The phrase “Dress for Success” is one of the most overused bits of advice for job hunters. At the same time, it is also the best advice. As unfair as it may seem, humans judge one another on appearance and worse yet, on clothes. It is very unfortunate that such prejudices can’t be left in junior high school where they belong. That being said, you must make every effort to have the right clothes for the job that you are seeking.

First impressions are critical. When you go to a job interview, you are selling yourself. Even though your clothes alone will probably not get you the job, they may give you an edge. To help you decide what to wear, do some research. If possible, visit the company to which you are applying.

Make sure you don’t go on “casual day”. Check out what current employees are wearing. Try to mimic the best dressed of the group. If visiting the site is not possible, call the human resources department of your potential employer and ask. When all else fails, dressing conservatively is your best bet.

Try on the clothes you choose several days before the interview to make sure they fit. If the clothes are too tight or too loose, trade them in for something that fits better. If you are wondering whether or not your outfit is too wrinkled or whether or not your skirt is too short, the answer is yes. If you have to contemplate the issue, then you are pushing the envelope. Finally, you should also consider hygiene and accessories before the interview. The list below addresses the major issues:

• Shoes should be clean and conservative.
• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Flashy pieces are fun, but are best saved for other days.
• Fingernails should be cleaned and trimmed.
• Cologne or perfume should be minimal or non-existent.
• Hair should be neat and clean. Take a comb with you to make last minute adjustments if necessary.
• If worn, make-up should be well applied and also kept to a minimum.