Career Handbook

Career Handbook

Your Personal Image: Women

By Gale Kennedy

In interviewing there is a “theory of three 10’s”. That means that the impression you make is decided within the first 10 minutes of the interview, when the employer sees you 10 feet away and can eyeball all of you, and when you are 10 inches away and shaking hands. Your personal appearance is the most powerful tool you have in communicating the message of who you are. Today’s business wardrobe had many variations that weren’t applicable when you left the civilian world to join the military. Today’s business climate is more relaxed. This article will deal specifically with attire for an interview for a professional position. Attire for interviewing versus attire for work on a daily basis is two different things. Just as body language can say things about you without words, your clothing can project an image you want.

It is typically appropriate to dress one step above what you would normally wear on the job to the interview.

SUITS/PANTS: Whether you have a suit with a skirt or a pants suit, stick with solid colors, or small prints or plaids. Stay away from bright colors like red which is a “power” color and can be intimidating. Never wear a suit with a vest as the only garment under the jacket. A vest is a vest and should not be worn as if it were a blouse. A suit in a fashionable, yet conservative style is the best.

DRESSES: Spring is here and flowery dresses are in, but it is easy to be overwhelmed by a pattern. Pay attention to how low cut your dress or blouses are. You want the interviewer to pay attention to you, not to your attire or your cleavage.

BLOUSES: Wear a blouse in a complimentary color to your suit and your complexion in a solid color like white, cream or a pastel.

SHOES: Stay away from “toe cleavage”. No sandals or open toed shoes. There aren’t many places that excessively high, spiked heels are appropriate for a work environment.

JEWELRY: For years I’ve heard the advice not to wear excessive jewelry to an interview. This was brought home to me in a very powerful way. I met with a business owner once who had rings on every one of her fingers, including her thumbs. She had earring that dangled so low they hit her shoulders every time she moved her head. She had about a half dozen metal bracelets on each wrist which clanged on the desk when she moved her arm. To top it all off she also had about five necklaces on, too. To this day I can tell you all about her jewelry but I couldn’t tell you her name or the name of her company. Keep the jewelry to a minimum. Wear earrings that are close to the ear, about the size of a quarter or smaller is good. If you wear necklaces, make it only one. Keep rings to a minimum of two per hand, not counting wedding/engagement bands. A lapel brooch/pin is fine, but choose with care what you pin on your clothes. It makes a statement about you, too.

ACCESSORIES: If you typically carry a “suitcase” for a purse, think about downsizing for your interview. Sun glasses are fine if you are outdoors on a sunny day, but inside during an interview allow your eyes to shine forth with excitement for this new opportunity before you! It is always appropriate to carry a portfolio-style folder. You can carry copies of your resume, cover letter, application, list of references, letters of recommendation and any other documents you wish to show the employer. You should also have a pad of paper on which you’ve written your well-thought-out questions.

If you must carry your cell phone into an interview, have the common courtesy to turn it off during the interview. Do not set it to vibrate as that sound can be heard, too.

	Career Handbook
	Your Personal Image: Women By Gale Kennedy
	In interviewing there is a “theory of three 10’s”. That means that the impression you make is decided within the first 10 minutes of the interview, when the employer sees you 10 feet away and can eyeball all of you, and when you are 10 inches away and shaking hands. Your personal appearance is the most powerful tool you have in communicating the message of who you are. Today’s business wardrobe had many variations that weren’t applicable when you left the civilian world to join the military. Today’s business climate is more relaxed. This article will deal specifically with attire for an interview for a professional position. Attire for interviewing versus attire for work on a daily basis is two different things. Just as body language can say things about you without words, your clothing can project an image you want. It is typically appropriate to dress one step above what you would normally wear on the job to the interview. SUITS/PANTS: Whether you have a suit with a skirt or a pants suit, stick with solid colors, or small prints or plaids. Stay away from bright colors like red which is a “power” color and can be intimidating. Never wear a suit with a vest as the only garment under the jacket. A vest is a vest and should not be worn as if it were a blouse. A suit in a fashionable, yet conservative style is the best. DRESSES: Spring is here and flowery dresses are in, but it is easy to be overwhelmed by a pattern. Pay attention to how low cut your dress or blouses are. You want the interviewer to pay attention to you, not to your attire or your cleavage. BLOUSES: Wear a blouse in a complimentary color to your suit and your complexion in a solid color like white, cream or a pastel. SHOES: Stay away from “toe cleavage”. No sandals or open toed shoes. There aren’t many places that excessively high, spiked heels are appropriate for a work environment. JEWELRY: For years I’ve heard the advice not to wear excessive jewelry to an interview. This was brought home to me in a very powerful way. I met with a business owner once who had rings on every one of her fingers, including her thumbs. She had earring that dangled so low they hit her shoulders every time she moved her head. She had about a half dozen metal bracelets on each wrist which clanged on the desk when she moved her arm. To top it all off she also had about five necklaces on, too. To this day I can tell you all about her jewelry but I couldn’t tell you her name or the name of her company. Keep the jewelry to a minimum. Wear earrings that are close to the ear, about the size of a quarter or smaller is good. If you wear necklaces, make it only one. Keep rings to a minimum of two per hand, not counting wedding/engagement bands. A lapel brooch/pin is fine, but choose with care what you pin on your clothes. It makes a statement about you, too. ACCESSORIES: If you typically carry a “suitcase” for a purse, think about downsizing for your interview. Sun glasses are fine if you are outdoors on a sunny day, but inside during an interview allow your eyes to shine forth with excitement for this new opportunity before you! It is always appropriate to carry a portfolio-style folder. You can carry copies of your resume, cover letter, application, list of references, letters of recommendation and any other documents you wish to show the employer. You should also have a pad of paper on which you’ve written your well-thought-out questions. If you must carry your cell phone into an interview, have the common courtesy to turn it off during the interview. Do not set it to vibrate as that sound can be heard, too.