WHEN YOU DRESS like a professional, you are likely to be treated as one, and that’s a good head start before saying a word.
The moment you set eyes on someone, your mind makes evaluations and judgments with lightning speed. Potential employers also make the same lightning-speed evaluations when you first meet at the beginning of a job interview. It’s a fair estimate that nine out of ten of today’s employers will reject an unsuitably dressed applicant without a second thought.
The initial respect you receive at the interview will be in direct proportion to the image you project. The correct professional appearance won’t get you the job offer—but it will lend everything you say that much more credence and weight. Wearing a standard business uniform instantly communicates that you understand one of the paramount unwritten rules of professional life and that you have a confident self-image.
Employers rarely make overt statements about acceptable dress codes to their employees, much less to interviewees. Instead, there is a generally accepted but unspoken dictum that those who wish to succeed will dress appropriately, and those who don’t, won’t.
There are a few professions where on-the-job dress (as opposed to interview dress) is somewhat less conservative than in the mainstream: Fashion, entertainment, and advertising are three examples. In these and a few other fields, there is a good deal of leeway with regard to personal expression in workplace attire. But for 95 percent of us, jobs and employers require a certain level of traditional professionalism in our wardrobes. While you need not dress like the chairman of the board (although that probably wouldn’t hurt), adopting “casual Friday” attire on the day of your interview is not in your best professional interests. For a job interview, it is generally accepted that you should dress one or two levels up from the job you are applying for, while remaining consistent with the type of occupation it is within. To maximize your career options over the long haul of a career, you must aim to consistently meet or exceed these standards.
Your appearance tells people how you feel about yourself as an applicant, as well as how you feel about the interviewer, the company, and the interview process itself. By dressing professionally, you tell people that you understand the niceties of corporate life, and you send a subtle “reinforcing” message that you can, for example, be relied on to deal one-on-one with members of a company’s prized client base.
How you dress sends signals about:
• How seriously you take the occasion, and, by extension, how much respect you feel for your interviewers and all others whom you meet at the interviews.
• How well you understand the confidence a look of traditional professionalism gives clients, customers, peers, and superiors.
Yet no matter how important these concerns might be, they pale in comparison to the impact a sharp appearance can have on your own sense of self. When you know you have taken care of your appearance and that you look the best you can, you feel pride and confidence: Your posture is better, you smile more, and you feel more “in control” of your destiny. In turn, others will respond positively to the image of professionalism and self-confidence that you present. Portraying the correct image at an interview will give you a real edge over your competition. You can expect what you say to be strongly influenced in the mind of your interviewer by the way you present yourself. Appearances count.
The safest look for both men and women at interviews is traditional and conservative. Look at investing in a good-fitting, well-made suit as your first step to a successful strategic career move. With your business clothes, quality matters far more than quantity; it’s better to have one good outfit than two mediocre ones. Your professional wardrobe is a long-term career asset, so add quality items, and over time the quantity will come.
Up until recent years, this was fairly easy for men, as their professional fashions tended to remain constant. These days, men’s fashions are experiencing a metamorphosis, with designers of high fashion offering affordable lines of updated, professionally acceptable looks. However, a man can always interview with confidence and poise in his six-year-old Brooks Brothers suit, provided it isn’t worn to a shine.
For women, things are more complicated. Appropriate female attire for the interview should reflect current professional fashions if the applicant is to be taken seriously. Moreover, in selecting a current professional look, a woman must walk a fine line, combining elements of both conformity (to show she belongs) and panache (to show a measure of individuality and style).
The key for both sexes is to dress for the position you want, not the one you have. This means the upwardly mobile professional might need to invest in the clothes that project the desired image.
The correct appearance alone probably won’t by itself get you a job offer, but it does go a long way toward winning the attention and respect you need to land the offer. When you know you look right, you can stop worrying about the impression your clothes are making and concentrate on communicating your message.
Every interview and every interviewer is different, so it isn’t possible to set down rigid guidelines for exactly what to wear in any given situation. However, there are a handful of common-sense guidelines that will ensure you are perceived as someone savvy, practical, competent, reliable, and professional.
The right look varies from industry to industry. A college professor can sport tweed jackets with elbow patches on the job, and an advertising executive may don the latest designer dress or wear wild ties as a badge of creativity (that is what they are being paid for). Nevertheless, that same college professor is likely to wear a suit to an important interview, and even professional men and women in advertising and the media are likely to dress more conservatively for a job interview.
Most of us are far more adept at recognizing the dress mistakes of others than at spotting our own image failings. When you look for a second opinion, you often make the mistake of asking only a loved one. Better candidates for evaluation of your interview attire are trusted professional friends who have proven their objectivity in such matters.
Whenever possible, find out the dress code of the company you are visiting. For example, if you are an engineer applying for a job at a high-tech company, a blue three-piece suit might be overpowering. It is perfectly acceptable to ask someone in Human Resources about the dress code (written or informal) of the company. You may even want to make an anonymous visit to get a sense of the corporate style of the company; if that isn’t practical, you can always visit the website to see how the company likes to be perceived by its public.
I have been asked, “If everyone wears sweaters at the company where I am interviewing, shouldn’t I wear the same if I want to be seen to fit in?” In fact, very few companies allow a very relaxed dress code for all their employees all the time. An increasing percentage allows a somewhat relaxed dress code on a particular day (often Friday), when “casual professional” attire is allowed, if not always encouraged. Sometimes, some younger professionals mistake this to mean they can dress for the beach at all times. Even if the company is casual all the time for all its employees, do not dress casually for a job interview. There are two big reasons to avoid casual interview attire:
1. The company is considering an investment that will probably run into hundreds of thousands of dollars if the hire works out, and potentially as much as tens of thousands of dollars if it doesn’t—hardly a casual event.
2. Companies sometimes allow casual dress at times and in circumstances that will not jeopardize business. They are comfortable doing this because they already know everyone on the payroll knows how to dress appropriately. The interview is where the company needs to know you appreciate the niceties of business dress; they already have a fair idea that you own a sweater and a pair of khakis.
If you are contemplating a professional career, recognize that visible body piercings and tattoos will forever close many doors to your entry, and most of the rest to your ascent. While tattoos and piercings are an individual expression and your right, corporations also have a right not to hire people who they feel are unable to represent company interests in the best light. Like it or not, any and all body decoration is frowned upon by the vast majority of employers.
In other words, if you sport tats or piercings, conceal them during the interview and at all times during your professional endeavors. If you are considering body decoration, ask yourself if in the history of humankind there has ever been one item in any man or woman’s wardrobe that he or she has willingly worn every day for the rest of his or her life. Soberly weigh your personal interests against your professional success.
It isn’t uncommon to have excess perspiration under the arms, on your chest, and on your hands when you find yourself in a tension-inducing situation like a job interview. This can be a problem for both sexes and for people of any age, although for most the problem does seem to lessen as the years roll by. However, for some in their twenties and thirties it can be pretty bad; I have a colleague who tells of his suit getting drenched with nervous sweat when he was a young man.
Now I cannot think of another time when I have recommended a personal hygiene product. But my friend tells me that he used Certain Dri for two nights before an interview and also put it on his right hand both nights to eliminate sweaty palms. It worked like a magic, a report I have received from other sources too. I address the perspiration issue later in the chapter from other perspectives.
The following are the best current dress guidelines for men preparing for a professional interview.
A Wall Street Journal survey of CEOs showed a 53 percent preference for navy blue and dark blue, while 39 percent favored gray or charcoal gray. Brown can be acceptable for subsequent interviews at some companies. In summer months, a lightweight beige suit is fine at second or third interviews; you would never wear a light-colored suit except during the warmer months. Ideally, wear a 100-percent wool suit, as wool looks and wears better than any other material. The darker the suit, the more authority it carries. (Beware: A man should not wear a black suit to an interview unless applying for an undertaker’s job.) Pinstripes and solids, in dark gray, navy, or medium blue, are equally acceptable, although many feel a dark solid suit is the best option because it gives authority to the wearer and is seen as less stuffy than a pinstripe suit. Somewhat less common but also acceptable are gray-colored glen plaid (also called “Prince of Wales”) or hound’s-tooth suits.
A well-cut two-piece suit is preferable (with the standard two-button suit jacket, although the older three-button, single-breasted jacket is quite acceptable) to a three-piece suit that includes a vest or waistcoat. The three-piece is seen as ultraconservative, which might be a useful tool in some situations, but the extra layer of clothing brings in the heat and sweat factor, which argues against it for more practical reasons. Double-breasted jackets are seen as more edgy, and you are more likely to wear them to an interview at an advertising agency than at the local bank.
Above all, it’s the quality and fit of your suit that matters. Current fashions favor a slimmer cut, particularly in the trousers. However, the fit and cut must complement your own build. The leaner, tapered look elongates your appearance; the looser cuts add bulk. There should be no pull at the jacket shoulders and no gape at the back, and the jacket cuffs should break at your wrists. Your trousers should fit comfortably at the waist. A flat front is most flattering (unless you are enviably scrawny), and there should be only a slight break where the trouser hits the shoe. If your ankles are visible in the mirror, the pants are too damn short! Cuffed trousers add a very sophisticated and conservative look, but an important consideration might be that uncuffed trousers are seen to enhance your height.
The principles here are simple:
Rule One: Always wear a long-sleeved shirt, never wear a short-sleeved shirt.
Rule Two: Always wear a white, cream, or pale blue shirt.
By white, I do not mean to exclude, for instance, shirts with very thin red or blue pinstripes; nevertheless, there is a presence about a solid white shirt that seems to convey honesty, intelligence, and stability; it should be your first choice. It is true that artists, writers, software engineers, and other creative types are sometimes known to object to white shirts because they feel that it makes it look like “the suit is wearing them.” If this is you and you can’t get over it, pale blue may be the best option. Remember—the paler and more subtle the shade, the better the impression you will make. Pale colors draw attention, and your collar is right next to your face, which is where you want the interviewer to stay focused.
While monograms are common enough, those who don’t wear them may feel strongly about the implied ostentation of stylized initials on clothing; the great valet Jeeves once commented on the topic, saying, “I thought the practice was restricted to those in danger of forgetting their names.”
Cotton shirts look better and hold up under perspiration more impressively than their synthetic counterparts. If at all possible, opt for a cotton shirt that has been professionally cleaned and starched. A cotton and polyester blend can be an acceptable alternative, but keep in mind that the higher the cotton content, the better the shirt will look. While these blend shirts wrinkle less easily, you are advised to ignore the “wash-and-wear” and “no need to iron” claims you’ll read on the front of the package when you purchase them.
Make sure your shirt fits the neck properly; the sleeve cuff should end at the wrist. Details such as frayed fabric and loose buttons will not go unnoticed when you are under professional scrutiny. It’s best to choose your interview clothes well in advance, make any minor repairs, have them cleaned, and keep them ready.
While a cheap-looking tie can ruin an expensive suit, the right tie can do a lot to pull the less-than-perfect suit together for a professional look. When you can’t afford a new suit for the interview, you can upgrade your whole look with the right tie.
A pure silk tie makes the most powerful professional impact, has the best finish and feel, and is easiest to tie well. A pure silk tie or a 50 percent wool/50 percent silk blend (which is almost wrinkle-proof) should be your choice for the interview. Linen ties are too informal, can only be tied once or twice between cleanings because they wrinkle easily, and only look right during warmer weather anyway. A wool tie is casual in appearance and has knot problems. Most man-made fibers are too shiny, with harsh colors that may undercut your professional image.
The tie should complement your suit. This means that there should be a physical balance: The rule of thumb is that the width of your tie should approximate the width of your lapels. The prevailing standard, which has held for over a decade now, is that ties can range in width between 2 and 3½ inches. Wearing anything wider may mark you as someone still trapped in the disco era. Currently, ties are being worn narrower in the pages of the fashion magazines, but that really doesn’t have to concern you.
While the tie should complement the suit, it should not match it. You would never, for instance, wear a navy blue tie with a navy blue suit. Choose an appropriate tie that neither vanishes into nor battles with your suit pattern. The most popular and safest styles are solids, foulards, stripes, and paisleys.
Do not wear ties with large polka dots, pictures of animals such as leaping trout or soaring mallards, or sporting symbols such as golf clubs or (God forbid) little men on polo ponies. Avoid wearing any piece of apparel that has a manufacturer’s symbol emblazoned on the front as part of the decoration.
Other considerations include the length of the tie (it should, when tied, extend to your trouser belt), the size of the knot (smaller is better), and whether you should wear a bow tie to an interview (you shouldn’t).
Shoes should be either black leather or brown leather. Stay away from all other materials and colors. Lace-up wingtips are the most universally acceptable. Slightly less conservative, but equally appropriate, are slip-on dress shoes—not to be confused with boating shoes. The slip-on, with its low, plain vamp or tassel is versatile enough to be used for both day and evening business wear. Those who are hyperconscious of fashion will say that a lace-up wingtip can look a bit cloddish at dinner. This may be true if you have a dinner interview with the senior law partner of a firm in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York, but otherwise don’t lose sleep over it.
In certain areas of the South, Southwest, and West, heeled cowboy boots are not at all unusual for business wear, and neither are those Grand Ole Opry versions of the business suit. But beware: Outside of Dallas, Nashville, Muskogee, and similar municipalities, you will attract only puzzled stares—so try to be aware of the regional variations in professional dress.
Socks should complement the suit. Accordingly, they should be blue, black, gray, or brown. When they match the suit color, they extend the length of your leg, giving more height and authority. They should also be long enough for you to cross your legs without showing off bare skin, and should not fall in a bunch toward the ankle as you move. Elastic-reinforced, over-the-calf socks are your best bet.
The right accessories can enhance the professional image of any applicant, male or female, just as the wrong accessories can destroy it. The guiding principle here is to include nothing that could be misconstrued or leave a bad impression. For instance, you should not wear obvious religious or political insignias in the form of rings, ties, or pins, as they draw attention to matters that employers are forbidden to address by federal law. This does not necessarily apply when you are aware that a particular spiritual association will establish connectivity, such as wearing a cross when you interview with the archdiocese.
The watch you wear should be simple and preferably plain, which means that funky Mickey Mouse is out. Sports- and Swatch-style watches, or digital monsters, are acceptable nowadays but aren’t the best choice. Don’t be afraid to wear a simple, slim analog watch with a leather strap; you will notice it is what the most successful and sophisticated business professionals wear.
A briefcase is always perceived as a symbol of authority and can make a strong professional statement. Leather makes the best impression, with brown and burgundy being the colors of choice. The case is best unadorned—embellishments can only detract from the effect of quiet confidence and authority.
It’s a good idea to take a cotton or linen handkerchief on all interviews. Plain white is best because it looks crisp, but the color isn’t really that important. You aren’t taking a handkerchief to put in a breast pocket but for far more practical reasons. That handkerchief can be used to relieve the clammy-hands syndrome so common before an interview—anything to avoid the infamous “wet fish” handshake. Keep it in an inside pocket, avoiding the matching tie-and-pocket-square look of a dyed-in-the-wool doofus at all costs.
Belts should match or complement the shoes you select. Accordingly, a blue or gray suit will require a black belt and black shoes, while brown, tan, or beige suits call for brown. Wear a good-quality leather belt if you can. The most common mistake made with belts is the buckle; an interview is not the place for your favorite Harley Davidson, Grateful Dead, or Bart Simpson buckle. Select a small, simple buckle that doesn’t overwhelm the rest of your look or make personal statements that you cannot be certain will resonate with an interviewer.
Men may wear a wedding band, and cuff links are acceptable with French cuffs. Anything more in the way of jewelry can be dangerous. Necklaces, bracelets, neck chains, and earrings can send the wrong message, and tie tacks and clips are passé in most areas of the country.
The safest and most utilitarian colors for raincoats are beige and blue; stick to these two exclusively. If you can avoid wearing a raincoat, do so (it’s an encumbrance and adds to clutter), but it is better to have a raincoat than to have your suit drenched.
The following are the best current dress guidelines for women preparing for a professional interview.
You have more room for creativity in this area than men do, but also more room for mistakes. Until recent years, your professional fashion creativity had to remain within certain accepted guidelines dictated not by the fashion industry, but by the consensus of the business world—which trails far behind the pages of fashion magazines. And while there are still the limits of good taste and necessary conservatism for the interviewer, the fashion designers have worked hard to create workable professional alternatives for the ever-growing female workforce.
A woman’s business wardrobe need no longer be simply a pseudo-male selection of drab gray skirts and blouses. With the right cuts, fabrics, and patterns, a woman can look both stylish and professional.
Wool, wool blends, cotton, and linen are all accepted for professional women’s suits, but 100 percent cotton and linen garments can present a problem. They’re cool, but they retain stains, show sweat, and wrinkle so quickly that you may feel as though you leave the house dressed for success and arrive at your destination looking like a bag lady. Cotton-polyester blends are great for warm climates; they look like linen but lack the wrinkle factor. Combinations of synthetics and natural fabrics have their advantages: Suits made of such material will certainly retain their shape better. Ultra-lightweight wool gabardine is the most versatile and rugged natural fabric you can opt for. In a basic seasonless color, it will become a wardrobe staple. When it comes to the quality of fabric you choose, pay attention to detail as the interviewer may draw unwarranted conclusions about your personality and taste based on your standards of dress. It would be better to invest in one or two suits of fine quality than multiple suits of lower quality. You can get a lot of mileage out of one classic suit and completely change the look and personality of it with different tops and accessories.
Like her male counterpart, the professional woman should stick to solids or pinstripes in gray, navy, and medium blues. A much wider palette of colors is open for consideration by the professional woman than for men, from purple to coral to lipstick red. While there are situations where you will want to choose one of the more powerful colors, it might be best at one of the subsequent interviews, rather than the first.
A solid skirt with a coordinating subtle plaid jacket is also acceptable, but make sure there is not too much contrast or it will detract from the focus of your meeting: the interview. Colors most suitable for interview suits include charcoal, medium gray, steel gray, black (whereas a man is advised against black, the color is open and acceptable for the professional woman), and navy blue. Of all these looks, the cleanest and most professional is the simple solid navy or gray suit with a white blouse.
Jackets should be simple, well tailored, and stylish, but not stylized. This is probably not the time to wear a cropped jacket—a standard length that falls just at the hips is preferable. The cut and style should flatter your build and reflect your personal style without detracting from what you have to say. Attention to details such as smooth seams, even hemlines, correctly hanging linings, and well-sewn buttons are essential.
How long a skirt should you wear? Any hard-and-fast rule I could offer here would be in danger of being outdated almost immediately, as the fashion industry demands dramatically different looks every season in order to fuel sales. (After all, keeping the same hemlines would mean that last season’s clothes could last another season or two.) It should go without saying that you don’t want to sport something that soars to the upper thigh if you want to be taken seriously as an applicant. Your best bet is to dress somewhat more conservatively than you would if you were simply showing up for work at the organization in question. Hemlines come and go, and while there is some leeway as to what is appropriate for everyday wear on the job, the safest bet is usually to select something that falls at or no more than two inches above the knee.
Increasingly popular is the one-piece business dress with a matching jacket. This outfit is particularly useful for the “business day into evening crowd,” but can be perfectly suitable for interviews if it is properly styled and fitted. It is particularly important to stick with subtle solid colors for this look.
Blouses with long sleeves will project a responsible and professional look. Three-quarter-length sleeves are less desirable, followed in turn by short sleeves. Never wear a sleeveless blouse to an interview; you may be confident that there is absolutely no chance that you will be required to remove your jacket, but why take the risk of offending someone with unexpected glimpses of undergarments?
Solid colors and natural fabrics, particularly cotton and silk, are the best selections for blouses—although silk is warm and therefore raises perspiration concerns for a nervous interviewee. Combinations of natural and synthetic fabrics are wrinkle resistant but do not absorb moisture well, so with these choices you will need to take perspiration countermeasures into account.
The acceptable color spectrum is wider for blouses than for men’s shirts, but it is not limitless. The most prudent choices are still white or cream or gray; these offer a universal professional appeal. Pale pink or light blue can also work, but should be worn only if it fully blends into your overall look. Light colors are “friendly” and draw attention to your face, yet will not distract the interviewer from what you have to say. The blouse with a front-tie bow is a little fussy and can make you look dated; a classic softened shirt collar works best with a suit. The button-down collar always looks great, particularly if you are interviewing with a conservative company or industry.
A woman might choose to wear a string of pearls, a small-scale status necklace, or a scarf to an interview. The scarf can serve as a powerful status symbol and does a few things jewelry does not. It can change the entire look of an outfit to give your wardrobe basics more mileage. If you choose a color that flatters your face, it will automatically give you a more energized look. You can also use a scarf to de-emphasize things that could detract from your presentation, such as aging, saggy skin on the neck or a vestigial tattoo. Opting to wear a scarf says something dramatic about you, so make sure it’s something positive. A good quality scarf will offer a conservative look, a good finish, and drape nicely. Tying a scarf can be tricky but there are plenty of easy YouTube tutorials out there to show you how to do it with panache. As with men’s ties, the objective is to complement the outfit, not match it. Avoid overly flamboyant styles and obtrusive designer logos and stick with solids or basic prints (small polka dots, plaids, or strips) in subtle colors that will complement—not compete with—your outfit or your conversation.
The professional woman has a greater color selection in footwear than does her male counterpart. The shoes should preferably be leather, but in addition to brown and black, a woman is safe in wearing navy, or even, if circumstances warrant—and it is not a first interview—red. The color of your shoes should always be the same or a darker tone than your skirt.
It is safest to stay away from faddish or multicolored shoes (even such classics as two-toned oxfords). First, all fashion is transitory, and even if you are up-to-date, you cannot assume that your interviewer is. Second, a good proportion of your interviewers might be men, who are less likely to appreciate vivid color combinations. As with the rest of your wardrobe, stay away from radical choices and opt for the easily comprehensible professional look.
Heel height is important, as well. Flats are fine; a shoe with a heel of up to about 2½ inches is perfectly acceptable. Stay away from high heels; at best you will wobble slightly, and at worst you will walk at an angle. The pump, with its closed toe and heel, is perhaps the safest and most conservative look. The peep-toe pump, closed heel with a slightly open toe is acceptable, too, as is the slingback shoe with a closed toe. The toe on any style should not be overly pointed. Just think moderation in all things; the goal is to look like a professional, not a pinup.
These should not make their own statement. Neutral skin tones are the safest, most conservative choice, though you are perfectly within the realm of professional etiquette when wearing a sheer black or off black if it complements your blouse or dress. You may make an exception if you are interviewing for a job in the fashion industry, in which case you might coordinate colors with your outfit, but be very sure of the company dress code that is already in place. Even in such an instance, avoid loud or glitzy looks.
As you well know, pantyhose and stockings are prone to developing runs at the worst possible moment, so keep an extra pair in your purse or briefcase.
Because a briefcase is a symbol of authority, it is an excellent choice for the professional woman. Do not, however, bring both your purse and a briefcase to the interview. (You’ll look awkward juggling them.) Instead, transfer essential items to a small clutch or wristlet you can store in the case. Brown, black, or navy are the best possible colors for your case, which should always be free of personal embellishments or obtrusive designer logos.
Belts should match or complement the shoes you select. A black or gray suit will require a black belt and black shoes; brown, tan, or beige suits will call for brown; and navy looks best with navy or burgundy accessories. In addition, women may wear snakeskin, lizard, and the like (though beware of offending animal rights activists). Remember that the belt is a functional item; if it is instantly noticeable, it is wrong.
As far as jewelry goes, less is more. A woman should restrict rings to engagement or wedding bands if these are applicable, but she can wear a necklace and earrings, as long as these are subdued and professional looking. A necklace should be conservative and tasteful: a strand of pearls, a small-scale status necklace, or a thin chain with a nonreligious metal pendant. Avoid bright gemstones, CZs, or other sparkles that will distract the interviewer. Earrings should be small, discreet, and in good taste. If you have noticeably pierced ears don’t skip the earrings. It could look like an overlooked detail. A conservative wristwatch is acceptable, as is one small bracelet. Avoid costume jewelry, oversized pieces, excessive sparkle, dangles, anything with your name or initials on it, and anything religious. Remember, too much of the wrong kind of jewelry could cost you a job offer or inhibit your promotional opportunities once on the team.
Take care never to appear overly made-up; natural is the key word. Eye makeup should be subtle, so as not to overwhelm the rest of the face. As a general rule, I advise very little lipstick at an interview because it can cause negative reactions in some interviewers, and because it can smudge and wear off as the hours wear on. (Who can say, going in, how long the meeting will last?) However, women tell me that as they advance into their thirties and beyond, the natural pinkness of the lips can fade; you might feel you look pale and washed-out without lipstick. So if you feel “undressed” without your lipstick, use some, but apply it sparingly and carefully. Choose a neutral or subdued color, and, of course, never apply it in public.
Bad breath; dandruff; body odor; and dirty, unmanicured nails have the potential to undo all your efforts at putting across a good first impression. These and related problems all speak to an underlying professional slovenliness, which an interviewer may feel will manifest itself in your work. You want to present yourself as an appealing, self-respecting, and enjoyable professional to be around. You can’t achieve this if the people you meet have to call on their powers of self-control in order to stay in the same room with you.
What was that old TV body odor commercial tag line: “What even your best friend won’t tell you”? So don’t ask yourself whether any friend or colleague has actually come out and suggested that you pay more attention to personal hygiene; it is such a touchy issue that most people will avoid you rather than discuss it. Ask yourself how you felt the last time you had to conduct business of any sort with someone who had a hygiene problem. Then resolve never to leave that kind of impression.
Personal grooming of hair, skin, teeth, and nails is easy and straightforward, but body odor is a different challenge. When it comes to body odor you are literally what you eat; onions, garlic, cilantro, and junk food can all give your bodily odors a distinctly unpleasant pungency. Because it takes time for your body to rid itself of such smells, the best advice is to start paying attention to diet as you begin to put your wardrobe together.