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time the night before an interview to assemble your look and iron your outfit. Being greeted by an applicant wearing a wrinkled shirt and mismatched socks immediately alerts the interviewer that you aren't serious about the position.
For Burford, the worst interview experiences usually involve poor personal hygiene or inappropriate clothing worn by the applicant. Always wash your hands before you enter the meeting and shake the interviewer's hand. Because you'll be doing a lot of talking during the interview, bring along a few mints to keep your breath crisp and fresh. Also, Burford says to remember to make sure the interviewer can see your face. She once met with an applicant who left his sunglasses on during the interview, without explaining why he was wearing them. He probably didn't get the job.
Edwards advises that when interviewing for a job — and even after you get the position — to keep personal hygiene and grooming habits simple and tasteful. You don't want unnecessary distractions, such as too much makeup or too much cologne, to derail your career, she says. She also recommends
that skin exposure for both men and women always be kept to a minimum. For most working environments, Edwards says skirts should be no shorter than a hand's width above the knee, shirts and blouses should always have sleeves and there should be no visible cleavage for women.
Appropriate apparel in the workplace can vary as much as individual style. A person who works at a bank will be expected to dress differently than someone working at a coffee house, Edwards says. And while dress codes at Reebok and Sprint are becoming more casual, the opposite could be happening at the company to which you are applying.
Seeking the advice of someone in your field before heading to an interview can give you a better sense of what is expected of you and your style. But, when in doubt, pick something clean, something professional and something in which you feel comfortable.
No matter how casual the office dress code, you will undoubtedly have to make a few new clothing purchases upon entering the working world. Take some advice from the experts on what every working man and woman should own.
Inside the grads' closets
Annie Truong 2006 Graduate
Occupation: Account executive at C.H.Robinson Location: Chicago Office dress code: Casual; jeans are OK. Business casual when meeting with clients
Work wardrobe staples:
A black and brown three-
piece suit, wrap tops, pumps, trouser jeans, skirts, Bermuda shorts/capris.
Primp and prep: About 15 minutes longer than in college for a normal day,
"But on days when I meet with clients, it probably takes an hour longer to get ready because I want to look my best."
Fashion funds: "I'm only using money I earned for making these purchases, but I don't mind because besides the two suits, everything else can be worn out to the bars, to nice dinners and the theater."
Next buy: "I've been buying a lot of brown tops lately, but as we get to summer I want to get more patterns."
Natalie Bogan 2006 Graduate
Occupation:
Associate editor at
Houston Magazine
Location: Houston
Office dress code:
Business casual
Work wardrobe
staples: Cardigans,
tank tops, solid-
colored blouses,
slacks, skirts, cocktail
dresses for evening
events.
Primp and prep:
15 minutes to get ready in college compared to 40 minutes today." I don't know if I've left the house without makeup since I've been in Houston."
Fashion funds: "It's just been a really slow process. It means you don't go out to lunch every day. I'm trying to pace myself because I'm outfitting my condo at the same time."
Style guru: "The magazine is a little bit different. It's business casual, but some of the girls wear some crazy things. The environment has gotten me out of my comfort zone and I'm trying to prove that I'm not the little girl from Kansas."
Adam Reeze 2006 Graduate
Occupation: Business development and commercial real estate Location: Denver Office dress code: Business casual Work wardrobe staples: Three suits, button-down shirts, 10-12 ties, two belts (one black and one brown), two pairs of lace-up dress shoes, navy pea coat.
Primp and prep: "It's a 45-minute process from waking up to walking out the door. I have to shave every day whereas during school I could get away with once every four or five days."
Tip: "I go to the office each day with a suit on minus the tie, but I keep a stash of them at work just in case I need one at some point during the day."
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