There a four types of jobs: labor, restaurant, business casual and professional. It is important to make good first impression whether applying to a job on location or going to an interview. Dressing appropriately helps people get hired.
Talking to someone in person can be unnerving. Looking good creates confidence. I don't mean wear the outfit you would wear to the club or a stuffy suit to hide personal style. Make sure clothes are clean. They should not have tears, stains or hanging threads. Prove you own one work appropriate outfit.
Each type of job has a dress code; therefore, each type of interview requires different clothes. In all cases: shower, comb your hair and be clean. Cleanliness is important no matter where you work. First impressions have to be inviting. Smile and project a positive attitude.
Labor and restaurant industries require a t-shirt and jeans. Wear closed toe shoes: tennis shoes, flats or hiking boots. It doesn't matter, as long as they are clean and in relatively good condition. If you are interviewing for a position in construction, warehouse or manufacturing steel-toe boots make a great impression, since steel-toe boots are equipment.
Business casual is more complicated. With some basic rules, the main objective is to look professional without a suit. Wear dark colored slacks or skirts. The shirt must have a sleeve extending past the elbow. Dress shoes are preferred. If you don't have any, make sure shoes are all one color and dark, like: black, navy or brown. Do not wear jeans. Do not wear a t-shirt. Do not wear something revealing. These rules apply to men also. I was at an interview and this guy was wearing baggy pants and a tight t-shirt. With visible underwear, the receptionist didn't even want to give him a pre-interview application.
Professional jobs require suits. Make outfits conservative by matching blazer to shoes. The only colors for suits on a professional job interview are: black, navy, dark brown and dark gray. Creativity is expressed through color of the shirt and pins. In fact, having a lapel pin enhances any suit by adding a sense of personality and style without being overtly presumptuous. Jewelry also add spark.
Men's jewelry consists of lapel pins, cuff links, ties, rings and watches. Women's jewelry consists of lapel pins, scarves, necklaces, bracelets, rings and watches. Do not over accessorize. There is no need for a necklace when wearing a scarf. Two rings, three bracelets and a watch is the maximum amount of arm and hand jewelry; otherwise, people are preoccupied with accessories. A large part of professionalism is focusing on work.
Match dress shoes to your suit. Sometimes wearing black shoes with dark gray suite is acceptable. This is the only exception. These clothes can be expensive. If low on funds, buy clothes on sale. I bought a suit for $25 during the holidays. Shoes were only $30.
Though this may seem superficial, people are self-conscious, dressing appropriately adds confidence. Confidence makes a huge difference in an interview. Go to the bathroom and look in a mirror to verify you look great. Every reassurance counts.
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