| Part of preparing for a job interview lies in choosing | | | | there is a very good chance the receptionist will tell |
| appropriate job interview attire. This decision can seem | | | | you that their office is fairly casual. Everyone has a |
| quite tricky, but if you follow a few simple guidelines, | | | | different idea about what constitutes office casual. To |
| you'll get it right every time. | | | | one person, office casual may mean a skirt and blouse |
| 1. Never underestimate the importance of choosing | | | | for women but nylons are not necessary. Another |
| appropriate job interview attire. | | | | person may feel that is quite formal and may feel that |
| The clothes you wear to a job interview form a big | | | | office casual includes jeans and t-shirts. So, while you |
| part of the first impression you make on the employer. | | | | can ask the question, the answer you get may be |
| People make judgments about your suitability for a job | | | | limited in terms of helping you choose your job |
| within the first few seconds of meeting you, so it's | | | | interview clothing. |
| important to use everything available, including your | | | | 5. Go to the place of business a few days before |
| attire, to ensure that initial impression is positive. | | | | your interview to see how people are dressed. |
| 2. Different job interview attire will be appropriate for | | | | Go early in the day when people are arriving for work. |
| different companies and different types of jobs. | | | | Watch staff enter the building and get a sense of |
| Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all interview | | | | what they are wearing. This strategy will give you get |
| outfit. What might be perfectly appropriate at one | | | | a sense of what is considered appropriate attire at |
| company would be considered under-dressed in | | | | that place of business. Of course, you should avoid |
| another situation, or over-dressed in a third company. It | | | | doing this on a casual Friday! |
| will be important for you to gauge the situation, and the | | | | 6. Casual Fridays do not apply when interviewing for a |
| nature of the company and the job when choosing | | | | job. |
| your clothes for a job interview. | | | | If your job interview falls on a Friday, dress the way |
| 3. Dress one level above the way you would dress if | | | | you would for a job interview on any other day. Most |
| you were going to work at that company. | | | | employers will avoid wearing their casual Friday |
| Dressing in this way is always the best strategy for | | | | clothes if they are conducting interviews on that day. If |
| choosing job interview clothing. Dressing a little better | | | | you go in to a job interview on a Friday, and everyone |
| than you would on a typical work day at that | | | | is dressed in jeans and you are wearing a dress or a |
| company shows the employer that you've made an | | | | shirt and tie, don't worry, you have done the right thing. |
| effort to show yourself in your best light, and taking | | | | 7. Try on all of your clothes at least the day before |
| care to avoid over-dressing shows that you | | | | the interview, or sooner if possible. |
| understand the nature of the job and helps the | | | | Ensure that everything fits well and is in good condition. |
| employer to see that you would fit in at the company | | | | You don't want to discover that your best pair of |
| and in the job that is available. | | | | pants or the skirt that you haven't worn in months |
| 4. It's fine to ask receptionist about typical dress when | | | | doesn't quite fit properly, or that your best shirt has a |
| you are invited to the interview, but this information is | | | | strange stain on it on the day of the interview. Try |
| often limited. | | | | everything on well before your job interview so you'll |
| If, for example you are interviewing for an office job, | | | | discover and be able to deal with any problems. |