Career Success Guide

Interviewing - Make an Impression

MAKE AN IMPRESSION When you’re in the classroom, your outfit may be casual, but standards are different during a job interview. College students should aim to dress professionally when interviewing for a job or internship. What you wear will play a role in the interviewer’s first impression of you, so make it a good one. Below are a few tips on how to select the perfect outfit for a job interview. Research the Company

What to Bring to an Interview

What Should I Wear? Business Casual

Adapted from Forbes: “Employees should dress in business casual attire, which could include casual slacks and skirts, collared shirts, blouses, or sweaters. Inappropriate attire includes sportswear, jeans, and unkempt clothing, among other options. Please exercise good judgment.” Business Formal Traditional business attire, including, dresses, suits, pantsuits, is required for external meetings with clients or prospects. Employees should use discretion on other occasions and are expected to demonstrate good judgment Casual Adapted from The Balance: “Dress comfortably for work, but please do not wear anything that could offend your co-workers or make them feel uncomfortable. That includes clothing with profanity, hate speech, or exclusionary language. Your clothing, while casual, should show common sense and professionalism.” According to Indeed, 50% of companies allow employees to dress casually everyday, as of 2019. Dress for Success Scan the QR Code to check out our online apparel guide with examples.

In addition to getting your interview attire ready the night before, also gather what you need to bring with you: • Interview location/directions • Contact name and number for the person you’re meeting • Identification • Notepad and pen • Extra copies of your resume • List of three references • Work samples (depending on the job) • Laptop or tablet to showcase your work (depending on the job) • Breath mints with you to use before entering the building You can bring your phone but make sure it’s on mute or vibrate during your interview. It avoids the risk of getting a distracting loud text alert or phone call mid-interview. What Not to Bring to an Interview There are some things you shouldn’t bring to a job interview: • Gum • Coffee or soda • If you have lots of piercings, consider leaving some of your jewelry at home (earrings only is a good rule) • You may want to consider covering tattoos (in researching the company, see what their policy is on tattoos) Key Takeaways • Know the corporate culture before you interview. • Keep your clothes clean and pressed. • Pay attention to your grooming and hygiene. • Remember that you’re trying to let your talent shine through: eliminate distractions.

Before going to an interview, find out how employees at the company dress. This might involve researching the company online or even contacting the company and asking before your interview. Some companies are very conservative in their dress policies and require business attire, while others are fine with business casual. Either way, you should always dress at least slightly nicer than the employees. If you cannot find out how the employees typically dress, it is safest to dress conservatively. PRO TIP: It is far better to come to an interview overdressed than underdressed. Tips for Making the Best Interview Impression • Prepare your interview outfit to be sure you’re ready to make the best impression. • Make sure you have appropriate interview attire, and everything fits correctly. • Be true to yourself while being aware of company dress standards. • Dry clean your clothes if needed. • If you’re interviewing remotely, it’s best to avoid very bright colors, stripes, and wearing the same color as your background.

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