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Job Hunter Newsletter Dressing for Interview SuccessDisclaimer: please note that all of the links were active as of the newsletter publication, but some may become inactive over time. Previous |
View 2007 Newsletters | -------------------- IN THIS ISSUE:
-------------------- - Job Search Tip of the Week, by Brian Krueger, author of "College Grad Job Hunter," the #1 book for entry level job search: "Dressing for Interview Success" While the college campus may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not the place to do so. With very few unusual exceptions (my apologies to Apple Computer and several creative agencies in NYC), sandals and sweatshirts are out. Oxfords and business suits are still in. I don't like a necktie (noose?) any better than the next person, but it is still a fact of life in interviewing. Even though many companies have relaxed the internal company dress code, interviews still follow the conservative standard. Don't buck the trend. Unfortunately, most college grads are woefully under-prepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can get by with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually not. Dress for the world outside college is quite different from the campus scene. Remember that stylish is typically not conservative. Conservative is in for interviewing. Why Because you should be doing the talking, not your clothes. This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard uniform is for the company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet. For those of you who need a quick review of the basics, follow these guidelines for successful interview dress: Men and Women
Men
Women
If you are still unsure about the specifics after reading the above guidelines, check out a copy of John Molloy's New Dress for Success or New Women's Dress for Success. While these books may seem to have a rather conservative slant, it is still the norm for interviewing. It is almost always better to be higher than the standard than lower. If you are still not sure how to dress for the interview, call and ask! That's right, call the employer. But this is one time when you do not want to call the Hiring Manager; instead, ask to be put through to Human Resources and say: I have an interview with _____ in the _____ department for a position as an _____. Could you please tell me what would be appropriate dress for this interview? Sure, you run the risk of someone in HR thinking you are a social imbecile, but that's a lot better than having the Hiring Manager distracted by inappropriate interview dress. While many work environments have shifted to business casual as the workday standard, business suits are still the interview standard. When in doubt, it is almost always better to err on the side of conservatism. One final note on interview dress: while it goes without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and clean, very few interviewees give the same time and attention to their shoes. Shoes? Yes, shoes. I am aware of at least one Corporate Recruiter who forms first impressions based solely (pardon the pun) on shoes. This person does not have a shoe fetish, he subjectively judges that those who pay attention to details like shoes are also likely to be diligent in their work life. And it is not just that person's opinion. Many have said that you can judge a person by their shoes. You will find that many ex military officers (many of whom have found their way into management positions in corporate America) are especially aware of a person's shoes. It is not enough to be clean and pressed. Make sure your shoes are conservative, clean, and polished. Next newsletter: "The Most Important Interview Nonverbals" -------------------- - Help Spread The Word! Do you know of someone who can benefit from the information in this newsletter? Simply forward this e-mail to them and tell them to subscribe at http://www.CollegeGrad.com/newsletter. Thanks for spreading the good word! -------------------- Job Search Links:
-------------------- - Job Search Book Online There are at least two other entry level Web sites that offer books on job searching, proclaming that they will tell you everything you need to know about entry level job search. However, there is a very important point about these books they don't mention up front: they cost money. At CollegeGrad.com, we give you two things they don't: 1. The #1 entry level job search book ("College Grad Job Hunter"). It's that simple. So don't buy the hype. Read the real information you need for FREE: http://www.CollegeGrad.com/book Don't ever pay for books or reports or resources of lower quality when you can access the very best quality information for free. P.S. Yes, you can buy "College Grad Job Hunter" in hardcopy format as well at Amazon.com for $15 (actually, 30% off that price), but the online version is better. Why? Because the version at Amazon.com (the 2003 edition) is being continually updated at CollegeGrad.com. So the most current version of the book is actually the online, free version. -------------------- - Sponsor: Lower Your Monthly Payments on Student Loans Want to lower the monthly payments on existing student loans while locking in a fixed rate? Act now to consolidate your student loans: Previous |
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