Dress Tips for Interviews and Career Fairs
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75th anniversary Serving students and alumni, 1932–2007 185 Student Services Building 101 North University Street Campus Box 2520 Dress tips for Normal, IL 61790-2520 Interviews and Career Fairs Men and women • Two-piece business suit (solid dark blue, gray or other • Two piece matched suit is always the best and safest dark color is best) choice • Dark socks, mid-calf length; avoid light colored socks • Everything should be clean and well pressed with a • Keep jewelry to a minimum dark suit • No visible body art. Cover tattoos with clothing • Business style leather shoes (lace-up or slip-on) pol- if possible ished and buffed. • Breath mints—use one before greeting the interviewer, • A watch and possibly a ring are the only pieces of employer representative jewelry you should wear. No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out) • No gum, candy or cigarettes • Match shoe and belt color; don’t mix black and brown • Use perfume/colognes sparingly • Briefcase or portfolio Women • Make sure your tie, when knotted, comes to the • Suit with a skirt or a business pantsuit are both accept- middle of your belt buckle able • Stick with navy, blue, tan, gray, burgundy, black and Business casual attire beige as clothing color choices. Try to use solid colors (Acceptable at many career fairs, but when in doubt, or conservative prints dress up!) • Tailored blouse with a conservative neckline that Do’s for women coordinates nicely with your suit preferable white, off- • Dress “casual” style pants (i.e., Dockers or Gap) and white, or neutral colored a collared shirt, golf shirt, turtleneck shirts and/or • If you wear pants, they should be creased and tailored, sweater not tight or flowing • Dress slacks instead of dress casual slacks • Skin-colored hosiery or hosiery that coordinates with • Skirt and a collared shirt, blouse, turtleneck or sweater your suit • Same as above, but add a blazer • Shoes should be closed-toe with low moderate high heels. Try dark leather, low-heeled pumps • Appropriate business style dresses • Briefcase or portfolio in place of a handbag or purse Do’s for men • No excessively long fingernails. Use conservative nail • Dress “casual” style slacks (i.e., Dockers or Gap) and polish; avoid unusual colors (e.g., green, blue, lavender) a collared shirt, golf shirt, turtleneck shirts and/or • Small stud earrings instead of dangling or oversized sweater earrings • Dress slacks instead of dress casual slacks • Use accessories in moderation. Use the Rule of 13: • Same as above, but add a sport coat If you can count more than 13 accessories including buttons, bracelets, rings, earrings, and watch, you are General business casual don’ts overdoing it • Denim jeans Men • Warm up suits, sweat pants • Long sleeved dress shirt (even in summer) in white or • Open-toed sandals light blue Continued on reverse • Provocative clothing, including excessively short skirts Don’ts for women or dresses, • Spandex or tight clothing tube tops • Shorts or skorts • Clothing with insignias /slogans • Halters, tube tops, or sheer shirts • Spandex • Sandals • Sneakers/tennis shoes • Tacky or oversized jewelry • Bare legs/feet, shorts • Bare feet or legs • Shoes without socks • Spaghetti-strap dresses • Skorts • Capri pants Do’s for men • Sweatshirts • Always wear a tie • Hats or caps • Shoes that are polished • Hiking Boots • Belts that properly match the shoes • Thong shoes/flip flops • Facial hair should be neat and clean • Tank tops or T-shirts • Shirts that are loosely fitting • Pants that fit comfortably with or without a crease Additional tips 1. Clothing should always be neat (pressed and clean) Don’ts for men and professional. • Ties which include cartoon characters or inappropriate 2. It is best to be overdressed instead of underdressed pictures 3. Don’t neglect personal hygiene • Excessive jewelry • Overall look should look professional and clean • Belts that have large buckles • Hair should be clean, trimmed, and combed or • Scuffed or worn shoes styled • Shoes without socks • Fingernails should be neat, clean and trimmed Don’ts for men and women • Teeth should be clean • Visible body piercing, including nose, eyebrow or mul- • Perfumes and colognes should be applied sparingly tiple earrings in one ear • Baggy, sloppy, tight or ripped clothing General professional attire • Athletic wear such as sweats, t-shirts or sneakers • Excessive perfume, cologne or after-shave Do’s for women • Shirts should be loosely fitting and not reveal under- garments • Skirts and dresses should be approximately 2 inches above or below the knee and side slits should not exceed 1 inch • Shoes should have closed toes and the heel less than 2 inches • Keep the makeup light and natural looking • Use perfume sparingly • Wear pants that fit comfortably with or without a crease Visit the Career Center Web site at www.CareerCenter.ilstu.edu or call (309) 438-2200..