Dress to impress and succeed at your interview
Amira Abdulkadir
Staff Writer
Dressing for success means dressing well for an interview.
The first impression you have on the interviewer is based on how professional you look.
Interviewees should be careful not to overdress or under dress, meaning not wearing inappropriate or too casual dressing. Even if it is right to consider the saying “never judge a book by its cover” people will have some kind of perception about you based on how you dress.
When going to an interview, make sure to wear moderate, clean and appropriate clothing. Make sure your hair is well groomed and neat. Do not over-do the perfume, make-up or aftershave. It is important to make sure that you try on the clothing you are going to wear before the day of the interview. Also, it is better to overdress than to underdress.
The Career Development Center (CDC) recommends not wearing clothes that are to tight, too loose, too short or too long. Some people take too much stuff and baggage with them into the interview, which is the wrong move. Leave bulky coats or bags in the car or any other place. For women, it is recommended to wear hose of natural or light coordinated color. Men should wear dark matching socks.
Dressing on a tight budget
There are some guidelines on how to survive on a tight budget. It is really important to shop for an interview early. Purchase clothes that are appropriate for interviewing. Suits are always considered appropriate wear. For an interview, it is not required to buy high-priced designer fashions. It is enough if you can get a decent suit.
Begin by selecting a neutral wardrobe as a starting point for a profession. Using different shirts, blouses and sweaters can create a variety of visual effects and adjust the formality of your wardrobe. According to the CDC, it is important to consider investing in year-round fabrics—something light weight that will be comfortable in both January and July—that hang and travel well.
Donation
On April 21, an event seeking to help MNSU students procure professional clothing will be taking place at MNSU. The event is from 1-4 p.m. in CSU 253, 254 and 255. In addition to good professional clothes, students will be able to receive job search facts and information. This event will be hosted by graduate student associates, the Career Development Center, Student Leadership Development and Services Learning, and the Women’s Center.
They are looking for donation of professional, career-oriented clothing items. Donors may leave items April 16-19 at the Women’s Center (CSU 218), CDC (WA 209) or the Student Leadership Development and Services Learning area (CSU 173). Clothing items such as jeans, undergarments, t-shirt or jewelry are not accepted for the event. Organizers are also accepting freewill donation for a non-traditional student scholarship.
