Research The Company Specific Dress Code

To fine-tune the process, find out what the dress code is for the industry that you are interested in. When you research the company you will often get an idea of the dress code for employees. Ask career counselors, faculty, and professionals in your field of interest if you are unsure. Fields such as law, banking and accounting frequently have a stricter set of guidelines than advertising, retail and sales, which allow more casual dress.

Even though suggested guidelines of professional dress may seem more formal than you would have imagined, consider what some career consultants recommend: The job seeker should dress for a position two levels higher than the one for which she/he is being interviewed. This may mean dressing more formally for the interview than you will once you are in the job.

The level of formality you project shows that you understand the importance of the situation and respect the person you are meeting. When in doubt, making a conservative clothing choice for your interview is usually the safest.Once you’ve been hired, it’s a good idea to ask your boss or the human resources department for a copy of the organization’s dress code policy. Codes vary so don’t assume you can wear the same clothes you wore at your last job. Some companies allow blue jeans, sleeveless tops and open-toe sandals, but others don’t. Play it safe by adhering to the organization policy

General Guidlines

• Select apparel, fragrances, jewelry, hairstyle, etc. that do not detract from your professional image. The interviewer's attention should be focused on what you say and your qualifications.

• Make sure your hair is clean, neat and professionally styled. Avoid styles that covers over more than your forehead or one that you have to brush back.

• Remove facial and body piercings other than single ear jewelry for interviews.

• Visible tattoos should be covered to avoid distraction.

• Apparel should be clean and neatly pressed.

• Apparel should fit well and remain in place while sitting and/or walking.

• Choose professional apparel that you like for which you receive positive feedback from people who are knowledgeable about the industry standard or specific company policy.

• Less is more. Keep your look simple and successful until you become accustomed to the environment and learn about the company’s dress code

What is Business Casual? Business casual has become a major recruiting tool for many employers. However, the definition of business casual can vary from industry to industry. In the conservative financial services industry, business casual might be the absence of a necktie for men and the use of pants by women. In the more trendy high tech industry, business casual may include sneakers and jeans. When in doubt about the attire for a business casual meeting, the best rule of thumb is to avoid denim and instead use khaki pants and casual, collared shirts. Business casual is often the appropriate dress for employer information sessions the evening before on-campus interviews.

It's all about Attitude! Recruiters are seeking candidates with the right qualifications to perform the technical aspects of the job, but they are also seeking candidates who have a personality profile that matches their corporate culture. Most recruiters are seeking candidates with a positive orientation toward work and a desire to work well with others. Recruiters want candidates who are eager to accept a position them. A candidates smile, posture, questions, knowledge of the company, and eye contact can leave non-verbal cues for the recruiter which affirms interest in the company. Other attitudes that recruiters seek are enthusiasm and motivation. Find ways to show these attitudes during your interview through your smiles, questions, and statements