Dress for the Job- For men

As opposed to women, men have a strict outline of what is acceptable to wear for an interview. This doesn’t make it any easier however. Because men have limited options, every mistake is even more noticeable. From cologne to nails, details are what counts and this article will teach you the fool-proof way to dress for success!

Head:

• Hair: The key is to look groomed and professional. Tame unruly hair with gel or wax. Get a haircut if need-be.
• Face: Shave or trim facial hair.
• Ears: Try to hide all facial piercing and/or tattoos. Conservative businesses will not look too favorably upon them.
• Ties: The tie should coordinate with your outfit. Keep it to a simple pattern or solid colors, preferably in silk material. Bow ties are unacceptable. Make sure the end of the tie ends close to the belt line.
• Cologne: Do not wear. Smell has been scientifically linked to memory. This may trigger unwanted memories or bad feelings from the interviewer, so refrain and keep out of that dangerous territory.

Upper Body:

• Nails: Clean dirt from underneath nails.
• Hand & Arms: One ring, watch, and cufflinks are acceptable amounts of jewelry for interviews.
• Undershirt: Wear a white undershirt.
• Dress-shirt: A dress shirt is mandatory. Choose in colors of white or shades of blue. White signals authority and blues can make you appear friendly and approachable. Make sure to button all buttons!
• Suit: The suit is the best choice when it comes to appearing professional. Choose a dark color such as navy or charcoal. It can be either solid or pinstripe. It should have 2-3 buttons and made of wool for the best quality of suits. Stay away from suits that have shine or are the color black,
• Jacket: Jackets are second-best to suits but with its own perks. Studies have shown that jackets give confidence, credibility and authority in business situations. Keep to colors alike suits, and make sure it is altered to fit properly.
• Briefcase: Choose a black leather briefcase that is large enough to fit a copy of the resume without folding it.

Lower Body:

• Belt: Choose from similar color tones as suit. Must be of good quality leather.
• Dress Pants: Black dress pants are interview clothing staple. Make sure it is tailored so that it fits just right (not dragging at the heels), and iron to appear crease-free.

Feet:

• Socks: No white socks. Wear a sock in similar color as outfit.
• Shoes: Black or brown leather lace-up shoes are acceptable. Make sure to polish beforehand.

Color Talk:

• Black is a timeless and stylish color. It demands authority and symbolizes power. It can be overwhelming or “too strong” so soften by accenting with white or pastel colors. 
• Grey or Navy is an excellent color for more conservative factions.
• Blue appears friendly and approachable. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty.
• White, cream, light grey or blue are great neutral colors for shirts. These are colors that appear ‘clean’ and ‘light’.

These are some general rules in regards to dressing for interviews. But different companies have different dress-codes so it may be a smart idea to check with Human Resource (prior to interview) on how strict the company is on professional appearance. Always remember the bigger picture, the employer should be engaged in what you can offer to the company, not distracted by your clothing-choice. Don’t forget to clean, iron, and polish what is needed!