A few weeks ago I sat down with Ilona Vanderwoude, a professional resume writer and image consultant to hear her interview dress for success tips. There is more to a polished interview look than just a great suit. Here’s what Ilona recommends.
- Shoes. “Shoes really put the finishing touch on an outfit. A few tips: the heavier the shoe, the more casual it is. Platform shoes belong in the 70s; strappy, sling back, and otherwise sexy shoes belong in Victoria’s Secret. A classic pump with a high heel that’s not “Tina Turner high” will do well in an interview setting. No peep-toe, but closed-toed shoes. Also, be wary of too much “toe cleavage.” And if you stick to a neutral color (black, brown, charcoal), you can never go wrong. For a more casual/business casual look, loafers are great with skirts and pants. Whatever shoe you end up choosing, go for quality.
- Hair. “Hair should be neat; for women with long hair, a pony tail or some kind of simple updo usually works well. Or, if your hair is smooth and stays into place well, having it down can work.”
- Make-up. “Make-up should be used to create a polished, professional look-to bring out your best features. Not wearing any make-up can make you look tired and less sophisticated or too casual. Of course, too much make-up is not a good idea either. If you have no clue about make-up, head to a Sephora or a department store near you and ask one of the make-up artists to apply it on you and show you how to do it yourself. A few basic tips: be careful with foundation-never buy it too dark. If you are very fair skinned and you want to darken your complexion, add some color by using blush on your cheekbones, your temples, along your jaw line, and even a small amount on your nose. Lip liners: don’t use them, or if you must, use one that is truly the color of your lipstick. At all times, avoid those dark lines surrounding your mouth with a much lighter lipstick on your lips. Eyes should be emphasized with light eye shadow, some eyeliner, and mascara. Tip: mascara is a woman’s best friend! If you had to choose one make-up product, mascara would be a great choice as it can instantly make you look less tired by opening up your eyes. A close second (or toss up with mascara) is foundation to even out your complexion. And a very close third: lipstick or lip gloss.”
- Perfume. “Be careful with the perfume bottle. It’s difficult to gauge how much you are wearing as you don’t always smell your own perfume accurately. When in doubt, it is better to omit the perfume.”
- Hosiery. “Yes! No matter how high the temperature, hosiery says “I’m a professional.” Not wearing stockings takes your outfit down a few notches, making it more casual.”
Stay tuned! We will back with dress for success tips for men shortly.
Hi Barb-
do you and ilona recommend that you always wear a suit (pants or skirt?) Kathy
Kathy,
Women can also wear a dress paired with a nice jacket/blazer. Ilona recommends taking your dress style up a notch or two for the interview, dressing a little more formal than you would once hired. In your daily professional life she recommends dressing towards the future with the position in mind you’re aiming for down the road. Thanks for reading!
Hi Kathy,
I echo Barbara’s points.
Just keep in mind: There are very few situations in which you would stray from wearing a suit to an interview – whether pant, skirt, or dress. You would have to be familiar with the etiquette of the particular industry and the company you are applying with to make this call.
Also, remember there are variations of “the suit.” It doesn’t have to be the very conservative “power suit” as you’d find on Wall Street or in legal fields. Unless, of course, you want to work in these areas.
The point is, you can put a suit together in a way that’s in congruence with the image you want to project and what’s accepted in a particular industry.
Good luck!