With Eastern College Career Day coming up and interviews looming for jobs and summer internships, proper attire is necessary to make the right impression. This is time a when all those "Ms. Manners" tips for dressing are actually applicable. It may seem old-fashioned, but picking the right color pantyhose makes a difference if your interviewer only has an hour to decide whether he or she thinks you have what it takes to join the company.
For starters, keep your outfit basic. Girls, go for a two-piece suit in dark blue, black, brown, pinstripes, or gray. Skirts are actually preferred over pants, but make sure the skirt falls at or below the knee. Sit down in a chair when trying on a skirt, because that's what you'd be doing in the interview. Gauge the length and fit both standing up and sitting down. Look for tailored and conservative pieces. Pair your suit with a white or ivory shirt that is again, conservative! Low-necked tops may be great for the pub, but they are inappropriate if you're trying to be taken seriously by a potential employer.
Whatever the weather, wear sheer, skin-colored hose, and bring an extra pair in your purse in case they run. Do not go into an interview with a visible run in your stockings?that just screams, "Not put together!"
Stick with closed-toe shoes with the heels below two and a half inches; teetering in stilettos is not the most professional way to enter the room. Avoid flashy jewelry?go for simple earrings in gold or silver, studs are best (one earring per ear). Less is more, ladies. Lastly, take out those other piercings and cover all tattoos. Displaying a tongue ring probably won't land you that office job.
Make sure your nails are manicured and free of polish, or are at least fairly neutral looking. Waving around your long, bright red acrylic tips will be distracting to your interviewer. Plus, you know what they say about girls with long, fake nails!
Keep your makeup minimal and your hair clean and simply-styled. However, style it away from your face so you don't play with it if you get nervous?nothing is more distracting than a girl who is constantly tossing or twirling her hair as she tries to explain why she is a great candidate to represent a company to its clients.
For guys, similar guidelines apply. You'll need a good quality suit and a white dress shirt, a tie and belt, and lace-up dress shoes. You could also go for a light blue dress shirt or one with faint stripes. Avoid flashy ties with "out there" patterns like cartoon characters or martini glasses, and steer clear of bow ties and the prep school look of a tweed jacket or pink dress shirt. Shave your face and keep the hair gel to a minimum?no looking like a used-car salesman here! Make sure your shoes are polished and steer clear of tassels, loafers, and slip-ons. You may be nervously crossing your legs in the interview, so wear dark dress socks. You certainly don't want your interview to see your mismatched gym socks under a nice suit.
Try on your whole outfit a few days before the interview and check it out. Inspect for tags and loose threads?anything that looks out of place. Your suit should be dry-cleaned and pressed, and make use of that lint brush pre-interview! Spending the extra dollars to get a well-made tailored suit can make all the difference, and you will find that it will come in handy for all sorts of occasions after Bowdoin, especially if it is a traditional cut that won't go out of style. Whether it's an interview, your first day on the job, or a networking event, you always want a look that will compliment rather than compete with your personality.