It used to be that job seekers could rely on the fail-safe uniform of power suits and sensible shoes. Less was always more when it came to dressing for the interview, and showing up in anything statement-making was considered borderline risky.
But have today’s volatile job market and ailing economy changed the rules of the interview-dressing game?
“People are so scared right now and so wanting a job that they are making the mistake of leaving their style out of the picture entirely,” says Jill Siefert, wardrobe stylist and fashion director for this year’s Dress for Success San Francisco fundraising gala. “Businesses are looking for creative personalities and innovative thinkers right now. You have to stand out to make your mark.”
Appearing both memorable and professional can be confusing territory, however, especially for new graduates with little to no job-hunting experience, Baby Boomers re-entering the workforce, or laid-off employees having to interview for the first time in years.
“There’s a difference between creative style and (style that is) just plain odd or distracting,” says Keylee Sanders, a San Francisco style expert who has worked with businesses on corporate dress codes. “You want to be remembered for a positive reason, not because you decided to wear a weird hat or you had on heels that were too tall and you fell when you walked toward the door.”
Common sense do’s and don’ts apply — such as being well-groomed, wearing clean, pressed attire, and never revealing too much skin. But showing that you truly understand a company through your wardrobe choices and conveying your personal style can be more complicated.
Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo, New York stylists and co-authors of “Work It!: Visual Therapy’s Guide to Your Ultimate Career Wardrobe” (Chronicle Books, 2009), advise doing research on a company’s environment before showing up for the interview.
“The first thing you need to do is define the work space,” says Garza. “Is it casual? Formal? Artistic?” Conservative or corporate fields, including finance, medicine and law, still often require formal interview attire such as suits, he says, whereas more artistic fields such as design, advertising or fashion tend to have more relaxed expectations and room for creativity.
“If you’re going to an office where everyone is wearing jeans, you don’t want to show up in a three-piece Brooks Brothers suit,” Garza says. “But you still want to be dressed up and look polished.”
Dos and don’ts of interview dressing
Joe Lupo and Jesse Garza of Visual Therapy () offer the following job-seeker dressing tips:
DO wear a jacket if you are a man. “Even if it’s an artistic environment, still wear a jacket, but skip the tie and make sure the shirt is nicely pressed to keep things clean and modern,” Garza says.
DO pay attention to details. “Men especially should pay attention to having a nice watch, polished shoes and a belt.” Show your waistline if you’re a woman. “The business look does not have to mean shapeless or masculine. Women can embrace their femininity today and still show their power with a tailored look,” Garza says.
DON’T wear fragrance. “It can be a turnoff to your interviewer, so avoid it,” Garza says.
DON’T show cleavage. “If your interviewer is a woman, she’ll judge you. If it’s a man, he’ll be checking you out,” Lupo says.
DON’T carry a messy bag. “Carry only what you need,” Lupo says. “You don’t want to be digging through a bunch of papers in a messy, oversize tote, which sends a message that you are disorganized.
DON’T wear distracting accessories. “Save the clanging bangles and big chandelier earrings for evening,” Garza says.
