Career and Job Search Advice

I was once asked by a Sr. Accounting Manager who was a candidate of mine - “what do you recommend I wear on my interview?”  Now, it would seem that the answer to this question is obvious (suit, professional attire, etc.)  however, when I get feedback from clients asking me  “Have you actually met your candidate in person?”  - I tend to get a bit nervous wondering what “said” candidate might have worn to the interview.  Cowboy boots? Visible jewelry inserted into holes that would otherwise not be found on your average accountant? Perhaps a low cut blouse?

We do not generally meet our candidates in person - we tend to reserve that time for meeting clients and after many years of recruiting I  believe I have a good feel for a candidate’s personality and level of professionalism. I don’t generally address attire with candidates. Regardless, for those who still entertain this question, the answer is “it is important to remain conservative with your professional attire and overall appearance when interviewing”.  Please - no clothes that would otherwise draw attention away from what you are saying in an interview. I once had a hiring manager (who happened to be a woman) comment  that the interviewee was showing entirely too much cleavage - and that it was, in fact, distracting during her interview with this candidate.  Maybe this candidate expected to be interviewed by a man - okay - that’s disturbing.

Shoes are another issue. My father always told me that you can take a look at a perosn’s shoes and really get a feel for their sense of pride in appearance. Wear shoes that don’t look like you have been using them for your recent marathon training. Maybe you have some that are reserved for special occasions - your interview IS a special occassion ! If not, make sure that the shoes you choose to wear are in good repair - shine ‘em up a bit if needed.

Below are some general rules of thumb about maintaining professional appearance on an interview:

1) Conservative, professional attire recommended. Regardless of the position you are interviewing for and the type of company - it is difficult to go wrong with this approach.  The only time I recall advising casual attire (meaning slacks and a dress shirt) was when the interview happened to be with a national Restaurant client of ours - think Qdoba, Noodles, Chipotle - that is known for their laid back corporate atmosphere. The client specifically requested that our candidate not show up in a suit for this Sr. Level Finance interview. 

2) No visible tattoos or unusual piercings. Okay, so this may seem like a no-brain-er as well however, in the “up and coming” generation of professionals, there seems to be a significant increase of body ink and random piercings.  Case in point - I was visiting a colleague of mine at a professional recruiting firm (let’s just say she was in her mid 30’s) and as she bent over to get something from her computer case, I couldn’t help but notice the tribal art covering her lower back. Although I personally have no aversion to tattoos (and always keep mine concealed in professional settings), older generations may find them less appealing.

3) Minimize flashy jewelry, trendy clothes and make-up. Yes - I have witnessed gold chains at high-level “invitation only” networking events. Need I say more?

4) Skip the Cologne or Perfume. While you may only be splashing on a bit (hopefully not because you haven’t showered prior to your interview), cologne and perfume can really irritate those who are sensitive. It’s okay to simply skip using it so that you don’t unintentionally overwhelm the person you are meeting with.

5) Smokers - be advised. I  had a client partner who was an executive with a national home-builder tell me that he didn’t want to interview any smokers. My thought - that’s discrimination ! While I’m not an advocate of smoking, I also don’t believe in disqualifying a solid individual for a potential opportunity simply because they smoke. Essentially, it’s important to realize that the odor from smoking can be offensive for a non-smoker and may taint your interview before you even get a chance to speak. My advice is to  refrain from smoking on the way to your interview - if possible.

While these thoughts represent only a handful of my interviewee experiences, I believe they can help you form a solid basis for making decisions regarding professional appearance for your interviews.