assert a little of your
individuality lest you look like a tool. Just make sure that it's your most presentable
self, and not your lounging-about-the house self."
In interviews, as with any audition, the objective is to put your best foot forward.
Canned as it may seem, when the emphasis in that bit of advice is shifted from the
word "best" to the word "your," the meaning changes entirely. If you feel completely
uncomfortable in your interview garb, it might be time to reconsider whether you really
fit the job profile.
Take it from Jen, a marketing consultant whose "skin bristles at the touch of
gabardine." She grudgingly wore "an expensive designer suit that I despised, as I
despise all suits" to her first interview at her present company. "I wanted to look
professional and mature. I was just out of college so looking older was a big
concern)," she recalls, "but I felt totally uncomfortable the whole time." Jen, who
studied art history in college and was attracted to the job because it was advertised as
a 'creative' business position, reports: "Now I'm stuck with a job I pretty much hate that
requires me to wear suits all the time. I guess that's what I get for masquerading as
someone I'd rather not be."
Rahul, an Associate at an investment bank in New York City, aced his interviews in a
double-breasted suit with a light blue shirt and dark green tie. However, if he had to do
it all over again, he'd opt for a single-breasted suit, because "they generally look better,
especially since you end up sitting down-and therefore unbuttoning the jacket to feel
comfortable. They're easier to unbutton." He'd also wear a "louder color shirt just to
look different." He's pretty sure he could get away with that because, according to him,
he "exudes confidence."
Mark Weber, author of the book
Dress Casually for Success... For Men
would approve. He advocates using color to complement or downplay aspects of your personality. For
instance, a gray suit may take the edge off a person with a strong personality, while a
black or navy suit may play it up. As a rule of thumb, Weber advises that dark colors
signify "power and competency," while lighter colors will make you seem friendly and
approachable.
Final Touches
When in doubt, it's better to err on the formal rather than on the casual side of dress. In
general, you want to wear the best that you can afford and be impeccably turned-out,
showcasing your natural attention to detail. Save your perfume and cologne for dates,
but don't leave home without deodorant. If this is too much to remember, at a
minimum, recruiters say kempt hair and clean hands are absolutely requisite. (You'll
thank us for this when your interviewer reaches out to consummate your job offer with
a firm handshake.)
This career advice article brought to you by
Wetfeet.com, the leading career research site for job seekers to learn about companies, industries, and career management.
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Copyright 1999. Reprinted with permission.
