What (Not?) To Wear

My 5:30 interview was right on time -- a good sign. However, there was another issue...

"Hey, thanks for meeting with me this evening," he said, shaking my hand. "I hope you don't mind, but I had to come straight from practice."

I'd already figured that out--the sweat-soaked t-shirt and running shorts were my first clue.

"Not a problem," I said. "These interviews are pretty informal. I'm just glad you were able to fit our interview into your schedule. To kick things off, tell me a little bit about yourself..."

The rest of the interview went fine--although by the time we'd finished, there was a no-mans-land circle around us where other coffee shop patrons had decamped for fresher environs. If you had to come straight from practice, don't you think you'd toss extra deodorant in the car?

Not really an immediate ding--just a "what really are you thinking?"

Advice:
I'd hope it goes without saying to 99% of people that you should try to give yourself enough time between your 10-mile jog and your interview to shower and change (if not, maybe ask to meet outside and pray for a strong breeze?).

But, more generally, what is appropriate to wear to your interview? (I'm assuming you didn't make the fashion show earlier this year...)

Sadly (from an ease standpoint), the advice "dress like you're going to church" no longer applies. Although I wouldn't hold it against you if you wore a suit to my interview, you'd probably feel out of place--which risks throwing you off your game for your interview. What to do?

First, what's the point in dressing correctly? You want to look the part--you want to show your interviewer that you're serious, that you're smart enough to understand what's expected of you, and you want to be comfortable in what you're wearing. Few things in life are as awkward as being completely inappropriately dressed, and if you feel awkward, you won't give your best interview.

Dressing inappropriately can hurt your ability to establish rapport and connect with your interviewer. It's also a distraction--you want the focus to be on you, not why you decided to wear your "Die Yuppie Scum" t-shirt to your Vanderbilt interview.

So, how to decide what to wear? First, dress appropriately.

Take a clue from the venue. Meeting someone at their downtown law firm? Chances are everyone there will be in a suit and tie--you probably should be too. Meeting someone at the local Starbucks? A suit is probably too much--better to go with nice casual (button down shirt and khakis for guys, skirt and blouse for ladies).

If there's a continuum of dress--t-shirt and shorts on one end, formal wear on the other--place your venue on that continuum, and then maybe go slightly dressier. So if you'd be comfortable at Starbucks in jeans and a t-shirt, probably better to step it up a notch and go khakis and a polo.

Again, you want to communicate to your interviewer by what you wear that a) you understand social convention and b) you take the interview seriously enough to dress correctly.

Second, when in doubt, ask. When your interviewer calls you to set up the interview, ask what you should wear. Ideally, your interviewer will tell you ("my office is still dress formal, so you should probably wear a tie"). Half the time though, you'll get "oh, it doesn't really matter--just wear whatever you're comfortable with", which is completely useless. If that's the case, default to the advice above.

(One trick--if the interview setting is an office, call back in to the receptionist at the front desk and ask her what visitors typically wear. Crafty!)

Third, be a little flexible. This is a little easier for guys. Say you're meeting at a Starbucks and you're wearing a sports coat. You meet your interviewer, and he's in khakis and a polo. Before you sit down, you can take off your jacket and hang it on the back of the chair--presto! You're dressed appropriately.

Still unsure? Generally, assume:

• Jeans, shorts and t-shirts are never acceptable
• More conservative is generally better (express yourself on admit weekend)
  
• Skirts or dresses are typically better for women
• Piercings should be taken out (if possible), tattoos should be covered (if practical). You want your interviewer to focus on you, who you are, what you've done, and what you say--not on your nose ring.
• Err on the side of being too formal (a suit and tie when it's unnecessary is typically better than khakis and a polo shirt when suit and tie are expected)

Also (pet peeve), go light on the cologne/perfume... being remembered as "the Chanel kid" isn't the impression you want to leave!

Final note. What if you're one of those "my clothes express who I am" types? First, you're probably going to wear whatever you want to anyway, so who cares?

Second, no matter who you are, you need to be comfortable in what you're wearing to do your best. If you really can't function if you're not wearing all black... then go for it. Just keep in mind that you're taking a slight risk that someone more willing to play along isn't. -------CJ