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Dressing for the Interview

What you wear to an interview can be as important as what you say. Clothes can say a lot about who you are, and how well you may fit into the organisation.

  • Always wear clean and neat clothing; make sure it is pressed/ironed. Nothing will turn an interviewer off more than an outfit that looks like it's been sitting in your laundry hamper since your last job interview.
  • Use little or no perfume or cologne. You want to smell good, but not too overpowering. It is also worth noting that a lot of people are allergic to perfumes and colognes. You don't want to make the interviewer break out in a rash.
  • Have fresh breath and clean teeth.
  • Have clean, neat hair.
  • If possible, before your interview find out how people dress at the place of employment, and dress as well. Be careful not to overdress as this may also turn the interviewer off.

Tips for Males and Females

Males Females

For business, public contact, and customer service positions, dress accordingly (dress pants shirt and tie, socks and polished shoes). Avoid loud colours clothing and sport shoes.

For positions with less public contact wear a sports jacket or sweater, a shirt with a collar, dress pants (skip the jeans or sweat pants), and polished shoes (avoid sport shoes if possible).

Facial hair should be clean-shaved or neatly trimmed.

Hair should be neat and tidy (Avoid using too much hair cream or gel).

Go easy on the makeup and fingernail polish. Avoid unusual colours, heavy application and extremely long nails.

Simple clothes and soft colours are most suitable. Avoid loud colours.

Very tight clothes, see-through tops and short skirts should be avoided. Skip the jeans if possible.

Stockings and low-heeled shoes are best for professional offices, sales, public contact and customer service jobs.

Clothing and accessories do not have to be expensive to make a good impression, but they should always be in good taste and clean. They should also be toned down rather than wild or extravagant. You want the interviewer's attention to be focussed on you, not on your clothes.

Hair should be neat and tidy.