University of South Carolina Libraries
f Nothing L to Wear The First Order of Business is To Dress Professionally For A Job Interview By Kathy Hammer *<K Most of what is written about dressing for success offe the conventional wisdom on why you should take care project the proper image through your clothing. Slopi dressing implies sloppy work. However, there are son subtleties of this science that you'd do well to consider. r*i iinvr-i ikir-o r/m i ma# VJUIUCUINCO I U rULLUVV The following guidelines will assist you in rummagii through that pile of clothes on your floor: Do not wear food-stained clothing. Employers lo< more favorably upon candidates who appear to hat rudimentary motor skills, such as the ability to get fork mouth with reasonable accuracy. Clothes stained wi baby food are especially problematic, as the interview will quickly conclude that your child has a digestive disc der requiring frequent time off for doctor appointment (The University Career Center suggests that yc decide upon the suit you are going to wear a fe days before your interview. Check to see if there a any stains on all articles of clothing, includir shoes, so they may be cleaned or repaired befor hand.) Avoid torn, ripped clothing. Unless you are applyir for a job as parking attendant at a Grateful Dead conce opt for the outfit with the least air conditioning. Holes one's clothing may suggest that you engage in dange ous hobbies, such as bullfighting, and that you wou therefore be a drain on the company's insuranc (Accidents do happen on the way to an interview. E prepared by having extra stockings or shirts wil you...just in case.) MAJOR DIFFERENCES Bl THE SUCCESSFUL JOB HUNTER Believes the world does NOT owe him a living and 1 Takes labels off himself. Realizes he is unique with utes. Knows what she can do well. Understands the logk Knows the key to the job hunt is that it is an informa tension and confusion. Knows the job hunt is a rejection process. Success No no no no no no no no - No no no no no i Knows she must be persistent. Her full-time job is t Knows it is crucial to go face-to-face. Is aware thai to him?he has to ao to them?aet into their world. Instinctively builds a support system, i.e., "networkir Seems always to be looking for the exception to th the exception?positive attitude. Knows he must use as many alternatives as possib Steer clear of wildly faddish clothes or badly dated stvles. While acid-areen Soandex mav aarner momen tary attention, the interviewer will quickly conclude that you're likely to leave the company at the first job offer from MTV. Conversely, chartreuse polyester double-knit pantsuits will be a dead giveaway that you have not left ,rs the house since the Nixon Administration. to (Conservative, professional clothing is recommend3y ed for interviews, preferably navy, black, or dark fie grGy su'ts for both men and women. If you haven't worn your suit in a while, alterations may be made to update them and insure their proper fit. This is much less expensive than buying a whole new ig wardrobe.) Avoid Hi-fitting clothes. A skirt that encases your rear 3k end in a manner that suggests you're shoplifting /e Cabbage Patch dolls could insinuate that you may not be t0 trustworthy. (Avoid clothes that are too snug or too th big. If you're borrowing a suit, make sure that it is er your size. You want to look and feel your best dur)r_ ing an interview. It will help your self-confidence s ana aiiow you to concentrate on your presentation.; )U It's important to remember that much of the interviewer's (W opinion of you will be established in the first ten seconds, re ig *Shy away from clothes that exude sex appeal. e_ Unless you are interviewing for the Swedish Bikini Team, your clothes should not imply skills not specifically listed on your resume under "Experience." (Believe it or not, people really don't dress like the "professionals" on rt Knot's Landing. Clothing should be conservative in ,P a professional environment. Skirts should be skim,r. ming the top of the knee or lower. Check those Id skirts in the summer sun, they may need extra lining. e Camisoles are recommended for light-colored blous te es. For men, tee shirts should be worn with lighth colored shirts. Chest hair may be great for the night life, but during the day, it should be covered. ETWEEN SUCCESSFUL AND UNSU vs THE I takes control of his job search. Believes the world owes hi i various knowledge and attrib- Lives with labels...He is a be...that's his training?his Dal transference of skills. Doesn't know her skills. used in another career fiel< ition hunt. Information reduces Lacks ability to see the ne< ful job hunts look like this: no no YES! Unsuccessful job hunts loc o find a job. Sees job hunt as a part-tin t people are not going to come Uses telephone, resumes, few calls and sends out a I ig". Isolates herself. Her job s< le rule. He's determined to be Accepts and looks for the my looking for work?negs le?always has a Plan B. , . Looks at the job search in Rl *Choose classic and understated assessories. Resist the impulse to pile on the jewelry. The Leona neirnsiey sianer-wi nariymy iium your necK may cause an employer to envision unappetizing accidents around machinery. Wishing to avoid the mess associated with severed heads being fed through the FAX machine and the resultant budensome paperwork for OSHA, he or she will probably pass on hiring you. (Simple is always best. After all, you do want the interviewer to remember you for you, and not your jewelry. Jewelry should be kept to gold, pearls, or silver. Colors are not recommended. Men, it's your call, but employers are telling us that earrings are not looked upon as professional during the interview process.) 'Substitute a business-like briefcase for your customary purse. Purses have a tendency to dump out on the floor during the interview, and the contents of your purse will often tell the prospective employer way too much. For instance, five prescription bottles, a pack of cigarettes, and asthma inhaler, and a box of condoms rolling about the floor are not likely to instill a lot of confidence. (A briefcase will allow you to take the necessary essentials to your interview: extra copies of vour rafiiimo romnanv information, written nuae. tions you have for the interviewer, your reference sheet, and a couple of pencils and pens. Don't forget change for the meter!) So now you know the real reasons why people are counseled to dress professionally for a job interview-and why they are cautioned to prepare their outfits in advance. This advice, however, is no help to you now and does not change the fact that you're still standing in your underwear while the clock is ticking away. But it may help on the next job interview... The University Career Center offers various workshops on interviewing. Call 7-7280 for information. CCESSFUL JOB HUNTERS JNSUCCESSFUL JOB HUNTER im a living. teacher, always will be...is an accountant, always will ; only skill. Doesn't understand how her present job skills can be d. 3d for gathering information and doesn't research. .1, i:i.n ?u:?. .tnnr ;r\ iirw uno. inu, iiu, i ivj oiupo iv_/v_mn iy:: ie, hit and miss proposition. Something will turn up. newspapers. Insulates self from people. He makes a Dunch of resumes. Then waits! earch is the best kept secret in town! rules. Unemployment is at 9.9% so there is no use in itive attitude. a very narrow view. Puts all his eggs in one basket. Ichard Bolles: Life/Work Planning Workshop, Orlando, Florida; Spring 1982