Appropriate Professional Attire
Did you know that an employer will make their first impression about whether or not to hire you based on the first 30 seconds of your interview? For this reason, dressing appropriately and conservatively for an interview is vitally important.
Terminology
Business Formal: standard dress code for a job or internship interview and for career fairs. Full Suit.
Women’s business formal attire could include the following:
Skirt suit (preferably in a dark color), which includes knee-length skirt, tailored jacket, and solid (or subtle patterned) blouse/top
Pant suit (preferably in a dark color), which includes tailored pants and jacket, and solid (or subtle patterned) blouse/top
Closed toed shoes with no more than 1-2 inch heels
Post earrings (not dangling or large), minimal jewelry such as rings, bracelets, or necklaces
Small to medium size purse, along with portfolio, pen, and extra copies of your resume
Subtle make-up
Avoid perfumes
Men's business formal attire could include the following:
Two-piece, single-breasted, and dark (solid color or conservative pinstripes) suit
White dress shirt, buttoned all the way to the top, with a white undershirt underneath and conservative tie (no bowties, bright colors, or bold patterns)
Dark, polished shoes and matching socks
Portfolio, pen, and extra copies of your resume
Conservative, short haircut
Avoid cologne
Business Casual:
Often the dress code used in many offices, depending on your work environment and day-to-day responsibilities. While this type of attire is too casual for an interview, you may wear business casual for networking events, workshops, informational interviews, site visits, and the like.
Women’s business casual attire could include the following:
Jacket, blouse, cardigan, or conservative top with a knee-length skirt
Simple, knee-length dress
Closed or open toed shoes (no platforms or flip flops)
No jeans or casual sundresses
Men’s business casual attire could include the following:
Pants (dark or khaki)
Collared button up shirt with a white undershirt underneath or a collared knit polo shirt
Leather shoes (no sneakers or flip flops)
No jeans