After countless phone calls, resume drops, and email blasts, you have finally landed a job interview. Now what? Now you have to figure out how to dress for success.
If you want to make a remarkable impression, there are certain rules you must follow in dressing for a job interview. You need to know the specifics of the job, including the environment and culture you will be working in.
This sounds like a lot to handle, right? There is help right here on campus from professionals in the Office of Career Services. They can provide you with advice on what steps to take in pursuing your career, including how to dress for success.
Making a solid first impression is a key factor in trying to get the job you want. First impressions matter because employers want to see how seriously you take the job and how well-prepared you are. You want to exude self-confidence while demonstrating your ability to put things together. Dressing professionally conveys that you have things under control and that you are career ready.
You also want to show employers that you are a step ahead of the competition. By doing research and visiting the Office of Career Services on campus, you can have employers impressed with you right off the bat. Researching the company you are interviewing for is a vital step in deciding how you are going to dress.
First, find out what type of environment and field you will be working in. There’s a huge difference between dressing for a conservative job on Wall Street and dressing for a creative job at Apple.
When it comes to conservative jobs, get ready to bring out your power suit. Don’t wear your gray blazer and navy chinos to this type of job interview. Instead, wear a dark-colored suit like charcoal or black. Wear a fresh white button-down shirt paired with black leather shoes and black socks. To stand out from the crowd, try to wear a colorful tie that does not make you look like a clown. Add a plain leather black briefcase, and you’ll be good to go.
For a more creative type of job, you might want to mix things up a bit. Plain-front trousers, modern cuts, subtly striped shirts, and cardigans are all acceptable options. Color coordination is key when it comes to these types of job interviews. You want to show the interviewer that you can handle creativity with professionalism. Loafers, oxfords, and earth-toned suede boots should do.
As for service jobs, wearing those chinos with a blazer or a cardigan should work out fine. Just make sure you check the establishment to see how fancy they are or if they have a strict dress code. Still, try to stick with dark-colored clothing.
After getting the job, you can’t slob it up. For the conservative jobs, stick with the shirt and tie combo. A complete suit shouldn’t be necessary every day. For creative jobs, jeans and a button-down shirt should work, but never resort to wearing sweats and a t-shirt, and please keep the snapbacks and fitted hats at home. Service jobs will inform you of the dress code for which you should dress appropriately. If you’re still having a hard time, just remember: when it comes to job interviews, overdressing is 100 percent better than underdressing.
For more help on dressing for success, University of Massachusetts Boston students can head over to Career Services, where they have information on career-planning, as well as internships and co-ops for that all-important work experience. They prepare students for “Career Readiness” and are always available to help.
Career Services professionals emphasize the importance of dressing professionally for job interviews. Director of Career Services Mark Kenyon said, “Dressing professionally is important because you only have one chance to make a first impression.”
The Office of Career Services will be holding a Dress for Success event during the spring semester, which is aimed at preparing students for dressing for the job they want. Career Services is located in room 1300 of the Campus Center.