It's time to head for the interview and you have one question. What is the job interview dressing code? Yes. Everyone has that same doubt. Should you be too formal? Should you just be yourself? Should you portray yourself as a happy-go-lucky character and dress as you please? Ear rings, nose rings, tattoos and other stuff that has been your style statement ?should they come off? Would you make more of an impression if you stood out from the rest of the crowd? Yes. These are some questions that plague many people. Dressing for the interview is a big issue and many get stuck at this critical area.

The answer is actually quite simple. The job interview being a formal meeting between people who are assessing each other's capability and "fit" to work together in a professional environment, the dress code must obviously tilt to the formal. Prepare for it with all the seriousness it requires because you need to create an impression on the employers that you are a serious, responsible and resourceful kind of a person. Now that means that the casual look or the worn out look is out. It means that the conservative look is what you need to work at. Even if you were going for an interview as an odd job man or a part time summer job, it will surely make a difference if you go to the interview dressed formally. One rule that most human resource people advocate is that one must dress as if one is going to the interview of a job one notch higher than what one actually is.

The point of packaging yourself well is to leave behind an impression of your personality. Nothing does as much as the clothes you wear, the perfume you wear and the colors you wear. With conservative colors and clothes you are in the safe zone with most people whereas a daring fashionable look could just disqualify you for too much attitude of the wrong kind. Some of the things that are to be avoided are too much jewellery, bright colored clothes, nail polish, bad nails, skirts that are too short and clothes that are too tight, accessories that are too colorful or floral, inappropriate shoes, bare legs, collarless shirts etc. They just go to prove that you do not really care about the job and all you are worried is about your attitude, which may not be a great advertisement for someone who is looking for a congenial colleague.

Now what is it that you must wear? Colors that score in conservatism are the traditional blue and gray. Blacks and browns are fine as well but score lower than blue and gray. Whatever the job is remember organizations do want disciplined, professional, responsible people in their jobs and it is best that you reflect that in your attire and attitude. Sober colored collared shirts, tie and jacket (if dress code is casual you could ignore the tie).

If you are still unsure, it does make sense to call and ask beforehand what the dress code is and then dress appropriately. Good luck and make a good impression!

Yulin Peng
http://www.job-employment-guide.com