Job Interview Dress Code

Is there a job interview dress code to follow? You bet.

Wearing the right attire alone won't get you a job offer but dressing the wrong way will ensure you won't get the offer.

Dressing for a job interview will depend on two factors:

1. The type of job (level, industry)
2. The company where you're applying

If you're applying for a job as a counter clerk in Macy's, you'll be expected to look fashionable and sharp, perhaps even trendy, depending on the department.

A friend of mine is a carpenter, he tells me that when he applies for jobs, he wears white tops, jeans and steel toe boots. Why white tops? I ask, thinking that construction can get pretty messy. Don't know. He says. Everybody wears them.

True words of wisdom: Wear what everybody wears in that industry.

The operative word is blend in. But what about my individuality? You may ask. You can show your individuality through your talents, skills and accomplishments.

If you're applying for a job at a law firm or a government agency, the unspoken dress code will be dark suits and low key business like attire.

Financial types tend to be more outgoing about their business look, they're the ones that will wear the fun ties and designer dresses.

Speaking of designer gear, if you're applying for senior management or executive positions, your attire will have to reflect a higher end life style. Skip the knock offs for interview day.

If the job interview you have coming up is critical, you may want to personally check out the look of the employees that work at the company where you're applying.

Looks to Avoid

• Loud jewelry

• Stiletto heels, or open shoes

• Uncombed hair or ultra asymmetrical hairdo

• Miniskirts, low cleavage, tight clothes and other sexy outfits

• Too much cologne or makeup (some people are allergic to them)

• Wrinkled or stained clothes

• Badly knotted ties

• Dusty shoes

Mustache, beard, tattoos, piercings and other personal statements

You may think that employers shouldn't take these personal statements into account when making a hiring decision. But employers are just people looking for the right fit for a position. And they like to play it safe.

They themselves could have a tattoo under their long sleeve Egyptian cotton shirt. But they don't flaunt it. A top level government executive confided to me about a snake tattoo on her back. Not a dainty rose, but a snake with fangs and all. She told me she loved her tattoo but didn't want anybody at work to know about it.

Now, if you're looking for a job in a high tech or high fashion kind of place, these personal statements may even be a plus.

Bottom line:

These ideas about job interview dress code apply for most office type jobs, but may not be applicable for other jobs.

Just try to blend with the job and company culture where you're applying.