Professional Dress Guidelines
The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one, and is going to be based on what you are wearing. Always dress professionally for a job interview, even if the work environment is casual. And, the more professional you look, the more professional you'll feel. Please view our Professional Presence & Business Etiquette brochure for more tips on professional presence and etiquette.
Professional Dress For Women
The Suit
- A business suit—matching jacket and skirt—is most appropriate. Not a dress!
- Pantsuits are acceptable except for conservative employers, e.g., banks and accounting firms
- Should be conservative color—solid or small pattern—black, navy, gray, brown, taupe
- Should fit—not too tight or too loose; avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily, such as linen
- Blouse should be conservative to medium color, not bright color
- No short skirts—hem should be just above knee or just below
The Shoes and Hosiery
- Closed toe ONLY! No sandals—even those with heels; conservative colors—no gold, silver, red
- No "spiked" heels—should be comfortable for walking: heels should be 1 inch to 2 ½ inches high
- Neutral colored hosiery only: taupe, off black, navy, off white—avoid textures
The Jewelry, Make Up, and Hair
- Seven pieces of jewelry maximum—count gold or jeweled buttons as jewelry
- One earring per ear—should be small, not dangling; wristwatch should be dress, not sports
- Go easy on the blush, eye shadow and lipstick; wear little or no perfume
- If hair is longer than shoulder length, wear pulled back from face
The Accessories
- A nice portfolio containing a note pad and extra copies of your resume and references page may be carried along with your purse; carry nice pen, or
- You may carry either a purse or briefcase, but not both
Professional Dress For Men
The Suit
- Always wear a suit! Expensive is not necessarily better—should be proper fit
- Medium to dark colors, solids or conservative stripes
- Tip of jacket sleeve should fall 5 inches above tip of thumb when thumb is extended down
- Shirt: pastels, solids, conservative stripes; sleeves extend one half inch below jacket sleeve edge
The Socks, Shoes, and Tie
- Socks nice, thick material; dark, solid or small pattern; hide leg hair when legs are crossed
- Shoes should be leather; should be lace-up or dressy loafer; should shine, shine!
- Tie in small, repetitive pattern or solid—no "theme" ties (e.g., "Tabasco")
- End of tie should touch top of belt—should contain loop in which to insert small end of tie
The Jewelry, Hair, and Accessories
- Wedding band/watch is sufficient; wristwatch should be dress, not sports
- Hair should be "business cut"—short and neat; long hair for males is discouraged
- Face should be clean-shaven; if beard, keep short and neatly trimmed; use aftershave sparingly
- Carry nice portfolio containing a note pad and extra copies of your resume and references page; carry nice pen
