Disclosure: This post is sponsored by TracFone Wireless and One2One Network. The opinions expressed herein are those of Glamazons Blog and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of TracFone Wireless and One2One Network.
Packing trunks at my first job and no, I didn’t wear this to the interview!
Glamazons,
Interview dressing is quite the balancing act. You don’t want to look overdressed, but you do want to look polished and professional. You don’t want to wear head-to-toe designer labels but, in my case, you do want to look like you know something about fashion. If you’re stumped on what to wear for a job interview, check out some useful Do’s and Don’ts below:
DO wear polished pieces.
On interviews, presentation (read: your appearance) is everything. If your shoes are scuffed or your clothes don’t fit properly, you could leave a bad impression with your interviewer. Invest in good quality basics that are tailored, ironed, clean and well-constructed. You want to give the impression that you have it together, and nothing says that like polished pieces.
DON’T choose bold hair or makeup looks.
Your bold red lip or cat eye is better suited for a night out on the town. For interviews, you don’t want any beauty moment that could distract the interviewer. I love to go neutral with eyeshadow in shades of brown and nude lips.
DO wear comfortable clothing.
Still from The Devil Wears Prada courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox. © 2006 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
The last thing you want during an interview is to be fussing with your clothes. If you’re wearing pants that are too tight or jackets that bunch up around the sleeves, you can come off uncomfortable or on edge. Don’t go too casual (obviously no sweats!) but choose conservative pieces that you feel at ease in.
DON’T go too flashy.
When I first started interviewing for fashion positions, I made the mistake of wearing all designer labels to impress the interviewer. I later learned that’s not always the smartest decision, as it might give the interviewer the impression that you’re spoiled, don’t need the money and might expect to be catered to.
DON’T wear shoes you can’t walk in.
Skip the painful shoes like mine (above). Sensible heels scream “I mean business” while stilettos you can’t walk in make it seem like you’re just there for a fashion show.
To help women who are disadvantaged best present themselves during phone interviews, Dress for Success is teaming up with TracFone, a no-contract cell phone service provider, on a new initiative called Success is Calling™. For every purchase of the TracFone from Walmart or Walmart.com during April, TracFone will donate 20% of its sales, up to $525,000, to Dress for Success.
And that’s not all: TracFone will provide every woman who completes the Success is Calling™ program with a new smartphone and one year of airtime to support them as they prepare to enter the workforce. That just makes my heart smile, Glamazons, because so many women want to pursue their career goals but just don’t have the necessary tools or resources. I love that TracFone is stepping in to make a difference. Learn more about their Success is Calling™ initiative HERE.
What rules do you follow when dressing for interviews, Glamazons? Any general tips for phone and in-person interviews? Share them on Twitter using the hashtag #SuccessisCalling and you’ll be entered for a chance to have a phone call to talk career advice with the one and only Vanessa Williams! Rules can be found HERE. I’d also love to hear from you in the comments.
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
