What Not to Wear to a Job Interview

Posted Oct 16th 2009 1:48PM

CareerBuilder.com

What is the worst outfit ever worn to a job interview? For a career services director at the University of Chicago, it was the applicant who sported a Madras tie as a belt and a patterned cotton hat. Other contenders, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey of hiring managers, include candidates with dirty fingernails, micro-miniskirts, t-shirts with offensive slogans and even bare feet!

Could you be guilty of one of these top 20 fashion faux pas?

Candidates Top 20 Wardrobe Malfunctions

CareerBuilder.com

Are you guilty of one of these top 20 fashion faux pas?

1. Sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck

Be sure to remove all your "transit gear" and tuck it in your briefcase before entering the lobby.

2. Carrying a backpack or fannypack instead of a briefcase or portfolio

Some image consultants suggest women ditch their purse, too!

3. Too-short skirts

Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.

4. The wrong tie

Ties should be made of silk, no less than 3 ¾ inches wide with a conservative pattern. Image consultants say the best colors are red or burgundy.

5. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing

With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it's best to stick with navy, black or gray.

6. Heavy makeup on women

(or any makeup on a man)

7. Earrings on men

In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.

8. More than one set of earrings on women

9. Facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos

10. Ill-fitting clothes

Few people can wear things straight off the rack. Spending a little extra to have your garments tailored is a worthwhile investment.

11. Long fingernails, especially with bright or specialty polishes

Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a length that doesn't leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself.

12. Unnatural hair colors or styles

Remember, Donald Trump was a billionaire well before he began wearing a comb-over. If you're balding, try a close-cropped cut like Bruce Willis or Matt Lauer.

13. Short-sleeved shirts

Even worse when worn with a tie

14. Fishnets, patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan you are)

Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit.

15. Men whose socks don't match their shoes

Or whose socks are too short and leave a gap of flesh when they are seated

16. Rumpled or stained clothing

If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand.

17. Scuffed or inappropriate footwear

Including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals

18. Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes

Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap.

19. Belts and shoes that don't match

Shoes and belts should be made of leather or leather-like materials and the best colors for men are black or cordovan.

20. Telltale signs that you're wearing a new suit

Remove all tags and extra buttons -- and remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed!

Don't be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. Plan and lay out what you're going to wear several days before the interview, so you'll have time to shop or get garments pressed and cleaned. Save "innovative" or revealing garb for the club (or your couch) and strive for crisp, clean and professional. Remember, you want the interviewer to be listening to what you're saying, not critiquing what you're wearing.

Next: 43 Things Actually Said In Job Interviews >>

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

Oct 20th 2009 @ 6:36AM Diaa

Don't forget correct grammar and spelling.

("20...'your' wearing a new suit"? How about, "'you're' wearing a new suit"?)

Depending on the job, I would think that could be a lot worse than the wrong socks.

%u2193 %u2191 report

Oct 20th 2009 @ 8:03AM Karen

Thank you! I agree! CareerBuilder, pay attention!!!! Do you have an editor? Perhaps it's time to look into hiring a new one.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 8:49AM John

How about typos on resumes not even getting you the interview. Oh, wait, typos must be OK since suggestion 20 has one. Unbeleivable. Really adds integrity to YOUR suggestions.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 9:03AM Beth

Hey John...it's "unbelievable," okay? You should check YOUR spelling. I before E except after C!

Oct 20th 2009 @ 9:11AM willowreed

Exactly. Some people are idiots and would never get the job just because they are stupid. I think that a huge chunk of the recent college graduates fit that category. If they don't have a business background they have no clue whatsoever what to wear or how to act. I am talking about previous real life business experience, not the crap from the books.
Many young women dress like street-walkers too and I think that is innappropriate. I did an internship at my state's capitol and I was surprised at the lack of professional dress from many of the interns.
This article is good but also stupid. No one cares about freaking socks. If a company rejects you based on socks, you probably dont want to work for such anal-retentive idiots anyway.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 9:07AM BryteEyez

John,

There is a phrase about people who live in glass houses,
The word is spelled unbeLIEVAble

Oct 20th 2009 @ 2:56PM M Van Buren

I disagree. Interviewers have an immediate impression when they meet an applicant and the wrong socks or tie or tags on a suit creates a negative first impression. You only get one chance to make a great first impression don't let something that seems small have a negative have a negative effect.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 3:05PM jIM

ACTUALLY, SOCKS DO MATTER, ONLY THEY SHOULD MATCH TROUSERS, NOT SHOES. THINK ABOUT IT!

Oct 20th 2009 @ 6:34PM william

how right you are! the worst is saying "where's it at" or getting i and me mixed up. i'm amazed at the news anchors that make both of those mistakes!

Oct 23rd 2009 @ 9:12PM Trever

How about not using contractions, such as you're.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 6:54AM michelle

Maybe it's because I live in Fla., but I do not ever wear pantyhiose with my skirts, dresses or skirt suits. I am a lawyer and interviewed for my current job wearing a black Ann Taylor skirt suit and no pantyhose. No one even blinked and I got the job. None of the other female attorneys in my office wear them either.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 8:05AM GB

Good for you. When I moved to FL from Manhattan I was schocked even to see girls running around the grocery stores barefoot in bikinis. When I see cleavage, mini skirts and bare legs on top TV newswomen, I still am a little surprised. I say, dress for the job and fit in as well as possible. This article was too generic.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 1:27PM David

I miss pantyhose ... they made even imperfect legs look good. Bare legs are for a more relaxed environment. Pantyhose are dressier and, yeah dare I say it, sexier. Guess that's sexist ... so crucify me. But does EVERYTHING today have to be about comfort? Doesn't a guy in an Armani suit and tie look better (and yes, "sexier") than some shlub who may be just as intelligent but dresses like he's on vacation in the Adirondacks? I think we have ALL dressed down too much and there is no longer a sense of fun and sensuality that dressing up for the job used to entail.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 1:49PM suburbanmisfits

When I read this article that was the first thing I was thinking... who cares if you're bare legged? Panty Hose is out of style. Not only is it uncomfortable, but they are so flimsy! Runs in your stockings looks much worse than bare legs.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 2:20PM Dara

I agree. Unless you're interviewing for a job in 1980, no one cares about panty hoes. If anything, I think wearing panty hoes would be grounds for NOT getting the job.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 6:57AM michelle

I mean "pantyhose" (typing in the dark). I definitely agree with the person who commented on spelling and grammar.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 8:10AM Nancy

I think it was indeed because you live in Florida.

Hot climates force certain relaxations of dress codes for the sake of comfort and sometimes even health issues. I interviewed for a human resources position in a gray skirt suit and black shoes, no pantyhose. I was one of three finalists and didn't get the position. The next interview I wore daysheer hosiery matching my skin color. I was hired over three rivals, two of which I understand, had better qualifications. And for those who think that this is a sexist man-thing: I was interviewed by a woman. And yes, she was wearing pantyhose as well.

You could almost call them the P-word these days. By the time my daughter is my age, they could be all but extinct. But right now they're not dead yet, so unless you live in Florida, keep a few pairs handy, gals!

Oct 20th 2009 @ 10:46AM misty

nudity is a form of art-------

it has it's place in society and it is freedom of choice

there are nude beaches in nj -- and when i go to florida i really feel like being two bodies laying naked---

censorship with parental guidance is important to implant morals and values to your household----

public nudity is punishable by law-

so do not get drunk and walk outside--bare naked ladies--

i wear panties ---- back in the 70's it was rare for some to do so.

Oct 20th 2009 @ 1:59PM Sue

I really do not want to wear pantyhose. Hate, hate, hate them. I work in a suburb of Los Angeles and always anguish about interviews (not that I go on many, thank goodness) and my preference for bare legs. Also, that whole thing about women wearing skirts or pants. It's so unfair all the clothing issues that women have to deal with and the few the bother men. All they have to do is clean their teeth and hair and get a dark red tie!