I, along with many students here at ASU, experienced my first professional interview recently. In the numerous jobs I’ve had over the years, I’ve never found myself dressing as conservatively as I did this time. It got me thinking how I’ve dressed for all of my interviews and how I’m managed to land every job I’ve applied for. I’ve hosted a job in almost every industry and dressed differently for every interview. Here are some starting pointers on how to dress to impress in order to land your dream job:
Retail I would recommend looking like you just walked out of their window display. The whole point of a job in retail is to sell. Therefore the more you look like a consumer of the product, the more you’ll fit in at the store you’re applying at. Look personable, outgoing, and don’t be afraid to glam it up.
Office (or anything involving a conservative setting) I never thought I’d say this, but there can be too much black! You need to look professional and conservative, but that doesn’t mean dress like you just raided your mom’s closet. Since we’re younger, we shouldn’t dress the exact same as our older co-workers. Play with a little color and look your age, for example wearing a colored blazer instead of the generic black. There is a way to blend in without losing all sense of your own style. If you’re unsure about changing your outfit, try an interesting necklace or bracelets instead.
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Restaurant As a server and friend of mine once said, “You can’t look like one of your fake eyelashes is going to pop off into your dinner salad.” If applying in the restaurant industry, you need to look clean and put together. Try putting your hair up and making sure your manicure is fresh and nude. Dress similar to the uniform you would wear if you worked there, that way they can envision what you would look like on the job.
Regardless of what you’re applying for, the most important thing to remember is to be yourself. There’s nothing more transparent then someone who is uncomfortable in what they’re wearing. Let your own style show and your personality is sure to shine!
