May 16, 2008
Landing the Job
What you wear can make quite a first impression -- especially on a job interview.
Use these seven tips to give some some serious thought to your personal presentation in that next interview.Image has the powerful impact to either support or diminish credibility in a competitive job market where all resumes can be equal. Plus, many job interviews today are often held away from the office -- over a cup of coffee, lunch or dinner -- and the person conducting the interview or doing the hiring may be significantly younger than you are. You have plenty of reasons to give some serious thought to your personal presentation.
The more relaxed rules of dressing for the job have made tweaking a look for a job interview even more complicated than just throwing on a classic suit as a safe fall-back look. Even in the most conventional of office environments, where serious business wear is required, good taste and a look that's not quite uniform has its place. Here's how to stand out on a job interview with the kind of energy and credibility that can support your talent and experience and help you nail an offer.
1. Make a contemporary first impression. Remember that old clothes make us look old. They can convey the message, that perhaps our thinking or our skills may be out of date as well. It doesn't matter if your hair is gray or your shape is less than perfect, as long as you don't look like you just stepped out of a time machine.
2. Buy an updated suit. It's a great investment in your self confidence and the list of new summer variations is almost endless. Choose the style, fabric and cut to fit your interview.
• Short-sleeve hip-length fitted jackets are new. Wear them buttoned up with matched or unmatched pants or a skirt. The new unlined knobby textures show fewer wrinkles.
• Unstructured jackets with and without buttons do the job of camouflaging extra weight around the waist, hips or bottom. Wear them with a knit top instead of a blouse. The look is fresher and more comfortable than tucking in a shirt.
• If the work environment is casual, consider a matched or unmatched suit in a dressed down cotton fabric in neutral shades like white, khaki or black. Pair the suit with a white top for a crisp look, or add a pop of color for a more striking or creative effect.
3. "No jacket required." Lightweight sweater-dressing works for a job hunt. This year, the twin-set can take you right through the season's hottest days. The layers are so ultra sheer you don't need to think about removing the cardigan to chill out. As a cover-up, it replaces the old standard breezy shirt layered over a tee as a more polished casual office look.
4. Avoid long dresses or skirts, short skirts, frilly pieces, sexy cuts, jeans and open-toe shoes. Anything that can be mistaken as too comfortable (read: frumpy), too young, too revealing or too casual can be a tricky fashion choice for a job interview. Even if jeans are standard wear at the company where you are seeking employment, save them for after you get the job. Instead, consider that a plain button-down fitted white shirt worn with straight leg pants always makes a polished impression — one that's ageless and fashionable, yet benign enough that nobody can find fault with it. A pair of classic pumps, or flats if you prefer, a structured bag and simple earrings can make this look sing.
5. Use accessories to pull your whole look together and give it a touch of your own personality. Particularly when dressing safe, in a risk-free matched suit, a monochromatic sweater set and pants or a basic white shirt and black pants, add some color and style to your outfit with classic accessories. One of the new statement watches in rose gold, a steel timepiece with an oversized face or a chic bracelet are perfect for the job. If you wear glasses, be sure they are still in style.
6. To wear hose or not to wear hose? Particularly in the summer months, hose, which have gone out of trend in several cities for all but the most conservative of occupations, is a big and important question of the moment. Do you risk looking unprofessional sans hose? Or, do you wear pantyhose and possibly look a bit fuddy-duddy? If you plan to wear a suit and know for sure that bare legs won't raise any eyebrows, be sure your legs are smooth and polished. A light spray tan should be a consideration. When in any doubt on the subject, head for the hosiery department and ask for an ultra-sheer pair in a shade that matches your bare legs.
7. Call human resources if you have any questions about the proper attire for your meeting. The words "professional, business casual and casual" can have a whole different meaning depending on the industry, a company's corporate culture and even the part of the country where you may be interviewing. Be sure you know what you're getting into before heading off to the interview. 
As a former runway model and West Coast Editor of "Glamour" magazine, Daina Hulet has been in the business of style for more than 30 years. She's here to help you maintain a truly stylish and sophisticated look that defies all expectations of what "aging" is supposed to look like.
The more relaxed rules of dressing for the job have made tweaking a look for a job interview even more complicated than just throwing on a classic suit as a safe fall-back look. Even in the most conventional of office environments, where serious business wear is required, good taste and a look that's not quite uniform has its place. Here's how to stand out on a job interview with the kind of energy and credibility that can support your talent and experience and help you nail an offer.
1. Make a contemporary first impression. Remember that old clothes make us look old. They can convey the message, that perhaps our thinking or our skills may be out of date as well. It doesn't matter if your hair is gray or your shape is less than perfect, as long as you don't look like you just stepped out of a time machine.
2. Buy an updated suit. It's a great investment in your self confidence and the list of new summer variations is almost endless. Choose the style, fabric and cut to fit your interview.
• Short-sleeve hip-length fitted jackets are new. Wear them buttoned up with matched or unmatched pants or a skirt. The new unlined knobby textures show fewer wrinkles.
• Unstructured jackets with and without buttons do the job of camouflaging extra weight around the waist, hips or bottom. Wear them with a knit top instead of a blouse. The look is fresher and more comfortable than tucking in a shirt.
• If the work environment is casual, consider a matched or unmatched suit in a dressed down cotton fabric in neutral shades like white, khaki or black. Pair the suit with a white top for a crisp look, or add a pop of color for a more striking or creative effect.
3. "No jacket required." Lightweight sweater-dressing works for a job hunt. This year, the twin-set can take you right through the season's hottest days. The layers are so ultra sheer you don't need to think about removing the cardigan to chill out. As a cover-up, it replaces the old standard breezy shirt layered over a tee as a more polished casual office look.
4. Avoid long dresses or skirts, short skirts, frilly pieces, sexy cuts, jeans and open-toe shoes. Anything that can be mistaken as too comfortable (read: frumpy), too young, too revealing or too casual can be a tricky fashion choice for a job interview. Even if jeans are standard wear at the company where you are seeking employment, save them for after you get the job. Instead, consider that a plain button-down fitted white shirt worn with straight leg pants always makes a polished impression — one that's ageless and fashionable, yet benign enough that nobody can find fault with it. A pair of classic pumps, or flats if you prefer, a structured bag and simple earrings can make this look sing.
5. Use accessories to pull your whole look together and give it a touch of your own personality. Particularly when dressing safe, in a risk-free matched suit, a monochromatic sweater set and pants or a basic white shirt and black pants, add some color and style to your outfit with classic accessories. One of the new statement watches in rose gold, a steel timepiece with an oversized face or a chic bracelet are perfect for the job. If you wear glasses, be sure they are still in style.
6. To wear hose or not to wear hose? Particularly in the summer months, hose, which have gone out of trend in several cities for all but the most conservative of occupations, is a big and important question of the moment. Do you risk looking unprofessional sans hose? Or, do you wear pantyhose and possibly look a bit fuddy-duddy? If you plan to wear a suit and know for sure that bare legs won't raise any eyebrows, be sure your legs are smooth and polished. A light spray tan should be a consideration. When in any doubt on the subject, head for the hosiery department and ask for an ultra-sheer pair in a shade that matches your bare legs.
7. Call human resources if you have any questions about the proper attire for your meeting. The words "professional, business casual and casual" can have a whole different meaning depending on the industry, a company's corporate culture and even the part of the country where you may be interviewing. Be sure you know what you're getting into before heading off to the interview.
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