Dress For Success

Back in the seventies, John T. Molloy wrote a book called "Dress for Success." It contained wisdom like "Don't wear brown suits." I don't know whether the other generally known bits of lore came from Molloy or his disciples: Always carry a briefcase (shops actually rented briefcases to take on job interviews) and never wear anything that stands out (like a red suit on a woman) because it'll be remembered and you won't be able to wear it again for a while. Red is powerful and purple isn't.

You laugh. After all, everyone is business casual these days. True-everyone except job candidates. Unless you're seeking employment as a dancer or athlete (in which case you're going to an audition or tryout, not an interview), you can't go wrong in a suit. It shows respect to dress up. If your interviewers turn up in cargo pants and sweatshirts, aren't you going to feel they lack respect for you?

You have to make the best impression you possibly can. "We expect you to try to look your best at an interview," an HR manager told me. "We know it'll go downhill from there."

That means suits for men, preferably not black or brown unless Paris Hilton has told you that you look especially good in those colors. If you're absolutely desperate, slacks and a quiet blazer will get you by. No vests, bow ties or red suspenders that show. As for ties, the principle of not wearing anything that stands out is alive and well. You shouldn't be as concerned about whether interviewers will like your tie as afraid that they'll hate it. So even though your grandmother gave you that Snoopy tie for your birthday and it's your favorite, leave it home.

Dress has changed for women. In the dress-for-success days, they were supposed to look as much like men as possible, to show they knew how to play the game. If they also conveyed the message that they were so drab-looking that no one would even consider sexually harassing them, that was a plus. They were supposed to wear suits with skirts-not too short-and shirts rather than sweaters. In a pinch, they could wear dresses that were so totally inconspicuous that nobody who saw them could remember them the next day. In the eighties, the feminine version of the Brooks Brothers tie came into being, some styles actually made by Brooks Brothers: A bit of cloth with a paisley or challis pattern, reminiscent of Girl Scout ties.

Now the preferred interview uniform is a black pants suit. You may not think of Hillary Rodham Clinton as a fashion arbiter, but she popularized the black pants suit during her first Senate campaign. Suits with skirts, not too short, are of course fine too. So are pants suits in other quiet colors. Consultants keep advising against red, powerful as it is, because the party line is that you don't want to draw attention to your appearance. Funny how many prominent businesswomen appear on TV in red suits, but maybe they didn't wear them to their interviews.

No high heels, women. Very little jewelry, everyone. No earrings, men. One or at most two small conservative earrings in each ear, women. No other jewelry in body piercings, anyone. Hide the tattoos.

With luck you won't have to buy a whole new wardrobe, because the next truism of dress is that, if possible, you should wear something at least a year old. Reason: So you'll feel comfortable in it.

Here's a serious one: No fragrances whatsoever. Interviewers not only may dislike them, but may be allergic to them.

The headhunter may tell you, "You can go casual." Don't take that too seriously. It means pants and jackets that don't match. Maybe cashmere sweaters.

Leather briefcases, of the kind that stores used to rent, are a dying breed, but you should carry something to put stuff in, like an extra copy of your resume and samples of your work, and to take stuff away like corporate brochures. If your interview is in the afternoon, an extra tie or pair of stockings is also good to have in case of emergency. Canvas briefcases and conservative tote bags are fine for the purpose. Backpacks aren't. Pocketbooks, if they're dignified-looking and have room to carry stuff, are OK-but pocketbooks plus tote bags or briefcases aren't, so it's best to put your makeup in the tote.

One problem of the business casual age is that if your interview is during the work day, you may have to appear at your office dressed up, causing coworkers to say, "Good luck with the interview." There are two ways to finesse that: Lie about it (say you have a meeting with a clergyman about your brother's wedding) or leave your dress clothes in the car and change at a McDonald's.

Look around the office while you're interviewing. If everyone there is as dressed for success as you are, maybe you won't want to work there.

Article provided by Homesteader.