| Job Skills | |
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Top 10 Skills in Demand |
Applications |
Dressing for Success
Your Appearance
How you present yourself is vitally important in any interview, regardless of the nature of the job for which you are applying. If you present yourself in a professional manner, then you will be treated as a professional and given consideration for the job as a professional.
Dress professionally
Remember the term "Dress for Success." The interview is the most significant factor in your getting hired. Research shows that within the first four to nine minutes of an interview the recruiter decides whether or not to seriously consider you for the position. As a result, your appearance is an important factor in the decision-making process.
Interview Clothes - A Worthwhile Investment
Students starting out may wish to have two suits and several coordinating shirts and ties or blouses and scarves. Select the best quality clothing you can afford. If you do not already have one, take the time to purchase a quality suit. Do not pick anything too flashy or too trendy. Stay conservative. You will want to use this suit for years to come.
Suitable Interview Attire
Men:
- Suit-well-fitted, wool or wool blend in either blue or gray
- Shirt-white, off-white or pale blue, solid or with thin stripes
- Tie-Classic width of 3 to 3 and 1/4 inches in silk or a silk/wool blend. If there is a pattern, it should be conservative, or neat stripes
- Socks-Over the calf, either nylon or thin cotton in black or navy
- Shoes-Leather slip-ons or lace-ups in either black or brown
- Belt-Leather in either black or brown
- Briefcase or leather notebook-in black, brown, or burgundy
Women:
- Suit-well-fitted , wool or wool blend in black, beige, navy, burgundy or gray
- Blouse/Shirt-Solid color, cotton blend or silk with a simple cut and no excess frills
- Scarf-Silk, used to enhance and complete outfit
- Hosiery-Neutral-toned, sheer, no seams
- Shoes-Plain leather pumps in dark colors
- Purse-Leather, in same color as shoes, only use if not using a briefcase
- Briefcase or leather notebook-in black, brown, or burgundy
Do:
- Shed your student image.
- Realize that image is an important factor in who gets hired and who does not.
- Dress to communicate a professional image of yourself.
- Wear conservative, traditional, and conventional clothing and accessories.
- Wear the best quality clothing that you can afford. Make sure that they fit well and are comfortable.
- Wear a minimum amount of jewelry and accessories to complete a business outfit.
- Maintain a neat hairstyle; use deodorant and minimum perfume.
- Wear a minimum amount of make-up to an interview (women).
- Be aware of industry differences when dressing for the interview and for work.
- Be well groomed. Nails should be neatly cut and manicured and teeth freshly brushed. Men's faces should be clean shaven.
Do not:
- Come to the interview looking disheveled or too casual.
- Think that dressing correctly will not have a strong influence on your job interview and career.
- Wear jeans, turtlenecks, corduroys, textured tights, corduroy blazers or skirts, cowl-neck sweaters, or bulky, bright argyle sweaters, skirts that are too tight, or too tricky for your interview.
- Mix and match suit jackets and pants if you are a man.
- Wear non-traditional colored suits or fad clothing to interviews.
- Wear bangle bracelets, plastic belts, strong perfumes or large dangling earrings.
- Chew gum.
- Wear too casual a hairstyle or heavy makeup.
- Wear ANY earrings if you're a man.
- Wear any visible piercings (nose rings, tongue piercings, etc.)
- Smoke or bring cigarettes or a lighter to the interview.
- Swear, use vulgar language or slang terminology.
- Bring your cell phone or pager.