By Emma Strand, 10/1/2010
Last week, we discussed appropriate women’s attire for on-campus interviews. Men, this week it’s your turn!
While your resume, communication and experiences matter most, the way you look also influences your potential employer’s first impression. According to boardroomties.com, 80% of the first impression an employer gets of you is visual and is formed within the first two minutes of meeting you. If you come into a job interview without looking the part, you probably won’t get the part.
So, what to wear? The easy answer is…a suit! Navy blue, black, or dark grey looks best. Be sure that your suit fits appropriately and is in good condition. If you are uncertain whether or not your suit fits correctly, visit a tailor. There are a few in Mankato (including one in the River Hills Mall) who can adjust the length of your sleeves and pants for a reasonable price. The tailor can also replace buttons and fix tears. The next step is your shirt and tie. Your shirt should be a neutral color—white is the perfect canvas for a necktie! Your tie should match or compliment the color of your shirt and suit. Do not—I repeat, DO NOT wear a tie that is too loud, colorful, or contains cartoon characters, symbols, etc. While you may think these ties are humorous, the person conducting your interview may not share that opinion. Silly ties are unprofessional and may communicate that you are not taking the interview seriously.
Your shoes should be clean, polished, and in good condition. Use leather cleaner or shoe shine to correct scuffs and marks on your shoes. We recommend wearing black, lace-up shoes. Loafers can work as well, although they are more casual. If you are wearing dark shoes, wear dark socks! If you are wearing a dark suit and dark shoes, white socks will stick out like a sore thumb.
Best of luck as interview season begins—and remember, if you need help preparing for your interview, stop by the Career Center!