Dress
Appropriate interview attire is important, and should not necessarily reflect the style or uniform of the company or position for which you are interviewing with. In other words, if the company dress uniform is relaxed (khaki pants and casual shirts), your dress for the interview should still remain conservative and professional. A suit coat and tie is appropriate for men, a dress suit or suit jacket with tailored slacks is appropriate attire for women. Your clothing need not be new, but it should fit well and be in good, clean condition.

If the type of clothing worn to interviews is not the type of clothing you normally wear or are comfortable in (I'm a blue jeans person myself), wearing this type of clothing before you begin the interviewing process (getting use to wearing and moving in them) can help make you more comfortable. Practice sitting, standing, and moving. Do not wear brand new, out-of-the-box shoes. Nothing can put a person ill at ease faster than clothes that feel uncomfortable, unnatural or do not fit well.

See how the combination of clothes you have put together really looks when worn together ("Wow, this tie does not match after all" "This jacket is too long for me"). You should not be trying something on for the first time a half an hour before an interview appointment, or you may be sitting through the whole interview wishing you had worn a different pair of shoes ("Ow, these things really pinch, I can not wait to take them off"). Inspect your clothes closely for any wear or damage. You do not want to notice a loose thread or a stain after you have arrived at the interview appointment.

For those of you on a limited income, dressing for an interview can be a frustrating and uncomfortable process and expense. Keep in mind that the clothing you wear need not be new, but should be in good condition and well tailored. For women who do not have appropriate interviewing attire and cannot borrow an outfit or purchase one, check out the Dress for Success web site. Dress For Success is dedicated to providing appropriate interview attire to women who cannot afford it. We're currently trying to locate an organization that provides this same service for men (if you know of one, please, let us know). It is also a great place to make contributions of your old but in good condition, interview-appropriate, clothing.

Some other do's and don'ts about dressing for interviews:

• Do not wear cologne (this may be offensive to your interviewer, no matter how good it smells to you).
• If your socks show when you are sitting down; first, make sure they match each other, then make sure they match your attire.
• Wear shoes that are in good condition, match your attire, and are comfortable to wear. Make certain your hands and nails are clean and in good condition (you probably "speak" with your hands more than you are aware).
• Check your clothing for stains, loose stitching or tears.
• Do not smoke and avoid being around others who are smoking; the odour will stay on your clothing and may be offensive.
• If you have worn the clothing previously, have it cleaned or dry-cleaned to remove all cologne, smoking, or other odours.
• Limit the amount of jewellery you wear. Keep it simple and conservative.