Appropriate interview attire is a vital component of a successful job search. First impressions are important and, right or wrong, the first thing any hiring manager is going to evaluate is how you look. By that, I mean do you look groomed? Professional? Conservative (enough)? If you arrive in a wrinkled suit, with scuffed shoes, reeking of cigarette smoke, you stand a good chance of making a bad impression and in a recovering job market, people are removed from hiring processes for far less every day.
For men, putting together a job interview outfit should be simple. Look neat--your suit should be clean, pressed, it should fit properly and should be complemented by shiny shoes. *And linen, seersucker, pastels, 'coat and tie' are all out of the question here; I don't care where you live. A navy blue, black or gray business suit is the only appropriate option.
For women, it's far more complicated. Obviously, a business suit is required for women as well. Generally, a skirt suit is considered more formal and therefore, more professional--a matter of opinion to be sure, but if you really want the job it's better to be safe than sorry. If you are unwilling, unable or simply entirely too uncomfortable to go the route of the skirt suit, the important thing to remember is that by wearing a pants suit you may be taking a risk. If you are okay with that, go for it. The skirt suit alone doesn't guarantee a great impression, however. It must be an appropriate color (stick with navy, black or gray and don't confuse a 'dress' suit for a business suit). It must be paired with an appropriate top with a modest neckline. And length is vital; nothing below the knee ever. Practice sitting, standing, crossing your legs, observe where the skirt falls/how far it rises. When it doubt, throw it out--a wandering hemline is a huge interview liability. As for the rest of the ensemble, less is generally more--that goes for perfume, make up, jewelry, accessories.
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