Picking out professional clothing can be difficult and expensive as styles change and work environments become more casual. Here are some tips that will help you regardless of the type of job you are interviewing for and are budget friendly.
- Press clothes or have them dry cleaned.
This is key so your clothes look crisp and new. - Good grooming counts.
Make sure your hair, nails and facial hair, are all taken care of, and that you’ve had a shower before stepping out the door. - Keep accessories to a minimum.
Lots of bracelets or necklaces or a bulky handbag can be distracting. Limit yourself to only a couple of accessories and keep them simple. - Choose clothing that feels good.
An interview can last longer than you think, so be sure that your outfit doesn’t make you uncomfortable. - Even though you should feel good, don’t choose anything too relaxed.
This is the time to put your best foot forward. If you dress well it can actually effect your behavior, so that you present yourself more professionally. - Keep scent to a minimum.
If you wear perfume or cologne, remember to apply it lightly keeping in mind that many people are sensitive to scents and might not appreciate the same ones that you do. - Thrift stores can be a cost-effective source of professional clothing and accessories.
Just be sure to check for stains and signs of wear. Pay close attention to the areas that typically receive the most abuse: hems of pants, ends of sleeves, the collar, the elbows and/or knees, and under the arms. - End-of-season sales can also be a good source of professional clothing.
Professional clothing is often layered, making it versatile for all types of weather. - Purchasing professional pieces of clothing should be considered an investment.
Your goal is to get the most use out of each piece. Avoid choices that are too trendy so you’ll be able to wear the item for a longer period of time. - Professional shoes should be clean and polished.
Get your shoes out ahead of time and give them some care and attention. Don’t know how to polish shoes? Check out this tutorial. - Even if the work environment is casual, dress professionally unless the recruiter has specified otherwise.
It’s best to dress a notch or two above daily dress for an organization, or if the workplace is business professional, to match it. - Not sure about an outfit or accessory?
Invite friends and family for a fashion show and try out a few options for them ahead of time. Other people might see things that you miss, so getting another opinion can help. - If you are wearing hosiery or tights, keep a backup in case they get snagged.
- Give your whole outfit a test run.
Spend a little bit of time in your interview outfit to figure out if anything isn’t going to work, ahead of time. Pants that ride up, socks that fall down, and collars that choke you can be eliminated if you’ve given them a pre-interview test. - Have and don’t be afraid to resort to your “plan b”.
Some days your hair won’t cooperate or maybe you’ll spill your breakfast down your shirt. Have a second option in mind in case your outfit doesn’t work out. - “Ahead of time” is the key phrase to keep in mind for preparation.
Tackle your decision of what to wear well in advance so you can keep frustration and cost to a minimum. - A pop of color can be nice.
A touch of color in a scarf, tie or even in your socks can add a distinctive element to your outfit. It can be a fine distinction to figure out how much is enough, but moderation can make the difference between just being memorable and being memorable for the wrong reason. - Use a lint roller or lint brush to remove hair, lint, and dust from clothing.
Do this ahead of time and again right before you head out the door. - A watch is a good accessory to add on an interview day, because being on time is very important.
Just make sure it doesn’t have any features or settings that will beep or cause a distraction at the wrong time. - Put your cell phone in airplane mode or turn it off.
Leave it in your pocket, purse, or don’t bring it with you at all. Stay present and in-the-moment, even in the waiting area before the interview. You never know who will be observing you and what chance you might miss to make a good impression.